Black Sea Region and Eastern Turkey: 13 days

(Lunch included)

Pick up from your hotel (Hotel not included) at 7:00 and we will start our drive to the Black Sea. We cross the Bosphorus Bridgeand will pass from Europe to Asia. Safranbolu is a town in the Black Sea region of northern Turkey, once a stop on the trade route between Europe and the Orient. Its Ottoman architecture includes the old Çarşı district, with hundreds of preserved, red-roofed Ottoman houses on cobblestone streets. Cinci Han is a 17th-century caravansary with rooftop views over town and Cinci Hamam is a restored 17th-century bathhouse, still in operation. Time permitting visit the Yemeniciler Arastası (bazaar) and Kaymakamlar Historical House and Izzet Pasha Mosque built 1796. Overnight in Safranbolu.

About Safranbolu:

Safranbolu is a quaint and traditional Black Sea town with narrow cobblestone streets and shops; there are many restored Ottoman dwellings here, and, therefore, Safranbolu has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Ottoman times, the town lay on a major trade route. Its many handsome three-story stone-and-timber konaks (mansions) were erected by wealthy merchants and craftsmen. In the summer, these people lived in the cooler Baglar district, and in winter, they moved to the more sheltered Carsi (bazaar) quarter around the Kazdagi Mosque.

Overnight in Safranbolu

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

After breakfast, you will depart from your hotel for a day trip to Amasra; we'll enjoy a beautiful 1-hour scenic drive through little mountain villages. Once in Amasra, you'll have free time to explore. If the weather permits, you may choose to hire a boat for 15 Euros (approximate cost) for a 40-minute trip through the old city and its castles. Later in the afternoon, the driver will transfer you from Amasra to Safranbolu. Overnight in Safranbolu

About Amasra:

In the 6th century BC, Amasra was known Sesamus, and its inhabitants were known as the Megara. The town has a lovely small harbour with a Roman bridge and watchtower, and is arguably the most charming town in the Black Sea region. Interesting places to see in the town include the Fatih Mosque, a Byzantine-era church and a 19th century harbor (iskele) mosque. Some portions of the Byzantine walls are still standing, as is a Roman-era bridge in the harbor.

( breakfast and lunch included)

Today, we will drive to Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, to visit Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum and Ataturk’s Mausoleum. The museum is housed in a 15th-century bedesten (covered market). The central room houses reliefs and statues, while the surrounding hall displays exhibits from Paleolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Bronze Age, Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartians and Lydian periods.

The eternal resting place of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Mausoleum is at the same time a museum harboring many towers. It is possible to see and understand the entire process of founding the republic with the artifacts and written documents in the museum section. Then, we will drive you to your hotel. Overnight accommodation in Ankara

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

Early in the morning, we will start the day visiting the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and Anitkabir (Mausoleum of Ataturk); then we will visit Hattusa.

* Anatolian Civilizations Museum is housed in two Ottoman-era buildings near Ankara Castle, in the historical Atpazari district of Ankara. The exhibits of gold, silver, glass, marble and bronze works date back as far as the second half of the first millennium BC. The coin collections, with examples ranging from the first minted money up to modern times, represent the museum's rare cultural treasures.

* Mausoleum of Ataturk (Anitkabir) is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the celebrated leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder (and first president) of the Republic of Turkey. The body of Republic's second president, Ismet Inonu, is also interred here.

* Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age. Hattusa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986. The landscape surrounding the city included rich agricultural fields, pastoral hills and woodland - the latter providing the supply for timber construction.

After visiting these sites, we will begin our drive to Amasya, arriving in the evening.

Overnight in Amasya

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

Today is the free day for you to discover Amasya on your own.

In Amasya, one can see the influences of the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, Ilhanli, and Ottoman civilizations, leading up to the early days of the Turkish Republic. In addition to being endowed with historical and cultural significance, Amasya is rich in natural beauty as well - as evidenced in the thermal springs that are in this region. Amasya's Yaliboyu houses are the best instances of Ottoman architecture and are currently being restored by the Foundation of Protecting Cultural and Natural Wealth.

Amasya is also famous for its apples, cherries, peaches and okra. If you would like to enjoy a blend of cultural tradition along with natural scenic beauty, then Amasya is truly the ideal.

