#COUPLES-Roots of Civilization: A Romantic Journey through Mesopotamia and Cappadocia

Arrival in Istanbul, where we will receive you and transfer you comfortably to your hotel. Once there, you can settle in and relax after the trip. Accommodation at the hotel.

Breakfast and departure to the airport to southeast Turkey (Diyarbakir or Mardin). Upon arrival, you will transfer to the city of Mardin, a fascinating place that stands on a hill facing the Mesopotamian plain. Known as the "City of the Sun", Mardin dazzles with its unique architecture in yellow limestone, which shines under the Mesopotamian sun. We will begin our exploration with a visit to the Kasımiye Medrasa, an impressive 16th-century building that exemplifies the architecture of the Akkoyunlu Sultanate. This medrasa was one of the most important schools of several eras, and its interior courtyard has beautiful symbolism: the flow of water in its pools represents the cycle of human life, from birth to death, and beyond. Next, we will visit the Deyrul Zafaran Monastery, also known as the Saffron Monastery. This Syrian Orthodox monastery, dedicated to Saint Ananias, remains a center of spirituality for the Assyrians, who consider themselves the first Christians and still speak Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus Christ. The monastery, which dates back to the 5th century, was built on an ancient temple dedicated to the cult of the sun. After this immersion in history and spirituality, you will enjoy free time for lunch and explore Mardin at your leisure. This city is considered the most authentic in Turkey, with its charming buildings, houses and stone streets that will transport you to another era. We will end the day with a delicious dinner and accommodation at your hotel.

Breakfast and departure to Göbekli Tepe, the oldest known archaeological site in the world and the first religious center in history, 12,000 years old. This extraordinary place, recognized in 2018 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the "ground zero" of history, marking the beginning of architecture and altering our understanding of the Neolithic. After exploring Göbekli Tepe, we will head to Urfa, ancient Edessa, where we will visit the Museum of Archeology and Mosaics, home to impressive historical finds. You will have free time for lunch in the picturesque Old Bazaar, a place full of life and traditions. We will continue our tour to the cave where, according to tradition, the Prophet Abraham was born, located next to the Mevlid-i Halil Cami Mosque. We will also visit the sacred pond of Balıklıgöl, known as the fish lake, a site loaded with religious and historical significance. We will end the day with dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

After breakfast, departure to Adıyaman, a place of great historical importance in the Mesopotamian region. Upon arrival, you will settle into the hotel and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we will begin our tour by exploring the ancient city of Arsemia, the summer capital of the Kingdom of Commagene, where you can discover historical monuments and carvings that narrate the greatness of this civilization. We will continue to the Karakuş Mound, a funerary monument built by the kings of Commagene, and then visit the imposing Cendere Bridge, built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Seventh Severus. The day will culminate with an unforgettable experience: we will ascend to the summit of Mount Nemrut to witness the majestic sunset from the terraces of the Gods. Famous for its colossal statues and historical significance, this site offers a panoramic view that will take your breath away. After this impressive natural and cultural spectacle, we will return to the hotel to enjoy dinner and rest.

After breakfast, we will depart for the fascinating region of Cappadocia, known for its unique landscape of rock formations and fairy chimneys. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will begin our exploration with a visit to one of the most impressive underground cities in the region, an intricate labyrinth of tunnels and chambers that have been inhabited since ancient times, offering a testament to the area's rich history. Next, we will head to the Güvercinlik Valley, also known as the Valley of the Palomares. This valley is famous for its spectacular views, where unique rock formations combine with a color palette that changes with the light of the day, creating a truly enchanting landscape. At the end of the tour, we will return to the hotel for dinner and relaxation. For those who want an additional cultural experience, there will be the option to attend a folk dance performance in a cave carved from volcanic rock. Celebrating Turkey's ethnic and cultural diversity, this interactive show includes unlimited local alcoholic beverages, promising a night full of entertainment and tradition.

We recommend taking advantage of the morning of this day to take an optional hot air balloon excursion at sunrise. We have guaranteed your places with a pre-reservation in one of the most prestigious and reliable balloon companies in the region. Breakfast and departure to visit this wonderful region, a mix of the whims of nature and human art. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, one of the first monasteries of Christianity, with its cave churches decorated with frescoes. Next, visit the town of Üchisar, where you can see the ancient troglodyte fortress excavated in volcanic rock. Lunch. We will make various panoramic stops to enjoy the capricious natural forms of the different valleys. We will also have time to visit typical local jewelry and carpet workshops, where you can find good value for money. Dinner and accommodation.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport at the designated time for your flight to Istanbul (included). Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and accommodation.

After breakfast, we will begin our day by visiting the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, a jewel of Ottoman architecture built between 1550 and 1561 by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan. This mosque, dedicated to the Grand Vizier Rüstem Paşa, son-in-law of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, stands out for its impressive Nicaean blue tiles, which make it a unique place. We will continue our tour along the banks of the Golden Horn until we reach Taksim Square, the epicenter of the modern and European part of Istanbul. We will walk along the famous İstiklal Street, where we can admire some of the most significant buildings of the 19th century in the city, such as the Church of San Antonio, the iconic Pera Palas Hotel, the Galatasaray Lyceum and the Flower Passage, among others. After lunch, we will embark on a charming cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, the waterway that divides the city between two continents: Asia and Europe. This route is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful landscapes in Istanbul. From the boat, we can contemplate the numerous buildings that adorn its banks: the palaces of the sultans, museums, historic neighborhoods, mosques, bridges and the summer palaces of the pashas. To conclude the day, we will visit the Spice Bazaar, a true paradise of aromas, colors and flavors, where we will have free time to enjoy the atmosphere that will transport us to bygone eras. At the agreed time, we will return to the hotel.

After breakfast, we will begin our visit to the old part of Istanbul, where the most emblematic Ottoman and Byzantine monuments of the city are concentrated. Our first stop will be at the famous temple of Hagia Sophia, the culmination of Byzantine art. This majestic building was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century and, after the fall of Constantinople into the hands of the Turks, it was converted into a mosque. In 1936, it was transformed into a museum, but recently it has returned to being a mosque. We will continue our visit to Topkapi Palace, from where the vast Ottoman Empire was ruled for almost 400 years. This palace, the largest civil building in Turkey with more than 70,000 square meters, houses four courtyards and numerous buildings inside: the armory, the kitchens, the Divan, the library, the room for the custody of sacred relics, several kiosks and offers unparalleled views of both the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. After lunch, we will head to the ancient Roman Hippodrome, a place full of history that was the social and sporting heart of ancient Constantinople. We will end our excursion with a visit to the famous Blue Mosque, the only one in the world with six minarets, which stands out for its imposing architecture and its interior adorned with more than 20,000 Iznik ceramic tiles. Our guides will then accompany you to the Grand Bazaar, where you can explore one of the oldest and largest markets in the world. End of the excursion.

Breakfast. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take the return flight.