October 29 Special, GAP Fairy Tale Tour (From Diyarbakır to Gaziantep)

We meet at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport in the morning. After completing our luggage and check-in procedures, we begin our journey to the Southeast with the SunExpress Airlines flight XQ9192 to Diyarbakır at 05:45. After approximately a 2-hour flight, we take our seats in the tour vehicle waiting for us and start our tour of Diyarbakır. We see the Diyarbakır Walls, the second longest preserved structure in the world after the Great Wall of China, and proceed to Hasan Paşa Hanı, built by Vezirzade Hasan Paşa between 1572-1575. After a pleasant breakfast break here, we visit the Ulu Cami, which is estimated to have been built in 639 and dazzles with its historical grandeur. Next, we visit the Ahmed Arif Museum and the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum Houses, reflecting Diyarbakır's unique civil architecture. After our tour of Diyarbakır, we head to Midyat, famous for its historical stone houses and film sets. We start our tour by saying, “You cannot understand Midyat if you do not walk its streets,” and go to the State Guesthouse. After examining the region's iconic architecture, we have free time in the bazaar where we can taste the region's delicious foamy coffee and get to know and shop for Midyat's world-famous silver filigree art. After our visit to Midyat, we move to Beyazsu, a peaceful oasis where water and greenery meet in the heart of Mesopotamia, for a short rest in pavilions built over the river. After our break, we head to Dara Ancient City, known as “the Ephesus of Mesopotamia.” In Dara, an important military garrison city of the past, we explore the castle, water channels, massive cisterns, rock tombs, and remnants of civil settlements with our guide. At the end of the day, we arrive in Mardin, known as “the City of the Sun Where Stones Speak.” We settle into our hotel to shake off the fatigue of the day and enjoy the historical atmosphere. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel in Mardin.

After breakfast at our hotel, we start the day at Deyrulzafaran Monastery, one of the most important centers of the Syriac Church with its magnificent architecture. After this fascinating visit, where we will have the opportunity to closely learn about the ancient Syriac culture and history, we proceed to Kasımiye Medresesi, which has hosted many fashion shows with its unique architecture. While exploring this important educational center of the Artuqid period, we listen to our guide about the sad story that comes to life in water architecture and the subtleties of Sufism. Then we go to 1st Avenue, considered the heart of Mardin, and start a pleasant walk. During our panoramic walk, we visit Şeyh Çabuk Mosque, the Old Syriac Catholic Patriarchate Building, Republic Square, historical Mardin houses, narrow alleys, and the Ulu Mosque, famous for its architectural marvel minaret. On our way back from 1st Avenue, we see Kasım Tuğmaner Mosque, Tuğhan, and Şahkulubey Mansion from the outside, then get into our vehicle and head towards Göbeklitepe, which rewrote human history. At Göbeklitepe, the first known place of worship of humanity, dating back about 12,000 years, we embark on a journey through a time tunnel. After admiring the exciting standing stones and mysterious reliefs, we move to Şanlıurfa, the symbolic city of our glorious history. In Şanlıurfa, we visit Balıklıgöl (Aynzeliha and Halil-ür Rahman Lakes), Rızvaniye Mosque, Mevlid-i Halil Complex, the Cave of Prophet Ibrahim, and Halil-ür Rahman Mosque, feeling the spiritual atmosphere of the region. After our visits, we settle into our hotel. In the evening, those who wish can join the traditional Sıra Night program (extra), an inseparable part of Urfa culture. On this special night, where "the wise come to speak, the apprentices bow, and poetry meets music," we spend an unforgettable evening filled with music, enjoying delicious Urfa kebabs and çiğ köfte. Guests who do not participate in the Sıra Night can enjoy free time in the Urfa bazaars and taste traditional cuisine. After the program, we return to our hotel. Accommodation at our hotel in Şanlıurfa.

