INTRO
Everyday
Day 1
Take the early morning flight to Urfa arriving before mid-day and directly drive over to Gobeklitepe to visit the oldest man-made place of worship in the world , dating back an incredible 11,500 years. The site stunned archaeologist when it was discovered and its sheer expanse and craftmanship is overwhelming with exquisite stone carvings of people , lions , foxes, snakes and birds which are the oldest known art in the world. Take as much time as you like in the site of Göbeklitepe with your private local guide who will give you all the latest information about the site and its new discoveries. After Gobeklitepe visit drive to the historical city of Sanliurfa. After lunch break in a local restaurant, you will be visiting the New Sanliurfa Archeological Museum. The Museum etnrance starts with the zero point in history with the Göbeklitepe findings and as you walk through the museum you will be traveling in time archeologically up to Roman period . This Museum consist of two separate parts , almost like a museum within a museum, since the discovery of Halepli Garden mosaics are within Museum garden’s premises in its original location of discovery. The Museum visit will take at least two hours. After the museum visit you will have enough time to visit the Prophets city , or Edessa in ancient times which is the most spiritual city of Eastern Turkey. Urfa castle (the current walls were constructed by the Abbasids in 814AD), the Pool of Sacred Fish where Abraham was thrown into the fire by Nimrod, the park of mosques, the market area will be visited.
Check into your comfortable hotel in Urfa and overnight.
Day 2
After breakfast in the hotel check out and drive to the old town of Halfeti which is located between Urfa and Antep. Here change wheels for a small boat and approach Rumkale by boat through a stunning gorge. This gorgeous boat ride will take you past the enormous fort of Rumkale and some beautiful villages. After lunch break in Halfeti drive to Zeugma before continuing on to Gaziantep. Zeugma Ancient city which was an important trading centre in the Hellenistic Era, whose importance grew steadily under Roman rule where artistic and cultural development progressed in parallel to that of its trade and commerce. When the site was excavated it turned up a number of beautiful mosaics, including the famous Gypsy Girl , the mosaic of Poseidon and many more mosaics that are now on display in Gaziantep Zeugma Museum which you will be visiting the following day.
In Gaziantep check into your small hotel right in the historical Old Town where you will be walking distance to explore this amazing town by yourself and enjoy the food in the culinary capital of Turkey famous for its kebab's and baklava ( Turkish sweet pastry filled with nuts and served with a syrup )
Overnight in Gaziantep
Day 3
After breakfast in the hotel visit one of the best mosaic museums of the world which is Zeugma Mosaic Museum . This Museum visit will take at least two hours and by the time you will be out , it will be the time for lunch. Gaziantep known as the culinary capital of Turkey will offer great variety to choose from.
After the Mosaic Museum visit your guide will give you a city tour of Gaziantep where you will discover many interesting old streets, small museums about the daily life of Ayuntap which is now known as Gaziantep, colorful market places and bazaars.
In the late afternoon fly back to Istanbul.