Overnight in Amasya

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, you will depart Amasya for Trabzon, cutting through dramatic Black Sea mountains. After arriving in Trabzon, we will check into the hotel.

A little about Trabzon's history:

The earliest evidence of civilization in Trabzon dates to about 7,000 BC. Established as a Greek colony (along with Amasra and Sinop) the town benefited from its position on the busy trade route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. It grew quickly and was the seat of the Pontic kingdom, and, later, the Commagene period at the beginning of the 13th century, and the city gained a reputation as a sophisticated cultural center. The Genoese and the Venetians came here to trade as Trabzon was the terminus of a northern branch of the Silk Road. Finally, in 1461 Trabzon fell under Ottoman rule.

Overnight in Trabzon

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

After breakfast, we'll drive through the picturesque Pontic Mountains and continue with a full-day tour of Sumela Monastery, Gumushane and Karaca Cave.

* Sumela Monastery sits high up on the cliffs of Mela, southeast of Trabzon. It was founded in the 4th century by two Greek monks, Barnabas and Sophronius, who were guided to the site by an icon of a "black" image of the Virgin Mary, elegantly painted by St. Luke. After their deaths, Sumela became a place of pilgrimage. Decorated with frescoes, Sumela's treasures include priceless manuscripts and silver plates. Since the monastery was rebuilt several times, the ruins seen today date largely to the 19th century. During the Ottoman era, Sumela enjoyed the protection of the sultans, but it was ultimately abandoned and also badly-damaged during the War of Independence. In recent years, thankfully, extensive restoration has been carried out.

Overnight in Trabzon

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

After breakfast, we'll depart Uzungol and drive on to Ayder and visit tea and kiwi plantations on the way. We'll be driving through the Firtina Valley and visit Camlihemsin and Goksu Falls. Later, we'll arrive in Ayder and check into our Ottoman-era wooden hotel.

Overnight in Ayder

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

After breakfast, we'll depart Parhal and drive on to Kars, and check into our hotel. In the afternoon, we'll visit the medieval city of Ani, a ruined and uninhabited medieval Armenian city-site in Kars province, which sits alongside the Armenian border. It was once the capital of a medieval Armenian kingdom which covered much of present-day Armenia and eastern Turkey.

A fortress once encircled Ani, with its most powerful defenses along the northern side of the city (the only part not protected by rivers or ravines). Overnight in Kars

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After breakfast, we will depart Kars and drive to Dogubeyazit, a settlement with a long history. Dogubeyazit is in Turkey's most eastern district and is on the border with Iran. After arrival we will check into the hotel.

Overnight in Dogubeyazit

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

After breakfast we will start the day exploring and visiting the Ishak Pasa Sarayi (Palace).

* Ishak Pasa Palace is an Ottoman-period palace whose construction began in 1685 by Colak Abdi Pasha, the bey of Beyazit province. According to the inscription on its door, the Harem section of the palace was completed by his grandson Ishak (Isaac) Pasha in 1784. The Palace is more of a complex than it is a palace; it was the second-most important administrative center after Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The palace, built on the side of a mountain 5 km (3 mi.) east of Dogubeyazit, is a rare and magnificent example of the architectural style from the 18th-century Ottoman "Lale Devri" period.

After our visit, we'll be on our way to Van; on the way, we'll stop at Muradiye Falls, and also make other stops at scenic points where you may take pictures of Mt. Ararat. We then arrive in Van, whereupon you'll check into your hotel.

Overnight in Van

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

Today, you'll enjoy a full-day tour of the city of Van and surroundings.

Sites you will visit:

* Hosap Castle, situated on a craggy outcropping along many of the area's silk routes, was built in the 17th century. The castle is impressive in both its size and the view it affords.

* Akdamar Island is the island's main attraction. Other than its stunning location within Lake Van, it is the home to the 10th-century Armenian cathedral, the Church of the Holy Cross. It was built by Bishop Manuel during the King Gagik I, in 915-921 AD. The reddish volcanic stone of the church set against the backdrop of Lake Van'a vividly-blue waters makes for an instant and unforgettable impression. After visiting these sites we will return to our hotel.

Overnight stay in Van

(Breakfast included)

After breakfast, we will provide transfer to the Van Airport and put you on your 2-hour flight back to Istanbul