Depart the USA. Overnight flight to Istanbul.
Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to your domestic flight to Antakya. After your arrival and airport formalities, we will meet and transfer you to your hotel in Antakya (ancient Antioch) to spend the night.
This morning we will visit Antakya Archaeological Museum, famous for its mythological themes beautifully displayed in natural light, and its Roman fishing and hunting mosaics. We will also visit the Grotto of St. Peter. Then, in the afternoon we will tour Samandagi (ancient Seleuceia Pieria), the port city which was once the capital of Antioch. This city was a master of Roman architectural design, with its underground water channel which saved the city from flooding.
Before heading to Sanli Urfa we will spend the morning exploring the copper and spice market in Gaziantep, the most interesting market in Turkey. Gaziantep (ancient Aintap), is the pistachio capital of Turkey, and the city where the traditional Turkish foods of baklava and kebab originated. We will also visit the Museum, where the beautiful mosaics rescued from Zeugma are on display.
Today we will visit the Commagene Nemrut, a peak in the Anti-Taurus range rising to the height of 7,000 feet. This archaeological site, famous for its magnificent gigantic heads, was constructed by the pre-Roman King Antiochus I, who thought of himself to be related to the gods. We will also visit Arsameia, the ancient capital of Commagene; the Roman bridge at Cendere; and Karakus with its tumulus (ancient graveyard) and its impressive funeral columns. On the way to Urfa we will stop at the Ataturk Dam on the Euphrates River, one of the world's largest irrigation projects, in ancient Mesopotamia. We will return to Sanli Urfa for overnight.
While in Urfa, we will visit Harran, where Terah and Abraham are believed to have lived; here we will also see the typical round beehive dwellings made of mud. We drive to Gobekli Tepe (Belly like hill), the exciting new discovery, the world's oldest worship temple. We will visit the Cave of Abraham, his birthplace, located next to the Sacred Pool, which according to Muslim tradition saved his life. There will be time for browsing through the bazaar and the local shops.
On the way to Mardin we will visit Diyarbakir (ancient Amidiya), which is located on the Tigris River. This traditional city is at least 5,000 years old, with a colorful mixture of people and interesting Armenian, Syrian Orthodox, Kurdish, Arabic and Turkish architecture. The ancient wall surrounding the city was built by Constantine II in the fourth century. Still mostly intact today, it is comparable in many aspects to the Great Wall of China. We will visit Armenian Church and Armenian Museum House to learn about their culture and architecture that has been around for millenniums here, we also see Caldian Church to learn about their culture as well as Ulu Cami, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia, whose history dates back beyond Christianity and Islam.
We will spend the full day to explore Mardin, a world Heritage Site and unique for its diverse architecture. Here we will visit the Syrian Orthodox Monastery of Deir-al-Zafaran, where Christian worship has been practised for over 1,200 years, as well as the old city which has an interesting mixture of architecture as a result of its occupation by different civilizations and Kayseriye market with its local produces and friendly shopkeepers.
Today we travel to Van. Along the way we visit Hasankeyf, located in the Tigris River valley. From the bridge you will have a dramatic view over its ancient ruins, the river and the ancient Roman bridge which was once used by Silk Road travelers. We continue our drive through the oil rich city of Batman, following the Bitlis River, a tributary of the Tigris, through a gorge so deep you will see only blue sky. Once we arrive in Bitlis, a charming provincial town with Armenian-Kurdish origins, we ascend from the gorge to the Anatolian plateau which welcomes us to Lake Van. Then we will continue on to Van, an important city in Eastern Turkey that is known for its variety of agricultural products and horses. Van dates back to the time of the Great Flood and is purported to be the site of the Garden of Eden. It is also famous for its cats with two different colored eyes.
We take a boat across Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, to visit Akdamar Island, here we will visit one of the most beautiful 10th century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross, which is the best example of classic Armenian architecture, where wonderful relief carvings of Bible stories, birds, and animals decorate the walls. Then we will visit Cavustepe (ancient Tushba) to see the remains of the first ancient capital of the Urartian Kingdom. There are some good examples of cuneiform inscriptions on the temple ruins here, and a well-preserved cistern dating from 700 BC. You will be impressed by Hosap Castle which was located on the old silk road; a very photogenic landmark dating back to the Urartian time. We will also visit the Van Castle, which has many tombs, and fortifications through which you may wander, and the interesting Archaeological Museum offering rich displays of Urartian artifacts.
We will start the day with a stop at the refreshing waterfall at Muradiye. Then we head to Dogubeyazit for a breathtaking view of Mt. Ararat, the highest mountain in Turkey at 18,000 feet. Covered with snow and ice, it is thought to be the final resting place of Noah's Ark. We will visit the impressive Palace of Ishak Pasa, a great mixture of Ottoman, Seljuk, Persian, Georgian, and Armenian architectural styles. Kars, once Armenian capital is a typical eastern Turkish town with a magnificent fortress. The high plateau here creates excellent conditions for the production of yogurt, milk, cheese, honey, and meat. There are also carpets and kilims known for their special color combinations and unique designs.
