Black Sea (Karadeniz) Tour

 
1st Day İstanbul: Airport pick-up and hotel check-in, free day and the accommodation.

2nd Day İstanbul: We are visiting Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) which was built by Emperor Justinian. This place has been the largest construction of the world for more than 1000 years. We continue our tour with Topkapı Palace which has been used by Ottoman Sultans from 15th century until 19th century. Here, you will see the memories of Prophet Muhammad and an impressive collection of expensive jewelries and robes worn by the Sultans, crystals, silvers and porcelains. After the lunch break, we will see the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) which is a unique piece of architecture with six minarets and 20.000 beautiful İznik tiles. Then we are visiting Obelisk (Dikilitaş), Serpentine Column (Yılanlı Sütun), and German Fountain of Wilhelm II and old Hippodrome. We are walking through the back-streets of old Istanbul and visiting the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı). From here, we pass to Grand Bazaar and having a one-hour free time. Afterwards, overnight stay in Istanbul.

3rd Day İstanbul: Meeting at 9 a.m. at the reception with guides. We start the tour with Kariye museum. We visit exotic Egyptian spice market at Golden Horn. We pass to Asia through Bosphorus bridge and visiting Beylerbeyi palace which is the summer residence of Ottoman sultans, afterwards we are watching the magnificent view of Istanbul from Çamlıca Hill. After lunch at a seaside fish restaurant, we start our trip with bosphorus tour. We see the path of water which separates continents Europe and Asia. Going back to hotel and accommodation at Istanbul.

4th Day İstanbul: Meeting at 9 a.m. with guides, and we start our tour with a trip to Big Island (Büyük ada) which is the largest island in Istanbul. After a panoramic tour of the island by phaetons, we have a lunch break. Next, we are visiting the Aya Yorgi Church and Aya Yorgi Monastery which are at the highest hill of the island. The first architecture here was built in 6th century A.D. In this place, there are also ruins of many churches and monasteries. At Christ (İsa) Hill, there are Hristos church, monastery and Greek Orphanage. Although the building of the Greek Orphanage is a wreck, still it is one of the world’s largest wooden monoblock architectures. After visiting here, we are passing to Ayios Dimitros Church at Kumsal district. The small Orthodox community on the island performs the big ceremonies here. After we are visiting Hamidiye Mosque which is the most attractive mosque in terms of architecture among 4 mosques in Big Island and was built by Sultan Abdulhamid, we finish our tour here and go back to hotel.

5th Day Transfer from İstanbul to Ankara: Starting the tour at Ankara. We begin our trip with Anatolian Civilizations museum and August temple. After lunch break, we visit Anıtkabir (Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk) and check-in to hotel to relax.


6th Day Ankara-Çorum-Samsun: We meet early in the morning and we are heading towards Hattusa (Hattuşaş), the capital of the Hittites. After visiting Hattuşaş, Alacahöyük and Yazılı Kaya, we have a lunch break and set off towards Samsun. When we arrive at Samsun, we check-in to hotel and have a rest.
7th Day Samsun-Giresun-Trabzon: We meet early in the morning and we are heading towards Giresun. When we arrive at Giresun, we have a lunch break and then heading towards Trabzon, check-in to hotel and relax.

8th Day Trabzon: After breakfast, we set out to visit Sümela monastery located in the borders of Altındere village of Maçka town. After visiting Sümela monastery, we have a lunch break. After lunch, we pass to Uzungöl. Uzungöl is at the junction of Soğanlı and Kaçkar mountains in where there are the rain forests of Turkey. After our trip, we go back to hotel and relax.

9th Day Rize-Trabzon: In the morning, we are going to Rize from Trabzon by bus. When we arrive at Rize, we are visiting tea gardens and having lunch. After lunch, we visit tea factories, Ayder plateau, and then go back to Trabzon. We accommodate at Trabzon.

10th Day Trabzon-İstanbul: We are being picked up from the hotel according to the flight time and we are transferring to the airport, and departing from Turkey.