Istanbul & Black Sea: 10-Day Journey

Istanbul and Black Sea Tour

Istanbul Airport, Turkey - Trabzon, Turkey

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Details

10 Days | 9 Nights

Tour Types: Private

Runs: Every Day

Accommodation: 4* Hotels, Boutique Hotels

Minimum Age: 12

Tour Description

In this trip you will visit the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church, now classified as a mosque. Head to the Abant Lake. the small town of Safranbolu. It was a center for growing the spice saffron, the town’s name derived from this business. In the old town, known as carsi, we see the mosque and the Suleyman Pasha Medrese, visit the Amasra Castle, walk over a Roman stone bridge which links the two islands of Amasra, see the Byzantine church built with bricks in the 9th century, or relax at the beach. Drive to Amasya, "City on the Green River". Have a look at Tokat Castle with 28 towers, then we start exploring the historical old town. Tour the Garipler and the Ali Pasa Mosque, the Islamic complex Hatuniye Külliyesi and the Gök Medrese, a Seljuk building, continue to the Altindere National Park, where one of the most impressive monastery complexes in Turkey is located, the Sumela Monastery. Visit the Hagia Sofia Church, today a museum with an integrated mosque in Trabzon. Visit to the Firtina Valley, the “Storm” Valley, in the Pontic Mountains with its rivers and high-arched stone bridges and the most beautiful waterfalls situated at the summit of the Ayer highland.

Highlights

Visit the attractions of the pulsating metropolis Istanbul.
See the well-preserved Ottoman architecture in Safranbolu.
Scenic drives along the Turkish Black Sea coast.
Explore the 4th century Sumela Monastery.
Enjoy the amazing landscape of the Ayder Highlands.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1
Istanbul Airport - Istanbul
1 Stop

Istanbul Airport

Welcome to Turkey! You will be met at Istanbul Airport. Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul to check-in. Rest of the day is at leisure or to start your own explorations of the city.

1 hour

4* Recital Hotel or similar

Day 2
Istanbul Old City - Istanbul
1 Stop

Istanbul Old City

In the old city discover the sights of its glamorous past. Visit the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church, now classified as a mosque. Be amazed by the interior with its striking mosaics and frescoes. Next is a visit to the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the 'Blue Mosque'. With its six minarets, it is unique in the Islamic world. Walk across the Sultan Ahmet Square, once the Hippodrome, the former horse racing track in ancient Constantinople. See here the Obelisk of Theodosius and the German Fountain. In the afternoon, visit the Topkapi Palace, the centuries old residence of the mighty Ottomans. It houses the imperial treasury, holy relics, weapons and royal garments. Then to Misir Carsisi, the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, where spices, herbs and teas are sold since the 17th century. Time to wander along the shops with its aromatic smells. Return to the hotel. *The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays, as replacement we’ll visit the underground Basilica Cistern from the 6th century.

6 hours

4* Recital Hotel or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3
Istanbul - Abant Lake - Safranbolu Visit - Safranbolu
2 Stops

Abant Lake

We head three hours to the Abant Lake. The seven kilometer walk around the lake offers a great opportunity to enjoy the area and the pleasant countryside.

3 hours

Safranbolu

From here we reach within 2.5 hours the small town of Safranbolu. It was a center for growing the spice saffron, the town’s name derived from this business. From the 13th century to the advent of the railway in the early 20th century, Safranbolu was an important caravan station on the main East-West trade route. In the old town, known as carsi, we see the mosque and the Suleyman Pasha Medrese built in 1322. The town is listed as World Heritage Site due to the highly concentrated numbers of royal Ottoman architecture of the 17th and 18th century, buildings with red-tiled roofs and many windows. Walk along cobbled streets through the historical Bazaar, passing by candy stores and continuing to Cinci Hodja Caravanserai and Bath House as well as the Kaymakamlar House. Overnight in Safranbolu.

