TURKEY
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
10 DAYS GASTRONOMICAL ECOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL TOUR TO ISTANBUL, TOKAT, SIVAS & CAPPADOCIA TURKEY..
Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and the circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, former home of sultans. Ankara is Turkey’s modern capital.
Some popular cities of Turkey are Istanbul, Tokat, Sivas, Cappadocia..Explore these cities with us.
LOCATION
TRIP OVERVIEW
Day 1 : Istanbul
Arrival Day Dinner included Welcome to Turkey! Meet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Dinner and Overnight in Istanbul. Please note that; Our arrival airport transfer services will be available between 07:00am to 22:00pm from Ataturk Airport.
Day 2 : Istanbul Half day City Tour – Tokat
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included After breakfast, at 09:00 am depart for Istanbul City Tour at 10:00. Visit to TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, 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. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE 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.Lunch at restaurant After the lunch, we will visit the unique Leather Factory‘s leather fashion show. Murti’s Tour will then take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice. We depart for Sivas Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport upon completion of the Tour; After arrival to Sivas Airport we get transferred to Tokat for dinner and overnight at hotel.
DAY 3 : Tokat City Tour
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included) Today, we have a City Tour, visiting the historical places of Tokat such as historical lodging and dwelling points , forums and religious educational centers, Tokat Museum, Ethnography Museum, world renowned Turkish Baths as well as Clock Tower in downtown. While sightseeing in the city, you will notice the sincere hospitality and honest warmth of the local people. You will also get a chance to visit local shops with very affordable prices for shopping souvenirs. At noon, we will taste the most delicious Tokat Kebaps for lunch that of the reputation has exceeded its borders. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel in Tokat.
DAY 4 : Farm Visit and Gastronomical Activities
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included Today we will take you to farm to pick onions, lettuce and such greenery and then to make pancakes with a Turkish touch. We eat what we cook with villagers and we will depart for cherry orchard and the fields. Picking fruits and eating them from their branch along with the local people that is surely not to be forgotten easily.
DAY 5 : A traditional Village Visit & Peach Picking, Village Dinner and Turkish Bath
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included Today, we will see Lake Almus that is one of the biggest lake of Turkey that we will witness the variety of fishes as walking by and visit a village to enjoy all natural & organic food along with villagers and take a part in Folkloric and traditional dances, depart for Peach and seasonal veggie-fruit Picking at its source. You will feel the nature at the palm of your hands and that empathize the sense of being part of the soil. Eating the peaches fresh off the branch appreciating the greatness and witness the earth truly. Afterwards, we will be having Turkish style pizza (“pide”) for dinner and you are cooking! Today, we will see the honored and hospitable villagers’ working conditions and cooking methods, witnessing their farm life. We will see the domestic animals such as donkey, cow and such all around us. Perfect finish with a SPA experience at a classical Turkish Bath.
Day 6 : Tokat to Sivas and Sivas City Tour
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included After the Breakfast in the Hotel, we will depart to Sivas. Situated at an altitude of 1275 m, Sivas is the highest city of the Central Anatolian Region, and the most mountainous one with the numerous peaks. This uneven land has been the shelter of many tribes, from the earliest ages to more recent periods from which remain many notable monuments. We start exploring respectively Archaeological Museum, Sifaiye Madrasah, The Double Minaret Madrasah, Buruciye Madrasah, Castle Mosque, Gendarme House, Government House, Great Mosque, Broken and Curved Bridge. Later, we will give a break for local lunch. After lunch we will go on with visiting Ottoman highlights; Meydan Mosque and Şems-i Sivasî Tomb, İhramcızade Cultural and Art House, Subaşı Kervansarayı, Taşhan Kervansarayı. Before Dinner we will visit Susamıslar Mansion for Whirling Derwish Ceremony with Sema. The sema ceremony is one of the most important heritage of Turkish Culture as a tradition of 800 years old. This unique traditional ritual had been proclaimed as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.We complete the day after dinner in Lover’ s Coffee House with drinking our Turkish coffee and listening local music made by lovers who are famous with playing a stringed instrument called ‘’ SAZ’’. Overnight in Sivas.
