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 12 days/11 nights Pulsing with mosaics, mezzes, animated bazaars and markets, vibrant ancient cities, world-class archaeological sites, robust regional cuisine, crossroads of civilizations for centuries, Southeast Turkey is all this and more. Afar Magazine featured this evocative region, dubbing it a last great undiscovered travel destination.
Southeastern Turkey is the northern extension of the Syrian plain, which means it's hot and flat. Unlike most of Eastern Turkey, the southeast is not mountainous, but rather an arid plateau at around 600 meters (2000 feet) elevation. The region is more or less bounded by those great historic rivers, the Tigris to the east and the Euphrates to the west. Many of the people here are Turkish citizens of Kurdish descent.
The region was a crossroads of civilizations in Biblical times, and even earlier. The Patriarch Abraham lived for a time in Harran, south of Sanliurfa.
To the crusaders, Sanliurfa was the Latin County of Edessa. Mardin and Midyat have Syriac monasteries where services are still chanted in Aramaic, the language of Jesus.
A Week in Istanbul Gay Tour - April 17 - 23, 2016
Day 0 - Friday, April 22, 2016
Depart the USA on any regularly scheduled flight to Ankara, Turkey. [Ankara airport code is ANK. Flight from the USA will transit either Istanbul (if using Turkish Airlinesg(21128058)a(1161358)) ) or a European city (FRA, MUC, for instance, if you are using Lufthansa .)
Day 1 - Saturday, April 23, 2016
 Arrive Ankara and transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest following the flight. This evening we will gather for a Welcome Dinner to meet fellow travelers.
Hotel: Swissotel Ankara Hotel, Ankara, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 2 - Sunday, April 24, 2016
 We begin our adventure in Eastern Turkey with the Hittite Civilization. (Ankara – Hattusa 202 km) Mentioned in the Old Testament as the adversaries of the Israelites and their god, the name they are known for today comes from the Bible and the Amarna Letters of Egypt but their own documents refer to the civilization as "Nesili." Their control of this region dates from 1700 BCE to 1200 BCE.
Our first stop is at the Hittite ceremonial site – Yazilkaya ("Rock Inscriptions" – in Turkish). This open-air natural shrine, with wonderful reliefs of the gods and goddesses cut into the rock walls, was home to fresh water springs and is thought to have been a place of worship. After, we continue to the spectacular city of Hattusa – this sprawling city set on the acropolis – now all in ruins – was the capital of the Hittite empire. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit the local archaeology museum of Bogazkoy housing examples of artifacts from the Anatolian civilizations in a chronological order, with an emphasis on Hittite and Hattusa artifacts. Return to Ankara in the early evening. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Swissotel Ankara Hotel, Ankara, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 3 - Monday, April 25, 2016
 This morning we will visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The collection includes the civilizations from Palaeolithic to Bronze Age and Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian & Lydian periods. There is an excellent collection of tablets, the translations of which remind us how little some things in the world have changed over the millennia.
