Treasures of Mesopotamia

Arrival in Gaziantep via Istanbul and transfer to the hotel. Overnight.

Half board. In the morning we will visit the archaeological museum of Zeugma,
this is the most important museum of Roman mosaics in the world. A modern
facility with allthe latest generation technology, transports us to the richness of
the Roman Villa in the ancient valley of Mesopotamia. We will leave the city of
Gaziantep to continue towards the Euphrates and Halfeti. Upon arrival at Halfeti,
we embark on a small and comfortable boat for cruise of the Euphrates river.
Continuation to Urfa, ancient city of Mesopotamia known as "the city of the
prophets", where the prophet Abraham was born. Arrival and we will visit the
archaeological museum of Sanliurfa. In this fantastic museum we can see from
art and sculptures from the Göbekli Tepe site. It should be noted that this
museum exhibits the oldest sculpture in the history of mankind, the "Balikligöl
statue" which is totally extraordinary and shows us an aura of mystery and
exquisite enigma. Then we will visit the sacred and mythical points of interest in
the city of Sanliurfa; the Grotto of Abraham and the Sacred Lake. Dinner and
overnight.

Half board. In the morning departure to visit GobekliTepe; an ancient sanctuary
that rises at the highest point of an extensive mountain range located about 15
km. The site, which is currently being excavated by Turkish and German
archaeologists, was built by hunter-gatherers in the 10th millennium BC. (ca.
11,500 years ago), before sedentarization began. Mysteriously, this entire complex
of stones, pillars and sculptures was deliberately buried around 8000 BC,
remaining abandoned for 500 years. Together with Nevali Çori, this site has
revolutionized the understanding of the Eurasian Neolithic. Than after,departure
to Mardin; the city of the Christian-Syriac religion, where the liturgy is still
performed in Aramaic. On the route wewill visit the traditional town Dara, where
you will find Necropolis and Roman cisterns. Dinner and overnight.

Half board. In the morning we will visit the traditional town the Syriac monastery
of Deyrul Zafaran, one of the oldest in the world. The monastery was, for 640
years (until 1932), the residence of the Assyrian Orthodox Patriarch.The site was
named DeyrulZafaran (Saffron Church) for the saffronthat was grown in its
surroundings. Assyrians from all over the world come every year to pray and be
blessed here. Next we will visit the center of Mardin. The city stretches along the
slopes of a mountain crowned by its fortress. It is a caramel-hued villa with the
huge dome of the Ulu Camii Mosque,an Iraqi Seljukbuilt in the 12th
century,located in the small but intricate labyrinth of alleys in the urban center.
We will pass through the Zinciriye madrasa, whose minarets rise in the middle of
the historic center. The main artery of the old town is Cumhuriyet Street. There
the huge and chaotic bazaar is scattered, like delicate works in copper and
brass, or the famous Aleppo soaps and where the smell of fresh bread is never
lacking. Later, departure to Diyarbakir, one of the most important cities in the
area, known in classical times as Amidiya,the city was annexed by Rome in 297
AD and becamean essential part of the defense line between the Roman
Empiresand Partosanida of Persia. On the routewe will visit ZerzevanCastle, it
was the first temple built by the Eastern RomanEmpire in the 4th centuryas a
military base on the old trade route between Diyarbakir and Mardin, which was in
use until the 7th century,this houses the last templeof Mithras discovered in the
world. Archaeological excavations at the site revealed the existence of
underground structures. Arrival in Diyarbakır and we begin the visit of the historic
center and its religious monuments on foot, entering its walls, to walk through its
narrow, bustlingand full of life streets.We make a stop at the Hasan Pasa Hani
caravanserrallos, now a mandatory stop for tea before visitingthe Great Mosque,
the most important of the twenty-two that exist in the city and the oldest in
Anatolia, originally built as Christian cathedral called "Santo Tomas". We
continue the tour visiting the Minaret of the four feet, built by Kasim Khan. Dinner
and overnight.

Half board. In the morning, departure to visit Mount Nemrut, which preserves impressive statues created in 38 BC by order of King Antiochus to surround his tomb. It is one of the most extraordinary sites in Turkey at an altitude of 2,000meters and was declareda World HeritageSite by UNESCO in 1987. Arrival at the summit of Mount Nemrut and visit to the King Antiochus burial mound made with small, conical stones and with a height of around 50 meters. On both sides, on two terraces, we can admire the colossal representations of Greek-Babylonian gods. Continue to Malatya, known for its apricots. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

Half board. Early departure to the Cappadocia region, where the indescribable
harmony of a kaleidoscope of colors, turns the red and brown tones into: gray,
green and yellow. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, we will see the famous 'Three
Beauties of Urgup', where you can see the mushroom-shaped rock formations
and a panorama of the city of Ürgüp. Next we will visit the small and beautiful
town of Ortahisar that is stands out with its castle of a high geological formation
at 86 meters, and converted into dwelling by the Hittites. Dinner and overnight At
night you can opt to join a whirling dervish ceremony (Sema).

Half board. Option to take a spectacular hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
Departure to visit this fantastic region, where Saint George was born, with its
fascinating and original landscape, formed 3 millionyears ago by lava thrown
from the Erciyes and Hasan Volcanoes. Visit to the underground city of Ozkonak
or another similar one built by the Christian communities to protect themselves
from Arab attacks. We will make a stop at a carpet and kilim workshop. In the
afternoon, visit the many monasteries and chapels of Göreme,dug out of the
rocks and decorated with frescoes. We will also pass through the Guvercinlik
valley (of the dovecotes) and admire a wonderful panoramic view of the Uchisar
castle,located on top of a volcanic rock promontory piercedby tunnels and
windows. At the end we will make a stop at an artisan workshop of decoration,
typical stones and Cappadocian jewelry. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. At
night you can opt to join a Turkish folk dance show.

Breakfast. At the indicatedtime, transfer to the airport to take the regular flightto
Istanbul. Arrivaland transport to the chosen hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Half-day tour “BOSPHORUS”: Wewill go to the pier and embarkthe
regular boat for Cruise on the Bosphorus, a strait that separates two continents
and joins the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. From the boat we can admire
the Dolmabahce Palace, the Mosque, the bohemian neighborhood of Ortakoy,
the Rumeli and Anatolian Fortresses, the Beylerbeyi Palace, the typical “yali”
wooden houses, etc. Next we will visit the Spice Bazaar, also called the Egyptian
Bazaar, it is one of the oldest markets in Istanbul and one of the best places to
buy typical productssuch as spices, sweets or nuts. The excursion ends here. Free
afternoon to explore the city or you can take the optional "Classic" excursion.
Overnight.

Breakfast. Half day tour “GOLDEN HORN”: We will start by visiting the famous
café Pierre Loti which is on the top of the hill in the Eyup neighborhood and has a
wonderful view of the Golden Horn. Free time to enjoy the view with the
possibility of having a coffee or tea. Then we will go to the Cathedral of St.
George, it is the fifth church in Constantinople that houses the ecumenical
patriarchate since the 15th century. Formerly a convent for Orthodox nuns, it was
converted into patriarchal offices by Bishop Matthew II (1598-1601). On the way,
we will see a part of the walls of Constantinople, once an impenetrable
fortification, stretching for seven kilometers from the Sea of Marmara to the
GoldenHorn. Next we will visit the Mosque of Soliman themagnificent, considered
to be the most beautiful of the imperial mosques of Istanbul, which was built
between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the famous architect of the Ottoman Golden
Age. The excursion ends here. Free afternoon to explore the city or you can take
the optional excursion "Topkapi Palace". Overnight.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for home flight.End of our services.