Spring Highlight: Mardin & Istanbul
Active Tourism
From the calm inspiration of the UNESCO World Heritage site Mardin to the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, where two continents meet. 6 days to have it all in just one trip.
DAY 1 (Istanbul – Mardin
Meet with our guide at domestic terminal at Istanbul airport. Then take a domestic flight to Mardin Airport. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day.
Mardin is a city in a rocky region in southeastern Anatolia. The city is mainly medieval in origin and is situated on the slopes of a rocky hill, crowned by o fortress built on its citadel. This barren stoney region around Diyarbakır and Mardin stretches as for as anliurfa and Gaziantep.
DAY 2 (Artuklu,Mardin)
We start our tour with the Kirklar Church. After visiting the Latifiye Mosque, which bears the traces of Central Asian architecture, we enter the Mardin Museum. We arrive at the Mardin Grand Mosque with its unique minaret, which carries traces and inscriptions from 4 great Turkish states such as Artuqid, Aqqoyunlu, Seljuk and Ottoman. Then Lunch* at typical Turkish restaurant.
We visit the Former Girls' High School, which now serves as the Institute for Maturation, and then we visit the Sultan Isa (Zinciriye Madrasah with its impressive majesty) and go to its roof with a magnificent view for a photo shoot. Finally, we visit the Sabancı Museum, one of the few private museums in Turkey, and freelance in the Bazaar. We give time Dinner* and transfer to the hotel.
DAY 3 (Dara-Midyat)
After having breakfast at the hotel, we start the day with Kasımiye Madrasah, one of the masterpieces of the Aqqoyunlu State. We visit the Deyrulzafaran Monastery, which has survived from the Assyrians and is still an Assyrian community, and proceed to the ancient city of Dara, named after the Persian emperor Darius.
Lunch in Midyat*. We visit the Midyat Guest House andvisit the historical streets and bazaars of Midyat. We end our day with Kayacan (Landscape Photo Shoot), take dinner* and go to the hotel.
DAY 4 (Diyarbakır or Urfa)
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Diyarbakır. We take a break at the famous ten-eyed Bridge, which is known as the first bridge connecting Asia and Europe. We visit the Diyarbakır Walls and Hevsel Garden, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and go to our restaurant for lunch. Later, it was accepted as the first mosque of Anatolia, after Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem and Damascus, it was accepted as the 5th Harem-sheriff of the Islamic world (the holiest and most valuable), the mosque where the Prophet Jonah and Prophet Moses personally worshiped.
We feel beautiful spiritual feelings in Diyarbakır Ulu Mosque, a place of worship in 3 religions, with wall inscriptions belonging to MalikShah and UzunHasan. We go to the museum house of Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, one of the valuable names of Turkey's literary world, and experience the traditional Seljuk house structure, visit the İçkale Museum and transfer to the airport.
DAY 5 (Göbeklitepe and Balıklıgöl)
After breakfast at the hotel, we set off for Göbeklitepe. Located in the Germuş mountains of south-eastern Anatolia, this property presents monumental round-oval and rectangular megalithic structures erected by huntergatherers in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic age between 9,600 and 8,200 BCE. These monuments were probably used in connection with rituals, most likely of a funerary nature. Distinctive T-shaped pillars are carved with images of wild animals, providing insight into the way of life and beliefs of people living in Upper Mesopotamia about 11,500 years ago.
Balıklıgöl (or Pool of Abraham, Halil-Ür Rahman Lake), is a pool in the southwest of the city center of Şanlıurfa, Turkey known in Jewish and Islamic legends as the place where Nimrod threw the Prophet Abraham into a fire. Balıklıgöl and neighbouring Aynzeliha pools are among the most visited places in Şanlıurfa. Then visit Şanlıurfa Archeology and Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum,Historical Urfa bazaar Then transfer to the airport to take flight to Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel and rest.
DAY 6
Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture,constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet.Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome. Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the World with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir
Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request) Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant. Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program) Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia Sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.
DAY 7
After breakfast,check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport.
Lufthansa City Center