Day 1 ~ Depart U.S. Overnight flight to Istanbul .  

Day 2 ~ Antakya
Arrive Istanbul and transfer to your domestic flight to Adana; then we will travel to Antakya (ancient Antioch).  

Day 3 ~ Antakya
This morning in Antakya we will visit the Archaeological
Museum, famous for its mythological themes beautifully displayed in natural lighting, 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  

Day 4 ~ Adiyaman
Before heading to Adiyaman we will spend the morning exploring the copper and spicemarket 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.  Adiyaman is a small farming city but one of the main centers for visits to Nemrut Dagi.

 

Day 5 ~ Sanli Urfa
Today we will visit the Commagene Nemrut, a peak in the Anti-Taurus range rising to a 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 himself 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.  

 

Day 6 ~ Sanli Urfa
While in Urfa, we will visit Harran, where Terah and Abraham are believed to have lived. We will also see the typical round beehive dwellings made of mud. 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 markets.

Day 7 ~ Diyarbakir
Today 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 Arabic/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 also visit Ulu Cami, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia, whose history dates back beyond Christianity and Islam.

Day 8 ~ Mardin
Crossing the Tigris River flowing beneath the magnificent ancient towered wall, we will arrive in Mardin, one of the most interesting and historical cities in southeastern Turkey. Here we will visit the Syrian Orthodox Monastery of Deir-al-Zafaran , where Christian worship has taken place for over 1,200 years, as well as the old city with its many interesting mixture of architecture from different civilizations.  

Day 9 ~ Van via Hasakeyf
Today we travel to Van. Along the way we visit Hasankeyf, located in the Tigris River valley. From the sit of these very dramatic ruins you will have a fantastic view over the river below and the ancient bridge which was once used by Silk Road travelers. Our route follows 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. Continue on to the town of Van for overnight  

Day 10 ~ Van
We take a boat across Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, to visit Akdamar Island, and we will also visit the beautiful 10th century Church of the Holy Cross, wherewonderful relief carvings of Bible stories, birds, and animals decorate the walls. Then we will continue on to Van, an important city in Eastern Turkey that is known for its many agricultural products and its horses. Van dates 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. W will also visit Cavustepe (ancient Tushba)to see the remains of the first ancient capital of the Urartian Kingdom. Here there are some good examples of cuneiform inscriptions on the temple ruins 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 from 1643.  We will also visit the Van Castle, which has many tombs, and fortifications through which you may wander, and the interesting Archaeological Museum which displays artifacts from Patmos and Toprakkale, as well as Urartian artifacts. 

Day 11 ~ Kars
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 in snow and ice, it is thought to be the final resting place of Noah’s Ark. We will visit the impressive Palace of IshakPasa, a great mixture of Ottoman, Seljuk, Persian, Georgian, and Armenian architectural styles. Kars 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. .

Day 12 ~ Erzurum
This morning we will visit Ani, named after Anahid, the Persian goddess worshipped by pagan Urartians before we leave for Erzurum. Many of the ruins of its close to 1,000 churches and mosques can still be seen. Beyond the city walls is a deep gorge separating Turkey from Armenia. Erzurum, the largest city on the high plateau of Eastern Turkey. While in Erzurum we will visit Rusted Pasha Caravansary; the old city quarter with its interesting shops; and the famous Selcuk Cifte-Minare monastery.  In Erzurum there are excellent remains from the many civilizations that survived here, including Byzantine, Mongol, Selcuk, and Ottoman.

Day 13 ~ Artvin
Today we leave high Anatolian plateau in Eastern Turkey and  travel through the Georgian Valley along the Coruh River, famous for white water rafting We will visit some of the Georgian churches; Haho in Bagbasi village  and one in the village of Ishan.

 
Day 14 ~ Trabzon
Today we will drive along the Georgian Border to the Black Sea crossing so called Pontic Mountains.  Here the Parmak and Kackar Mountains are the sources for the so called “crazy honey”, made from the flower Azaleas Pontica that created so many problems for the solders of Xenophon., visiting the lively local markets and the tea institute. The Laz people of this area are famous for their colorful garments and friendly personalities, we see many hawks here, which are traditionally kept as pets.

Day 15 ~ Trabzon
Trabzon, the ancient Trapezos is the largest city along the Black Sea Coast and famous harbor city for ancient Silk Road following the 6,500 feet high Zigana Pass which used by famous traveler such as Marco Polo did.  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 of old could be isolated from the worldly and dangerous society below. The view from this ancient retreat is impressive, and there will be time to visit the lively local markets.

Day 16 ~ Amasya
Our agenda today includes Giersun, 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. A short distance from shore 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 to Ordu, another famous city along the Black sea coast, and Samsun, the tobacco capital of Turkey, before we turn inland and reach the lovely town of Amasya.

Day 17 ~ Amasya
Located on the Yesilirmak 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 ceramics, glass, bronze, jewelry and more.  It also has a fine ethnographic section.

Day 18 ~ Sinop
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 along the coast. On the way we pass through Boyabat, an important in antiquity with remains of impressive fortress. Located on a promontory extending toward the Black Sea, Sinop is a natural location for a port. It also offers a great view of the Black Sea.

Day 19 ~ Sinop
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 the attractive ethnographic museum with interesting costumes from the region, housed in a beautiful Ottoman house.

Day 20 ~ Amasra
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 charm 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.

Day 21 ~ Istsanbul
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 good protected, natural harbors. A major attraction is a perfect Byzantine-Genoese castle which can be viewed in exquisite panorama. Before heading to Istanbul we will 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 the narrow, twisting cobblestone lanes and seeing traditional trades and crafts practiced just as they were in Ottoman times. Following our exploration of Safranbolu we will continue on to Istanbul, where your hotel is located in the old city quarter.

Day 22 ~ Depart for USA .