Black Sea Turkey Grand Tour: 15 Days to Mount Ararat

Departing at 08:30, you discover the old city. You visit Topkapi Palace, the opulent seat of the Ottoman sultans with its treasury and sacred relics, the Blue Mosque with its blue Iznik tiles, and the Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Column of Constantine. After lunch you explore the aromatic Spice Bazaar, with its mountains of spices, Turkish delight and souvenirs. Overnight in Istanbul.

Today you sail the Bosphorus by boat along the waterway dividing Europe and Asia, passing the Dolmabahce, Yildiz, Ciragan and Beylerbeyi palaces, the waterside village of Ortakoy, the Rumeli Fortress and the Bosphorus Bridge, with a stop at Camlica Hill for a panoramic view of the city. The afternoon includes a visit to a traditional carpet-weaving centre and displays of jewellery and leatherware. Overnight in Istanbul.

Crossing the Bosphorus Bridge from Europe into Asia, you drive north to the Black Sea region and the UNESCO-listed town of Safranbolu, once a stop on the caravan route to the Orient. You explore the old Carsi district with its red-roofed Ottoman houses on cobbled streets, the seventeenth-century Cinci Han caravanserai and Cinci Hamam, the Yemeniciler Arastasi bazaar, the Kaymakamlar Historical House and the Izzet Pasha Mosque. Overnight in Safranbolu.

Today you drive to the Black Sea coast and the charming harbour town of Amasra, with its Byzantine-Genoese citadel, the Roman Kemere Bridge and its twin bays. There is time for photographs and to browse the Cekiciler Bazaar for hand-made wooden crafts, before returning along the coast past Cakraz Beach and the villages around Safranbolu. Overnight in Safranbolu.

You travel east across the forested hills of Kastamonu, a historic Ottoman town surrounded by dramatic canyons, and continue to Sinop, the northernmost point of Turkiye. Set on a slender peninsula, Sinop charms with its fortress walls, historic harbour and old prison. Overnight in Sinop.

Following the coast, you stop in Samsun to see the Amazon Statue, then continue to Cape Jason with its old Yason Church and lighthouse. The picturesque coast road brings you to Ordu, where a cable car carries you up Boztepe Hill for a breathtaking view over the city and sea. Overnight in Ordu.

You begin with a visit to Giresun Castle, set on a headland above the sea, then climb to the high plateau, or yayla, of Kumbet, a green highland meadow perfect for photographs and meeting local people. Descending to the coast you pass through Tirebolu with its historic castle and continue to the fishing town of Gorele. Overnight in Gorele.

Today you visit Kuskoy, the famous "bird village", where locals still communicate across the steep valleys using a whistled language recognised by UNESCO. You learn about this rare form of speech, explore the surrounding highland villages and visit the lively Gorele market. Overnight in Gorele.

You drive to Trabzon to see the frescoed Hagia Sophia before heading up to the spectacular Sumela Monastery, clinging to a cliff at 1,200 metres above the Altindere National Park. After time to admire the monastery you continue along the coast through Surmene to Rize, the capital of Turkiye's tea country. Overnight in Rize.

Leaving the coast you climb into the Firtina Valley in the Kackar Mountains, visiting the medieval Zilkale castle above the Firtina River, the Palovit waterfalls and the mountain villages of Camlihemsin and Cinciva with their graceful old stone bridges. There is even the chance to zipline across the valley. Overnight in Hopa.

You drive to the Borcka Black Lake, set amid lush green forest with a gentle walking path around the water, then journey inland near the Armenian border to the frontier city of Kars, known for its citadel, old bridges and the Church of the Twelve Apostles. Overnight in Kars.

You visit the haunting ruined city of Ani, the medieval Armenian capital whose churches stand above the Arpa River valley on the Armenian frontier, with time also for the Kars Citadel and local market. Continuing south you catch your first view of Mount Ararat before arriving in Dogubeyazit, dramatically set against the stone mountains. Overnight in Dogubeyazit.

You drive to Uzengili village to see the boat-shaped rock formation known as the Noah's Ark site, then visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, an eighteenth-century blend of Ottoman, Persian and Armenian architecture, with views of Dogubeyazit Castle. You also stop at a local carpet centre to see fine examples of eastern weaving. Overnight in Dogubeyazit.

After breakfast you are transferred to Agri Airport for your onward flight, with a final view of Mount Ararat as you leave. We hope this grand tour of the Black Sea and eastern Turkiye has been unforgettable and look forward to welcoming you back.