21 Day Grand Turkey Ä°stanbul Cappadocia Konya Antalya Pamukkale Kusadasi Çanakkale Trabzon Ankara Samsun Kars Time to get excited FROM $5,999 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE Discover the rich treasures of this fascinating land as you explore ancient cities – like legendary Troy – and lost empires. Experience the sights and culture of vibrant Istanbul; the endless shops inside the Grand Bazaar, grand icons like the Blue Mosque and the Ottoman opulence of Topkapı Palace. Book Now TOUR ITINERARY The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 1 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Destination Home Istanbul Meals included Dinner 5 The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery by Sofitel, or Hotel similar Hoşgeldiniz! Welcome to Istanbul. This vast metropolis is home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions, a blend of east and west influences. The only city in the world that straddles two continents, Istanbul is busy, vibrant and fascinating. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted at the airport and head straight to your hotel. Tonight you’ll join your guide and the rest of your group for your first Inspiring Taste, enjoying traditional Turkish fare in a local meyhane. It’s not just about the wonderful food, it’s an authentic way to socialise in Istanbul like the locals. Please note: Some flights may depart the day before. Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion. DAY 2 Destination Istanbul Meals included Breakfast 5 The Galata Istanbul Hotel - MGallery by Sofitel, or Hotel similar This morning we’ll see the main sights of Istanbul, most of which are central to Sultanahmet Square, previously the famous Hippodrome of Constantinople. We’ll take an orientation walk around this historic area. Once upon a time it was home to gladiator games, official ceremonies, celebrations and protests. It’s been in use since Roman times and was used as a square by the Ottomans, too. Construction during the 16th and 17th centuries damaged it and by the mid-18th century it was abandoned. You’ll enjoy Turkish tea. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 2 TOUR ITINERARY We’ll visit the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmet Camii (or Sultan Ahmed Mosque), one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in Turkey. It’s a striking display of classical Turkish architecture. Built between 1609 and 1616, it was designed as an imperial show of strength to complement the imposing Hagia Sophia across the square. It owes its name to more than 20,000 handmade ceramic Iznik tiles that decorate the interior, with many different tulip, rose, carnation and lily designs. It’s still used as a place for daily prayer and worship. You’ll visit the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) Museum, one of Istanbul’s most impressive sights, famous for its massive dome and other daring engineering feats. Now a museum, it was previously a church for more than a thousand years and later a mosque. The next stop is Topkapı Palace, political centre of the Ottoman Empire, another must-see. It was built by Mehmed the Conqueror in the 15th century. It’s a dazzling palace – the whole complex is an eye-popping display of Islamic art, from the opulent courtyards to the battemented walls and towers. It’s home to several holy relics, like Islamic calligraphy manuscripts and Muhammad’s cloak and sword. You can find spectacular views over the Bosphorus from the Fourth Courtyard. The last stop is the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. It takes up a whole city quarter. With over 4,000 shops, it’s a tourist favourite and a great place to practise your haggling skills. DAY 3 Destination Istanbul Samsun Meals included Breakfast, Dinner Hotel 5 Sheraton Grand Samsun Hotel, or similar This morning we’ll cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that separates Europe and Asia. It’s a marvellous way to admire the city’s iconic skyline. Spot grand palaces, like the Ottoman delight Dolmabahçe Palace, Selimiye Barracks and the Mecidiye Mosque, a striking waterside landmark. Later in the afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Samsun on the northern coast. When you arrive, you’ll be taken to your hotel. Enjoy a local dinner with your tour group. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 3 TOUR ITINERARY OPTIONAL TOUR - OPTIONAL INSPIRING SIGHT – BANDIRMA FERRY MUSEUM You’ll have the choice between 2 of 6 bonus sightseeing experiences to enhance your journey. You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package. Samsun is renowned as the place that inspired the Turkish War of Independence, thanks to the visit from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, in 1919. Here you’ll find a replica of the SS Bandirma, the ship Ataturk travelled on from Istanbul to Samsun. It’s said that in that time, the waters of the Black Sea were so high and the trip was a challenge in itself. There are wax figures of Ataturk and his followers on this museum ship, along with other historical items. DAY 4 Destination Samsun Meals included Breakfast, Lunch Hotel 5 Sheraton Grand Samsun Hotel, or similar Today we’ll take an orientation walk in the city centre. Samsun is a historically significant city, where Turkish independence was rallied and ignited after World War I. The very first roots of the Republic of Turkey lie here, and you’ll find museums and statues attesting to this. Samsun’s history is long and rich – according to ancient myths the delta east of Samsun was the land of the Amazons. Today, it’s an important Black Sea port and its harbour is one of the largest and oldest in the country. Enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a local house. We’ll then visit Sahinkaya Canyon, located on the Altınkaya Dam Lake in the Vezirköprü district. You’ll enjoy an amazing 1.5km boat ride through Turkey’s second-largest canyon via Kızılırmak (Red River) as you admire the beautiful rock formations. DAY 5 Destination Samsun Trabzon Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 5 Zorlu Grand Hotel, or similar It’s about a five hour trip to Trabzon, in the north-east part of Turkey near the Georgian border. The information provided in this document is subject to change and may be affected by unforeseen events outside the control of Inspiring Vacations. Where changes to your itinerary or bookings occur, appropriate advice or instructions will be sent to your email address. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 4 TOUR ITINERARY On arrival, we’ll visit the St Sophia Museum, formerly a Greek Orthodox church, converted into a mosque in 1584. One of a few dozen Byzantine sites still in the area, it dates back to the 13th century when Trabzon was the capital of the Empire of Trebizond. It’s just two miles west of the medieval town limit’s, near the seashore. The museum is heralded as one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture. Enjoy a local lunch, then we’ll continue to the Ataturk Pavilion, also known as Ataturk house. This stately former home was originally the summer home of a wealthy Greek banker in the early 19th century. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, regarded as the founder of Turkey, stayed here on his second visit to Trabzon. The government decided to gift him the house and now it’s used as a museum. At the entrance to the pavilion, the full speech made by Ataturk on his first arrival to Trabzon is displayed. Our last stop is the Fatih Mosque, originally built in Byzantine times and serving as an important church until the Ottoman conquest of the city in 1461, when it was converted into a mosque. It’s home to beautiful samples of the Ottoman writing arts. Ancient mosaics – 1,600 years old – were discovered on the floors of this historic mosque in 2017. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening with the rest of your group. DAY 6 Destination Trabzon Meals included Breakfast, Lunch Hotel 5 Zorlu Grand Hotel, or similar After breakfast, we’ll head for the 4th-century Greek Orthodox Sumela Monastery, one of the oldest and most historic monasteries in the Christian world.