Black Sea Grand Tour - 14 Days/13 Nights

A fantastic journey that blends the historical riches of the Turkish Black Sea region with the magnificence of nature begins in Istanbul for 14 days in the Black Sea, Turkey.

Arrive at Istanbul Airport, which is the third-largest airport in the world. Upon landing, you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel—free time after check-in. You can start discovering the streets of Istanbul at your own will.
Accommodation in Istanbul.

Our guide will meet you at your hotel’s lobby at 08:30, and we’ll start the day's tour. First, we’ll visit Saint Sophia or Hagia Sophia, built by the emperor Justinian in 532 - 537. Designed and built as a church, Hagia Sophia was later converted into a mosque in the Ottoman period and became a museum afterwards. Our second stop will be the Topkapı Palace, which served as the administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire for over 400 years, from the 15th to the 19th centuries, and as the home of the Sultans and their families. It hosts an outstanding collection of famous jewels of the Ottoman Imperial Treasury, daggers decorated with precious diamonds and stones, swords, war armours, the Spoonmaker's Diamond, crystals, silver items and Chinese porcelain, and elegant dresses once used by sultans and their families members.

Afterwards, we’ll have a lunch break at a local restaurant (included) and stroll around Hippodrome Square, where horse races took place and entertainment, sports, and political activities were organised during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Here, we will see the Serpent Column from Delphi in India, the Egyptian Obelisk, the German Fountain of Wilhelm ll, and the tombs of Ottoman sultans and princes. Afterwards, we will visit the Blue Mosque, also known as Sultanahmet Mosque, built between 1609 and 1617. It is best known for its 6 minarets and blue Iznik tiles that lend the mosque its name. Finally, we’ll be visiting the Grand Bazaar, the world's oldest and largest covered bazaar, comprised of 61 covered streets. It is home to more than 4000 shops selling anything from carpets, jewellery, leather, and souvenirs to garments, bags, decorations, spices, and home textiles—end of the tour and transfer to hotel.
Accommodation in Istanbul. ( Breakfast – Lunch  )

After breakfast, we will depart for Abant Lake in Bolu (approx. 300 km - 5 hrs). Approximately 240 km later, we will visit the town of Mudurnu, which has been an important place in Turkish history since the Seljuk period. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List 2014 as the Historic Guild Town of Mudurnu and declared an Urban Site. This small town is home to historic mosques, baths, fountains, and 173 buildings of high architectural value. Here, we will visit landmark mansions offering some of the most beautiful examples of Turkish civil architecture. In its bazaar, we will see blacksmiths and stove heater sellers who continue the old handicraft traditions of the region. The legacy of the Ahi order is still present in the town where Yıldırım Beyazıt Mosque, built in 1374, and the Turkish Bath, built in 1382, has been operating for nearly 700 years. After we tour the Mudurnu Museum, old bazaar, and historical buildings, we will continue to Abant Lake. After a 20-km ride, we will arrive at the restaurant by the lake at 1350 meters. We will have a delicious lunch consisting of local dishes. For the rest of the day, we will have nature walks by the water in the forest and have a relaxing cup of coffee while enjoying this lush nature. You can join a horseback riding tour or have a phaeton ride around the lake.
Dinner and accommodation in Bolu.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we will have a 3-hour trip to Amasra as our next stop in our Western Black Sea tour (approx. 190 km). Along the way, we will pass through heavily forested mountains, canyons, valleys, and villages with magnificent views. We will visit a walking cane workshop in Devrek, famous for its stylish and quality handmade walking canes, each with a different model. Afterwards, we will continue to Amasra by passing through Bartın, famous for its natural produce and the Black Sea traditions.

