Day trips from Istanbul

Full day Iznik (Nicea)

Pick-up from your hotel early in the morning driving about 2 and half hours to Iznik town on the lake. As you arrive to the town, you'll see the city walls from Byzantine period, passing through the gates of the city. Nicea was the location of 1st and 7th Ecumenical Councils. First visit will be to Hagia Sophia church, built in the mid-fourth century AD in the form of a basilica, which was converted into a mosque after the conquest of Nicea by the Ottomans. Lunch in a small local restaurant by the Lake. Afterwards, you'll visit some of the Ottoman monuments such as old mosques, Nilufer Hatun Guest House, Mahmut Celebi Mosque, and old tiles producing locations. Drive back to Istanbul.

Full day Bursa

Bursa was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire built under the slopes of Uludag mountain, known as Mysian Olympus in the ancient times. Pick-up from your hotel early in the morning and take a ferry-boat to Yalova province, then drive to Bursa to visit the Green (Yesil) Mosque, Green Mausoleum, and the Grand (Ulu) Mosque in the city center. After the lunch at a Doner Kebap restaurant, specialty of the city, visit the covered Bazaar and the old silk market. Return to Istanbul and transfer back to your hotel.

Full day Edirne

Early pick-up from your hotel and drive to Edirne about 2 and half hours on the highway. Edirne is a border province with its vast history and culture, as it was one of the capitals of the Ottoman Empire it's full of old houses, mosques, bazaars, bridges etc. Edirne is also famous for its traditional Oil Wrestling which is held every year in July since many centuries. Here, you'll be visiting Selimiye Mosque of 16th century, Eski Mosque, Uc Serefeli Mosque, Bayezid II Complex, historical bridges over Tuna and Meric rivers, and old bazaar in the city center. You can have lunch during your visits. At the end, drive back to Istanbul.

Full day Gallipoli & Troy

Very early departure from your hotel and drive for about 4 hours to Gelibolu Peninsula to visit World War I battlefields and war cemeteries, Anzac Cove, New Zealand and Australian (Lone Pine) memorials, British (Hellespont) and Turkish memorials. Cross Dardanelles strait by ferry and lunch in Canakkale. After lunch, a short drive to Troy to visit once a mythological city, remembering us the legendary Trojan Horse from the times of beautiful Helen, Paris, Priam and Hector. Head back to Istanbul after your visits and dinner on the way, with a late arrival at Istanbul.

Overnight Safranbolu

This is a two days and one night tour. Early pick-up from your hotel to drive to Safranbolu for about 5 hours, mostly on highway. Lunch en-route. On arrival, check-in to your special category small hotel housed in a historic building. Afterwards, you'll be walking on the streets of old Safranbolu through the beautiful wooden houses to see the governors house and the old bazaar. Dinner and overnight. Next morning, you'll visit the castle and explore more of this town. Than drive back to Istanbul with lunch en-route.

Daily Ephesus with domestic flights

Early transfer to Ataturk airport for a 1 hour flight to Izmir. On arrival, meet your guide and driver and drive to Selcuk for 45 minutes where you'll visit the Shrine of Virgin Mary, where she is believed to spent her last days. Proceed to ancient site of Ephesus to see the Odeon, fountains, temples, the library, agoras, the great theater, and Roman baths. After lunch visit the Archeological Museum or St. John's Basilica. Drive back to Izmir airport for a short flight back to Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Daily Cappadocia with domestic flights

Early pick-up and transfer to Ataturk airport for a short flight to Kayseri. On arrival, meet your guide and driver and a 45 minutes drive to Cappadocia to visit this unrealistic region: underground city of Kaymakli built in 7th century by Christians escaping from persecutions, and Uchisar town, a natural citadel in the region. Lunch during the visits and continue with the Goreme Open Air Museum; rock churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes, visit also Pasabag Valley with its typical and unusual formations of Fairy Chimneys, and finally the Avanos Village famous for its pottery and handicrafts. Drive back to Kayseri airport for your flight back to Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Other daily arrangements

It's possible to arrange daily diving tours from Istanbul to Ibrice harbor in Saroz Bay or daily Golf games in Klassis Golf & Country or Kemer Golf & Country clubs near the city. Equestrian is also possible with early reservation.

Important Notes

Order of the visits may be changed for technical or practical reasons, or because of closure days of the sites or museums
Most of these tours can be done only on private basis due to its nature
All tours include pick-up & drop-off from/to hotels, A/C car/van/bus depending on the size of the group
All tours exclude beverages during meals
ALL TRAVEL SERVICES ARE BEEN ARRANGED BY A GOVERNMENT LICENSED & RELIABLE TRAVEL AGENCY

Hope to see you soon in Istanbul.

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