19-Day Hidden Treasures of Turkey – Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia & Mesopotamia

After breakfast, begin your journey in the historic heart of Istanbul.

Walk through Sultanahmet and discover some of the monuments that tell the story of two great empires.

Visit the Blue Mosque, see magnificent Hagia Sophia, walk through the ancient Hippodrome and explore Topkapı Palace, once home to the Ottoman sultans.

Finish among the shops and narrow lanes of the Grand Bazaar.

It's a classic introduction to Türkiye before tomorrow's journey takes you away from the usual tourist route.

Overnight in Istanbul.
Meal: Breakfast

Leave Istanbul after breakfast and travel into northern Anatolia.

Your destination is Safranbolu, a town where hundreds of traditional Ottoman houses still line cobbled streets.

After arrival, explore the old quarter on foot. Wander past historic mansions, small workshops, mosques, fountains and traditional shops.

Safranbolu is best enjoyed slowly, so take time to look around and enjoy the atmosphere.

Overnight in Safranbolu.
Meal: Breakfast

Today we make our way to the Black Sea.

Stop in Amasra, a beautiful little coastal town built around two natural harbors.

Take a walk around the waterfront, enjoy the sea views and discover the historic streets before continuing inland toward Ankara.

Arrive in the capital in the evening and check into your hotel.

Overnight in Ankara.
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Ankara behind and travel deep into the history of ancient Anatolia.

Visit Hattusa, once the capital of the powerful Hittite Empire.

Walk through the remains of temples, monumental gates and ancient defensive walls before continuing to nearby Yazılıkaya, known for its remarkable rock reliefs.

Later, continue to Amasya.

Overnight in Amasya.
Meal: Breakfast

Wake up in one of Türkiye's most attractive historic towns.

Amasya stretches along the Yeşilırmak River, with Ottoman houses lining the waterfront and ancient rock tombs carved high into the cliffs above.

Explore the historic center before continuing toward Tokat.

Tokat sees far fewer international visitors, which is part of its appeal. Discover its traditional streets, historic buildings, local markets and everyday Anatolian character.

Overnight in Tokat.
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, begin the journey north toward the Black Sea.

As we travel, dry Central Anatolian landscapes gradually give way to greener hills, forests and mountains.

Arrive in Trabzon, one of the most important cities of the eastern Black Sea region.

Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Trabzon.
Meal: Breakfast

Today we head into the mountains.

Travel through the Altındere Valley to Sumela Monastery, dramatically positioned against a steep cliff face.

Its location alone makes the journey worthwhile.

Explore the monastery and surrounding landscape before returning toward Trabzon for additional sightseeing and free time in the city.

Overnight in Trabzon.
Meal: Breakfast

This is one of the most scenic days of the journey.

Travel along the Black Sea before heading into the mountains to Uzungöl, surrounded by forests and steep green slopes.

Continue through Rize, the heart of Türkiye's tea-growing country.

From here, travel deeper into the mountains toward Ayder Plateau, where rivers, forests, traditional villages and mountain scenery create a completely different side of Türkiye.

Overnight in Ayder / Rize region.
Meal: Breakfast

Today is about the journey as much as the destination.

Leave the green Black Sea behind and travel inland toward Eastern Anatolia.

The scenery changes dramatically as we cross mountain passes and wide-open landscapes on the way to Kars.

It is a longer travel day, but also one of the best opportunities to see just how varied Türkiye's geography can be.

Arrive in Kars and settle into your hotel.

Overnight in Kars.
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, drive toward the Armenian border to visit the extraordinary ruins of Ani.

Once a wealthy medieval city, Ani now stands almost alone on a vast plateau.

Walk between ancient churches, city walls and ruined buildings while your guide shares stories of the different civilizations that once called this place home.

Return to Kars and spend time exploring the city's distinctive streets and architecture.

Overnight in Kars.
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, continue south through Eastern Anatolia toward Lake Van.

The drive passes through some of the country's most dramatic open landscapes.

On arrival in Van, visit Van Castle, rising above the remains of ancient Tuşpa, once the capital of the Urartian Kingdom.

If timing allows, enjoy the late-afternoon views across Lake Van.

Overnight in Van.
Meal: Breakfast

This morning, head to the shores of Lake Van and board a boat for Akdamar Island.

Visit the beautiful medieval Church of the Holy Cross, known for the detailed stone carvings covering its exterior.

After returning to the mainland, begin the journey south toward Mardin.

Arrive in the evening and check into your hotel.

Overnight in Mardin.
Meal: Breakfast

Today is dedicated to Mardin.

Built along a hillside overlooking the vast Mesopotamian plains, Mardin feels unlike almost anywhere else in Türkiye.

Walk through narrow stone streets, pass traditional houses, mosques, churches, bazaars and hidden courtyards.

Later, visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery, an important center of the Syriac Orthodox tradition.

Return to the Old City and enjoy the evening atmosphere.

Overnight in Mardin.
Meal: Breakfast

Travel into the historic Tur Abdin region.

Begin in Midyat, known for beautiful stone mansions, traditional silver craftsmanship and its multicultural heritage.

Continue to Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the world's oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries.

Later, visit Dara, an ancient frontier settlement with rock-cut structures, cisterns and archaeological remains.

Return to Mardin in the evening.

Overnight in Mardin.
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Mardin and continue toward Şanlıurfa.

On arrival, discover the historic center and visit Balıklıgöl – the Pool of Abraham.

Walk through the surrounding bazaars and old streets, where spice shops, cafés, workshops and traditional markets bring the city to life.

The evening is free to enjoy Şanlıurfa's atmosphere and regional cuisine.

Overnight in Şanlıurfa.
Meal: Breakfast

Today takes us thousands of years further back in time.

Visit Göbekli Tepe, one of the world's most important Neolithic archaeological discoveries.

Its monumental stone pillars were created by communities living in this region more than 10,000 years ago.

Continue to Karahantepe, another remarkable prehistoric settlement where archaeological work continues to reveal new information about the earliest settled communities.

Return to Şanlıurfa after the tour.

Overnight in Şanlıurfa.
Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, travel to the final destination of the journey: Gaziantep.

Visit the outstanding Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to an extraordinary collection of Roman-era mosaics.

Then head into the old city.

Explore the historic bazaar, watch copper craftsmen at work and sample some of the flavors that have made Gaziantep one of Türkiye's most celebrated food destinations.

It's a fitting place for your final evening.

Overnight in Gaziantep.
Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy your final breakfast before transferring to Gaziantep Airport.

Fly to Istanbul and connect with your international departure flight.

After 19 days crossing Türkiye from the Bosphorus to the Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia and Mesopotamia, your journey comes to an end.

We hope you leave with much more than photographs – and with a very different picture of Türkiye from the one you arrived with.

Meal: Breakfast