Ring of the Sea of Marmara

Multi-day tours

Marmara Ring

Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul - the capital of three empires.

Meeting at the airport, transfer to the hotel, acquaintance with the guide, discussion of the program and preparation for the trip. dinner, free time.


Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 - Heart of Istanbul

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for an excursion.

Sultanahmet Square - Ancient Hippodrome

Around this square are the oldest monuments and the most important sights of Istanbul. Such as Egyptian Column, Serpentine Column, Ibrahim Pasha Palace, German Fountain...


Sultanahmet Mosque

One of the most magnificent architectural monuments of Istanbul in terms of beauty and grandeur. The young Ottoman ruler Sultan Ahmet ordered the construction of this true work of art. Later, the inhabitants of European countries gave the religious shrine another name - the "Blue Mosque" and today on everyone's lips it is even more than the original name.

Saint Sophie Cathedral

The world-famous monument of Byzantine architecture, a symbol of the "golden age" of Byzantium. "St. Sofia" is the first typical example of Byzantine architecture and is considered an architectural marvel.


Palace of the Sultans "TOKAPY"

Topkapi Palace is the largest and oldest palace in the world that has survived to this day. The palace is located on the site of the first settlement in Istanbul, offering magnificent views of the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus and the Sea of ​​Marmara. The palace complex is surrounded by 6 km of walls and occupies an area of ​​700 thousand square meters on top of the historical peninsula and for 400 years was the political center and the palace of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire.

Cistern – Basilica

The construction of the cistern was started by the Greeks during the reign of Emperor Constantine I and completed in 532 under Emperor Justinian. The dimensions of the underground structure are 145 × 65 m, the capacity is 80,000 m³ of water. The vaulted ceiling of the cistern is supported by 336 columns 8 meters high, the columns stand at a distance of 4.80 meters from each other, the walls are 4 meters thick made of refractory bricks and covered with a special waterproofing solution.


Walk along the Bosphorus on a Yacht

1.5 hours (VIP Yachts for an additional fee) According to one of the most common legends, the strait got its name thanks to the daughter of the ancient Argive king - the beautiful beloved of Zeus named Io was turned into a white cow by him to avoid the wrath of his wife Hera. The unfortunate Io chose the waterway to salvation, diving into the blue of the strait, which since then has been called the "cow's ford" or the Bosphorus.


Return to the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 - Two continents

Europe / Asia

After breakfast, departure for an excursion.

Suleymaniye Mosque

The mosque was built by the order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent by the architect Sinan in 1550-1557. The height of the dome is 53 meters, the diameter is 27.5 meters, the main dome is supported by two semi-domes. The dome has 32 windows. The building of the mosque is well lit inside - the light falls from 136 windows. With the buildings of baths, madrasahs, kitchens, libraries, hospitals and an observatory, the mosque forms a complex comparable in size to a city block. Part of the architectural complex is the Suleymaniye Library, one of the largest oriental libraries, providing access to manuscripts of the 8th-19th centuries. There is a cemetery in the courtyard of the mosque, here in two neighboring mausoleums Suleiman himself and his beloved wife Alexandra Anastasia Lisowska (Roksolana) rest with their daughter Mihrimah.


Balat

The name "Balat" is rooted in the Latin language - "palatium" and translated into Russian means "palace", and in Greek it sounds like "palation". This name, presumably, was given in honor of the Blachernae Palace of the Byzantine era, which was once located nearby. There is a known historical fact that at the end of the 15th century, padish Bayezid (Sultan II. Bayezid) sent many ships to Spanish lands to take Sephardic Jews out of them and settle them in Istanbul, which is more friendly to them.The Jews, of course, were not at a loss and thoroughly took up the improvement of their personal area in the city. So, as many as 12 synagogues were built in Balat very quickly. You should definitely come to Balat at least to enjoy the fading antiquity and take amazing photographs that will certainly reflect the spirit of the past.

St. Stephen's Orthodox Church in Istanbul is named after the Great Martyr Stephen, who was once a member of the city's Bulgarian community. This shrine is sometimes also called "iron" because the monastery is completely constructed of metal. The church has great historical significance. It is known that the Bulgarian Exarch Anfim held a divine service here in the spring of 1872. This happened on the day when the Orthodox honor the memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius. It is noteworthy that the Patriarchate forbade holding the liturgy, but the event took place anyway. The celebration was remembered for the fact that it was on it that the independence of the Bulgarian Church from the Greek was proclaimed.


