Meet The Guides
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! Meet your assistant at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time before the evening orientation dinner with your Tour Manager and guide.
Overnight: Istanbul
Dinner
Day 2 – Imperial Istanbul
After breakfast, explore the heart of Istanbul:
• Hagia Sophia: A 6th-century architectural masterpiece blending Byzantine and Ottoman heritage.
• Hippodrome: Once the social and sporting center of Constantinople.
• Blue Mosque: A 17th-century Ottoman gem, famous for its blue İznik tiles.
Afternoon:
• Topkapi Palace: Home of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years.
• Grand Bazaar: One of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets.
Overnight: Istanbul
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 3 – Flight to Gaziantep
Morning flight to Gaziantep. Upon arrival:
• Zeugma Mosaic Museum: Home to one of the world’s richest Roman mosaic collections.
• Coppersmith Bazaar: Discover centuries-old copper craftsmanship.
Overnight: Gaziantep
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 4 – Flavors & River Landscapes
• Baklava Workshop: Watch the art of baklava-making and taste freshly prepared sweets.
• Halfeti Boat Tour: A relaxing cruise on the Euphrates River.
• Ancient City of Zeugma: Explore this Hellenistic-Roman archaeological site.
Overnight: Gaziantep
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 5 – Mount Nemrut & Şanlıurfa
Travel via Kahta to:
• Mount Nemrut: A UNESCO World Heritage Site crowned with colossal statues of ancient deities built by King Antiochus I.
Evening arrival in Şanlıurfa.
Overnight: Şanlıurfa
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 6 – Sacred Urfa & Göbeklitepe
• Gümrükhan Bazaar: A vibrant Ottoman-era market.
• Balıklıgöl: Believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham.
• Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum: Exhibiting 12,000 years of human history.
Afternoon:
• Göbeklitepe: The world’s oldest known temple complex (circa 9600 B.C.).
Evening transfer to Mardin.
Overnight: Mardin
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 7 – The Stone City of Mardin
• Deyrulzafaran Monastery: A 5th-century Syriac Orthodox monastery.
• Dara Ancient City: Known as the “Ephesus of Mesopotamia.”
• Kasımiye Madrasa: A Seljuk-era educational complex.
• Kırklar Church: One of Mardin’s oldest Syriac churches.
• Old Mardin: Wander through narrow stone streets and panoramic terraces.
Overnight: Mardin
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 8 – Midyat & Ancient Churches
• Mor Gabriel Monastery: The world’s oldest surviving Syriac monastery (4th century).
• Virgin Mary Church, Anıtlı Village: A well-preserved 6th-century site.
• Midyat: Famous for its stone houses, silver craftsmanship, and cultural richness.
Overnight: Mardin
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 – Hasankeyf & Lake Van
• Hasankeyf Museum: Artifacts spanning prehistoric, Roman, and Islamic eras.
• Lake Van: Turkey’s largest lake, framed by stunning landscapes.
Overnight: Van
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 10 – Urartian Legacy & Akdamar Island
• Çavuştepe Fortress: An ancient Urartian stronghold.
• Urartu Carpet Workshop: Learn traditional weaving techniques.
• Akdamar Island Cruise & Holy Cross Church: A 10th-century masterpiece of Armenian architecture.
Overnight: Van
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 11 – Return to Istanbul
Morning transfer to the airport and flight back to Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 12 – Final Istanbul Discoveries
• Basilica Cistern: A 6th-century Byzantine water reservoir.
• Spice Bazaar: A sensory journey through spices, teas, and sweets.
Evening: Farewell dinner with music, memories, and celebration.
Overnight: Istanbul
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 13 – Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
Breakfast