2.5 hours

Mehves Hanim Konagi or similar

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4
Safranbolu - Amasra - Sinop Visit - Sinop
2 Stops

Amasra

Drive 1.5 hours to the pretty little fishing town of Amasra. Free time to roam around. Visit the Amasra Castle, walk over a Roman stone bridge which links the two islands of Amasra, see the Byzantine church built with bricks in the 9th century, or relax at the beach.

2 hours

Sinop

Then a scenic drive along the Black Sea coast to Sinop, the most northerly point in Turkey. There we see the impressive natural harbor Hamisilos, which has dug into the country like a fjord. Then to the old city wall with its imposing towers. See the fortress from the 8th century. Inside, we tour the oldest and most famous Turkish prison, turned into a museum. It was a high-security prison with no escape possibility. Check into your hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure in Sinop.

3 hours

4* Zinos Hotel or similar

Breakfast

Day 5
Sinop - Amasya Visit - Amasya
1 Stop

Amasya

The day starts with a 3 hours’ drive to Amasya, "City on the Green River". The town is located idyllically in a narrow cleft of the Yesilirmak River and is considered as one of the most beautiful places in Central Anatolia. The history goes back around 7,500 years and many civilizations left their mark on the town and its surroundings. It was the home and of the famous geographer Strabo. In the remains of the Citadel perched on a rock you find 2,000 years old water channels and 1,000 years old bridges. Worth seeing is the mental hospital from the 14th century, the Sultan II Bayezid Mosque Complex from the 15th century, wooden houses of the Ottoman period and the Archaeological Museum. Above the town you see the tombs of Pontus kings carved into the rock of Harşena. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Amasya.

3 hours

Cifte Konak Butik Hotel or similar

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6
Amasya - Tokat - Ordu Visit - Ordu
2 Stops

Tokat

Head 1.5 hours to the city of Tokat. Have a look at Tokat Castle with 28 towers, then we start exploring the historical old town. Tour the Garipler and the Ali Pasa Mosque, the Islamic complex Hatuniye Külliyesi and the Gök Medrese, a Seljuk building from 1270.

2.5 hours

Ordu

Continue 3 hours back to the Black Sea coast, more precisely to Ordu, the ancient Kotoyora. Take the cable car to the 550 meters high Boztepe viewpoint to enjoy spectacular vistas of the Black Sea coasts and the city. Check into your hotel for a rest, to make your own explorations and try at a local restaurant a fresh seafood recipe.

3 hours

4* Anemon Hotel or similar

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7
Ordu - Giresun - Sumela Monastery - Trabzon
3 Stops

Giresun

In the morning a short drive to Giresun. The region has a rich agriculture like tobacco, cherries, and hazelnuts. As we are in hazelnut country we visit one of the plantations.

1 hour

Sumela Monastery

Continue to the Altindere National Park, where one of the most impressive monastery complexes in Turkey is located, the Sumela Monastery. Carved into the rock, it perches on a bare, 340 meters high ledge, surrounded by forest. Founded in the 4th century the monastery has seven floors. Most of the buildings such as the church, the guest house, the holy well and the library date from the 12th century and the magnificent wall paintings from the early 18th century. The facility also had an aqueduct built into the rock wall that supplied Sumela with water.

2 hours

Trabzon

Then drive 45 minutes to Trabzon, check into your hotel.

45 mins

Zagnospasa Konaklari or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Day 8
Trabzon Visit - Uzungöl Lake - Trabzon
3 Stops

Trabzon

Trabzon was founded in the 8th century BC and prospered from its location at the trade routes. Worth seeing is the Hagia Sofia Church, today a museum with an integrated mosque. The complex was built under the Trapezuntian emperor Manuel Komnenos in the 13th century. The frescoes are among the most important surviving Byzantine works of art. We visit the Gulbahar Hatun Mosque, built at the beginning of the 16th century for the wife of Sultan Bayezid II.

2.5 hours

Uzungöl Lake

Afterwards drive 1.5 hours southwards to the beautiful Uzungöl Lake, nestled in a mountain valley. Free time to stroll around the lake and relax at one of the cafés.

