Welcome to Turkey! Today is your arrival day. Airport transfers are available from Istanbul International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After an early breakfast, we depart from the hotel at 08.30 for the Istanbul City Tour. "TOPKAPI PALACE" The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries. The palace 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.

Next on the list is the "SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE" Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the "BLUE MOSQUE" because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Outside the Blue Mosque we find the "HIPPODROME". The Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races and entertainment. The Hippodrome comprises of three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.

After a short enjoyable lunch break, Murtis Tour will take you to the Grand Spice Bazaar which is a unique atmosphere with reasonable prices for your shopping on many Exotic Spices and Herbs, Turkish Baklava, Turkish Delights, Turkish Coffee, nuts and fruits, small souvenirs such as Ceramic Handicrafts, Evil Eyes totems, all naturel olive oil, soaps and many other goods in Souvenir Shops and stores.

After the tour, you have the option to experience the Bosphorus Cruise which will depart after the city tour. You will have the chance to enjoy magnificent views of Bosphorus which is connecting Asia to Europe. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast at 09.00, we depart for Abant Lake. Abant is most probably the most famous lake in Turkey. The lake is at the end of a 22 km drive. The seven kilometer walk around the lake offers a great opportunity to enjoy the area. Those who don't wish to walk can ride horseback or complete the tour on a horse cart. Abant lake is surrounded with pine trees. The manner in which the lake was formed is a topic of discussion. Its deepest point is 45 meters. The countryside is pleasantly different in each season. Water lilies embellish the surface in summer. It is also famous for its trout. Lunch break at a beautiful alfresco restaurant under the trees with BBQ and fresh bread. After lunch, we depart for Safranbolu (from the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East-West trade route. The old mosque, the old bath house and Suleyman Pasha Medrese were built in 1322. During its apogee in the 17th century, Safranbolu's architecture influenced urban development throughout much of the Ottoman Empire). On arrival, we will walk through the historical Safranbolu Bazaar, continuing on to Cinci Hodja Caravanserai, Cici Hodja Bath House, Kaymakamlar House (Museum). Dinner and overnight in Safranbolu.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast at 09.00, we departure sleepy Safranbolu for Ankara (3 to 4 hours drive) On arrival, we will have time for lunch before taking the City Tour of Ankara which is the 2nd biggest city and the capital of Turkey. On the tour, you will visit Ataturk`s (founder of the modern Turkey) Museum and the Ataturk Mausoleum. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we depart for Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittites. They used horse carts as their war vehicles, which they used during their attack on Ramses in the 2nd century, and they had a big war with the Egyptians.  They then drew a peace treaty on a piece of clay and signed it with two women; the Treaty of Kadesh or the Eternal Treaty. That was the first peace treaty in which a woman ever participated.

Visiting Yazilikaya, which is the ruin of an open-air temple of the Hittites, where there are rock carvings of the Hittite's god and goddess The big temple, the city ruins, and the gates of the lion and king in Hattusa are on our itinerary. Alacahoyuk was the first capital of the Hittites, and the Hatti civilization will be next visited. After lunch, we drive to Amasya. 

Amasya was the homeland of the famous geographer Strabo, and the city is located in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak (Iris) river. The ruins of the citadel, 2000-year-old water channels, 1000-year-old bridges, an ancient mental hospital named Bimarhane, an Ottoman palace, and a secret underground passageway can be seen in the city. Dinner and overnight in Amasya.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we depart for Trabzon at 9:00. Trabzon remained a part of the Eastern Roman Empire, which later became known as the Byzantine Empire, after the Roman Empire was split in two at the end of the 4th century. When relations and wars between the Byzantines and the Arabs started, the Arabs called the people under Roman sovereignty "Rum", and the areas under Roman sovereignty "Diyar-i Rum" or "Memleket-ul Rum" (land of Rums). Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.

Please remember that you can spend the night and unwind with TSG's optional Trabzon Turkish Bath Tour.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we depart for St. Sophia (Ayasofya), a 13th-century church, and study its extraordinary collection of Byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, Trabzon Castle, and Ataturk's Mansion (a picturesque hillside retreat), visit Ortahisar Mosque (a Comneni cathedral in the old town). Lunch at a seaside restaurant in Akcaabat. We spent the afternoon exploring Trabzon's cobblestone streets. Drive to Boztepe and enjoy our samovar tea with a panoramic view of the city. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.

(Breakfast and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we depart for Sumela Monastery, visit the 4th-century Sumela Monastery, which clings to a sheer cliff face in a deep forest, relax beside a fast-flowing stream at Altindere Valley National Park, and travel along the Silk Road through the Zigana Mountains (Pontic Alps) to Karaca Cave, which is considered to be the most beautiful cave in Turkey for its colors and formations. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.

(Breakfast included)

Today your tour is over. Please make your own arrangements for departure remembering that your hotel will need you to check out before midday. We hope you had a memorable tour and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another TravelShop Booking Tour. Have a safe trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.