This morning we will visit Ani, the ancient capital of Armenia in the XI and XII centuries, which had 100,000 inhabitants in its glorious times and was a rival to Constantinople. Many of the ruins of its close to 1,000 churches and mosques can be still seen. Beyond the city walls there is a deep gorge separating Turkey from Armenia. We will visit some of the ancient ruins including Armenian churches, cathedrals, Seljuk mosques before heading to Erzurum.
Erzurum is the largest city on the high plateau of Eastern Turkey. While in Erzurum we will see Rustem Pasha Caravansary; the old city quarter with its interesting shops; and the famous Selcuk Cifte-Minare monastery. In Erzurum, there are excellent remains from many civilizations that have survived here, including Byzantine, Mongol, Selcuk, and Ottoman.
Today we leave high Anatolian plateau in Eastern Turkey and travel through the Georgian Valley along the Coruh River, famous for white water rafting. On the way, we will visit some of the Georgian churches; Haho in Bagbasi village and the other one in the village of Ishan.
Today we will drive along the Georgian Border to the Black Sea crossing the Kackar Mountains (Pontic Mountains). Here the Parmak and Kackar Mountains are the sources for so-called "crazy honey", made from the flower Azaleas Pontica that created so many problems for the soldiers of Xenophon. As we drive along the Black Sea coast we will visit some of the lively local markets and the tea institute to learn how tea is processed. The so-called Laz people of this area are famous for their colorful garments, jokes and friendly personalities; we will see many hawks here, which are traditionally kept as pets.
Trabzon, the ancient Trapezos is the largest city along the Black Sea Coast and famous harbor city on ancient Silk Road following the 6,500 feet high Zigana Pass which was used by some famous travelers such as Marco Polo, for example. This is the spot where Xenophon reportedly saw the sea and uttered the infamous words "The sea, the sea!" Today we will visit St. Sophia Museum and the 500 AD Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery. This monastery is carved on the face of a cliff over 1,000 feet high, where monks could get isolated from the worldly and dangerous society below. The view from this ancient retreat is impressive. There will be time to visit the lively local markets.
Our agenda today includes Giresun, the hazelnut capital of Turkey, which is located on a peninsula. Legend claims that Jason and the Argonauts stopped here on their way to Georgia in search of the Golden Fleece. In a short distance from the shore there is the island of Buyuk Ada, the largest in the Black Sea. This could be the Amazon Island where Amazon queens built a temple to Ares. Then, we head to Ordu, another famous city along the Black sea coast for hazelnuts, before we turn inland and reach the lovely town of Amasya.
Located on the Yesilirmak (Iris) River, Amasya is one of the most beautiful towns in central Anatolia. Strabo, the Geographer, was born here in 64 BC. We take a walking tour of the old town with its restored Ottoman homes and Hellenistic tombs carved into the hillside. The Archaeological Museum houses a collection of ceramics, glass, bronze, jewelry and more. It also has a fine ethnographic section. We will also visit the XIX century Hazeranlar Museum House to learn about the typical Ottoman architecture.
We venture back to the Black Sea and continue our journey to Sinop. The road between Amasya and Sinop passes through one of the most beautiful stretches of rolling hills and farming fields with all kinds of grains, especially rice fields. On the way we pass through Boyabat, an important city in antiquity with remains of impressive fortress and beautiful Ottoman houses. Located on a promontory extending towards the Black Sea, Sinop has a natural location for a port. It also offers a great view of the Black Sea.
Sinop was once the capital of the Pontic Empire, after Amasya. We will see mosques, churches, the Temple of Serapis, and the city fortification with the 13th century Byzantine Citadel. The Museum in Sinop has interesting artifacts from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. We will also visit an attractive Ottoman house turned into Ethnographic museum which among other things has interesting costumes from the region,
We drive west along the picturesque Black Sea coast, passing secluded villages and towns such as Abana, Inebolu and Kuracasile, which is very famous for its gulet building. The beautiful scenery combined with the remains of ancient Roman walls and towers will impress and intrigue you. Continuing along the coast on yet another stretch of unspoiled scenery, we pass through small fishing towns occupied by delightful people who maintain their ancient traditions and charm.
We will spend the morning exploring Amasra with its inviting half-hidden bays. A Genoese colony until 1461, Amasra is a picturesque port standing on a peninsula with two well-protected, natural harbors. A major attraction is a perfect Byzantine-Genoese castle which can be viewed in exquisite panorama. On the way we will stop and stroll through Safranbolu. The name of this city is derived from its former industry of producing saffron from the stigmas of autumnal crocus. The city is an open-air museum of well-preserved Ottoman houses. We will enjoy walking in the narrow, twisting cobblestone lanes and seeing traditional trades and crafts practiced just as they were in Ottoman times. Then we will head to Istanbul, where your hotel is located in the old city quarter.
Depart for the USA.
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