Tour The Colors of Turkey

Culture

50%

Nature

20%

History

50%

Adventure

20%

Food

30%

Arrival in Istanbul, assistance, and transfer to the selected hotel. Overnight stay

Culture

60%

Nature

30%

History

50%

Adventure

20%

Food

20%

After breakfast, departure for a half-day excursion to the Golden Horn, a natural estuary that separates the historic part of Istanbul from the modern city, known for its distinctive views. We will begin with a visit to the Iron Church of St. Stephen, a Bulgarian Orthodox church linked to the struggle for ecclesiastical independence in the first half of the 19th century. It is the only Orthodox church in the world made entirely of iron.

We will then continue towards the picturesque neighbourhoods of Fener and Balat, protected by UNESCO and considered among the oldest settlements of ancient Constantinople. We will visit the Cathedral of St. George, seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate since the 15th century: once a convent of Orthodox nuns, it was transformed into the patriarchal residence by Patriarch Matthew II (1598–1601). We will end the visit at the Spice Bazaar (or Egyptian Bazaar), an iconic place full of fragrances, colours and stalls where one can buy all kinds of spices, sweets and typical dried fruits. The excursion ends here; return on your own.

Possibility to take part in the optional excursion “Khalkedionia” (bookable and payable locally), which includes crossing the Eurasia Bridge and arriving at Camlıca Hill, the highest point in the city, located on the Asian side, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Istanbul. Continuation to Kadıköy, one of the liveliest and most popular districts of the city. Free time for lunch, during which you can taste typical Turkish street food. In the afternoon, visit to the Beylerbeyi Palace, once the summer residence of the Ottoman sultans, then transfer back to the hotel. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take the flight (TK 2676 IST–MQM 11:20–13:20) to Mardin. Arrival in Mardin, a city in southeastern Turkey, capital of the province with the same name, known for its medieval architecture and strategic location. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Culture

50%

Nature

50%

History

50%

Adventure

30%

Food

30%

After breakfast, departure for the visit of the city centre of Mardin. The city stretches along the slopes of a mountain crowned by its fortress. It is a caramel-coloured town with the large dome of the Ulu Camii Mosque, an Iraqi Seljuk structure built in the 12th century, located in the small yet intricate maze of alleys in the old town. We will then stop at the Zinciriye Madrasa, whose minarets rise in the heart of the historic centre. The main street of the centre is Cumhuriyet Street, where the large and bustling bazaar unfolds, offering copper and brass items, the famous Aleppo soaps, and the constant aroma of freshly baked bread.

We will then visit the Syriac Monastery of Deyrul Zafaran, one of the oldest in the world. The monastery was, for 640 years (until 1932), the residence of the Assyrian Orthodox Patriarch. The place is called Deyrul Zafaran (Saffron Church) due to the saffron cultivated in the surrounding area. Assyrians from all over the world come here every year to pray and receive blessings.

Lunch. In the afternoon, departure towards Diyarbakir, one of the most important cities in the region, known in classical times as Amidiya; the city was annexed by Rome in 297 AD and became an essential part of the defensive line between the Roman Empire and the Parthian-Sasanian Empire of Persia. Arrival in Diyarbakir and beginning of the walking tour of the old town and its religious monuments, entering through its walls, strolling through its narrow, lively, and vibrant streets. We will stop at the Hasan Pasa Hani Caravanserai, today a popular stop for tea before visiting the Great Mosque, the most important among the city’s twenty-two mosques and the oldest in Anatolia, originally built as a Christian cathedral called “Saint Thomas”. We will then continue with a visit to the Four-Legged Minaret, built by Kasim Khan. Legend says that walking seven times between its four columns brings good luck. Dinner and overnight stay.