Day 7 : Sivas – Cappadocia by drive
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included After breakfast, we depart for Cappadocia for a ride that is approxiametly 4 hours. We will stay in Cappadocia Cave Resort with world renowned luxury. We will get to view great scenery of Cappadocian Fairy Chimney off the terrace of Roof Bar in the hotel. A morning surprise of hundreds of Hot Air Balloons Decorating the Skies through your room. If you want to Experience this first hand,please contact us for Hot Air Balloon ride and reserve your spot in the sky.Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8 : Cappadocia Underground City & Goreme Open Air Museum
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included You will be picked up approximately 09:30 We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved Underground cities in Cappadocia. Than visit to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. After Uchisar, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. Next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery work shop, to see how to make potteries. Then you go Pasabagi where you can see three – headed fairy chimneys. After Pasabagi you visit another tour to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. Next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Then you head to a wine shop in Urgup for wine tasting. Last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end approximately at 18.00 and you will be returned back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 9 : Cappadocia Legendary Activities
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included Cappadocia the most popular touristic destination of the world. Cappadocia is also known for its Gastronomical and Ecological aspect to it. The luxurious hotel that we are to stay Cappadocia Cave Resort has a farm in it for such Activities that we will get a chance to experience the nature. The vegetables and fruits are ready to be picked by you and get cooked for turning them into a meal. An in-house Wine Cellar will also be at your service for a great wine tasting. We will have an opportunity to take a walk around “Love Valley” for a dramatic experience as well. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 10 : Cappadocia to Istanbul
End of Tour Breakfast included After breakfast you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back to home. We hope you have enjoyed our Ecological & Gastronomical, Historical Tour of Tokat. We hope this was a memorable tour for you and looking forward to see you again on another tour of ours. Thank you for joining us.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
- Airport transfer services mentioned in the tour itinerary.
- Domestic flight from Istanbul to Sivas.
- Domestic flight from Kayseri to Istanbul.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in Istanbul.
- 4 Nights hotel accommodation in Tokat.
- 1 Night hotel accommodation in Sivas.
- 3 Nights hotel accommodation in Cappadocia.
- 9 Open Buffet Breakfasts.
- 8 Lunches.
- 8 Dinners.
- Guided Tokat City Tour.
- Guided Turkish Bath visit.
- Guided Village & Farm Visits.
- Guided Sivas City Tour.
- Guided Cappadocia Tour.
- Guided Cappadocia Legendary Tour.
- Professional English speaking tour guides.
PACKAGE EXCLUSIONS:
- International flights.
- Insurance of all types.
- Country entry Visa.
- Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, cold drinks, laundry.
- Any others expenses which are not mentioned within the included section.
Terms of Payment
- 30 days or more before date of departure: 25% of total cost
- 29 – 20 days before date of departure: 50% of total cost
- 19 – 16 days before date of departure: 100% of total cost
- Extra meals or beverages.
GENERAL
- Room Service
- Newspapers
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Family Rooms
- Elevator
- Safe
- Heating
- All Spaces
Non-Smoking - Air Conditioning
- Carpeted
BUSINESS FACILITIES
- RooFax/Photocopying
MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY
- Telephone
- Radio
- Cable channels
- Flat-screen TV
BATHROOM
- Hairdryer
- Toilet
- Bathroom
- Slippers
FOOD & DRINK
- Bar
- Breakfast in the Room
- Restaurant with Dining Menu
- FSpecial Diet Meals (upon request)
- Minibar
ACTIVITES
- Hiking
- Cycling
FRONT DESK SERVICES
- 24-Hour Front Desk
- Currency Exchange
- Tour Desk
- Ticket Service
- Baggage Storage
- Concierge Service
CLEANING SERVICES
- Laundry
- Dry Cleaning
- Ironing Service
- Shoeshine
- Daily Housekeeping
FREQUNTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ecology and gastronomy are two terms that complete one another. For example; if we pick vegetables from the field it is ecological and if you cook that you picked becomes the matter of gastronomy. Another example can be given by fruits that if we pick the fruit from its branches it is ecology and if we can it then it is gastronomy. We have also added Historical and Cultural themed tours onto our program that will not overwhelm you.
1 st May and 1st November are the best period for such trip but if you want to see most, June and August are the most favorable dates.
May and June period has the fruits of Cherries, Prunes, Peaches and veggies such as herbs and green leafs are available. Period of July, August and Midst of September is the right time of fruits such as Apples, Pears, Peaches, Prunes, Apricots and Grapes. As for veggies; all veggies such as Tomato, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumber, Carrot, Green beans, Onion, Lettuce, Parsley, Mint, and Garlic produced in Tokat can be seen and tasted. As for the Legumes, the harvest times are the best throughout the season. In September and October, fruits such as Apple, Pears, Quince, Walnuts, and Hazelnuts are at its most. Veggies are available as listed above for the last appearing of the fields put to rest.
For vegetables, March and April are the best time for seedling. For fruits, between February and March. The trimming and care of trees done again on February and March. WHAT TO BRING FOR THE TOUR? You can bring comfortable field shoes, clothing that would be worn in farms and fields, your Camera, sun glasses, gloves. It is not cold but for cool evenings, you may pack a warm outerwear.