BLACK SEA

Arrive in Trabzon and transfer to the hotel. The highlight of the day today will be the 14th century Sumela Monastery, built high on a steep cliff above a gorge in the Altindere National Park - its setting makes it look more Tibetan than Turkish. Surrounded by the ruins of the monks’ quarter, is a church covered inside and out with brilliant frescoes. Drive to the neighbouring town of Akçaabat, famous for its köfte (meatballs), and have lunch in one of the köfte restaurants along the seashore. In the afternoon visit the 13th century St. Sophia Church, which is now a museum and some of the finest examples of Eastern Roman paintings are displayed in its frescoes. Then continue along the Black Sea coast through tea plantation areas and drive inland through Camlihemsin with its picturesque arched stone bridges, and wonderful mountain plateaux of Ayder. Overnight in Rize (B,L,D).

A spectacular drive through mountains, valleys and gorges, and along the Tortum Lake to Erzurum, an important city on the famous Silk Road during the Middle Ages. On the way visit the stunningly beautiful 10^th century Georgian churches of Haho, Osk Van and Ishan (These are subject to road conditions, as continuous wet weather can deteriorate the roads badly). If time permits on arrival in Erzurum, you will be able to wander in the Rustem Pasa Carsisi (covered Bazaar) in an old many-chimneyed caravanserai with an inner courtyard. Overnight in Erzurum (B,L,D).

Visit the magnificent Seljukian monuments of Erzurum in the morning including the Cifte Minare (Twin Minaret Mosque), the Ulu Camii (Grand Mosque) the Uc Kumbetter, a wonderful complex of three Seljuk tombs, and the most spectacular building in Erzurum, the Yakutiye Madrasa, built in 1310 by the Mongol rulers of Persia, with its splendid turquoise tiled minaret. Also visit the Archaeological Museum, where an informative display (in English and Turkish) on ancient cultures and civilisations has been prepared by the University of Melbourne. Drive to Kars after lunch to overnight (B,L,D).

Early start this morning, visiting Ani, the ruined Armenian city of a hundred gates and a thousand churches, and its great walls over a kilometre in length. No city in Europe in the mid 10^th century could rival the magnificence and size of Ani, and in the East only Constantinople, Baghdad and Cairo could match it. Impressive fortified walls still encircle the ruins of numerous churches, mosques and caravanserais. Ani was the centre of the Armenian Kingdom until the 11^th century Byzantine conquest. Natural disasters and invasions by Tamerlane of Mongols destroyed much of Ani. Return to Kars for lunch then drive on to Dogu Beyazit, to visit the superb Ishak Pasa Sarayi, an indulgent 17^th-18^th century palace - intended as the most beautiful dwelling in the world, with its mixture of Seljuk, Persian, Georgian, Armenian and baroque Ottoman architecture. Nearby is the scenic 5,165 metre Mount Ararat, believed to be where Noah’s Ark landed. Overnight Dogubeyazit (B,L,D).

After breakfast drive to Van, the capital of the Urartu Kingdom that dominated this region from the 13^th to 7^th centuries BC. Overnight Van (B,L,D).

Tour Cavustepe, the 8^th century B.C. Urartian Citadel, and then the 17^th century Hosap Castle, followed by a boat trip to visit the 10^th century Armenian Church on the Akdamar Island. Dinner and overnight in Van (B,L,D).

Hotels:

Grand Zorlu/Buyuk Sumela (Trabzon), Dedeman Hotel (Rize), Oral Hotel (Erzurum), Sim-Er Hotel/Karabag (Kars), Sim-Er Hotel/Ararat Hotel (D. Bayezit), Akdamar Hotel/Merit Sahmaran Hotel (Van) - or similar hotels.

Please be advised that accommodation conditions and standards are poorer in these regions of Turkey when compared to the western sectors of the country and therefore guests should be well aware of these prior to the booking for this tour. Some of the hotels in this tour are simple ones due to the lack of better ones.

Departure Days

Departures on 02 May (The only Friday departure), 20 May, 23 Sep, 07 Oct (Min 6 pax)

Pax No	Regular	01 Pax	02 pax	03 pax	04 pax	05-09 pax	S.Supp
Our Rates In EURO	795	3.330	1.855	1.360	1.120	970	100