ISTANBUL - SANLIURFA MESOPOTAMIA PACKAGE TOUR (7 Days-6 Nights)
Day - 1: Arrival to Istanbul
When you arrive at Istanbul airport or Istanbul harbour in Turkey. A Castle Travel Representative will meet you. Our Castle Travel representatives will be holding up a sign with your name on it. At the begining of your Istanbul Package Tour, your Istanbul guide will provide you with an Istanbul Package Tour programme, vouchers and a complimentary city map of Istanbul, (depending on the city you are staying) and on the reverse side a map of the historical attraction of the city so when you are walking around, you can have a better understanding of Istanbul, Turkey. Brief orientation followed by a free day to enjoy for your own leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day - 2: St.Sophia Museum - Hippodrome - Blue Mosque - Grand Bazaar
Visit the St.Sophia Museum, which is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. Its decorated interior was of great artistic value with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings. The temple itself was so richly and artistically decorated that Justinian proclaimed, "Solomon, I have outdone thee" Justinian himself had overseen the completion of the greatest cathedral ever built up to that time, and it was to remain the largest cathedral for 1,000 years up until the completion of the cathedral in Seville
in Spain. Across from St.Sophia is the Blıue Mosque, recognizable from its six minarets, built 1616 for Sultan Ahmet I and decorated inside with 21,043 tiles from Iznik in a dominant blue colour; because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Hippodrome, Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments;the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. We continue to Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Conclude your day of touring with a short drive to the exotic Grand Bazaar, which is one of the most colourful institutions of Istanbul Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast)
Day - 3: Bosphorus Tour - Camlica Hill - Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar) The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice. Bedesten exhibits the traditional silk weaving courses carpet weaving courses authorised by the Ministry of National Education.Possibility to see the jewellery, handicrafts center and leatherware show. Bosphorus Tour on Boat, A traditional excursion by boat along the waterway seperating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, and further along, the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. Ciragan Palace, 300 meters of is marble facade faces the shore. Rumeli Fortres, Built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to the conquest of Istanbul, was completed in only four months to controland protect Bosphorus. It is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture anywhere in the world. Beylerbeyi Palace, The summer residence of ottoman sultans with its orginal furnuture and magnificent gardens with the Harem on the Asian. Bosphorus Bridge unique change by stepping from one continent (Asia)to another (Europe) Camlica Hill the highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and admire the magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the bosphours from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day - 4: Flight to Sanliurfa Birth Place of Prophet Abraham & Harran Tour
Transfer to Istanbul airport.Flight to Sanliurfa.Arrive at Sanliurfa, meet with your guide then drive to Harran,It is said that Adam and Eve set foot in Harran after they were expelled from the Garden of Eden.The Hebrew Bibles Book of Genesis (Genesis 11:31, 12:4-5) identifies a place called Haran,where Terah and his son Abraham,grandson Lot,and Abrams wife Sarai halted on their way from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan.Abraham died before he reached Canaan, and with the Haran of Ezekiel,a city which traded with Tyre.One of Harrans specialties was the odoriferous gum derived from the stobrum tree. After Harran drive back to Sanliurfa ,Visit Urfa Castle, Ulucami, Kervansaray,ruins the cave of Abraham,Balikligol (Fish Lake),It consists of two lakes connected with cands. According to tradition,Nimrod had Abraham immolated on a funeral pyre,but God turned the fire into water and the burning coals into fish.After the tour we will return to hotel in Sanliurfa.Overnight in Sanliurfa (B,L,D)
Day - 5: Mount Nemrut Tour & Flight to Istanbul
From the hotel we will drive 2 hours to Nemrut Mount,is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey: A collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2150m high,adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus.Mount Nemrut has since been a significant attraction,with thousands of sunrise and sunset visitors to see the stones in the best possible light.It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.An evening drive back to Sanliurfa.Overnight in Sanliurfa(B,L,D)
Day - 6: Flight to Istanbul & Freeday At leisure in Istanbul
After breakfast drive to the Airport and fly to Istanbul. Arrive at Istanbul and transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.(B)
Day - 7: Flight to Home Sweet Home
Transfer to Istanbul airport and flight back to home sweet home.