Turkish Mesopotamia

 Welcome to Türkiye, a country full of culture, history, and unique experiences, where the differences between East and West come together. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation.

Arrival on an international flight at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST). Opened in April 2019, it is now the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, passing through immigration, and collecting your luggage, head to our meeting point at exit door 8. You will then meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and accommodation. Free time to rest.

Note: If you cannot find our representatives at the meeting point, please contact our emergency number.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion: “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS.” Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Visit the old Jewish neighborhood in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and enjoy the magnificent views of the “Golden Horn”; then visit St. George’s Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, which has the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul. We will head to the Spice Bazaar, a charming place filled with color and aroma, the perfect spot to buy teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets, and of course, spices; culminating with a boat ride through the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will appreciate the wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides of this metropolis. Transfer back to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: The order of the excursions in Istanbul may be reversed based on operational conditions, such as the number of participants, weather, traffic, or monument closures.

Breakfast. Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) for transfer to the airport and flight to Rize (flight not included - consult for mandatory supplements; transfers are included to make a single operation with the group). Arrival and visit the most beautiful plateaus and streams in the region. We will continue to Çeçeva in the Çayeli district of Rize Province. We will visit the vast tea gardens where many well-known brands are produced, along with TV series and commercials (the visit may be changed according to the tea production season). After our visit, we will head to Fırtına in the Rize district, where you can enjoy magnificent views and, of course, take magical photographs. Overnight in Rize. Hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion “BATUMI, GEORGIA, THE PEARL OF THE BLACK SEA”: Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) known as Batum, is a beautiful coastal city located on the Black Sea coast in the Adjara region of Georgia. With its vibrant atmosphere, impressive skyscrapers, and seaside location, Batumi has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. The city is known for its modern and futuristic architecture. Its skyscrapers, such as the Alphabet Tower and the Batumi Tower, stand out on the skyline and create an impressive image. These buildings are symbols of the city’s development and growth. Overnight and dinner in Rize.

Breakfast. In the morning, depart for Trabzon around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide). The rest of the day is free. Option to take the optional excursion “THE TREASURE OF SUMELA”: known as the Sumela Monastery or the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, it is an ancient Orthodox monastery located in the Zigana mountains, in Trabzon Province, northern Turkey, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the most prominent historical and religious sites in the region. The Sumela Monastery is set in an impressive location, built on the side of a rocky cliff surrounded by dense forests. Its elevated position offers panoramic views of the surroundings, including the Altindere Valley and the river flowing at its feet. You will also visit St. Mary’s Church (or Ayasofya Meryem Ana Kilisesi), a historic church located in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Built in the 13th century, this beautiful church is a notable example of Byzantine architecture in the Black Sea region. Its design features distinctive architectural details and a charming combination of stone and brick. Inside, visitors can admire ancient frescoes adorning the walls and ceilings, as well as significant religious and cultural elements. St. Mary’s is a cultural treasure that reflects Trabzon's rich history and heritage. Tourists and history lovers enjoy exploring this site and discovering its relevance in the region's medieval past. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Trabzon

Early departure from Trabzon to Cappadocia, leaving around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide). On the way, we will visit Sivas, Turkey, a charming historical city located in central Turkey. Known for its rich cultural heritage, Ottoman architecture, mosques, and Turkish baths. It is also famous for its traditional festivals and stunning natural landscapes that include nearby mountains and rivers, where we will visit the Bürüciye Medrese, a historic Islamic school located in Sivas, Turkey. Built in the 13th century during the Seljuk era, this medrese features classic Islamic architecture with impressive decorative details and tiles. It is now a protected cultural monument and an attractive place for tourists interested in the history and architecture of the region. Free afternoon for lunch. Arrival in Cappadocia, dinner, and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure around 08:00 to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. Starting at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Continuing to the impressive valleys of the region with their “otherworldly” landscapes, you will appreciate the views of the geological formations, the famous "Fairy Chimneys." A stop will be made to enjoy the incredible panoramic view of some of the famous valleys of volcanic rocks with spectacular shapes. Continue to the underground city of Cappadocia, one of the many impressive engineering feats built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks throughout history. After the tour, visit a carpet center to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces, which are true treasures, and a center for precious stones, featuring exclusive jewelry designs from the region. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Optional programs in Cappadocia: “TURKISH NIGHT” Folkloric dance presentation in a typical cave with local drinks; “JEEP SAFARI” adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops for the best photos; “HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE” early in the morning to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Breakfast “lunch-box” and early departure (around 6:00 - time to be confirmed by the guide) to Ankara for a panoramic visit of Türkiye’s capital and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, a place of great historical and emotional importance in Ankara. This impressive monument is the final resting place of Turkish leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who was the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. We continue with a visit to Safranbolu, a charming city located in the heart of Anatolia, known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and nostalgic atmosphere. Accommodation

Breakfast. Departure from Safranbolu around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide), we will continue towards the Black Sea and arrive at Gokgol Cave. We will enter and admire the landscape formed by its underground river and its multiple colors. Free time for lunch beside the Black Sea in Eregli. We will visit the impressive caves and tombs of Cehenemagz. On the way back to Istanbul, there will be a final stop in Eydinpinar to enjoy a relaxing walk among its waterfalls. Continue to Istanbul. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) for a tour of the historical center of the city, where you will observe the variety of remnants from the different empires that shaped modern Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years, where you can also learn about the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with over 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque, and now a museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astounding technical achievement in its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport (IST) for your return flight.

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