DAY 1 Arrive in Istanbul, transfer to hotelUpon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip. The remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.
OVERNIGHTIstanbul hotel
EXTRASSingle Room Supplement, Extra night - pre-tour
DAY 2 Istanbul Old City tourOur trip begins this morning with a full day tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome.
OVERNIGHTIstanbul hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 3 Drive to Bursa via IznikToday we leave Istanbul behind and drive to Bursa, through a picturesque scenery shaped by the temperate climate of the area surrounding the Sea of Marmara. En route we stop in Iznik, ancient Nicea, which is famous for its traditional blue tile production. Arriving into Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman empire, we visit Yeşil Türbe (Green Tomb) with its colourful covering of blue-green tiles, Yeşil Cami and Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque). We'll also explore the traditional markets of the city, including Koza Han, the silk bazaar.
OVERNIGHTBursa hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 4 Drive to Ankara via GordionThis morning we head east to Ankara the modern capital of Turkey. En route we stop at the site of ancient Gordion, the historical capital of the kingdom of Phrygia where Alexander the Great cut the famous knot. The kings of Phrygia constructed large tombs near Gordion. These artificial mounds were built over wooden burial chambers and were called tumuli. We visit the largest tumuli, which is believed to have belonged to the legendary King Midas. Upon arrival in Ankara in the late afternoon, we enjoy a short tour of the city allowing time to visit Anitkabir - the mausoleum of Ataturk, the national leader and founder of the Turkish Republic.
OVERNIGHTAnkara hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 5 Drive to CappadociaThis morning we take time to visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. This award winning museum is located near the ancient citadel of Ankara and is a perfect introduction to the complex story of Turkey's ancient past. Next we continue east to the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. On the way we stop in the town of Hacibektas, where Haji Bektash Veli, the Anatolian mystic, humanist, and philosopher and founder of the Bektasi order, lived most of his life. We visit the Bektashi Order Museum and the Tomb of Haji Bektash Veli.
OVERNIGHTCappadocia hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 Cappadocia, Goreme & underground cityToday we enjoy a full day to marvel at the spectacular fairy chimneys and lunar landscape of Cappadocia with a visit to Goreme Valley Open Air Museum. We'll also delve into the ground and explore the many levels of an underground city.
OVERNIGHTCappadocia hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 Hattusa, Yazilikaya and AlacahoyukAfter breakfast, we drive via Kozakli to the city of Hattusa, the ancient Bronze Age capital of the Hittite Empire. We start with a visit to Yazilikaya, the ruins of the open air temple where you can view the well preserved rock carvings of Hittites gods. We then continue to the ruins of Hattusa, ‘the Great Temple’, to explore sites such as the Lions’ Gate, the Royal Gate and the summer palace of Hittites. Then we drive on to Alacahoyuk, site of the Sphinx Gate and the Royal Tombs.
OVERNIGHTÇorum hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 Çorum and AmasyaToday we drive to Amasya , which lies in the mountain near the Black Sea coast, in a narrow valley beside the banks of the Yesilirmak River. This fortified city, perched high on the cliffs above the river, has a long history as a wealthy provincial capital. It is also well known for producing kings and princes - from the kings of Pontus, through Strabo the geographer, to many generations of the Ottoman dynasty.
OVERNIGHTAmasya hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 Drive to Sinop, via Vezirkopru and DuraganThis morning, we to Sinop on the Black Sea coast, via Duragan and Vezirkopru. At the collapse of Alexander's empire the Vezirköprü region became part of the kingdom of Pontos, with its capital at Amaseia (Amasya), and later at Sinop.
OVERNIGHTSinop hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 Akliman, Hamsilos and Erfelek WaterfallWe start today with a visit to Akliman Cove and Hamsilos Bay, this part of the Black Sea coast is rich in natural beauty, with green forests, colourful flowers and numerous small inland bays. Military ships during the First World War took strategic advantage of the bay’s hidden location. Later in the afternoon we visit, Erfelek Waterfall where you can trek through the park to find the many cascading waterfalls and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
OVERNIGHTSinop hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 11 Drive through Ayancik, Abana, Inebolu and on to KastamonuEarly morning we head to the town of Ayancik, a pretty district of Sinop, then continue on to Abana. En route you'll have the opportunity to walk along the amazing coast and take tea beside the seaside. Next we head toward Inebolu where we visit “Gazi İnebolu” district. Inebolu, with its wooden houses (Byzantine or Ottoman Greek architecture), dark green nature and superb coastline, is sure to amaze. Finally we drive on to Kastamonu.
OVERNIGHTKastamonu hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 12 Kastamonu, Araç, SafranboluAfter breakfast we visit Kastamonu city center, which is one of the rare cities where you can still find excellent examples of traditional Turkish houses. We then drive on to Safranbolu via the town of Araç.
OVERNIGHTSafranbolu hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 13 Safranbolu and AmasraToday we start our tour at Hidirlik Hill where you have a fantastic view of the city and a chance to discover the well-preserved wooden houses in Safranbolu. We'll visit Cinci inn & bath, the old government building, the clock tower, and Arasta bazaar. There is also plenty of time to stop of at a few of the many traditional handicraft shops. In the afternoon we continue on to Amasra and visit the Roman Castle & Walls, the wood-carving handicraft bazaar and the outer & inner piers of the city.
OVERNIGHTSafranbolu hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 14 Drive back to Istanbul via AkcakocaFinally we drive back to Istanbul stopping en route at Akcakoca to visit the Old town which is perched on a gentle hill and is a well preserved neighbourhood of traditional houses of wood and firebricks, lining square-shaped blocks. Before driving to Istanbul we will also visit the castle , which is one of the series of castles built by Genoese traders along Black Sea coast.
OVERNIGHTIstanbul hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 15 Istanbul, transfer to airportYour time is free today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping in Istanbul before we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
OVERNIGHTN/A
MEALSBreakfast