Embark on this ancient journey of a lifetime by discovering Istanbul, a striking mosaic of east and west. Renowned for it's ancient structures, from its mosques to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influenced architecture, it is also a city rich in contrasts. Learn more about Byzantine architecture from your expert private guide. Take advantage of your guides knowledge on visits to St. Sophia Church, and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue colored tiles and architecture. Continue with a flight to Urfa, the enchanting capital of Sanliurfa province. Explore this city rich in history, also known as the city of Prophecy and Prophets. Visit Harran and discover the unique architecture of beehive-style mud hut dwellings. You may wish to take it all in at a traditional, open-air Turkish cafe with signature kebab, especially popular in Urfa. Your private guide will prove invaluable at your next stop, Mt. Nemrut, one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites. As the sun rises, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities scattered throughout the summit while listening to your private guide recount the rich, captivating history of this ancient royal tomb. Finally, complete your journey to Gaziantep, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Tour this remarkable city with your private guide, visiting the Mosaic Museum only the second of it's kind worldwide. Complete your adventure with a boat ride on the Euphrates River, including a cruise around the Roman fortress of Rumkale.

Istanbul (Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is the world's 3rd largest city and Turkey's cultural and financial center. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is therefore the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Enjoy a private airport transfer today with a car/driver and airport assistant.

A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, plane tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.

Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan Hotel.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Enjoy a privately guided full day tour of Istanbul and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. Visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour).

Also, visit the Underground cistern, the largest of the underground water reservoirs from the Byzantine era. The pillars were brought from antique cities of Asia minor. The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still lie  near the south-west of Hagia Sophia, which was founded by Justinianus I, a Byzantine Empire (527-565) This cathedral-sized cistern is an underground chamber of 143 by 65 metres, capable of holding 80,000 cubic metres of water.

Overnight at Yasmak Sultan (4*).

Urfa is a city in south-eastern Turkey, and the capital of Sanliurfa Province. It is situated on a plain, about eighty kilometres east of the Euphrates River. The old town is one of the most evocative and romantic in Turkey, with an ancient bazaar still visited by local people to buy fruit and vegetables, where traditionally dressed and scarfed Arab and Turkish villagers arrive in the early morning to sell their produce. Urfa is home to the world's oldest known temple, Göbekli Tepe, dating back 11,500 years.

Enjoy a private airport transfer today with a car/driver and airport assistant.

Flight from Istanbul to Urfa. The flight takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Enjoy a private airport transfer with Assistant or English speaking driver.

A guide & driver will accompany you .

Manici Hotel (4*) is located in the city center of Urfa near Balikligöl and Urfa Castle. The hotel was renovated in a new architectural style and becomes one of the most favorite accomodations in the city. All rooms are renewed, two of which are suits, have the view of Balikligöl and Urfa Castle and balcony. In the hotel's restaurant, traditional kebab and the delicious tastes of Middle East cuisine. Besides the hotel's restaurant, there is another restaurant named Narli Ev where you can enjoy your meal in the special Eastern style rooms that are reserved for you and be a part of Turkish culture.

Overnight at Manici (4*).

Today you will enjoy a tour of Urfa and a visit to the village of Harran with private vehicle and English speaking guide. Sanliurfa, often simply known as Urfa in daily language, is located in south-eastern Turkey, and the capital of Sanliurfa Province. The history of Sanliurfa is recorded from the 4th century BC, but may date back to 9000 BC, when there is ample evidence for the surrounding site at Harran. Visits Harran, including the Ancient ruins of Harran University adopted as the first university in the World, Soil cone-roofed houses of Harran and the cave where Prophet Abrahama was born, Fish pound. Return to Urfa, where you’ll have time for lunch before exploring its Arab Quarter and Old Town.

Overnight at Manici (4*).

Drive with a private vehicle and English speaking guide to Mount Nemrut, stopping along the way to visit the controversial Ataturk Dam on the Euphrates. The Atatürk Dam, originally the Karababa Dam, is a zoned rock-fill dam with a central core on the Euphrates River on the border of Adiyaman Province and Sanliurfa Province in Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. You will also visit Gobeklitepe. In view of the scholars the Gobeklitepe site is no less than 14 thousand years old, in other words it is 7500 years older than the Egyptian Pyramids. According to Schmidt it was once part of the fertile golden crescent but the misuse of mankind resulted in the loss of this heaven on earth. Then the inhabitants, 8000 years ago, buried all these carved stone columns under a pile of earth in a regular sequence. Then you will have lunch before exploring Mount Nemrut —a UNESCO World Heritage Site —where the Armenian king Antiochus ordered huge statues built in honor of himself and the gods. The massive stone heads on the hillside—all that remain of his once-magnificent tribute to Hercules, Zeus and others—have become one of the most recognized symbols of Eastern Turkey. Return to Urfa.

Overnight at Manici (4*).

Gaziantep previously and still informally called Antep, is a city in southeast Turkey and amongst the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. In the center of the city stands the Gaziantep Fortress and the Ravanda citadel as reminders of past - the citadel was restored by the Byzantines in the 6th century. The Archaeological Museum, with its important collections from Neolithic and the Hittite ages as well as the Roman and Commagene times, attracts many visitors. A recent addition to the Museum's riches are the Roman mosaics discovered in Zeugma. The surroundings of the city are also full of valuable Hittite remains. The Hasan Süzer House, which has been restored to its original state, now houses the Ethnographical Museum. Yesemek Sculpture Workshop, 30 kilometers south of the town of Islahiye, is one of the world's first of this kind. Some of the other historical remains are the Zeugma (called also Belkis in Turkish), and Kargamis ruins by the town of Nizip and slightly more to the north, Rumkale.

In the morning you will enjoy a 2 hour drive to Gaziantep with private vehicle and English speaking guide. Gaziantep previously and still informally called Antep is a city in southeast Turkey and amongst the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. After lunch you’ll visit the Mosaic Museum of Gaziantep, which houses relics from the ancient city of Zeugma. Continue with a tour of the old city and castle district, after you will be transfered to hotel. Entrance fee included.

Asude Konak Hotel (4*) a new boutique hotel in Gaziantep's historical and cultural texture which is called Sekeroglu Area where you may find many tourist attractions such as Gaziantep Castle, Naib Turkish Bath, Tahtani Mosque, Bakircilar Bazaar and War Museum, Culinary Museum, Glass Museum and Zeugma Mosaics and Arceology Museum and many more by walking. There are five different rooms from each other, a garden "which is called life", authentic living room and a cave.

Overnight at Asude Konak (4*).

Embark upon a boat ride on the Euphrates River, including a cruise around the Roman fortress of Rumkale, where St. John the Apostle is said to have written his Gospel. Following a picnic lunch around Halfeti, you will return to Gaziantep to enjoy time for independent exploration.

Overnight at Asude Konak (4*).

Enjoy a private airport transfer with Assistant or English speaking driver.

Flight from Gaziantep to Istanbul. The flight takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart.