Iconic Gap Tour | 4 Nights with Flights, Departing from Izmir

 THE TASTE AND HISTORY ROUTE EXTENDING TO ANTEP

On the first day of our tour, we begin our journey into the thousands-of-years-old story of Southeastern Anatolia by meeting at Adnan Menderes Airport in the early morning. We must be ready at the airport with our identification documents at least two hours before our flight time. As we take off for Gaziantep Airport on the scheduled airline flight departing at 06:00, we feel that the geography stretching out before us is not merely a destination, but a journey through time in which we will trace the footprints of civilizations. After approximately a 1.5-hour flight, we land on the fertile soil of Gaziantep, meet our waiting guide, and board our vehicle. To shake off the fatigue of the journey and make a pleasant start to the day, we have an extra breakfast in Gaziantep. After breakfast, we set off toward Gaziantep, considered the heart of Southeastern Anatolia. Along the way, the changing geography, the color of the stone, and the texture of the soil gradually prepare us for Mesopotamian culture. When we arrive in Gaziantep, we take a panoramic view of Gaziantep Castle, rising at a point overlooking the city. Bearing the traces of many civilizations, from Rome to Byzantium and from the Seljuks to the Ottomans, the castle is also a symbol of Antep’s resilient spirit. As we descend from the foothills of the castle, we enter the historic bazaar district, which resembles an open-air museum. Accompanied by the sounds of copper hammers echoing through the narrow streets, we stroll among Bakırcılar Bazaar, Zincirli Bedesten, Gümrük Han, Uzun Bazaar, and the surrounding inns. Every shop and every stone wall whispers of a tradesman’s tradition extending from the past to the present. We take a brief stroll among the aromas of spices at Almacı Market, one of Gaziantep’s oldest commercial areas. Here, we have the opportunity to get to know more closely the products that form the cornerstones of Antep cuisine. Our route takes us to Tahmis Coffeehouse, where the aroma of coffee has never been absent since the 17th century. During our break among the historic stone walls, accompanied by menengiç coffee, we feel Antep’s slow and deeply flowing rhythm of life. After completing our shopping for baklava, pistachios, and local products during our free time, we visit the Şahinbey National Struggle Museum, which sheds light on the city’s recent history. In this underground museum, we follow step by step the epic resistance of the people of Antep against the occupation and deeply feel how the title “Gazi” was earned. The final stop of the day is the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to one of the world’s most important mosaic collections. As we wander among the mosaics that have survived from the ancient city of Zeugma, founded on the banks of the Euphrates River, the scenes decorating the floors of Roman villas take us back two thousand years. In particular, the Gypsy Girl Mosaic, whose gaze seems to follow visitors, remains etched in our memories as one of the museum’s most impressive works. After this fascinating tour, we proceed to our hotel and retire to rest for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Will be served at a suitable restaurant in Gaziantep. (Extra/Optional)
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in Gaziantep. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at our hotel as an open buffet or set menu. (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Gaziantep Hotels: Büyük Veliç Hotel, Ugurlu Hotel, Park Dedeman Hotel, Shimall Hotel, and similar hotels. 

FROM LIVES LOST IN THE WATERS OF THE EUPHRATES TO THE SUMMIT OF THE GODS

On the second day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off for Halfeti, a fairytale town steeped in silence on the banks of the Euphrates River. Along the way, the fertile lands and ancient settlements of Mesopotamia accompany us. When we arrive in Halfeti, we feel that time has slowed down here. With the construction of the Birecik Dam, a large part of the old settlement was submerged; what remains are unfinished minarets, abandoned houses and sorrowful stories. Together with our guests who wish to do so, we join the additionally organized Halfeti Boat Tour. As we glide along the Euphrates River, the magnificent silhouette of Rumkale on the steep rocks welcomes us. This castle, the subject of legends, has hosted many civilizations throughout history. As we see the Submerged Minaret and villages left underwater along the way, we bear witness to the traces left by nature transformed by human hands. After the boat tour, we take a short break in Halfeti and then head toward the Kahta district of Adıyaman. Here, with the minibuses waiting for us, we begin our ascent toward the sacred lands of the Kingdom of Commagene for the additional Mount Nemrut tour. Our first stop is the Karakuş Tumulus. This monumental tomb, containing the graves of royal women, reveals the grandeur of the Kingdom of Commagene and its understanding of death. We then arrive at the Cendere Bridge, an elegant example of Roman engineering. Standing for approximately 1,800 years, this bridge still stands tall, defying the power of time. The highlight of the day is undoubtedly Mount Nemrut. As we ascend toward the summit of the Eastern Taurus Mountains, the scenery becomes increasingly impressive. At an altitude of 2,150 meters, we encounter the colossal statues with which King Antiochos I positioned himself alongside the gods. Located on the Eastern and Western terraces, these statues are a unique synthesis of Greek and Persian beliefs. Accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we understand that Nemrut is not merely a monumental tomb but a manifesto of faith; as the sun sets, we watch the crimson landscape spreading across Mesopotamia. After these unforgettable moments, we return to our tour vehicle and set off for our hotel in Adıyaman or Diyarbakır, settling into our hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.

Meals Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served at a restaurant suitable for the tour route (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Adıyaman or Diyarbakır Hotels – Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, Adıyaman Samos Hotel, Sv Business Hotel, Plaza Hotel, etc.

