Marmara’s Iconic Historic Capitals Tour | 3 Nights’ Accommodation | Flights Included | Departing from Antalya

“From İznik’s thousands-of-years-old heritage to Bursa, the founding city of the Ottoman Empire…”
 

On the first day of our tour, we are ready at Antalya Airport at 04:00 to complete our baggage and check-in procedures. We begin our journey toward the captivating atmosphere of the Marmara region with Pegasus Airlines’ 05:35 Antalya–Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen flight. After our flight, which will take approximately one hour, we arrive in Istanbul. Meeting our guide and vehicle at the airport, we set off toward İznik, the first sightseeing point of our tour. Along the way, we will stop at a suitable facility for an optional breakfast break for guests who wish to have one.

After our break, we arrive in İznik, one of Anatolia’s most important historical centers, with its rich history extending from Antiquity to Rome and Byzantium, and from the Seljuks to the Ottomans. We begin our tour by entering the city through İstanbul Gate, one of the gates in the historic city walls.

Our first stop is the Hagia Sophia Mosque, one of İznik’s landmark structures and a host to important gatherings in the history of Christianity. After learning about the building, which was used as both a church and a mosque in different periods, accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we see the Süleyman Pasha Madrasa, one of the early Ottoman-era works remaining in İznik, and the Green Mosque, one of the symbols of the city with its elegant tile decorations. We then receive information from our guide about the İznik Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Nilüfer Hatun Soup Kitchen, İznik Castle and the historic city walls.

After our tour of the city center, we proceed to the shore of Lake İznik to see the Basilica of Saint Neophytos, whose remains have emerged as the waters receded. Following a short tea-coffee break accompanied by the lake view, we depart from İznik and head toward Mudanya.

Our first visit in Mudanya is to the Armistice House Museum, where the Mudanya Armistice was signed, opening the door to a new diplomatic period after the end of the military phase of the Turkish War of Independence. After visiting this building, one of the important witnesses to the history of our Republic, we see the Kumyaka Church, bearing traces of the region’s multicultural past, and the Tahir Pasha Mansion, one of the finest examples of Ottoman civil architecture.

After our tour of Mudanya, we provide free time for lunch. During this time, guests who wish may sample the region’s local delicacies at an extra charge.

After our free time, we set off for Bursa, which witnessed the founding period of the Ottoman Empire. We begin our Bursa tour with the Grand Mosque, one of the city’s most magnificent structures, known for its multi-domed architecture and outstanding examples of calligraphy. We then visit the Green Mosque, one of the important works of early Ottoman architecture, and the Green Tomb, renowned for its unique tiles.

After seeing Koza Han, one of the centers of Bursa’s centuries-old trading tradition, our final stop of the day is Tophane. At this historic point overlooking Bursa, we enjoy the panoramic view of the city and have free time. During this time, guests who wish may have their dinner at an extra charge and shop for products unique to Bursa. After our free time, we head to our hotel and stay at our hotel in Bursa.

Dining and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Served at a suitable facility in Istanbul or İznik. (Extra/Optional)
Lunch: Will be taken during free time along the route. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Served during free time in Bursa. (Extra/Optional)

Accommodation: Bursa / Velmore Horel Spa, Kervansaray Bursa City Hotel, Euro Park Hotel Bursa, Royal Residence Bursa, Royal Termal Hotel Bursa, Anemon Hotel Bursa and similar hotels.

“From the nature of Marmara to the thousands-year-old legend of Troy…”
 

Following breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Bursa and begin our journey toward Çanakkale. Our first stop is Lake Nilüfer, which draws attention with its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. During our short break around the lake, we enjoy nature and the scenery, and after taking photographs, we continue our journey toward Biga.

Upon reaching Biga, we view the district center panoramically and receive information from our guide about the region’s historical development and local culture. We then visit the Halim Bey Mansion City Museum, which offers a window into the daily life of the past. In this building, one of the fine examples of traditional mansion architecture, we get to know more closely the social life, production culture, and local values of Biga and its surroundings that have been carried from the past to the present.

Following our tour of Biga, we turn our route toward one of the most important archaeological heritages Anatolia has gifted to world history, the Ancient City of Troy.

With its thousands of years of settlement history, layers of cities built one on top of another, and story immortalized by Homer’s Epic of the Iliad, Troy is a unique cultural site where history and mythology intertwine. Upon arriving at the ancient city, we encounter the Trojan Horse, the enduring symbol of the Trojan War.

During our tour accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we follow the traces left by different civilizations in the same geographical area. Seeing the city’s defensive walls, monumental entrances, and ramps, we learn about Troy’s defense system; we proceed among the remains of altar areas, baths, and the odeon. While receiving information about the ancient sewer system, which reflects the urban planning of its era, we listen to the story of Troy’s different settlement layers, as the city was destroyed and rebuilt many times.

After completing our tour of this ancient city, which has witnessed legends, wars, and civilizations, we depart for Çanakkale city center.

In Çanakkale, our first stop is Aynalı Çarşı, which holds a special place in the city’s memory and whose name has been passed down from generation to generation through its famous folk song. During our free time here, guests who wish may shop for local products and souvenirs at the bazaar’s shops and explore the city center.

Following our free time, we depart for our hotel. After having dinner at our hotel, we stay overnight at our hotel in Çanakkale.

Dining and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu. (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in Biga or Çanakkale (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)

Accommodation: Çanakkale / Remida Managed by Dedeman, Kule Hotel, Çanak Hotel, Avec Hotel, Hotel Pelit, Büyük Truva Hotel, and similar hotels.

“On the lands where a nation’s destiny was written, following the traces of Çanakkale…”
 

After the breakfast we will have at the hotel, we cross to Eceabat by ferry and begin our tour of the Gallipoli Peninsula, which witnessed one of the most important struggles in Turkish history. Today, accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we will visit the fronts, defensive lines and martyrs’ cemeteries where the Çanakkale Battles took place, following the traces of 1915 on site.

First, we see Kilitbahir Castle, rising at one of the narrowest points of the Dardanelles. Built by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror before the conquest of Istanbul to ensure the security of the strait, the castle has been one of the important elements of Çanakkale’s defense for centuries due to its strategic location.

We then proceed to the Rumeli Mecidiye Battery, identified with Seyit Corporal, one of the symbolic figures of the Çanakkale Naval Victory. We listen to our guide recount the story of the great struggle during the naval battles of March 18, 1915, and see the battery and the Seyit Corporal Monument.

Continuing our tour, we arrive at the Şahindere Martyrs’ Cemetery. At Şahindere, one of the important medical areas where soldiers wounded at the front were treated, we respectfully commemorate the cherished memory of our soldiers who lost their lives for their homeland.

Proceeding south across the peninsula, we visit the Çanakkale Martyrs’ Memorial, which has become a symbol of Çanakkale. In front of this magnificent structure, which keeps alive the memory of our soldiers who fell as martyrs on the Çanakkale Front, we once again recall the importance of the war for Turkish and world history through our guide’s explanations.

Afterwards, we move to the Ertuğrul Cove and Yahya Sergeant Martyrs’ Cemetery area. After listening to the story of the unforgettable defense mounted by Yahya Sergeant and his comrades-in-arms during the landings of April 25, 1915, we provide free time for lunch.

Following our break, we visit the Red Crescent Museum, which addresses the medical services carried out at the front during the Çanakkale Battles and the treatment processes of wounded soldiers from a different perspective.

Continuing our tour, we arrive at Anzac Cove. Seeing the shores where Anzac troops landed on the morning of April 25, 1915, we listen to our guide explain what happened on this front of the war and the military importance of the region.

We then proceed to the 57th Regiment Martyrs’ Cemetery, which holds a special place in the memory of the Çanakkale land battles. Here, we once again recall the struggle and sacrifice of the 57th Regiment, sent to the front under Mustafa Kemal’s command during the most critical moments of the war.

The final stop of our historical journey on the Gallipoli Peninsula is Conkbayırı. At Conkbayırı, one of the most important points that determined the course of the land battles, we listen to our guide recount Mustafa Kemal’s decisions during the critical moments of the war and the struggles that took place in the region.

After completing our tour of the lands of Çanakkale that shaped our recent history, we depart in the direction of Edirne. We arrive in Edirne in the evening and check into our hotel. After having dinner at our hotel, we stay overnight at our hotel in Edirne.

Dining and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Fee)
Lunch: Will be taken during free time in Çanakkale (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Fee)

Accommodation: Edirne / The Rest Port Hotel, Concept Royal Edirne, Westdoor Hotel, The Rest Port Nd DownTown Hotel and similar hotels.

 

“In the ancient capital of the Ottoman Empire, from the shadow of Selimiye to the banks of the Meriç…”
 

After having breakfast at the hotel, we depart from our hotel to discover Edirne’s historical and cultural heritage. With a history extending from Hadrianopolis during the Roman period to one of the capitals of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne is today virtually a living city of history, with its mosques, complexes, bazaars, and bridges.

We begin our tour with the Üç Şerefeli Mosque, one of the most important works marking the transition from early Ottoman architecture to the classical period. After learning about the structure, named after its three minarets with balconies featuring different decorations, accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we continue to the Eski Mosque. Following our visit to the mosque, which houses impressive examples of calligraphy, we see the historic Bedesten, one of the centers of the city’s commercial life during the Ottoman period.

We then arrive at the Selimiye Mosque, the first structure that comes to mind when Edirne is mentioned. Representing the pinnacle of Mimar Sinan’s artistic career and described by him as “my masterpiece,” we discover Selimiye, with its magnificent dome, slender minarets, and balanced architecture, accompanied by our guide’s explanations. If restoration work is ongoing, we visit the mosque’s sections open to visitors.

Following our visit to Selimiye, we allow free time at the Arasta Bazaar, located right next to the historic complex. During this time, guests who wish may shop for fruit soaps, mirrored brooms, and traditional souvenirs unique to Edirne.

We then allow additional free time for lunch. Guests who wish may try Edirne Tava Ciğeri, one of the best-known specialties of Edirne cuisine, thinly sliced and fried, which has become one of the symbols of the city’s gastronomic culture with its distinctive presentation.

After our lunch break, we head to the Bayezid II Complex, which reflects the Ottoman Empire’s achievements not only in architecture and art, but also in science and healthcare.

Proceeding along the tree-lined roads of this historic area, which remained within Türkiye’s borders following the Treaty, we see the Lausanne Monument and Historic Karaağaç Train Station. Here, our guide provides information about the Treaty of Lausanne, one of the important turning points in the history of the Republic, and the process through which Karaağaç became part of Türkiye.

Following our visit to Karaağaç, we continue to the Meriç Bridge, one of the symbols of Edirne. We conclude our Edirne tour with a short tea-coffee and photography break accompanied by views of the bridge, one of the elegant examples of Ottoman stone bridge architecture, and the Meriç River.

We then depart in the direction of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. After arriving at the airport, we complete our baggage and ticket procedures and take our Antalya flight at 23:30 on a scheduled Pegasus Airlines service. After approximately a one-hour flight, we arrive at Antalya Airport and conclude our tour. We complete our history- and culture-filled journey extending from İznik to Bursa, from Troy to Gallipoli and Edirne with wonderful memories; we bid farewell and look forward to meeting again on another tour program.

Food and Accommodation Information:

Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: To be taken during free time in Edirne (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Dinner on the return day will be planned according to the schedule. (Extra/Optional)

Accommodation: There is no accommodation on the return day.