Marmara Sea Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul and History on the WayArrival in Istanbul after flight. Before hotel transfer, we take a short journey along the Theodosian land walls. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Historical Tour in the Heart of IstanbulAfter breakfast, we start a full-day city tour in Istanbul. This tour includes visits to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), Hippodrome Square, Topkapi Palace (residence area of Ottoman Sultans), and the famous Basilica Cistern. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Journey to TroyAfter breakfast, we move towards Çanakkale along the Dardanelles. After arrival at the ancient Troy settlement, we will both tour and hike. Dinner and overnight stay around Çanakkale.

Day 4: Nature and History in IdagebirgeAfter breakfast, we head to ancient Idagebirge (Mount Ida - 'Gänseberg' in Turkish: Kaz Dağı). Picnic opportunity is offered en route. After hotel check-in, we enjoy a pleasant nature walk in the Idagebirge forests. Dinner and overnight stay at mountain hotel.

Day 5: Manyas and Bursa's Enchanting Nature Following Ottoman TracesIn the morning, we head to Manyas, known as bird paradise. Here, we can observe huge fishing bird colonies (herons, cormorants, pelicans), resting and breeding areas of water birds, as well as various bird species and rich aquatic life. We also visit a small museum where we'll learn about 22 different fish species (e.g., carp, sea bass, pike, marsh crabs). Then, we arrive in Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. In Bursa, we'll see important early Ottoman period structures: Green Mosque, mausoleum (türbe), and Grand Mosque. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: Cultural Walk in and around IznikAfter breakfast, we head to today's Iznik, where the First Ecumenical Council was held in 325. We take a 6 km walk (approximately 1.5 hours) in two Ottoman villages, Mustafarli and Müsküle, located among olive groves and above the lake. Then, we examine historical structures such as Hagia Sophia, city gates, and walls on site. Our tour continues with return to Istanbul.

Day 7: Byzantine Traces and Bosphorus TourAfter breakfast, we visit the Chora Monastery adorned with late Byzantine mosaics and frescoes. Then, we have the opportunity for a pleasant shopping tour in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. Later in the day, we take a boat tour on the Bosphorus, seeing many palaces, summer houses, wooden houses, and fishing villages up close, as well as Rumeli Fortress.

Day 8: FarewellAfter breakfast, transfer to airport.