ITINERARY

• Day 1 Istanbul
  Arrive Istanbul airport where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

  Overnight: Istanbul
  Day 2 Old City sights
  This morning depart on a full day city tour, visit magnificent St. Sophia's Basilica built originally by Constantine the Great. We continue our visits with the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets, its beautiful blue Iznik tiles, unique architecture and marble latticework. Then visit the Byzantine Hippodrome where chariot races and competitive athletic events took place. Finally we visit the famous vast and bustling Grand Bazaar

  Overnight: Istanbul | Breakfast
  Day 3 Safranbolu
  Istanbul - Safranbolu. After breakfast, drive to Safranbolu. Safranbolu is a town boasting a glorious collection of old Ottoman houses, with a rich collection of pieces of art which represents traditional Turkish life and culture. Its rich history and success in preserving it earned the town an inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The best known for its old Turkish houses, the town is attracting more attention especially as these 19th century homes are gradually disappearing from other areas of Turkey. Take a walk down the old narrow cobbled streets, and see some of the traditional crafts and trades that are still practised today.

  Overnight: Safranbolu | Breakfast, Dinner
  Day 4 Sinop
  Safranbolu - Sinop. Leaving Safranbolu we drive to Sinop, visiting the Ancient Tombs in Boybat en route. Arriving at Sinop we admire the breathtaking views offered from Sinop Castle and visit the beautiful Sinop Fjords, which are the only unique formation of this kind in Turkey. The final stop of the day is at Alaadin Mosque, built in 1214 after the conquest of Sinop during the Selcuklu Period.

  Overnight: Sinop | Breakfast, Dinner
  Day 5 Samsun
  After breakfast journey to Samsun, stopping en route to visit Gerze, a quaint fishing village. Your final stop today is historic Samsun (formerly known by its Greek name Amisos), a fascinating town of myths and legends, which was called the land of the Amazons.

  Overnight: Samsun | Breakfast, Dinner
  Day 6 Trabzon
  It’s an early morning departure to Trabzon along the beautiful Black Sea coast. Today visit the spectacular 1,600 year-old Sumela Monastery, perched dramatically on a steep cliff-face commanding excellent views of the surrounding forests.

  Overnight: Corum | Breakfast, Dinner
  Day 7 Trabzon
  Your Black Sea adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. Transfer to Trabzon Airport for your onward flight. Breakfast

  TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
  Istanbul - old city, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace
  Ancient Tombs of Boybat
  Amasya, on the banks of the Green River and the 15th century Beyazit Mosque complex
  Yazilikaya- a holy, open air sanctuary
  
  Safranbolu - UNESCO Listed ancient town, old Ottoman Houses and collections of art
  Sinop - Sinop Castle, Fjords and Alaadin Mosque
  
  Hattusas - once the capital of the Hittite Empire