12 DAYS ISTANBUL –IZMIT – ANKARA –HATTUSA - TOKAT – SIVAS & CAPPADOCIA ECOLOGICAL & GASTRONOMICAL

Summary : Amazing tour is starting with sight-seeing of the Ottoman Empire heritages such Topkapi Palace, Imperial Mosque in Sultanahmet followed by Byzantine structure Ancient Hippodrome in Istanbul; A visit to Tokat City that is geographically located at the intersection of the Black Sea and the Eastern Region all the way to Central Anatolia and has a lot to offer as far as Ecological & Gastronomical aspects. We continue to Sivas that has been declared as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005. Later on, we will visit the historically unique fair chimneys and underground cities in Cappadocia. In Cappadocia, we will be staying in Cappadocia Cave Resort that is the most luxurious hotel of the region.We will pick fresh produce from the field within the hotel grounds, have cooking classes and wine tasting from in-house Winery. You also have a great opportunity to enjoy a breath taking Hot Air Balloon Trip. With this  Trip, you will discover and feel a destination that you never get to experience before. 

Route : Istanbul –Topkapı Palace- Izmit natural city ( Yuvacık Jeep Safari) - Capital of Turkey Ankara – City of Tokat (Ballica Cave, Zile Castle, Farm & Village Visits for Gastronomical activities, Turkish Bath and Almus Lake) – Sivas Sivas City ( chosen as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO) Hot Natural Springs, unique fair chimneys and underground cities of Cappadocia.

Day 1 - Istanbul - Arrival Day – (17 Jun 2019, Monday) 
Dinner included

Welcome to Turkey! Meet at the airport, transfer to your hotel. You will be given your room key and the rest of the day is yours to explore Istanbul. Dinner and Overnight in Istanbul. Please note that; Our arrival airport transfer services will be available between 07:00am to 22:00pm from Ataturk Airport.

Day 2 - Istanbul Half day City Tour - Tokat - (18 Jun 2019, Tuesday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

After breakfast, at 09:00 am depart for Istanbul City Tour at 10:00. Visit to TOPKAPI PALACE The great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of cyrstal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE Across from St. Sophia built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. HIPPODROME Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.Lunch at restaurant After the lunch, we will visit the unique Leather Factory‘s leather fashion show. Murti’s Tour will then take you to the GRAND SPICE BAZAAR The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.Upon completion of our tour, we depart for Izmıt that is 115 km away from Istanbul to have dinner and stay overnight at hotel Welborn Luxury Hotel.

Day 3 - Izmit Jeep safari – Ankara - (19 Jun 2019, Wednesday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

After breakfast we will check out and depart for Jeep Safari Tour in Yuvacık,Izmit.After checking out from the hotel and within 30 minutes,we will reach the safari area and at the city center with All Terrain Vehicles to go into the heart of the nature of the Izmit plateaus..Lunch at noon and then we depart for t Ankara. Dinner and Overnight in Ankara.

Day 4 - Half day City Tour in Ankara to Tokat - (20 Jun, Thursday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

After breakfast we will depart for a visit to modern Turkey's founder's (Mustafa Kemal ATATURK) final resting place called Anıtkabir, the mausoleum. We depart for Hattusa afterwards. Located in the region of Alacahoyuk. Hattusa, a true historical heaven, in UNESCO World Heritage List as well as World Memory List with the hieroglyphics archives found as of 2001, having housing all 4 civilization periods from bronze ages on. Being a Hittites’ cultural and religious center, these grounds have witnessed 1500 years of humanity’s development along with Anatolian Heritage that is also world famous with its roasted chickpeas, gourmet rice varieties. After visiting this historical marvel, we take our lunch at Corum and continue sightseeing with clock tower, the old mosque and other historical structures in the city then a short coach voyage to Tokat to have dinner and stay overnight in Tokat. You will have a chance to view some of the important cultural & war history remnants. Learn the history of this vibrant and cosmopolitan city like a local, as your discover more about its culture and traditions of the locals Dinner and Overnight at Hotel in Tokat.

Day 5 - Tokat City Tour & B2B Workshop - (21st Jun 2019, Friday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Today, we have a city tour visiting the famous Tokat Castle, the downtown area. Lunch at the restaurant and back to the hotel. 14.00, we have Ecological & Gastronomical B2B Workshop event starting up until 18.00 and by 19.00, We have Gala Dinner served. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 - Farm Visit and Gastronomical Activities - (22nd Jun 2019, Saturday)  
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Today we will take to farm to pick onions, lettuce and such greenery and then to make pancakes with a Turkish touch. We eat what we cooked with villagers and we will depart for cherry orchard and the fields. Picking fruits and eating them from their branch along with the local people that is surely not to be forgotten easily.

