Treasures of the black sea coast
Tour Code CUL 06
Highlights
– Istanbul; historical peninsula Sultanahmet
– Hagia Sophia, blue mosque & Topkapi palace
– Safranbolu & Thracian city Kastamonu
– Amasya, city of kings, poets & thinkers
– Bogazkale (Hattusa) & sanctuary Yazilikaya
– World heritage Cappadocia
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Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec
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10 days / 9 nights
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A (easy)
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9 nights at the hotel
Itinerary
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DAY 1
Arrival IstanbulMeet at the Istanbul Int. airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the historical peninsula, known as Sultanahmet, where you spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 - 50 km (Istanbul Int. airport to hotel in Sultanahmet/Sirkeci)ON: in Istanbul at the hotelMeals: - / - / - -
DAY 2
Istanbul sightseeing historical peninsulaAfter breakfast we head out for a fantastic tour through Istanbul, we start the day with a walk through the historical peninsula area where we visit Topkapi palace, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome square and blue mosque. The Topkapi palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years of their 624 year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. The palace is among the monuments contained within the "historic areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985. Next to Topkapi palace we head over to famous Hagia Sophia, considered to be one of the world’s most important monuments, a masterpiece and example of great architectural beauty. The marvel complex anchors the old city of Istanbul and has served for centuries as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later as a mosque and as museum. On our way we also pass through Hippodrome square, once a circus that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire. The surviving monuments of the Spina (the middle barrier of the racecourse), the two obelisks (Obelisk of Thutmose III & Walled Obelisk) and the Serpentine Column, now sit in holes in a landscaped garden. Our final visit takes us to blue mosque (Sultan Ahmed mosque), built between 1609 and 1616. The design is the culmination of two centuries of both Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. It incorporates some Byzantine elements of the neighbouring Hagia Sophia with traditional Islamic architecture and is considered to be the last great mosque of the classical period. We conclude the day with a traditional cup of Turkish tee, known as cay and afterwards return to our hotel.ON: in Istanbul at the hotelMeals: B / - / - -
DAY 3
Istanbul to Amasra, Persian seaport along the black sea coastAfter breakfast we leave Istanbul and drive to Amasra, a small historical town at the black sea coast. With its architectural heritage, Amasra is a member of the Norwich-based European association of historic towns and regions. The main sights are the two islands, the bigger one called Buyukada (great island) while the smaller one is called Tavsanadasi (rabbit island). The Amasra castle, built during the roman period, the walls of the castle, built by the Byzantines and the church mosque, built as a byzantine church in the 9th century. The church is a small chapel and its narthex section consists of three parts. After Fatih sultan Mehmet conquered Amasra in 1460, it was converted to a mosque. We take time to explore Amasra, we will have a walk in the old town area and visit the historical parts of the town.Transfer time: 6 h; transfer distance: 470 km (Istanbul – Amasra)ON: in Amasra at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 4
UNESCO world heritage site Safranbolu & Thracian city KastamonuAfter breakfast we head to Safranbolu town, added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites in 1994 due to its well preserved ottoman era houses and architecture. The old town preserves many old buildings, with 1008 registered historical artefacts, the old town area houses several historical remaining such as mosques, fountains, Turkish baths, houses and mansions. The name of the town derives from 'saffron' and the Greek word 'polis' (city), since Safranbolu was a trading place and a centre for growing saffron. Today saffron is still alive and probably one of the best quality saffron in the world. We take time to walk through Safranbolu and its old town area before we continue to Kastamonu where we spend the night.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 200 km (Amasra to Kastamonu via Safranbolu)ON: in Kastamonu at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 5
Sinop, flourishing black sea port and commercial centre for thousands of yearsKastamonu is believed to have been founded in the 18th century BC. The town was known as Timonion during the roman period and Ataturk made his historical speech concerning about the "hat and dress revolution" at his visit to the town in 1925. Today Kastamonu, with its beautiful 12th century Byzantine castle at the foot of the hill, is a lovely city hidden in the midst of forests. The 13th century Atabey mosque and the Ibni Neccar mosque are worth visiting too. In the early afternoon we leave Kastamonu and drive to Sinop, a city located at the northernmost point of Turkey, on a little peninsula with great views of black sea and an ancient port which had been used for thousands of years. We’ll spend our day visiting castle and old infamous state prison, situated in the inside of the Sinop fortress. As one of the oldest prisons of Turkey, it was established in 1887 within the inner fortress of the centuries old fortification located on the north-western part of cape Sinop. We spend the night in Sinop at the hotel.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 190 km (Kastamonu to Sinop)ON: in Sinop at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 6
