AyasİsosTravels AİT2109: TURKISH MESOPOTAMIA - TURKEY BETWEEN TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES: Cultural tour of Turkish Mesopotamia 8d7n: full board accommodation in 4*-5* and boutique hotels
This very varied, exclusive tour takes us through all layers of civilization and beautiful landscapes of Eastern Turkey. We are talking about Göbeklitepe and the Urartu period. We pass biblical Harran and Edessa (now Urfa), the cradle of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The Empire of Commagene survived as a buffer state between the Roman and Persian Empires. Paul departed from Antioch on a mission. We end in Cappadocia, the signboard of the Turkish Tourist Board. During our museum visit we come across cuneiform tablets and late antique mosaics, we see artifacts from Hittites and Seljuks. Nomads on the road.
- B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner.
Content
AyasİsosTravels AİT2109: TURKISH MESOPOTAMIA - TURKEY BETWEEN TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES: Cultural tour Turkish Mesopotamia 8d7n: full board
accommodation in 4*-5* and boutique hotels........................................................................................ 1
Day 1: Europe-Diyarbakir ....................................................................................................................... 2
Day 2: Diyarbakır-Mardin -Deir-az-Zafaran-Urfa (140km) …………………………………………..……............... 3
Day 3: Urfa, Unesco world heritage –Urfa Archaeological Museum-Harran-Göbeklitepe-Atatürk Dam- Kâhta (147km) .............................................................................................................................. 3
Day 4: Kâhta -Nemrut Dağ – Kâhta-Nemrut Dağı, one of UNESCO World Heritage in Turkey –Gaziantep (186 km) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………............…... 4
Day 5: Gaziantep-Antakya- Adana or Tarsus (393 km) ......................................................................... 5
Day 6: Adana or Tarsus-Eskigümüşler Cappadocié, Unesco World Heritage Site (276 km) ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Day 7: Cappadocia (80 KM) ................................................................................................................... 6
Day 8: Cappadocia Kayseri-Nevşehir-Europe ....................................................................................... 7
Prices....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Comments............................................................................................................................................... 7
Optional excursions .................................................................................................................................7
Including ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Do not include ........................................................................................................................................ 8
AyasİsosTravels: Multilingual Cultural Tour Provider and Operator........................................................ 8
Day 1: Europe-Diyarbakir
Arrival at Diyarbakir Airport. Reception and then transfer to the Hotel welcome cocktail and then dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Diyarbakır-Mardin -Deir-az-Zafaran-Urfa (140km)
After breakfast we visit the 5.5 km long Roman basalt ramparts and the gardens of Hevsel, both of which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape. In the 3rd century, the Romans founded the colony of Amida here. With Roman rule, Christianity and a bishop's seat came here in the 3rd century. This remained so under the Byzantines until the Arab conquests.
Lunch in Diyarbakir. In the afternoon we leave for white Mardin with its typical Arabic character, narrow steep streets and decorated houses.
According to Arnold Toynbee, the well-known English historian, Mardin was the most beautiful city in the world around 1950. From the roof of the Sultan İsa Bey Medrese (1385) we have a beautiful view over the city and the Mesopotamian plain. After the visit to the Grand Mosque, we leave for Deir-az-Zafaran-located between vineyards and gardens in an inhospitable landscape. Most Syriac Orthodox patriarchs are buried here. Until 1933, the monastery was also the seat of the patriarch, who now resides in Damascus. Dinner and overnight at the HILTON hotel in Urfa, the ancient Edessa.
Day 3: Urfa, Unesco world heritage – Urfa Archaeological Museum-Harran- Göbeklitepe-Atatürk Weir- Kâhta (147km)
After breakfast departure to the also biblical Harran, the warmest place in Turkey, but also one of the most picturesque villages due to its well-insulated mud beehive houses.
We visit Urfa where history begins with Abraham. The Archaeological Museum tells us more about the sequel.
Lunch in Gol, known for its Mesopotamian specialties. In the afternoon, extensive visit to Göbeklitepe, 15 km from Urfa, the archaeological sensation of the last quarter century, perhaps even of the last millennium! At 11,500 years old, it is the oldest known temple complex in the world. This piece of Unesco world heritage has not yet revealed all its secrets. There are, however, all sorts of interesting hypotheses circulating.
Unesco World Heritage
After this visit, we drive about 100 km to Adıyaman. We stay in KAHTA at the foot of NEMRUT DAGI, in hotel NEMRUT, a boutique hotel. We will ascend Nemrut Day at sunset or at sunrise, depending on local conditions.
