THE SPLENDOURS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY
per person
ISTANBUL – ANTIOCH- URFA – ISTANBUL
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS 5* HOTELS
TOUR TYPE: HASSLE FREE, CULTURAL
Extraordinary voyage that encompasses hidden treasures of Istanbul and less visited but astonishing and mysterious treasures of the south-eastern Turkey. Gorgeous architecture of Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul, beauty of blue Bosporus, innumerable bazaars that are combined with giant statues of gods and kings on top of Mount Nemrut, splendid mosaics of Antioch and spice smelling streets of Urfa, world first open air temple and beehive houses… You will discover another dimension of Turkey, see its ancient relics, enjoy its food, be in touch with its generous people. Great and unusual combination of two completely different zones. Hassle free. Internal flights included.
HIGHLIGHTS
Day 1: Arrival day. No entrances.
Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar
Day 3: Istanbul – Antioch (Antakya) flight, Antakya Mosaic Museum, Saint Peters Grotto, Antioch Old City
Day 4: Mount Nemrut
Day 5: Abraham’s Cave, Pools of Holy Carp, Harran Beehive Houses, Gobekli Tepe
Day 6: Urfa – Istanbul flight, Saint Savior in Chora, Galata Tower, Beyoglu District, carpet production center
Day 7: Beylerbeyi Palace, Camlica Hill, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Spice Bazaar, leather shop
Day 8: Departure day
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IncludedTHE SPLENDOURS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY
FROM OUR GALLERY
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Day 1: Arrival day. No entrances.
Meet at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
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Day 2: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar
Discovery of the historical heart of Istanbul: Visit Topkapi Palace, somptuous residence of the Ottoman Sultans, home to the imperial treasury, the cabinet and the famous harem.
Lunch in a restaurant in ‘old city’. Afternoon, visit Hagia Sophia ‘The Shrine of Holy Wisdom’, the marvellous Byzantine basilica built in the 6th century once the largest church in the world for 1000 years decorated with stunning golden mosaics. Then visit Blue Mosque with six elegant minarets and a striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Nearby, take a stroll through the ancient Hippodrome, a center for sports and entertainment in the old Constantinople as well as very important political spot for politics during the Byzantine period. Next, visit the Basilica Cistern, impressive underground water reservoir from 6th century.and visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and the most attractive covered bazaar in the world. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)
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Day 3: Istanbul - Antioch (Antakya) flight, Antakya Mosaic Museum, Saint Peters Grotto, Antioch Old City
Morning flight to Antioch (Antakya). Third largest city of the Roman Empire after Rome and Alexandria, Antioch was an important cultural and commercial center and headquarters of St. Paul's Missionary Journeys. It was in Antioch where Sts.Peter, Paul, Barnabas and Timothy all preached and Jesus followers were first called Christians. St. Peter first celebrated Mass here and here is the first church of Christianity. Also Bohemond of Tarentum had begun its legendary siege during the First Crusade in Antioch and here you can see the famous Antakya Mosaic Museum which reflects the grandeur of Roman Antioch.
At our arrival, we visit the St. Peter’s Grotto, the Cave Church where St Peter first celebrated Mass. Lunch and visit marvelous Antakya Mosaic Museum which is one of the richest collections of Roman and Byzantine mosaics in the world. Free time in Antioch old city. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 4: Mount Nemrut
After breakfast, depart for Nemrut Dag (383 km). The highest mountain in northern Mesopotamia on the top of which Antiochus I, King of Commagene dreaming of immortality, had built a sanctuary where he was buried. Lunch. Afternoon, climb to Mount Nemrut to visit the tomb of Antiochus I : On this summit lies famous thomb of the obscure Commagene King : Terraces with colossal statues representing Greek and Iranian gods and kings, friezes, bas-relief carvings and a amazing view bathed in violet light at sunset. Back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Adıyaman. (B,L,D)
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Day 5: Abraham’s Cave, Pools of Holy Carp, Harran Beehive Houses, Gobekli Tepe
Drive to Urfa by the grandiose Atatürk Dam’s road on the Euphrates river (148 km.) At our arrival to Urfa, we visit Abrahams Cave and the Pools of Holy Carp surrounding it, than walk around colorful covered bazaar of Urfa. Then, we will visit famous Gobeklitepe, massive carved stones of 11 000 years old that are accepted as the world’s oldest temple. Lunch. Afternoon drive to Harran, a village of spellbinding Mud-Brick "beehive" houses with roofs shaped cone. It was one of the oldest human settlements continuously occupied since millenaries. According to the Old Testament, Abraham spend last years of his life here (XI, 31,32; XII, 4.5). Visit the ruins of Harran including city walls, oldest Islamic university and the castle dating back to eighteen century. Back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Urfa. (B,L,D)
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Day 6: Urfa - Istanbul flight, Saint Savior in Chora, Galata Tower, Beyoglu District, carpet production center
Morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, we discover the Golden Horn area. First, we visit St. Saviour in Chora, a former Byzantine church famous for its magnificent mosaics and frescoes glowing from the old walls and domed ceilings. Lunch. Afternoon, and visit the Galata Tower, 14th century genoese tower whose upper public balcony offers a splendid 360 degree panoramic view over the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Asian shores and Princes Islands then we’ll dicover the district of Beyoğlu with its fish market and its innumerable shopping streets. The last visit of the day will be a carpet production center then we will return to the hotel. (B,L)
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Day 7: Beylerbeyi Palace, Camlica Hill, Rustem Pasha Mosque, Spice Bazaar, leather shop
Today, we’ll explore the asiatic side of Istanbul. First, we visit the Beylerbeyi Palace on the Bosphorus. Sumptuous imperial residence with its Bohemian crystal chandeliers, Sèvres and Chinese vases, and magnolia-filled gardens, Beylerbeyi served as a summer palace and guest quarters for visiting dignitaries such French Empress Eugénie, Shah of Iran and the King of Montenegro. Next, we’ll discover the Çamlıca Hill, highest point of Istanbul with a panoramic command over the city. Lunch in the Asian side and afternoon, we wil pass to european side and visit the Rüstem Pasha Mosque built in the name of the treasurer and the son-in-law of Suleiman the Magnificient, it is known to host the best examples of handmade Iznik tiles, in both interior and exterior walls and we continue to the colorful and exotic Spice Bazaar where you can taste dried fruits, caviars, foodstuffs, Turkish delights and of course spices. Then we will visit a leather shop where we will attend to fashion show and appreciate leather goods. Overnight at hotel. (B,L)
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Day 8: Departure day
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return flight home (B)
TOUR LOCATION
SERVICES INCLUDED
- 7 NIGHTS OF ACCOMMODATION IN 5* HOTELS
- BEST ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE SERVICE
- PRIVATE VEHICLE AS REQUESTED AT YOUR ITINERARY THROUGHOUT THE TOUR
- ALL THE TRANSFERS
- VAT
- ALL THE MEALS AS MENTIONED IN THE PROGRAM BELOW (7 BREAKFASTS - 6 LUNCHES - 3 DINNERS)
- ALL MUSEUM ENTRANCES AS MENTIONED IN THE PROGRAM
- ISTANBUL– ANTAKYA AND URFA – ISTANBUL FLIGHTS
- PRIVATE EXPENSES
- DRINKS AT HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
- ANY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT TICKET