After breakfast at our hotel, we get into our vehicle and head to Harran, a city mentioned in the Torah as Hârân and in the Bible by the same name; Islamic historians link the founding of the city to Kaynan, a descendant of Prophet Noah, or Aran (Haran), the brother of Prophet Ibrahim, and it takes its name from the hot air of its plains. We visit the unique conical domed Harran Houses, which have architecture compatible with the region's climate and nature; we see the panoramic views of Harran Castle, the Walls, and the remnants of Harran Ulu Mosque and Historical Islamic University, one of the oldest educational centers in history. After our visit to Harran, we head towards Halfeti, the hidden paradise under the waters of the Euphrates, the lost city. We listen to the story of Halfeti, which has the title of Cittaslow (Slow City), during our enjoyable boat tour (extra) on Birecik Dam Lake. While watching the historical houses, mosques, and minarets submerged in water, we witness the atmosphere of old Halfeti. After leaving the land of the famous Black Rose, which only grows in these lands, we turn our route towards Gaziantep, known as the Paris of the East and the capital of gastronomy. We arrive in Gaziantep, which earned the title "Gazi" for its outstanding courage during the National Struggle, standing out with its rich culture and deep-rooted history. After arriving in the city, we settle into our hotel. Dinner and accommodation at our hotel in Gaziantep.

After breakfast at our hotel, we visit the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the world-famous mosaics unearthed during the rescue excavations of the submerged Zeugma Ancient City are exhibited. After this fascinating visit, which has become one of the symbols of the region and our tour, we take a pleasant walk covering the Historical Copper Bazaar, Almacı Market, and Zincirli Bedesten, reflecting the colorful and lively trade life of the city. During our walk, we visit the Gaziantep Hamam Museum, which showcases the bath culture established by Lala Mustafa Pasha in 1557 and has been the subject of folk songs, and the Gaziantep Kitchen Museum located in Göğüş Mansion, which introduces the UNESCO-certified Gaziantep culinary culture. After visiting the museums, we take free time to enjoy Gaziantep's famous kebabs, stuffed dishes, and baklava. After lunch, we sip our famous Menengiç coffee at the Historical Tahmis Coffee House, one of Turkey's oldest coffee houses that has hosted many important figures from poets to writers and has witnessed history since the Antep War. After our coffee break, we visit the Gaziantep Archaeology Museum, which sheds light on the region's rich past. We then move to the historical Bey Neighborhood, which takes visitors on a time travel with its stone mansions and narrow streets. After exploring these historical streets praised by Evliya Çelebi, the Armenian Mansion, and the iconic architecture of the neighborhood, we reach Dokurcum Square. Here, we examine the replica of the Orhun Inscriptions, the first written documents of Turkish history, and respectfully visit the 14 Martyrs Monument, dedicated to the children who were martyred during the French occupation. At the end of the day and our tour, we see the magnificent Gaziantep Castle, located by the Alleben Stream, and the Prophet Yuşa Tomb within the castle, from a panoramic view. After our dinner break, we head to Gaziantep Airport. We return to İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport with the SunExpress Airlines flight XQ9229 at 22:50. After completing our luggage procedures at the airport, we bid farewell with unforgettable memories of the Southeast, hoping to see you on another tour.

Information About Museums and Archaeological Sites: The museums and archaeological sites mentioned in the program may be closed for restoration, maintenance, or on a date coinciding with the tour. In such cases, the guide will make changes to the program at their discretion.

Important Information About Flights: Flight details are provided for informational purposes based on the airline on the day the tour program was prepared. Flight codes and times may change. Please obtain the correct flight codes and times from your agency before the tour.

Important Information About Air Tours: In our air tours, since our agency has made a group agreement with the airline, the PNR is created for the entire group. To check in, you can do so at the airline's check-in counter with your ID card & PASSPORT containing your TC Number at the relevant meeting time on the relevant date. Our agency also does not provide ticket prints and PNR information. Flight details will be shared with our passengers one day before the tour.