8 Days Islamic and Cultural Turkey Tour

Upon our arrival at Istanbul International Airport, your guide will meet, assist and transfer you to the hotel. Istanbul’s original name is Byzantium then Constantinople. It is a most fascinating city, which actually crosses two continents Europe and Asia. It is a city of amalgamation of bazaars, minarets, mosques, churches, palaces, and restaurants catering to every one’s taste, museums, customs and twelve million people. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included) 
After breakfast, pick up at the hotel between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Your tour consultant will provide you with the final timing one day before. After breakfast, we have the Istanbul Islamic and Sahabe Tour. Istanbul is home to many religious artifacts because of its lengthy history as a center of religion. Following the Ottoman period, the Islamic religion became dispersed throughout the city. The first mosque in Istanbul was built in Kadikoy, on the Asian side of the city, which was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1353. The first mosque on the European side of Istanbul was built inside Rumeli Castle in 1452. The Eyup Sultan Mosque (built in 1458) was the first grand mosque built in the city proper.

We will visit the Eyup Sultan Mosque on our Sahabe and Islamic tour, which is at the same time the eternal resting place of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, a close companion and the standard-bearer of the prophet Muhammad. The small Sahabe Cemetery just outside Egrikapi Gate may seem like a standard Muslim cemetery, but it is not. Because they were the first Muslims to reach Istanbul and besiege the city, they are well-known in Turkey.

The Suleymaniye Mosque becomes most meaningful when understood in its historical and cultural context. It was built during the latter part of Sultan Suleyman’s prosperous reign, which stretched from 1520 to 1566. After the tour, drop back off at your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast included)

Start your day with a delicious breakfast before setting off on an exciting journey to Bursa. We will visit some of the city's most well-known and historically significant Islamic sites during our guided tour today. The impressive Ulu Mosque, the charming Cumalikizik village, the breathtaking Green Mosque, the tranquil Green Tomb, and shopping are all on our itinerary. This daily tour of Bursa gives you the chance to learn more about the area's rich history and culture and to develop your understanding of Islamic culture. We'll spend the night in Istanbul. 

(Breakfast Included)

After breakfast, the tour will depart for a gorgeous Istanbul City Tour. The first stop is the Topkapi Palace; the great palace of the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. At the same time, it houses an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the imperial treasury, miniatures, and the holy mantle, enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed.

The second stop of the tour is Sultanahmet Square, where the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque salutes the Hagia Sophia. The Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, which was built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Next, the tour will explore the Hippodrome; the site of ancient chariot races, and the home of three ancient monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpent Column, and the Column of Constantine. When you reach the other end of the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia Mosque will meet you with all its grandeur.

After a delectable lunch break, TSG will take you to the bazaar, where you can find exotic spices and herbs, Turkish Baklava, delicious Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, hand made souvenirs and more. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

Early in the morning, the tour will move to Gallipoli. With breaks, the tour will arrive there at about noon. Kabatepe Museum is the first place that will be visited, which has a rich weapon, photograph, and garment collection that was used by soldiers during the Gallipoli Campaign.

Ari Burnu Cemetery will be next, which was built for the soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, India, and Malta that lost their lives during WWI in the Gallipoli Campaign. Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine, and Chunuck Bair are on the list where the most intense struggles have occurred. While listening to their sad stories, you may feel the cruelty of the war again. Overnight in Canakkale.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

At about 9:00, after a delicious breakfast, Troy will be seen on the horizon. The well-known archeological and mythological site is the scene of the Trojan War and the endless love of Helen and Paris. The lunch break will be around 13:00 in Bergama. On the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon, temples and libraries that were the riches of their time will be visited. Did you know that Marcus Antonius gave all the parchments in this library to Cleopatra as a gift? You will learn more on the tour. There will be a 30-minute shopping break in Bergama because it is famous for its jewelry, stones, and silver goods. Overnight in Kusadasi. 

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

The departure to visit Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world, will be early in the morning. In Ephesus, you will visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the famous Roman Baths, the Celsus Library, the Grand Theatre, and have a lunch break at a small Turkish restaurant. After lunch, we will visit Sirince Village, which also has a fantastic reputation for local wine production in Turkey, especially fruit wines. In the evening, you will be tested on your knowledge of making fruit wine. On the way back to the hotel, we will stop at a carpet weaving center where the traditional Turkish art is still practiced or a leather production center . Overnight in Kusadasi.

(Breakfast included)

Today, we depart for Izmir Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back to home. One of TSG's adventures comes to an end. However, you can sign up to take advantage of TSG credits, and this is the best way to snag credits and use them for your next trips as a discount, as well as to hear about the hot deals according to your interests.