We will arrive in the ancient town of Amasra, built on a natural harbour and peninsula stretching out to the sea. Known as a local tourist region with its natural beauties, beaches, historical castles, and unique fish restaurants, Amasra boasts a history dating back 5,000 years. Upon arrival, we will have a delicious lunch at one of the local restaurants and start exploring the town. Here, we’ll see the Amasra Museum, Amasra Castle, and the lighthouse, and we will learn about the livelihood of the people and villages of Amasra, which are fishing, forestry, and woodworking. The style of woodworking used here is called “Çekicilik”. The local people of Amasra have been woodworking and creating ornamentations for hundreds of years using the woods from the linden, boxwood, ash, walnut, cherry, and alder grown in Amasra forests to make picture frames, bowl sets, bird and animal figures, spice holders, salt shakers, trays, napkin holders, pencils, boxwood spoons, massage tools, and rare souvenirs which are sold at the historical Çekiciler bazaar. We will head for Safranbolu, best known for its historical Ottoman-style houses and mansions (approx. 90 km).

Safranbolu town, which takes its name from the rare and expensive Saffron grass grown in the region, is an important tourist location thanks to its houses, urban culture, authentic lifestyle, traditions, customs, local flavours, and natural beauty. Here, we will walk down Safranbolu’s nostalgic cobblestone streets and see Safranbolu Mansions, famous for their unique architectural style, the historical Government Building, Clock Tower, Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Mosque and the sundial in its courtyard, District Governors Travel House, Cinci Inn, and Bath, İzzet Mehmet Paşa Mosque, the Arasta Bazaar where you’ll find the local handicraft shops, the historical village coffee house, the blacksmiths' bazaar, the coppersmiths' bazaar, and the saddlebags bazaar. At the end of our tour, we’ll check in at our hotel and have dinner in an authentic mansion.
Accommodation in Safranbolu.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for our next destination, Yörük Village (Nomad Village), one of the oldest villages in the region, dating back 700 years.  Afterwards, we’ll have a 4.5-hour-long trip to Turkey’s northernmost city, Sinop, Via Kastamonu. Upon arrival, take a lunch break in a local restaurant and visit Sinop Castle, built in the 8th century BC, and the famous Sinop Historic Prison, known as the Alcatraz of Anatolia. The prison, the subject of many novels, was built inside the castle in 1568 and was used until it was closed and turned into a museum in 1999. Afterwards, we will discover the Akliman Nature Park and the Hamsilos Fjord. Then, we will see the northernmost point of Turkey, İnceburun, and the scenic lighthouse here. Finally, we will visit the Kotra workshop, which has become the symbol of Sinop with handmade wooden model ships. e will depart for Samsun (approx. 2 hrs - 150 Km )   
Dinner and accommodation in  Samsun  ( Breakfast – Dinner )  

After an early breakfast, we will depart for Samsun (approx. 2 hrs). After an enjoyable ride along the coastline, we’ll arrive at our destination and start exploring the city from Tütün İskelesi (Tobacco Pier), the site of Bandırma Ferry, which is the symbol of the Turkish War of Independence used by the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Atatürk, on his trip from Istanbul to Samsun in 1919. Afterwards, we will visit the model village of the Amazon women of the Cimmerian tribe and have a city tour. Then, we will set off for Ordu. On the way to Perşembe, we will visit Cape Jason and the historical Church of Jason. Upon our arrival in Ordu, we will take the cable car to Boztepe, the city's highest hill, and have a relaxing cup of coffee here while enjoying the views. Afterwards, we will return to the town, have lunch at a local restaurant, and continue towards Giresun. We will see the Giresun Island and Giresun Castle, built during the reign of Pontus Ruler Farnakes. Giresun is also famous for the world’s most oily and quality hazelnuts. Finally, we will drive to Mavigöl Nature Park and Kuzalan Falls, located 45 km from the city centre.
Dinner and accommodation in Trabzon.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

We will set off for Trabzon early in the morning and first visit the tea factory in Tirebolu, known for its unique local teas. We will cross the Zigana Pass, which has preserved its importance as a gateway on trade routes since ancient times, and reach Hamsiköy, a typical Black Sea village surrounded by nature. Located 1300 meters over the Kaçkar Mountains, Hamsiköy is famous for its trekking, mountain biking activities, and delicious rice pudding. We will reach Altındere Valley, bypassing Coşandere and Maçka, known for their stony roads.