The modern Camlyca Mosque is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. The spring of 2019 was marked by a grandiose event for Istanbul - the opening of a majestic Muslim shrine, called Chamlyca. This is not just a mosque, it is a whole architectural complex that has received the status of the largest in the world among similar structures.


Istanbul TV tower, observation deck, breathtaking 360 degree view of the city


On the Asian part of the city, in the Çamlıca region, also known for its largest mosque in Istanbul, recently, a TV tower rises, 369 meters long (and all 576.5 m above sea level). It can be seen from almost all points of the city and now it is one of the recognizable objects of the metropolis. The construction of the TV tower in Istanbul began in 2016 - before that, the direction and intensity of the wind in the area was carefully studied in order to carry out the planned project as safely as possible.

The Beylerbey palace complex, located in the Asian part of Istanbul, is called a masterpiece of the Baroque architectural style. The snow-white marble palace is surrounded by a chic flowering garden, over which an air pedestrian bridge rises. A huge swimming pool is buried in the greenery of the park. The territory is decorated with graceful sculptures of incredible beauty. The palace was built by order of Sultan Abdulaziz to become his summer residence. Important meetings were held within its walls, meetings with foreign ambassadors and other influential foreigners. Inside the palace is divided into 6 main halls and 26 rooms for various purposes. In the interior, both truly oriental and European features are guessed.


At the point where the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn meet, the unique Maiden's Tower rises, which has long become one of the hallmarks of Istanbul. A snow-white building 23 meters high has witnessed the long history of the formation of the city. The tower found both the Byzantine period and the Ottoman times. During the entire period of its existence, the building constantly changed its purpose. She played the role of a lighthouse, a collection point for taxes from foreign ships, a defensive citadel, a hospital, a radio station. Many interesting myths and legends are associated with the Maiden Tower, which today houses a chic restaurant, in particular, about the history of its origin.


Overnight at the hotel in Istanbul.

Day 4 - Istanbul - Bursa (180 km)

After breakfast, check out from the hotel, departure to Bursa. City tour of Bursa - the first capital of the Ottoman Empire.


Mausoleum of the Founders of the Ottoman Empire

It is this place that is of particular importance for the country, since here are the tombs of the first sultans and founders of the Ottoman Empire - Sultan Osman and his son Orhan. In front of the tomb of Osman, an honor guard is serving, in traditional clothes and attributes of the 14th century.


Tophane Clock Tower

It is located next to the park of the same name. Previously, the tower served as a fire tower, then, by order of Sultan Abdulhamid II, it was transformed into a clock tower. From here you have a beautiful view of the whole city and the sights of Bursa, the most beautiful mosques and oriental bazaars.


Ulu Jami

The "Great Mosque", or as it is also called - Ulu Jami, is a legacy of the Ottoman Empire. It is just a few minutes' walk from the historic Koza Khan Silk Market and the Grand Bazaar. It was built in the 14th century and has 20 domes and two minarets.


Check-in at the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight at the hotel in Bursa.

Day 5 - Bursa - Canakkale (275 km)

Breakfast. Pick up at the hotel lobby, departure to Canakkale.


This mythical city is located in the north of the Aegean coast of Turkey, on the banks of the Dardanelles. It was here that the events of the Trojan War, described in Homer's poem "The Iliad", took place.


ASOS Antique City

Widely known due to the fact that, after the death of Plato in 347 BC. e. Aristotle leaves Athens with Xenocart and travels to Troad. Aristotle begins teaching at the local Academy. Aristotle, at the invitation of Philip II of Macedon, returns to Macedonia. In Macedonia, Aristotle took up the education of Philip's son, Alexander the Great. At the entrance to the city there is a modern statue of Aristotle. Assos was also visited by the Apostle Paul.


Bastion Hamidiye

“In the Hamidiye bastion, located on the shores of the Dardanelles and built by Sultan Abdul-Hamid II in 1892 to ensure the safety of the strait, there are 10 nominal arsenal structures and 9 artillery sites. The premises and the park area give us an idea of ​​the First World War, in accordance with the modern understanding of museology, through exhibitions, animations, interactive methods and graphics.

