Mudurnu, Abant Lake, Bolu (320 km)
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 )
Bolu, Devrek, Amasra, Safranbolu (300 km)
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 )
Safranbolu, Sinop, Samsun (450 km)
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 )
Samsun, Ordu, Giresun. Trabzon (330 km)
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 )
Hamsiköy, Sumela Monastery, Maçka, Trabzon (160 km)
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 )
Trabzon, Uzungöl, Rize, Ayder Yaylası (270 km)
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.
Gümüshane, Karaca Cave – Amasya (550 km)
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 )
Alacahöyük – Hattuşa – Ankara (350 km)
After an early breakfast, we will set off for Ankara (approx. 350 km - 5 hrs).
Istanbul Departure Day
Free time depends on your flight time. Private transfer to the Istanbul Airport minimum 4 hours before flight time
Our tour will end with your airport transfer. ( Breakfast )
Cancellation Policy
- For cancellations made 30 days before the tour, 100% refund. ( Except for the % 15 Service Charge, Flight ticket, mandatory expenses, and Bank Commission,)
- For cancellations made 29 - 15 days before the tour, 50% refund. (Except for the Bank Commission, and mandatory expenses )
- For cancellations made 14 – 11 days before the tour, 30% refund.
- No refunds will be made on reservations made 10 days before the tour. %100 penalty is applied.
Remarks
- Travel health insurance is mandatory.
- Sample hotels are confirmed on the date of booking in case of availability. Otherwise,
similar hotels are booked.
- In the event of bad weather, time scarcity, traffic jams, and similar situations, the Guide may make changes to the tour program.
- The locations given in the itinerary can be changed with other places if they are closed.
- During the tours, you will be walking approximately 2 km every day on uneven and
cobblestone surfaces, inclines, and steps.
- You must wear comfortable clothing, flat walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. in summer months and raincoats, warm clothes, winter walking shoes, umbrella, etc. in winter.
- The order of the sites visited may change to avoid crowds.
- You will need your passport at check-in for all domestic flights.
- Domestic flights are economy class. Luggage limit 15 Kg.
We will return shortly
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