Next, we will visit the Sumela Monastery (Panagia Soumela Monastery), a Greek Orthodox monastery and church complex built on a mountain slope 1150 m above sea level by carving inside the rocks in 360-395 AD. The complex consists of priest chambers, a kitchen, chapels, and aqueducts adorned with frescoes. The monastery was closed in 2015 due to restoration work but was reopened to visitors recently.

We will take a lunch break at a local restaurant in Maçka and drive to Trabzon. Upon arrival, we will visit Trabzon Hagia Sophia Church in Trabzon, built between 1238 and 1265 during the Komnenos Kingdom and known for its frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and Torah. Next, we will visit the Atatürk Pavilion, built by a Greek businessman in 1890 and gifted to Atatürk. In Trabzon, you can shop at precious handmade jewellery shops and learn about the Kazaziye and Silver Filigree artworks, which are unique to Trabzon.
Dinner and accommodation in Trabzon.  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit a knife workshop in Sürmene, known for its custom-made knives from Sürmene steel. Afterwards, we will go to Uzungöl, via the towns of Çaykara and Of, to enjoy its world-famous scenery. Visit a Rize fabric (Feretiko) workshop, which is one of the most important traditional handicrafts of Rize. After shopping here, we will head for the tea gardens of Çayeli town. Visit the famous Ayder Yaylası (Ayder Plateau). Have a relaxing walk to enjoy this lovely plateau and have a cup of tea while chatting with the local people in the open air over the magnificent views of Ayder.
Dinner and accommodation in Ayder Yaylası or Rize.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )
** You can join a unique entertainment program with regional Black Sea dances and music in the evening.

Batumi, (Georgia) Rize,  Trabzon ( 350 Km)
We head for the Georgian border after an early breakfast. After passport control, we start our tour of Batumi, the beautiful city of Georgia. Gonio Bridge and the Asparos Castle (Gonia) are believed to be the tomb of St. Matthew the Evangelist, one of the 12 Apostles said to write the Gospel. In Batumi, we’ll see Europe Square, the Clock Tower, Batumi Boulevard on the seaside, the Statue of Poseidon, the Medea Statue, the Church of the Mother of God, the Orthodox Church, the Armenian Church, Batumi Piazza, and Batumi Sea Port. After getting to know the city with our guide, you’ll have free time, during which you will enjoy cafes, shops, and night and day casinos, which are popular among foreign and domestic tourists, and try local dishes and regional Georgian wines. Afterwards, we will return to Turkey at the specified gathering time. We will drive back to Ordu through the Black Sea coastal road with magnificent views.
 Dinner and accommodation in Trabzon. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

Note: If you take prescribed medication, you can take only one day of pills through Georgian customs.

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Amasya from Trabzon. Known as the city of Princes, for approximately 5.5 hours.
Visit Karaca Cave, located in Cebeli village within the borders of Gümüşhane province, in 1983. Enjoy watching fantastic natural formations such as dripstone shapes, stalactites, stalagmites, columns, cave flowers, cave pearls and travertine steps, which have formed over millions of years in the cave, which is 1550 meters above sea level.  Lunch break on the way.
After a pleasant journey with a magnificent natural view, arrive in Amasya, following the Zigana pass, which connects the Black Sea region to Central Anatolia.
Dinner and overnight in Amasya. (Breakfast – Dinner )

Amasya, the region where the Princes were authorised to grow up during the Ottoman Empire, is known as the City of Princes. Amasya, located on the banks of the Teşil River, is an essential city in terms of rock tombs and historical artefacts. Amasit is one of the 13 governments that formed the Hittite Confederation. Amasya Castle and its surroundings were the centre of this government.
Start our tour of the historical city of Amasya, located on the banks of the Yeşilırmak River. Here, we’ll see the Şehzadeler Park, Sultan Bayezid II Complex, historical mansions with bay windows, Amasya Clock Tower, the Tombs of the Kings of Pontus dating back to 336 BC, the Archeology Museum, and the water channels that are the subjects of the love story of Ferhat and Şirin. Located in the Central Black Sea area, Amasya is one of the oldest settlements in Anatolia, with a history of 7,500 years. The old mansions, turned into boutique hotels, are popular among tourists. We’ll enjoy the rest of the day sipping coffee at the cafes by Yeşil ırmak, facing the wooden mansions and the Tombs of Kings.

We are completing our Amasya trip. We are going to Hattusa, the capital of the Hittites. First visit to Alacahöyük, a very important cult and art centre during the Bronze Age and Hittite period, where 4 civilisation ages dating back to 5000 BC were unearthed.
Alacahöyük is one of the most important settlements of the Hittite Kingdom. Alacahöyük occupies an essential place in Hittite history and contains the ruins of the first dam in Anatolia and 14 settlement layers dating from four different cultural phases. We’ll also visit the Alacahöyük Museum, which provides information about Hittite architecture and art. Some of the most critical findings from the excavations are displayed here, including 13 royal tombs from the ancient Bronze Age, jewellery made of gold, silver, bronze, and precious stones, and commonly used items.

After the museum, we’ll visit the capital of the Hittite civilisation, Hattuşa (Boğazköy) built 3700 years ago. We have the best information about Hattusa, the capital of the Hittite Civilization for 400 years after the Hattians, from the Hittite cuneiform archive, exhibited at the Boğazkale Museum today. The museum is home to historical artefacts such as statues, jewellery, and household items belonging to civilisations that once lived in Central Anatolia. Boğazkale district has countless ruins from the Hattian, Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Galatian, Roman, and Byzantine periods. We’ll also visit Yazılıkaya, built by the Hittites among high rocks as a sacred place of worship, an open-air temple to hold celebrations and rituals. Here, we’ll see fascinating depictions of gods and goddesses carved on rocks, the Great Temple, Lion's Gate, King's Gate, Tunnel, Summer Palace, and the Hattusa City Walls, which once surrounded the whole city.
Take lunch at the local restaurant with traditional Hittite dishes and continue to Ankara.
Dinner and accommodation in Ankara.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we will check out and explore the capital of Turkey, Ankara. We’ll have a sightseeing tour in Çankaya and Kızılay districts, where foreign embassies, consulates, Prime Ministry, and parliament buildings are located. Then, we will visit Anıtkabir, or the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Here, we will see 4000 books read by Atatürk and his personal belongings in the Anıtkabir Museum. Afterwards, we will visit Ankara Castle and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Admire this museum where thousands of years of historical artefacts and treasures, the heritage of civilisations that lived in Anatolia, are exhibited—statues of Hittite kings, wine cups, women's indispensable jewellery and more.

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant and depart for Istanbul (approx. 440 km).
Accommodation in Istanbul.   ( Breakfast )

During a half-day Istanbul tour, visit Egypt Bazaar, which has a mystical oriental atmosphere. It is filled with the seductive aromatic scents of various spices, such as cinnamon, cumin, saffron, mint, thyme, herbs, Turkish sweets, Turkish delight, coffee, and dried fruits. You can buy as many products as you can carry and as gifts for your loved ones.  Visit Rustem Pasha Mosque.
Continue to City Walls, Golden Horn, and embark on the boat for a fantastic short cruise in The Bosphorus.
The Bosphorus Cruise is the best way to get to know Istanbul. Take a boat tour along the Bosphorus Strait, which separates European and Asian continents. Some of the important landmarks you’ll see on this trip are the Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, imperial mansions, the Maiden Tower, the Bosphorus Bridge, and you’ll experience the heavy traffic of the Bosphorus first hand. After a 2-hour tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. 
Free time for shopping,  you may visit famous shopping centres such as Akmerkez, Cevahir Mall, Istinye Park or Zorlu Center for free time.
BOSPHORUS DINNER CRUISE       20:00 – 24:00               
Menu: Grill fish or meatballs or chicken, cold and hot appetisers, 
Beverages.; Unlimited soft and alcoholic ( Raki, Beer, Wine, vodka)
Program: Music, Folklore performance, Whirling Dervishes show, Traditional wedding ceremony, Oriental belly dancer Show, and more.
Transfer: Return transfer from the hotel. 19:30 – 24:00
Overnight in Istanbul. ( Breakfast )

Free time depends on your flight time. Private transfer to the Istanbul Airport minimum 4 hours before flight hour.
Our tour will end with your airport transfer.  ( Breakfast )