Chimenlik Fortress-Marine Museum

It was built on the Asian side of the Dardanelles in 1452, during the reign of Sultan Mehmet II. Directly opposite the Kilitbahir fortress, on the European side of the strait. The fortress was equipped with 30 cannons, and the 1250-meter wide strait was taken under control. The castle was fortified in 1551 by Suleiman the Magnificent. It was completely renovated by Selim III in the 18th century. Kale-i Sultaniye played a key role in the defense of the Dardanelles until the First World War. The seaside walls were rebuilt at the end of the 19th century as a series of gun emplacements rather than a fortress wall. For this reason, in 1915 the fort became a target for British and French ships. An artillery shell dropped from the British ship Queen Elizabeth on March 18, 1915 and left unexploded in a two-meter hole in the northern city wall is still where it fell. Today it serves as a museum. In the castle garden and park area, cannons used in different periods are exhibited.


Downtown Trojan Horse from the Movie "Troy"

Конь, сооружённый для фильма «Троя»,

was made of steel piles and fiberglass. It had a height of 11.4 meters and weighed 11 tons. For transportation, the horse was disassembled into parts and then reassembled. This horse has traveled the world a lot. After filming in Malta and Mexico, it was flown to Berlin and installed at Potsdamer Platz for the film's world premiere in May 2004. From there, the horse was taken to Japan as part of an advertising campaign, and at the end the horse found its home in Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Tourism signed a contract with Warner Bros. to use the horse. The horse was installed in the city of Canakkale, 30 km from the alleged site of historical Troy, and has become a popular attraction for tourists visiting Turkey.


Check-in at the hotel, dinner.

Overnight in Canakkale

Day 6 - Canakkale

Breakfast. Pick up at the hotel lobby and departure for the tour.


Bozca Hell Island

The modern Turkish name of the island Bozcaada means "grayish island" in translation. According to legend, the island was originally called Levkofriya. The ancient name is associated either with its white rocks or with the foamy waves that crash against the rocks. Named Tenedos on behalf of Tenes. On the slander of his stepmother Philonoma, Tenes, together with his sister Gemithea, was thrown into the sea by his father Kiknos in a box and was brought to the island of Leukofria, which he ruled as a king. ). The island is located 5 km west of the coast of Asia Minor. Due to its strategic importance, it has had a very turbulent history since antiquity.


Bozcaada fortress

It is not known exactly when and by whom Bozcaada Castle was first built. The castle was extensively renovated by Fatih Sultan Mehmet. When the island was taken from the Venetians in 1657, it again underwent major repairs. II. From the inscriptions we understand that the castle was practically rebuilt in 1815 during the reign of Mahmut II. The castle was last restored in 1996 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The castle is divided into two parts, external and internal. The outer fort, now an empty site, contains an armory, a bulwark, training grounds, and the main traces of houses. The inner lock consists of two parts. The first is the entrance part, and it is located in the east of the inner castle.It has two gates. This section has an infirmary, a mosque, a minaret, dungeons, and barracks. In the middle there is a supply depot, an armory and a cistern. Today, the interior of the castle has an exhibition space where historical and ethnographic works related to Bozcaada are exhibited.

Troy ruins

Troy, within the village of Tevfikiye, 25 km from Canakkale, is one of the most famous ancient cities in the world. The importance of Troy lies in the fact that this place is mentioned in the Homeric epics "Iliad" and "Odyssey". These epics are the first written literary works of the West. During excavations in Troy, the presence of 9 cultural layers was established. Its early periods date back to 3000 BC. Nothing remains of those times, except for some foundations and remnants of ceramics. The most notable finds from Troy II, dated 2500-2300 B.C. BC. - these are the foundations of house samples called Megaron and a group of finds, which Schliemann called the treasure of Priam and which is now in the Pushkin Museum im. Pushkin in Russia. Since 1998, the ruins of Troy have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Troy Museum

An archaeological museum located near the archaeological site of the ancient city of Troy in northwestern Turkey. The museum opened in 2018 and displays historical artifacts from Troy and some other ancient cities around and on nearby islands in seven parts of a modern architectural building. The director of the museum is Rydvan Goljuk. The museum received the European Museum of the Year 2020 Special Award and the European Museum Academy Special Award.


