Discover during your 9 days the Natural Jewels of the Black Sea
What to see during the 9-day Extended Black Sea Tour Turkey?
What to expect during the 9-day Extended Black Sea Tour Turkey?
Day 1: Istanbul – Arrival Day
Meeting with a member of our team at Istanbul Airport and getting the transfer to the hotel. You can relax or explore the region by yourself for the rest of the day.
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour
The Istanbul city tour package will start at the Old City after a delicious breakfast. Hippodrome is the main rota that was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List in 1985 and the living heritage of both Byzantines and Ottomans can be seen. Around Sultanahmet, The German Fountain -which was gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1898-, and the Obelisk of Theodosius – nearly 3,500 years old, were brought to the Hippodrome by Theodosius from the Temple of Karnak about in 390- can be seen. Serpent Column -considered that it was at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi before- and the Column of Constantine that was brought from Apollon temple in Rome are other highlighted sites of the tour.
Day 3: Istanbul – Abant Lake – Safranbolu
After breakfast, 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 by 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, and Kaymakamlar House.
Day 4: Safranbolu – Ankara Tours
After breakfast, we depart in the direction of 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 (the founder of modern Turkey) Museum and the Ataturk Mausoleum.
Day 5: Ankara – Hattusa – Amasya Tours
After breakfast, we depart for Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittites. Hititians were Indo-German Semi European people, they arrived via the Black Sea to north Anatolia at the beginning of the 18th century BC. They used horse carts as their war vehicles which they used during their attack on Ramses the 2nd and they had a big war with the Egyptians they then made a peace treaty where they wrote on the clay and had 2 women sign it. That was the first peace treaty in which women ever participated. Visit Yazilikaya which is the ruin of an open-air temple of the Hittites where there are rock carvings of the Hittite’s god and Goddess. We then go to Hattusa, a big temple, and the city ruins including the gates of the lion and king. Visited the summer palace of the Hittites and drove to Alacahoyuk which was the first capital of the Hittites and Hatti civilizations. 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 the 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 shelter 2000-year-old water channels, 1000-year-old bridges, an ancient mental hospital, an Ottoman Palace, and a secret underground passageway.
Day 6: Amasya – Trabzon Tours
After breakfast at 09.00, we depart 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 Roman Sovereignty as Rum and the areas under Roman sovereignty Diyar-i Rum or Memleket-ul Rum.
Day 7: Trabzon Tour
After breakfast, we 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 Akcaabat. Afternoon, we explore the cobbled stone streets of Trabzon. Drive to Boztepe; enjoy our tea from samovar with the panoramic view of the city.
Day 8: Sumela Monastery – Zigana – Karaca Cave
After breakfast, we 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, travel along the Silk Road through the Zigana Mountains (Pontic Alps) will take us to Karaca Cave that is considered to be the most beautiful in Turkey for its colors and formations
Day 9: Trabzon – Istanbul End of Tour
After breakfast, we depart for Trabzon Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back home.
Extra Tour Details
- Everyday departure (All year round)
- Duration: 9 days
- Groups / Private
What is included during the Excursion?
Included:
- Accommodation BB
- All sightseeing & fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Flight tickets
- Transfer service from Hotels & Airport
- English Guide
Excluded:
- Beverage during the tour
- Tips to the guide&driver(optional)
- Personal expenses