Culture

40%

Nature

60%

History

40%

Adventure

40%

Food

30%

Full Board. In the morning, departure for the visit to Mount Nemrut, home to imposing statues built in 38 BC by order of King Antiochus to surround his tomb. This is one of the most extraordinary sites in Turkey, located at 2,000 meters above sea level, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Upon reaching the summit of Mount Nemrut, we will visit the burial mound of King Antiochus, built with small conical stones and standing about 50 meters high. On both sides, across two terraces, we can admire the colossal statues of Greco-Babylonian deities. Lunch on the way at a roadside-style restaurant. Afterwards, departure for Malatya, famous for its apricot cultivation. Dinner and overnight stay.

Culture

40%

Nature

70%

History

50%

Adventure

40%

Food

20%

Full Board. Early morning departure for the Cappadocia region, where the indescribable harmony of a kaleidoscope of colors transforms shades of red and brown into gray, green, and yellow. Lunch. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we will see the famous "Three Beauties of Ürgüp," where you can admire the mushroom-shaped rock formations and enjoy a panoramic view of Ürgüp.

Next, we will visit the small and beautiful town of Ortahisar, known for its 86-meter-high geological rock castle, which was transformed into dwellings by the Hittites. Dinner and overnight stay. 

After dinner, you can optionally attend a whirling dervish (sema) ceremony.

Culture

60%

Nature

50%

History

60%

Adventure

30%

Food

20%

Today, we will explore the unique Cappadocia region, where nature’s wonders blend with culturally significant sites. Our tour begins with a walk through the fascinating Devrent Valley, known as the "Valley of the Fairy Chimneys," where wind and water erosion on volcanic terrain have sculpted a spectacular landscape of peaks, cones, and obelisks.

Next, we will visit the underground city of Özkonak or a similar one, built by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab attacks. We will stop at a carpet and kilim workshop. We then continue to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, which preserves an impressive collection of churches, chapels, and monasteries carved into the rock, featuring 11th-century frescoes, and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch.

In the afternoon, we will visit the spectacular volcanic sites of Avcilar ("Hunters' Valley") and Güvercinlik ("Pigeon Valley"), enjoying a breathtaking panoramic view of Uçhisar Castle, a fortress carved into a volcanic rock promontory filled with tunnels and windows. We will also stop at a handicraft workshop specializing in decorations and jewelry. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay. In the evening, you may optionally attend a traditional Turkish folk dance show.

Culture

40%

Nature

60%

History

30%

Relax

30%

Food

50%

After breakfast, early morning departure to visit the Seljuk Caravanserai “Sultanhani” or another similar one, located along the legendary Silk Road, which served as a stopping point for commercial, pilgrimage, or military caravans.

Lunch. Continuation towards Pamukkale, or “cotton castle”, a small town famous for its white travertine pools formed by the lime contained in the thermal spring waters of the area. Short stop at a textile workshop and arrival in Pamukkale in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.

Culture

50%

Nature

50%

History

50%

Food

30%

Wellness

50%

After breakfast, departure for the visit of ancient Hierapolis, which, destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt in 17 AD, reached its greatest splendour in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Visitors will be amazed to see, on the hillside and leaning against one another, dozens of enormous basins formed by the slow, millenary flow of calcareous water.

Continuation to Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in Turkey, built around 1000 BC (the current remains date back to the 4th century BC), where you will visit the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the grand theatre. Lunch. Finally, stop at a place where fashion shows are held and leather goods are sold. Free dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Nature

60%

Relax

50%

Adventure

30%

Food

40%

Wellness

70%

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the visit of the so-called “Imperial” Istanbul: we will start with the visit of the ancient Hippodrome, then continue with the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, and continuation with the visit to the Basilica Cistern, built in 532 under Emperor Justinian I, an extraordinary example of Byzantine hydraulic engineering, featuring majestic columns and vaulted arches.

Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit of the Topkapi Imperial Palace (Harem section excluded), residence of the Sultans for almost four centuries. Its architecture, with magnificent decorations and furnishings, bears witness to the power and majesty of the Ottoman Empire. We will continue with the exterior visit of Hagia Sophia (today a mosque, entrance excluded), a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and free time at the Grand Bazaar. The excursion ends here; return on your own. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast and transfer to Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) or Istanbul Airport (IST) at the scheduled time for the return flight. End of our services.