Day 7 - A traditional Village Visit & Peach Picking, Village Dinner and Turkish Bath (23rd Jun 2019, Sunday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Today, we will see Lake Almus that is one of the biggest lake of Turkey that we will witness the variety of fishes as walking by and visit a village to enjoy all natural & organic food along with villagers and take a part in Folkloric and traditional dances, depart for Peach and seasonal veggie-fruit Picking at its source. You will feel the nature at the palm of your hands and that empathize the sense of being part of the soil. Eating the peaches fresh off the branch appreciating the greatness and witness the earth truly. Afterwards, we will be having Turkish style pizza (“pide”) for dinner and you are cooking! Today, we will see the honored and hospitable villagers’ working conditions and cooking methods, witnessing their farm life. We will see the domestic animals such as donkey, cow and such all around us. Perfect finish with a SPA experience at a classical Turkish Bath.

Day 8 - Tokat to Sivas and Sivas City Tour - (24th June 2019, Monday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

After the Breakfast in the Hotel, we will depart to Sivas. Situated at an altitude of 1275 m, Sivas is the highest city of the Central Anatolian Region, and the most mountainous one with the numerous peaks. This uneven land has been the shelter of many tribes, from the earliest ages to more recent periods from which remain many notable monuments. We start exploring respectively Archaeological Museum, Sifaiye Madrasah, The Double Minaret Madrasah, Buruciye Madrasah, Castle Mosque, Gendarme House, Government House, Great Mosque, Broken and Curved Bridge. Later, we will give a break for local lunch. After lunch we will go on with visiting Ottoman highlights; Meydan Mosque and Şems-i Sivasî Tomb, İhramcızade Cultural and Art House, Subaşı Kervansarayı, Taşhan Kervansarayı. Before Dinner we will visit Susamıslar Mansion for Whirling Derwish Ceremony with Sema. The sema ceremony is one of the most important heritage of Turkish Culture as a tradition of 800 years old. This unique traditional ritual had been proclaimed as Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005.We complete the day after dinner in Lover’ s Coffee House with drinking our Turkish coffee and listening local music made by lovers who are famous with playing a stringed instrument called ‘’ SAZ’’. Overnight in Sivas.

Day 9 - Sivas - Cappadocia by drive - (25th June 2019, Tuesday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

After breakfast, we depart for Cappadocia for a ride that is approxiametly 4 hours. We will stay in Cappadocia Cave Resort with world renowned luxury. We will get to view great scenery of Cappadocian Fairy Chimney off the terrace of Roof Bar in the hotel. A morning surprise of hundreds of Hot Air Balloons Decorating the Skies through your room. If you want to Experience this first hand,please contact us for Hot Air Balloon ride and reserve your spot in the sky.Overnight in Cappadocia..

Day 10 - Cappadocia Underground City & Goreme Open Air Museum - (26th June 2019, Wednesday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

You will be picked up approximately 09:30 We will drive you to Ozkonak Underground City, one of the best preserved Underground cities in Cappadocia. Than visit to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia. After Uchisar, you visit Goreme Open Air Museum, the Heart of Cappadocia. Goreme Open Air Museum is famous for frescoes dating to 10th century describing the life of Jesus Christ and monks. Next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. After Cavusin you go to the restaurant in Avanos to have lunch. After lunch, you visit a pottery work shop, to see how to make potteries. Then you go Pasabagi where you can see three - headed fairy chimneys. After Pasabagi you visit another workshop to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. Next stop is Devrent Valley, which is also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Then you head to a wine shop in Urgup for wine tasting. Last stop is Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys with their hats, which is the symbol of Cappadocia. This tour will end approximately at 18.00 and you will be returned back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 11 - Cappadocia Legendary Activities - (27th June 2019, Thursday) 
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Cappadocia the most popular touristic destination of the world. Cappadocia is also known for its Gastronomical and Ecological aspect to it. The luxurious hotel that we are to stay Cappadocia Cave Resort has a farm in it for such Activities that we will get a chance to experience the nature. The vegetables and fruits are ready to be picked by you and get cooked for turning them into a meal. An in-house Wine Cellar will also be at your service for a great wine tasting. We will have an opportunity to take a walk around “Love Valley” for a dramatic experience as well. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 12 - Cappadocia to Istanbul - End of Tour - (28th June 2019, Friday)  
Breakfast included

After breakfast you will have free time in Cappadocia. Today we depart for Kayseri Airport for our domestic flight to Istanbul and then back to home. We hope you have a memorable time in Turkey and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another B2B WorkShopTravelShop organisation. Have a safe trip back home and thank you for choosing WorkShopTravelShop.