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9
Day Istanbul to Trabzon Tour Itinerary
Tour
Departure Dates : Jun 5, Aug 28 2010
Description
9 Days from Istanbul to Trabzon
accross the North of Turkey otherwise known as the Black Sea. Safranbolu
offers the historic trading post of all the major trade routes that
travelled from India, Arabia and the Orient into Europe. Beautiful and
architecturally preserved is a favourite location of our staff. Ankara
the capital of Turkey holds all the secrets that founded this great
country. Amasya is pure beauty, a city fortified by mountains and
castles layed out along the banks of the river Kizil Irmak before
finishing in Trabzon to discover the secrets of the Byzantine empire.
Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day
Welcome to Turkey!!! Today is your arrival day. Airport transfers are
available from Ataturk International Airport during the hours of 8:00am
til 11:00pm. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul City Tour
(Breakfast and dinner included)
We depart from the hotel at 08:30am 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 we head to the “SPICE BAZAAR”
(Egyptian Bazaar) the air here is filled with the enticing aromas of
cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb
and spice.
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.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul - Abant Lake - Safranbolu
(Breakfast and dinner included)
After breakfast at 09:00am 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).
Overnight in Safranbolu.
Day 4 - Safranbolu - Ankara
(Breakfast and dinner included)
After breakfast at 09:00am 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. Overnight in Ankara.
Day 5 - Ankara - Hattusa - Amasya
(Breakfast and dinner included)
After breakfast we depart for Hattusa, which was the capital of Hitites.
Hititians where Indo-German semi European people, they arrived via the
Black Sea to north Anatolia at the beginning of 18 th century BC. They
used horse carts as their war vehicles, which they used during their
attack of Ramses the 2nd and they had a big war with the Egyptians and
they then made a peace treaty where they wrote on the clay and had 2
women sign it. That was the first peace treaty where woman ever
participated. Visiting Yazilikaya which is the ruin of an open air
temple of the Hitites where there are rock carvings of the Hitites god
and Goddes. We then go to Hattusas, big temple and the city ruins
including gates of lion and king. Visiting the summer palace of Hitites
and driving to Alacahoyuk that was first capital of Hitites and Hatti
civilisation. After lunch we drive to Amasya for our Amasya Tour. Amasya
is one of the provinces which is distinct both with its natural setup
and historical values it holds. It was the homeland of the famous
geographer Strabo. Located in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak (Iris)
river, it has a history of 3000 years during which many civilizations
left priceless remains of their times. The ruins of the citadel on the
rock face of the cleft shelters 2000 year old water-channels, 1000 year
old bridges, an ancient mental hospital, an Ottoman Palace and a secret
underground passageway. Overnight in Amasya.
Day 6 - Amasya - Trabzon
(Breakfast and dinner included)
After breakfast at 09:00am departure for Trabzon. When the Roman Empire
was divided into two at the end of the 4th century, Trabzon remained
under the sovereignty of the Eastern Roman Empire which later on was
called as Byzantine Empire. When relations and wars between the
Byzantines and the Arabs started, the Arabs called the people under the
Roman Sovereignty as Rum, and the areas under the Roman sovereignty as
Diyar-i Rum or Memleket-ul Rum (land of Rums). Overnight in Trabzon.
Day 7 - Trabzon
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Depart for St. Sophia (Ayasofya), a 13th century church and study its
extraordinary collection of Byzantine frescoes, depart for Gulbahar
Hatun Mosque, 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 Akçaabat. Afternoon we explore the
cobbled stone streets of Trabzon. Drive to Boztepe; enjoy our tea from
samovar with the panoramic view of the city. Overnight in Trabzon.
Day 8 - Sumela Monestary - Zigana - Karaca Cave
(Breakfast and dinner included)
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, lunch, traveling along
the Silk Road through the Zigana Mountains (Pontic Alps) will take us to
Karaca Cave, considered to be the most beautiful in Turkey for its
colors and formations. Overnight in Trabzon.
Day 9 - Trabzon - End of Tour
(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.
9 DAYS BLACK SEA REGION TOUR INCLUDES:
• Private return airport transfers
• 3, 4 star and Boutique Hotels in each area
• 2 nights hotel in Istanbul including breakfast and dinner
• 1 night hotel in Safranbolu including breakfast and dinner
• 1 night hotel in Ankara including breakfast and dinner
• 1 night hotel in Amasya including breakfast and dinner
• 3 nights hotel in Trabzon including breakfast and dinner
• Guided Istanbul City Tour
• Guided tour at Lake Abant
• Guided tour in Safranbolu
• Guided tour in Ankara
• Guided tour in Hattusa
• Guided tour in Amasya
• Guided tour in Trabzon
• All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
• Professional English-speaking tour guides
9 DAYS BLACK SEA REGION TOUR EXCLUDES:
• International flights
• Personal expenses: Lunches, extras at hotel or additional meals
• Tipping: Tips for guides and drivers
• Insurance: All types
Price 2010 in Euro per person ($ rate varies
depending the exchange):
| Tour
Price per person |
Euro |
| Double
occupancy |
799 |
| Single |
1059 |
Tour
map:
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