Depart the USA. Overnight flight to Istanbul.
After arrival in Istanbul we change flight to Adana, once in Adana we will be met and transfer to our hotel.
Today we drive through Cilicia west of Adana to visit Cilician capital Tarsus (Tarson) including Cleopatra Gate, Roman Arcadia, and St. Paul Church. Then we will visit Kiz Kalesi (Korikos Sea Fortress), Namrun Kalesi (Lambron Fortress)
We start our day to visit the sites in Adana. These include Yag Cammi (St. James Church), old Adana and the Roman Bridge. We continue drive to visit Kozan (Sis) and Anavarza Fortress before we arrive in Antakya.
This morning we will visit Antakya's Archaeological Museum, famous for its mythological themes beautifully displayed in natural light. We will also visit the Grotto of St. Peter where the word “Christians” was used for the first time. Then we will visit Armenian village Vakif and still have time explore the old city of Antakya.
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 Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the beautiful mosaics rescued from the ancient Roman city of Zeugma (before being flooded) 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.
This morning we drive to 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.
Today we have Eastern part of Turkey, driving by Silvan ancient Tigranakert 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 with a impressive Fortress from Alexander the Great time, 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 an 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 century, 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.
We follow the Murat River, a powerful tributary of Euphrates River westwards through Erzincan to Sivas.
Sivas has a long and rich history of many different civilizations specially the Armenian and Alevi ones. Here we will visit Selcuk Cifte Minare Medrese, market and old city with its interesting Armenian architecture.
Today our first stop will be Kultepe, ancient Kanesh before we arrive in Kayseri. Once we arrive in Kayseri we will visit the Archaeological museum which has rich collection of artifacts from Kultepe as well as from the surrounding areas.
Kayseri, ancient Caesarea is one of the most interesting cities in central Anatolia known for its famous citizens such as St. Gregory of Illuminator, St. Basil, the architect Sinan, Elias Kazan and the current President of Turkey just a few to mention and special foods such as Manti, Pastirma, sucuk. We will spend the day exploring this unique city with its interesting shops, bazaars, city walls, churches and Agirnas village where Sinan was born.
We will take a evening flight to Istanbul.
Today we will explore Istanbul by walking to the Hippodrome, arena for political, cultural, and sports activities during Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman times, St. Sophia, the largest Christian church in the world for more than 1,000 years. Nearby is the Basilica Cistern, with its mystical atmosphere and marble columns surrounded with water. Finally, we will visit the most famous museum in Turkey, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, which is the part of the complex including Ancient Orient Museum and tile museum (kiosk) as well.
We will spend the full day to visit Armenian sites in Istanbul such as Kumkapi, Balat, Samatya. Then we will have a Bosphorus cruise between the continents to see some of the interesting historical buildings, as well as the fabulous palaces and villas that hug the shoreline.
Depart for the USA.
We will transfer you to the airport for your home flight.
We recommend travel insurance.