Day 4: Kâhta -Nemrut Dağ – Kâhta- Nemrut Dağı, one of UNESCO's Wer world heritage in Turkey –Gaziantep (186 km)
We transfer to minibuses. We approach the last part on foot. On two gigantic terraces, the entire Commagene pantheon can be admired in colossal statues. Only now does our late breakfast follow and the journey continues to the provincial capital of Gaziantep. Due to its location, this city has a unique culinary tradition, an excellent kitchen with various specialties and desserts. The mosaic museum, an absolute must see, shows 1700 m2 of late-antique mosaics, mainly from the submerged Zeugma.
The Museum of Zeugma (Belkis), Gaziantep
Dinner and overnight at the MET GOLD Hotel 4* in Gaziantep.
Day 5: Gaziantep-Antakya- Adana or Tarsus (393km)
Antioch on the Orontes (now Antakya) was founded a general of Alexander the Great. The city expanded rapidly and became the third largest city of the Roman Empire. Antakya is Turkey's most cosmopolitan city where many religions and denominations live side by side. It was here that Christians were spoken of for the first time. Paul departed from here on three of his four missionary journeys. Now the numerous Syrian refugees, Sunnis, Turkish Alevis and Arab Christians make this city a peaceful sample of the Middle East.
Antakya Turkey Photo Gallery by Dick Osseman at pbase.com
In addition to some Eastern Orthodox places of worship, we will certainly visit St. Peter's Church, the very first church in the Christian world, and the archaeological museum. The Levantine cuisine with its lamb and beef dishes will surprise us. For dessert there is künefe.
Dinner and overnight in Adana or in Tarsus.
Day 6: Adana or Tarsus Eskigümüşler Cappadocié, Unesco World Heritage (276 km)
Well of Apostle Paul
First stop at the house of the apostle Paul in Tarsus followed by a short walking tour of the city. Then we cross the Taurus Mountains smoothly thanks to the modern road builders and tunnel makers. In Cappadocia we visit the large Seljuk Mosque and the mausoleum of the princesses in Nigde.
The Eski Gümüs Monastery is carved into the tuff rock, hidden from the eyes of any looters. In the walled courtyard we recognize monks' cells, cemeteries and a church with some beautifully preserved frescoes. Today we spend the night in our 4 * or 5 * charming hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 7: Cappadocia (80 KM)
Opportunity for morning hot air balloon ride. After breakfast, like all other groups, we go out all day for a sightseeing tour, panoramic photos and short walks in the many valleys of this fairytale landscape created by the lava and tuff from two volcanoes and thousands of years of weathering by water, snow, wind and rain. Of course, we get to the valley of Göreme, we see the Fairy Chimneys, we eat in Uçhisar; A delicious dinner concludes this trip. Those who wish can join a folklore evening.
Day 8: Cappadocia Kayseri-Nevsehir-Europe
After breakfast buffet we enjoy free time in Cappadocia until transfer to the airport for the return flight. End of an intensely varied journey.
Along the way, taste baklava and say goodbye to another AyasİsosTravels cultural tour.
Prices
• • Tour Price List from AyasİsosTravels: Travel Products (Tours, Tours, Group Tours, Vacations) from AyasİsosTravels Tour in Turkey
• • Or please send an e-mail for the special conditions and prices.(partners@ayasisostravels.com)
Comments
• • Departure date can be changed for closed groups.
• • There is a special price for closed groups of more than 22 pax. Discounts may be possible for students, teaching staff, travelers with a disability and their companions.
• • Please send an e-mail for the special conditions and prices.
• • One FOC for groups over 23 pax. (partners@ayasisostravels.com)
Optional trips
• • Cappadocia by Hot Air Balloon
• • Spinning Dervish Dancing.
Including
• • 8 days /7 nights in 4* (or 5*) hotels or charming hotels.
• • VP From dinner on the first evening to breakfast on the last day.
• • 6 lunches (usually regional specialities)
• • Transport in Turkey
• • Entrance fees to the listed places and museums
• • Folk dinner (last evening)
• • Services of a Dutch-speaking university guide.
Not including
• • Beverages in hotels and restaurants,
• • Optional excursions
• • Drinks at the table and the usual tips for driver and guide (target price 3 to 5 euros p.p.p.d.)
• • Return flight tickets Europe/Turkey,
• • Airport tax
• • Insurance.
Departure days can be organized (according to the request of the special groups).
AyasİsosTravels: Multilingual Cultural Tour Provider and Operator.
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