1.5 hours

Trabzon

Return to Trabzon to spend the rest of the day as you wish.

1 hour

Zagnospasa Konaklari or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9
Firtina Valley - Ayder Highlands - Trabzon
3 Stops

Firtina Valley

Today we uncover more of the fantastic nature in northern Turkey. Start with a visit to the Firtina Valley, the “Storm” Valley, in the Pontic Mountains with its rivers and high-arched stone bridges. See also the medieval castle of Zilkale.

2 hours

Ayder Highlands

Onto the Ayder Highlands, 1400 meters above sea level, at the foot of the Kaçkar Mountains. The region is famous for its natural beauty, waterfalls, and traditional highland houses. There are also hot springs in this area. You'll be heading to the most beautiful waterfalls situated at the summit of the Ayer highland.

2.5 hours

Trabzon

You have time on your own to enjoy and unwind before we return to your hotel in Trabzon.

1 hour

Zagnospasa Konaklari or similar

Breakfast & Lunch

Day 10
Trabzon - Trabzon Airport
1 Stop

Trabzon Airport

Dependent on your departure time transfer to Trabzon Airport to board your departure flight and say farewell.

1 hour

Breakfast

Inclusions

2 nights at hotel with breakfast in Istanbul.

Entrance fees to mentioned sites.

4 dinner meals at hotels.

2 lunch meals at local restaurants.

Professional English speaking guide on tour days.

1 airport transfer upon departure.

1 airport transfer upon arrival.

Transportation in private, A/C vehicle.

3 nights at hotel with breakfast in Trabzon.

1 night at hotel with breakfast in Ordu.

1 night at hotel with breakfast in Amasya.

1 night at hotel with breakfast in Sinop.

1 night at hotel with breakfast in Safranbolu.

Entrance fees to mentioned sites.

Exclusions

Airfare.

Travel insurance.

Entry visa Turkey.

Meals and beverage not stated.

Tips, portage and private expenses.

PCR test.

Practical Info

• Best travel time is from April to November. If you plan to have a swim in the Black Sea go during the summer months when it is warm and humid.
• Check-in time at hotels is 14:00, check-out time at hotels is 12:00 noon.
• The Istanbul old city tour is on foot as the places are in walking distance to each other. The order of visits may be reversed.
• The Hagia Sophia is open from 09:00-17:00 in the period November to March and from 09:00-19:00 in the period April to October. The last entry is one hour before closing time. Women need to cover their head, and everyone needs to move the shoes before stepping on the carpet. The Hagia Sophia is now a mosque, so do not walk in front of praying visitors and note that the Hagia Sophia might get busy during Friday prayers around noon.
• Opening Hours of the Topkapi Palace are 10:00-16:00 in the period October to March, 09:00-18:45 in the period April to September. The palace is closed on Tuesdays.
• The Blue Mosque is closed to non-Muslims 45 minutes before the call to prayer, 30 minutes afterwards, and on Fridays until 14:30.
• To respect the local culture please cover shoulders and knees.
• For your packing keep in mind the Black Sea Region has moderate temperatures and rainfall often occurs.
• Our staff is trained to follow hygiene and safety protocols.

How to Book this Tour

- After booking the tour with us online, one of our consultants will get in touch within 24 hours. You need to pay then a 34% deposit by credit card or by bank transfer. The full payment is due latest 28 days before tour start.
- Cancellations or changes need to be sent in written form. Charges are as follows:
• In general the deposit will not be refunded.
• 34% of the total price of the trip for cancellations or changes made after paying the deposit to 21 days before departure.
• 64% of the total price of the trip for cancellations or changes made 21 to 14 days before departure.
• 84% of the total price of the trip for cancellations or changes made 14 to 08 days before departure.
• 100% of the total price of the trip for cancellations or changes made 07 to 01 days before departure or no show.
- For refunds we do not cover transaction fees charged by credit card companies and banks.

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Istanbul and Black Sea Tour