TREASURE EVERY MOMENT IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN IN WINTER
(Special South Eastern Anatolia Tour in winter)
GARDEN
OF EDEN - Itinerary 3 / 66
GAZIANTEP- ZEUGMA - ATATÜRK DAM- HARRAN-SANLIURFA - MARDIN - MIDYAT- HASANKEYF -DIYARBAKIR
1st day Monday
Morning flight to Gaziantep from Istanbul. A panoramic city tour . Paying a
visit to the Gaziantep Archeological Museum we will get the chance to see
the spectacular mosaics saved from Zeugma Antique Site. In the historical
Tepebasi district, fine examples of mid-nineteenth-century southeastern
Anatolian architecture may seem an incongruous feature of this once-wealthy trading center in southeastern Turkey, but are only one of many elements in a well-preserved example of cultural and religious integration in the late Ottoman Empire. The missionary hospital and school constructed at the request of Tepebasi's merchants still stand alongside a collection of synagogues, mosques, and Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches in the historical district of Gaziantep. At the center of the district is the Millet Hani, the largest and grandest of the city's hans, or travel lodges, featuring kitchens, animal stalls, and guestrooms that welcomed both wealthy merchants and refugees. During World War I, Tepebasi was a destination for Armenian refugees, whose craftsmanship is still visible in intricate Ironwork, carved stone arches and columns, basalt ornamentation, and colorfully tiled courtyard fountains. Sightseeing tour and free time for shopping in the Copper and Mother of Pearl Workshop Bazaar. A large , rich ,delicious varity of kebaps and deserts will be served during diner.Overnight .
2nd day Tuesday
After breakfast, depart to the Ancient City of Zeugma, which was built by
the Eastern Roman Empire, in the first century AD. After examining the
excavation site, depart to Sanliurfa.On the way pay a visit to the Atatürk
Dam,which is one of the biggest Dam projects in the world. After a brief
information about SEAP (GAP region), have lunch and depart to Sanliurfa, the ancient city of Ur. In this land lying between the Euprathes and the Tigris rivers, lived Abraham,the patriarch claimed by three world religions. Drive to the ancient city of Harran which is mentioned in the Holy Bible.( The river watering the garden flowed from Eden.The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.( Gen 2 :10 -15 NIV ). Sightseeing tour of the ruins of the oldest Islamic University, Castle of Harran, and authentic Harran houses. Back to Sanliurfa ,paying a visit to the cave where Abraham is believed to have been born,visit the sacred fish pool and the fortress that overlooks both these holy sites.Dinner and overnight .
3rd day Wednesday
After breakfast Drive to Mardin.Walking tour on old brick roads of Mardin to see Monastery of Deyr-ul Zaferan, Mardin Marketplace, Kasimiye Teological school, Kirklar Church . You will admire the marvelous stone mansions of Mardin all day long. Dinner and overnight at a traditional Mansion.
4th day Thursday
After breakfast drive to Midyat,pay a visit to Deyrul Umur and Hasankeyf.
Visit marvelous bridge of Hasankeyf, El Rizk Mosque, and the Hasankeyf
Castle .Lunch on the banks of Tigris, drive to Diyarbakir , pay a visit to
the gorgious city walls of Diyarbakir , Keldani Church and Ulu mosque. Depart to the airport, end of our tour.
PRICE
Price : EURO 370.- Per person sharing twin.
EURO 75.- Single supplement
Child reductions : 00 - 02 years free of charge
03 - 11 years pays EURO 170.-
** The child reductions are valid only when child shares the room with his parents
PRICE INCLUDES
Transportation by brand new air-conditioned midibus/bus.
All the entrance fees to the historical sites and museums.
3 nights of accomodation in Anatolian Houses (Special type butique
hotel -Gaziantep),Urfa Guest House (Special type butique hotel -Sanliurfa),
Erdoba Houses (Special type butique hotel - Mardin) or the similars
