From Istanbul to East Anatolia

Once you are in Marmaris, you have a chance to visit famous Greek island Rhodes (*optional). Or, you may enjoy Marmaris on your own on this free day. Just one hour away by fast ferry, the old city of Rhodes is a good choice to spend a day. Guided Medieval Town (Unesco World Heritage) tour exhibits; Grand Master Palace, Archeological Museum, Rhodes Castle.

Marmaris villagers will host you in their gardens for a delicious local breakfast. If the honey season has not ended (up to the weather condition), get information about world famous pine honey production. In the rest of the day, enjoy a relaxing tour on travertines and around Hierapolis ancient city. This spectaculer place is Pamukkale (the Cotton Castle). A strange formation of landscape with the effect of carbonate minerals (travertines). Beside this beautiful formation, see the ruins of Hierapolis ancient city.

An enjoyable travel to Konya on the scenic country road, into the Central Turkey. Konya, once the capital of Seljuk Empire, is the home of Mevlana and Whirling Dervishes. A spiritual tour in the Mevlana Museum. You will be informed about Sufi/Mevlevi beliefs&life style. Arrival in Cappadocia in the evening and possibly catch the sunset at the Uçhisar Castle.

Cappadocia; a 60 million years history of today’s landscape… Hot air balloon tour is the best way to discover&understand this magical place (*optional). In this Unesco World Heritage site, you will be able to see the underground city, Göreme open air museum, fairy chimneys and illustration valley on the same day. All fascinating&very romantic! The day will end in a cave restaurant with traditional Turkish dances (*optional).

Travel through the scenic Taurus Mountains. Stop in Tarsus, where Cleopatra met with Antonius for the first time. Visit Cleopatra Gate and walk through old houses of Tarsus. Have lunch with delicious lahmacun and hummus. Arrive in Antakya, the city of great tolerance&peace for all religions. Crown the day in a traditional restaurant in this city which has a rich cuisine.

Antakya was one of the most important Roman cities in the history. And one of the first churches of Christianity was built in Antakya (the first cave church). You will witness the peaceful atmosphere of 3 different religions in the city. Enjoy the shopping in the local bazaar and taste different street food. Travel to another history&gastronomy city; Gaziantep. Visit the biggest mosaic museum of the ancient times in the world.

Located at the junction of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean, on the historical Silk Road, the ancient city Gaziantep embraced different civilizations for generations and offers its visitors modernity and tradition with a unique taste. It is the home of Baklava and Pistachio and the final of the tour in Gaziantep will be coloured with these double delight. The neighouring destination Şanlıurfa is popular with recently found “the oldest temple of the history”; Göbeklitepe. The night will be a fest of food, music, dance at the traditional Sıra Night in a restaurant.

One of the oldest centers in the history of civilisation, has been the center of many beliefs, from polytheistic to monotheistic religions. It is believed that Prophet Ibrahim, considered as the father of the prophets, was born in Şanlıurfa and broke the idols worshipped by King Nemrud and his people. Nemrud Mountain, a symbol of Turkish tourism with an extraordinary scene… The mysterious tomb of King Antioch, statue of Mesopotamian Gods and the sunset view will make a perfect excursion for all travelers. Travel to Diyarbakır. It is a beautiful city with a history of civilisation that reaches back to ancient Mesopotamia. Its cultural, historic, and spiritual richness make it a beacon both of the region and the world.

The traditional breakfast in Diyarbakır is liver kebap, in the very early morning. Try it! Diyarbakır City Walls are a monument and the symbol of the city, listed as World Heritage. In terms of age and height, they are the first among world’s citadels. It has the characteristics of an open-air museum, featuring 63 separate inscriptions and countless figures and reliefs dating from antiquity. Mardin, a peerless and impressively beautiful city of the South East expanding from the hilltop which it was established to the foothill, where religions, orders and tradition blends with a rich history.

Leave Mardin by an early flight to İstanbul. Spend your last day in Turkey as you wish. Explore more historical places, do some shopping, rest in the parks of İstanbul and taste the street food, on your own. You may join an optional tour to watch the spiritual show of whirling dervishes. And you may rest your body in a warm Turkish Hammam, on your last night of your long&tiring trip.

You will be transferred by your guide to the Istanbul Airport. We hope that you will enjoy this “tailor made” tour which is fixed only for you! We’ll be waiting for your coming back to see the rest of Turkey.