THE MEMORY OF STONE, THE SORROW OF WATER, LANDS WHERE LANGUAGES AND RELIGIONS MEET

On the third day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we begin exploring Diyarbakır, one of the most ancient cities of Mesopotamia. This city, defying time with its walls built of black basalt stone, is the shared memory of civilizations that have breathed on the same land for thousands of years. Our first stop is Diyarbakır Grand Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Anatolia. Referred to as the “fifth Haram al-Sharif” in the Islamic world, this structure brings together the architectural traces of different periods in a single courtyard. As we walk through its courtyard, the prayers echoing among the stones and the historical silence deeply affect visitors. We then proceed to Hasan Paşa Inn, the heart of Diyarbakır’s social life. Once a resting place for caravans, this inn welcomes visitors today with its cafés and stone architecture. Afterwards, we visit the house where Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, one of the important poets raised by Diyarbakır, was born and grew up, tracing the story of a life woven with verses. We continue our tour with the Four-Legged Minaret, Goat Tower and Mardin Gate; our guide tells us the thousand-year-old defensive story of the Diyarbakır Walls. After leaving this ancient city, we travel via Batman and arrive at Hasankeyf, one of the saddest stops in history. Having hosted countless civilizations throughout its twelve-thousand-year history, this ancient settlement continues to tell its story in a profound silence, even though it has been submerged beneath the waters of the Ilısu Dam. We bear witness to the sorrow of this ancient city by seeing Hasankeyf Castle, the solitary minaret of the El Rızık Mosque reaching toward the sky, and the rock-carved caves. During free time, guests who wish may join an optional boat tour on the reservoir lake and view old Hasankeyf from the water. Leaving Hasankeyf, we make our way toward Midyat, regarded as the center of Syriac culture. As we walk through the streets of Midyat, adorned with the elegance of stonework, we visit Midyat Guesthouse, which has hosted television series and films. Afterwards, we stop at a workshop to observe the intricacies of the filigree art shaped by Syriac masters over centuries. After free time, we visit the ancient city of Dara as an optional excursion with guests who wish to join. (Our visit to the Ancient City of Dara is organized as an optional excursion and will take place provided that full participation is achieved.) In Dara, one of the most important settlements of Upper Mesopotamia, structures carved into the rock, water cisterns and necropolis areas await us. Here, we feel step by step what it meant to be a frontier city during the Byzantine period. At the end of the day, we arrive in Mardin, which has a fascinating atmosphere with its terraces overlooking the Mesopotamian Plain, and settle into our hotel for dinner and accommodation.

NOTE: Guests who wish may join the Mardin Night Tour, known as “a necklace at night and a celebration by day,” and explore the streets of Old Mardin accompanied by nighttime illumination, or attend the Mardin Reyhani Night. (Optional)

Food and Beverage Information
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served at a restaurant suitable for the tour route (Optional/At an Additional Cost)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Mardin Hotels: Raymar Hotel, Yay Grand Hotel, Park Dedeman Hotel, Artuklu Kervansaray Hotel, Mardiva Hotel and similar hotels

FAREWELL FROM THE LANDS WHERE HISTORY BEGAN, IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE PROPHETS

On the final day of our tour, after having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off toward the city center of Şanlıurfa, one of the oldest religious centers in human history. These lands have been the homeland not only of stone and soil, but also of faith, patience, and submission. Our first stop is Balıklıgöl, one of the most important sacred sites that comes to mind when Şanlıurfa is mentioned. According to legend, the place where Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod took on its present sacred appearance when, by Allah’s command, the fire turned into water and the wood turned into fish. As we walk around Lake Halil-ür Rahman and Lake Aynzeliha, the sacred fish gliding slowly through the water give visitors a deep sense of peace and tranquility. Accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we gain a better understanding of why this area has been a center of pilgrimage and prayer for centuries. After our photo break, we have a short period of free time. During our free time, we shop for handmade spices and tomato paste unique to Şanlıurfa. Following our visit to Balıklıgöl, we set off toward Harran, one of the oldest settlements in Mesopotamia, meaning “the place where roads intersect.” Dating back approximately five thousand years, Harran has been not only a settlement but also one of the centers of science, education, and faith. Here, we see the remains of Harran University (Ulu Mosque), regarded as one of the first universities in the Islamic world, as well as Harran Mound and the fortress. We get to know the conical-domed houses that come to mind when Harran is mentioned and are found in only a few regions of the world, and we visit one of these houses. Guests who wish may wear traditional local clothing and take souvenir photographs amid this unique architectural fabric. After our tour of Harran, we head to the Station of Prophet Job’s Patience, dedicated to Prophet Job, one of the prophets known for his patience and submission. According to legend, the cave where Prophet Job patiently endured suffering during his years-long illness today offers visitors a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Here, we visit the well whose water is believed to have healed Prophet Job, the stone of patience, and the cave; through our guide’s explanations, we listen to the place of this story in human history. With this meaningful visit, we bid farewell to Şanlıurfa, the land of the prophets. Setting off toward Gaziantep, we take a short shopping and free-time break depending on our flight time. We then proceed to Gaziantep Airport and, after completing our baggage and ticket procedures, return to Adnan Menderes Airport on Airlines’ scheduled VF3231 flight departing at 22:55. We conclude this unforgettable journey through Southeastern Anatolia, during which we witnessed thousands of years of civilizations, faiths, and cultures, with the hope of meeting again on another trip.

Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be taken at a suitable restaurant along the tour route (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be taken during free time in Gaziantep (Extra/Optional)