Amasya, known as the city of kings and princes, artists, scientists, poets and thinkersWe leave Sinop and drive to Amasya, stands in the mountains above the black sea coast, in a narrow valley along the banks of the Yesilirmak River. Although near the black sea, this area is high above the coast and has an inland climate, well suited to growing apples, for which the province of Amasya is famed. As for natural beauty, Amasya is set apart from the rest of Anatolia in its tight mountain valley and hides its own secret beauty. Amasya is one of the provinces in north central Anatolia which is distinct both with its natural setup and historical values it holds. It was the homeland of the famous geographer Strabo, as well as for many well-known poets, thinkers and members of the ottoman dynasty. located in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak (iris) river, it has a past of 7500 years during which many civilizations left priceless remains of their times. With its ottoman period wooden houses and the tombs of the Pontus kings carved into the cliffs overhead, Amasya is attractive to visitors.Transfer time: 4 - 5 h; transfer distance: 250 km; (Sinop - Amasya)ON: in Amasya at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 7
Via Bogazkale (Hattusa), capital of the Hittite empire & sanctuary Yazilikaya to YozgatHattusa, another place listed in the UNESCO world heritage list, housed the capital of ancient Hittite empire between 17th and 13th centuries BC. Hittites being the oldest civilisation of Anatolia, and is famed being mentioned by Old Testament and famed with the first peace treaty of the world. One of the most important discoveries at the site has been the cuneiform royal archives of clay tablets, consisting of official correspondence and contracts, as well as legal codes, procedures for cult ceremony, oracular prophecies and literature of the ancient near east. Afterwards we visit Yazilikaya, a sanctuary of Hattusa. This was a holy site for the Hittites, located within walking distance of the gates of the city of Hattusa. It had two main chambers formed inside a group of rock outcrops. In the late afternoon we arrive in Yozgat where we spend the night at the hotel.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 230 km; (Amasya – Yozgat via Bogazkale)ON: in Yozgat at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 8
Yozgat to world heritage CappadociaAfter breakfast we leave Yozgat and drive to Cappadocia where we spend the next two nights to explore the history and landscape of this wonder of nature. Cappadocia is undeniably a nature fantasy and it almost feels like another planet with its exceptional geological formations. Wind, rain and frost have sculpted this superb scenery in the volcanic rock during millions of years and eroded into hundreds of spectacular pillars and forms. In this creation of nature, the curiosity of the landscapes is added to the historical richness.Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 210 km; (Yozgat – Cappadocia)ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 9
World heritage CappadociaOptional activity: hot air balloon rideIn the early morning before sunrise it is optional possible to go on a hot air balloon flight. Cappadocia is awarded as one of the world's best balloon flight areas and it is one of the best ways to discover the unique landscapes of this impressive wonder of nature.Culture & sightseeing: Uchisar citadel, Goreme open air museum & red valleyAfter having breakfast we drive Uchisar village where we visit the high viewpoint known as “the fortress”. Many rooms hollowed out into the Rock, are connected to each other with stairs, tunnels and passages. The top of the Citadel provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area. Afterwards we drive to Goreme open air museum; one of the most beautiful valleys in Cappadocia. The Christian people at the heart of the Cappadocia realized that the soft rocks could be easily carved out to form houses, churches and monasteries. These Christian sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art from the post iconoclastic period. The frescoes inside the Goreme open air museum are a unique artistic achievement from this period. Our last visit takes us to red valley area, another beautiful valley in Cappadocia with spectacular formations and colours, full with old cave houses, complexes and hidden churches from the old Christian civilization. Although it is not definite, the common believe is that most of the churches and complexes carved out of the cliff face date back to the 8th and 9th centuries and its decorative reliefs and frescoes added in the 10th and 11th centuries.Optional activity: Turkish bath (Hamam)In the afternoon it is possible to visit a traditional Turkish bath, better known as Hamam, combines the functionality and the structural elements of its predecessors in Anatolia, the Roman thermal and eastern Roman baths. In Turkish culture it stands for far more than getting a leisurely bath, it is a special place of relaxation designed to regenerate body and mind.ON: in Cappadocia at the hotelMeals: B / L / D -
DAY 10
Trip concludes at Kayseri airportAfter breakfast; transfer to Kayseri airport where the trip concludes.Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 80 km; (Cappadocia - Kayseri)Meals: B / - / -
Inclusions
- All transfers and transportations with private vehicles to the places stated in the itinerary
Day 1: one/one way arrival transfer from/to Istanbul Int. airport/hotel in Sultanahmet-Sirkeci
Day 10: one/one way departure transfer from/to hotel in Cappadocia/Kayseri airport - Demavend Travel English speaking tour leader
- Hotel accommodations, in standard rooms on double/twin share base
Service: bed & breakfast (BB) and half board (HB) / Important: HB dinner service available until 20:30/21:00 h - 9 x breakfast / 7 x lunch / 7 x dinner
- All international and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- All kind of extra transports & transfers other than stated in the itinerary / extra arrival/departure transfers
- All kind of entrance fees for historical and natural sites
- All kind of optional activities
- Meals other than stated the itinerary
- All kind of soft and alcoholic drinks, bottled water, tea & coffee
- All kind of personal expenses
- Extra nights & single supplements / accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips