Turkey In Depth

Arrive in Istanbul. As Constantinople, the city was the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, so today it is steeped in history and fascinating architecture. Modern day Istanbul has much to offer - not least its mouth-watering cuisine and budding cafe culture. The city straddles between Europe and Asia and because of this, it was an important stop on the old Silk Road. It is a melting pot of different cultures and this is demonstrated in its gastronomy. Turkish food is a hearty mix of Middle Eastern, Asian and Balkan style dishes that range from barbecued meat kebabs to vine leaf wrapped vegetable and rice parcels. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Istanbul at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST), which is about one hour and 30 minutes' drive or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), which is around two hours' drive from the city centre, depending on traffic, which can be heavy at times. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. Please note that if some passengers are arriving after the planned welcome time, then the main intro briefing will be conducted on the morning of day 2 when everybody is present. Our conveniently located hotel is within walking distance or a short tram ride of many of the cultural and historical sites in the Sultanahmet district. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to explore this area. If your flight is arriving earlier today or if you're extending your stay by a night then we'd recommend visiting Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, as it is closed on a Sunday, so there won't be the opportunity to go tomorrow. Located within the walls of Istanbul, there are around 60 streets and over 3,000 shops selling everything from jewellery to carpets and textiles and furniture to local arts and crafts. It's one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. The labyrinth of streets also house two mosques, two hamams (Turkish baths) and an array of restaurants and cafes, so there is plenty to experience in this historic landmark of Istanbul.

This morning we'll get our first chance to try a traditional Turkish breakfast which usually consists of a variety of yogurts, cheese and breads along with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and fruits in season. Heading out on foot, we walk to the Sultan Ahmet district; taking around twenty five minutes through historic Istanbul's lively and colourful streets to reach the hub of Sultanahmet Square. Also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople the square was used for chariot racing in the Roman era; now days it's more sedate with a number of landmarks including the Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and the Walled Obelisk. We have a full guided tour of the square, ending up at its most famous building the impressive Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, one of the most widely recognized sites in Istanbul, which still dominates the skyline to this day. Continuing on foot, we reach the famous Byzantine Hagia Sophia, which reigned as the greatest Greek Orthodox church for 900 years before later becoming an imperial mosque. The interior is truly magnificent with its vast richly decorated domes and mosaic panels. There are several lunch options around the Sultan Ahmet district, alternatively it's a short walk or tram ride to the Spice bazaar where there are numerous traditional meyhene (taverns) where you can sit down and try a selection of home cooked dishes. This afternoon we take the public ferry across the Bosphorus to Kadikoy. Taking around thirty minutes, the ferry offers great views of the city skyline from the busy waterway that separates the continent of Europe and Asia. Our destination this afternoon is the Yeldegirmeni neighbourhood, which in recent years has a thriving expressive street art scene as well as a large selection of restaurants, bars and entertainment, it's a great spot to end the day. Your local Leader will be able to offer you advice on the best eating options, either remaining in Yeldegirmeni or returning to our hotel.

Leaving Turkey's largest city behind us this morning at about 7am, we head for the capital of Ankara. Our journey will take approximately six hours, but we travel through interesting countryside and have plenty of breaks. During the summer months, we are likely to pass through huge expanses of sunflowers - an important oil crop in the country. When we get to Ankara, we will visit the impressive Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. This monumental building sits high above the city and honours the highly respected leader of Turkey's fight for independence, widely regarded as the founder of modern Turkey. We also visit the superb Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, which gives a fantastic overview of Turkey's complex history. This evening, our centrally located hotel provides an excellent base from which to explore the capital's restaurants and bars.