Return to the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight at the hotel in Canakkale.

Day 7 - Canakkale - Istanbul (320 km)

Breakfast. Departure to Istanbul.

On the way, visit the Monument of the Gelibolu-Galippoli peninsula. Moving to the European part.


Kilit Bahir Fortress

The castle was built by Mehmed the Conqueror on the European side of the Dardanelles, across the narrowest part of the strait, opposite Cimenlik Castle, to prevent European states from helping the Byzantine Empire during the siege of Istanbul in 1452. The fortress was equipped with 30 cannons and was within reach of the 1250-meter wide strait. The castle was fortified by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1551 and Kilitbahir was renovated during the ongoing Cretan War with Venice. It was renewed by Selim III during the Napoleonic Wars. The castle is 220 meters long and 120 meters wide. The castle walls have 3 almost round bastions. Thus, the plan of the castle takes the form of a three-leaf clover. Inside, a high triangular tower with slightly curved walls, to which 3 stone bridges lead, has a height of 30 meters and 7 floors. There is a second fortification that becomes the lower wall around the castle. The castle was expanded to the south with additional walls and a tower (Sarykule) built during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent.


The Çanakkale Martyrs Memorial is a war memorial built in memory of the 250,000 Turkish soldiers who died in the Battle of Gallipoli in the First World War. It is located in front of the Morto Bay on the top of the Hissarlik hill at the southern tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula in the vicinity of Canakkale (Turkey). According to legend, when Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was inspecting the surroundings, peasants turned to him and mentioned memorials in other countries that had already been built. He replied that he would build a memorial at least 40 meters high for the Turkish dead. On August 21, 1960, the memorial was officially opened to the public. Under the memorial there is a museum, and next to it is a monument to the mechanic and a Turkish cemetery. It is also known that the 25-meter bronze flagpole, which stands next to the memorial, is a gift from a Turk living in America - Nazmi Celal.

Bridge 1915 across the Dardanelles

The 1915 Canakkale Bridge also known as the Dardanelles Bridge is an automobile suspension bridge in the province of Canakkale in northwestern Turkey. Located south of the cities of Lapseki and Gelibolu, the bridge crosses the Dardanelles about 10 km south of the Sea of ​​Marmara. On May 16, 2020, the construction of the second pylon on the Gallipoli side (Europe coast) was completed. By November 13, 2021, all pylons were ready. The bridge was opened to traffic on March 18, 2022. There are some symbolic numbers associated with the bridge. The number 1915 in the name - the height of the crossing point of the main cable (318 m), and the date of laying the foundation (March 18) are associated with the victory of the Turkish fleet on March 18, 1915 during naval operations in the Gallipoli campaign. The length of the main span of the bridge is 2023 meters and refers to the centenary of the Republic of Turkey in 2023.


Check-in at the hotel, dinner, free time.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 8 - Final

Breakfast in the hotel.

This is our last morning in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we will start packing, getting ready for departure, and making wishes...

After all, good dreams made in magical places have the ability to come true.

And Istanbul is without a doubt one of those places!

By the appointed time, a comfortable transfer will pick you up from the hotel and bring you to the airport of departure. As it is customary to say in Turkey "Göryushmek Yuzere"! or See you soon!

Important information

What is included in the price?

 

  • Transfer by comfortable transport from the airport/hotel/airport only for our group.

  • Transport maps and all transport along the route on a comfortable air-conditioned bus - only for our group.

  • All excursions and entrance tickets according to the program.

  • Assistance in the selection of air tickets.

  • Professional guide in Russian.

  • Accommodation in boutique hotels and 4*/5* hotels, 7 nights with breakfast and dinner.

***Price per person in a double room. For single occupancy, there will be a difference of EUR 150 per stay.

The price does not include:

 

  • Flights from your city to Istanbul and back

  • Meals outside the program

  • All drinks

  • Medical insurance - highly recommended

  • Additional Excursions

  • Personal expenses

*** Tips for guides and drivers (5 people and less 10 €/person/day; 6-9 people 8 €/person/day; 10 people and more 5 €/person/day)

Additional services

Excursions for extra charge:

 

  • Dervish dance - Sema - 25 euros (per person)

  • Turkish night and Bosphorus boat trip - 45 euros (per person)

*** When the price changes, the announcement during the trip takes precedence.