Enchanting Black Sea Routes: A Journey of History and Nature from Istanbul to Sinop

Day 1: Arrival and TransferFlight from Germany to Istanbul. Transfer to hotel upon arrival.

Day 2: Istanbul City Tour and Bosphorus CruiseAfter breakfast, we start a full-day city tour in Istanbul. During the tour, we will visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet), Hippodrome Square, Topkapi Palace, Ottoman Sultans' palace area, and Basilica Cistern. Later, along the Bosphorus, you will have the opportunity to see numerous palaces, summer houses, wooden houses, and fishing villages, including Rumeli Fortress. Dinner and accommodation will be provided after the tour.

Day 3: Historical and Cultural Richness of IstanbulIn the first half of the day, we visit the Chora Monastery with its late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes, and the Grand Bazaar. Then, we visit Süleymaniye Mosque and Rüstem Pasha Mosque. Free time is given at the Spice Bazaar. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4: Journey to KastamonuAfter breakfast, we head towards Kastamonu. Today, we transition from the shores of the Marmara Sea to middle mountain landscapes, historic Safranbolu, and the mountainous region before the Black Sea. Kastamonu, a vibrant and beautiful city, is our stop for today. Dinner and accommodation here.

Day 5: Descent to the Black Sea – Sinop and İneboluThe next morning, our journey to the Black Sea coast begins. First, a journey with Black Sea views from about 1000m altitude, then descent to the coast where you'll encounter almost subtropical vegetation. In İnebolu, we stop and explore this picturesque place built on slopes and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Then, we head to Sinop; the route continues along impressive deciduous forests and secluded beaches. Sinop is located on one of the most beautiful peninsulas of the Black Sea coast, offering a unique atmosphere with its colorful fishing boats and small, inviting venues. We'll stay in Sinop for two nights with free time all day. The city wall remains, old city center, and charming port are particularly worth seeing. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: Culture and History in SinopAfter breakfast, we visit Alaeddin Mosque and Madrasah in Sinop. Also, we see the foundation remains of the Serapis Temple built in the 2nd century BC. Later, we visit the city museum. Dinner followed by accommodation.

Day 7: To Giresun via SamsunToday, we travel to Giresun via Samsun along the coastline. Giresun, a picturesque town located on a peninsula on a hillside, is one of the most important ports for hazelnut export in the region. It's also known that Roman general Licinius Lucullus planted the first cherry trees here in 69 BC. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 8: Trabzon and Sumela MonasteryAfter a short journey, we arrive in Trabzon. Trabzon is a picturesque city with narrow and angular streets, old wooden houses, solid walls, and lush nature. It's also where Turkey's tea production began, with intensive highland economy at 2000-3000m altitude. On arrival day in Trabzon, we visit the famous Sumela Monastery ruins in the mountains. This ancient Greek Orthodox monastery is carved into the rock wall amid breathtaking mountain scenery. At the end of the climb, you'll be enchanted by the wild mountain landscape.

Day 9: Ancient Capital of the Pontus Kingdom – TrapezuntAfter breakfast, we visit ancient Trapezunt (Trabzon) on the Black Sea coast, considered the former capital of the Pontus Kingdom. The tour includes visits to Hagia Sophia, well-preserved frescoes, city walls, Atatürk's Jugendstil villa, and Gülbahar Hatun Mosque. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 10: Uzungöl, Rize, and Ayder PlateauAfter breakfast, we head to Uzungöl, famous for its natural beauty; the area is a nature reserve. After a delicious tea break in a tea garden in Rize, lunch is served. Then, we reach Ayder Plateau. Ayder is like a corner of paradise where we take a light walk. In Çamlı Hemşin, we visit the last remains of the historic Zil Castle. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 11: TransferAfter breakfast, transfer to the hotel.