10 Day Istanbul, Trabzon & Bursa Discovery Tour: From Ottoman Palaces to Black Sea Highlands

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was 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. Our next see will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today it is a mosque. You can see it from outside.  After that see TOPKAPI PALACE, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing 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, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. You can see it from outside.    The Basilica Cistern Museum is one of the most important cultural assets where we can trace the traces of glorious Istanbul history. With its 80,000-ton water storage capacity, Yerebatan Cistern is the largest covered cistern in the city and stands out with more reclaimed supporting elements compared to other covered cisterns. Covering an area of approximately 10,000 square meters, this colossal structure has a rectangular shape with a length of 140 meters and a width of 70 meters. You can see it from outside.  After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at  restaurant and Overnight in Istanbul.

If you would like to visit with entrance below sites;

Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fee. You pay the door price.

The Basilica Cistern Museum Entrance You pay the door price.

Please Note: Please do not forget to carry Scarf with you because of visiting to Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
We pick you up from your hotel in early morning, transfer to airport for a morning flight to Trabzon where your guide will meet you. Firstly, we visit Sumela Monastery which was constructed on the steep slopes of the Black Mount and situated in Golden River National Park. We will have our lunch at a restaurant located on outskirts of the Mount Zigana and among the fragrant pines. After lunch, we visit the Karaca Caves where we admire the stalactites and stalagmites. We take a break at Mount Zigana passing the Zigana Pass and then we reach Hamsikoy which is the hometown of Turkish rice pudding following the old Iranian Road. We taste the homebaked rice pudding, drink our tea in a country tea house and walk along a nature trail then drive to your hotel and overnight stay in Trabzon.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Breakfast at your hotel then we start the day by visiting Hagia Sophia which previously was a museum and was converted into a mosque. Then we visit Ataturk’s Villa where he used to stay on his visits to Trabzon. Later, we go up to the hillside to Boztepe to see the panoramic view of the city. Lunch will be at Lake Sera. In the afternoon we depart for Lake Uzungol. On the way, we will see the local workshops like local textile crafts and visit a tea factory. Then we arrive in Uzungol. Overnight stay in Uzungol.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After breakfast, we depart for the highland Ayder. On our way, we will have a tea break in Rize Botanical Garden, observe weaving on traditional looms, see the rafting area on the River Fırtına and discover the Laz culture of the Black Sea region. We will arrive at our hotel in Ayder in the afternoon passing through rain forests and magnificent waterfalls. After arriving Ayder free time for walking and discovering the stunning landscape. We will have our dinner accompanied with local violin and pipes. Overnight stay at a local hotel in Ayder.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After the breakfast at your hotel, we leave for a village called Caglayan located in Fındıklı. The village is famous for tea and kiwi groves and traditional Laz houses. You will have an hour break for taking pictures, then we walk a nature trail along the River Caglayan. Then we drive to Cayeli in order to have our lunch with a typical dry beans dish which is famous throughout Turkey. After our meal, we arrive in Trabzon following the Black Sea coastal road. Free time to see the historical bazaar area of Trabzon and to buy some souvenirs from Trabzon. End of the tour we transfer you to airport for a flight to Istanbul or your next destination. Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Breakfast at your hotel then we pick you up from your hotel and begin with a brief visit to City Walls which are surrounding the whole part of the old city since 5th Century.
Spice  Market, heady aromas of its wonderful variety of spices, herbs and sweets.
Golden Horn, the Bosphorus Straits and a natural harbour of the historical peninsula that separates the old and newer parts of old Istanbul.
During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace, Ciragan Palace, and Ortakoy which is a symbol of tolerance with a church, a mosque and a synagogue existing side by side for centuries.
Rumeli  Fortress an amazing fortification built by Mehmet the Conqueror in just three months to help him conquer Istanbul and take control of the Bosphorus.
Bosphorus  Bridge provides a unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia)  in just under  two minutes.
Beylerbeyi Palace was built in 19th century and is one of the the most spectacular palaces in the world.
Camlıca  Hill, the highest point of Istanbul, panoramic view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.
At the end of the tour we take you back to your hotel and overnight in Istanbul.
Beylerbeyi Palace closed on Monday and Thursday replaced with Chora Museum.
Rumeli Fortress closed on Wednesday.
Spice Bazaar closed on Sunday replaced with Golden Horn.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Escape from the bustle of Istanbul for a day with a trip to the Princes’ Islands. You will join us aboard a ferry bound for the idyllic Princes’ Island, enjoying cool breezes and charming sights along the way. Our destination is Buyukada, the largest of the islands; formerly a site of exiled palace members, particularly in the Byzantine era, later a popular summer resort with pinewoods and vintage wooden mansions.
You will have your lunch at a charming fish restaurant on the island.
You can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn carriage called a phaeton, among the pine trees after relaxing on the beaches in the numerous coves of the coast. Evening return to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Breakfast at your hotel then you will be picked up from your hotel and take the ferry to Bursa. While enjoying the lovely views of the surrounding countryside, we will drive to Bursa, the first capital city of Ottomans where the Ottoman Empire was born. Taste the famous Iskender Kebab, walk through the old markets, climb to the Uludag, the legendary mount of Greek Gods, Olympos, by cable car. Visit Ulu Cami, (Grand Mosque), Green Mosque, Green Tomb, The Old Silk Market.
End of the day drive back to Istanbul, arrival and transfer to your hotel.

(Breakfast included)
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the Airport for your return trip back home. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we would like to see you in the future in one of our tours again. Have a nice trip back home and thanks for choosing TravelShop Booking.