After lunch, we fly to Diyarbakir (with Turkish Airlines TK7144 depart from ESB 15:55 - arrive DIY 17:40) and transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Diyabakir.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Diyarbakir , Diyarbakir, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 4 - Tuesday, April 26, 2016
 The second-largest city in Turkey and known for its vast black basalt defensive walls, Diyarbakir ("Black Fortress") offers a rather ominous appearance, yet with massive ramparts, 16 towers and 5 gates, all decorated with inscriptions and bas-reliefs, the city presents a superb example of medieval military and religious architecture. Visit Ulu Camiithe (an 11th century Grand Mosque), built containing elements of an earlier Roman Temple and Byzantium Church, and the Medresesi of Diyarbakir (prayer school) located next to the mosque. Churches from all denominations are enclosed within the city walls – enjoy exploring them.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Diyarbakir, Diyarbakir, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 5 - Wednesday, April 27, 2016
 After breakfast, depart for Mardin (92 km). We will visit the central part of Mardin, seeing historical and religious sites, including two theological schools, Zinciriye Medrese, constructed in 1385, and Kasimiye Medrese, and its adjoining mosque and "Dervish" lodge, started by the Artukids in the 12th Century, yet not finished until 1469. See the Holy Forty Martyr's Church, dating back to the 4th Century, with its beautiful interior and ornate door carvings commerating Cappadocia's martyrs. Located at the site of the stunningly ornate Old Post Office is the Mardin Museum, housing artifacts from between 4000BCE and the 7th Century – especially notable is the antique jewelry collection. Visit Ulu Camii (The Grand Mosque of Bursa), completed in 1399AD, with its walls not in mosaics or frescoes, but inscribed with some of the greatest Islamic calligrapy in the world. At the site of the old Silk Road in Constantinople, the Grand Bazaar was built between 1458-1461AD. Being a safe location for merchants and customers alike, it has, over the generations, grown to 4,000 shops, making it one of the world's largest indoor markets – selling everything from metalworks to luxury textiles, Turkish carpets to fine leather goods, coffee to baklava – wander the maze of streets and enjoy!
Check into the hotel, with an evening at your leisure. Dinner & overnight in Mardin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Erdoba Evleri Osmanli Konagi Hotel, Mardin, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 6 - Thursday, April 28, 2016
 Today we tour Mardin's surroundings. A short trip outside of the city is Mardin-Deyrul Zafaran ("Monastery of Saffron" named for its yellow-ochre stone exterior), a Syrian Orthodox Christian Monastery, initially erected in 493AD as a temple to the sun, then used as a Roman citadel, and in 793AD, it was christened as the monastery. Atop a charming mountainside, it is still a working monastery today, attracting religious students from around the world. We next travel to the ancient village of Midyat, a centuries-old Christian Syriac/Aramean enclave, and visit Dayro d-Mor Gabriel, the oldest surviving Syrian Orthodox monastery in the world.
Return to Mardin, with the evening free to explore the city. Dinner & overnight in Mardin.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Erdoba Evleri Osmanli Konagi Hotel, Mardin, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 7 - Friday, April 29, 2016
 After breakfast, we continue our drive from Mardin to Sanliurfa (in Turkish: Sanli – "great, glorious, dignified" – thus, "Urfa the Glorious"). The history of Urfa is recorded from the 4th century BCE, as it was discovered in 1994 with excavations at the neolithic archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe ("Hill with a Navel"). Due to the many temples unearthed here, it is also known as "The City of Prophets", with this religious enclave dating back to 10,000 BCE, preceding the construction of the pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge by 7,000 and 6,000 years respectively. With its massive size, advanced architecture, and intricately carved pillars (adorned with wild animals, birds and God-like visages), this is considered to be the oldest man-made religious tribute, and the oldest known example of monumental architecture. Given that Gobekli Tepe is thought to have been constructed by a "hunter/gather" society (lacking the basic fundamentals of reading, writing and mathematics) it is an awesome wonder of human achievement. Enjoy stepping into centuries past at Gobekli Tepe.
Return to Ufra and visit the newly opened and exquisite Museum of Urfa, housing 70,000 aretfacts from the Neolithic age to the Romans. Dinner & overnight at Urfa.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa , Sanliurfa, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 8 - Saturday, April 30, 2016
 After breakfast, we will start with a visit to Baliki Gol (also known as "The Pool of Abraham" – the site believed to be where Abraham was thrown onto a wooden pyre by King Nimrod, yet the flames were transformed into water and the logs changed to fishes. Today, this beautiful temple is revered by many monolithic religions, who also consider its surrounding pools, teeming with carp, to be sacred. Next, we visit the Town Center with a stop on the "…Old Silk Road." The Urfa Bazaar – "…one of the most authentic in Turkey." – is a vast array of little stalls (selling everything from clothing, to leather goods, to baklava!) spread out over a labyrinthine of small corridors and alleyways – an excellent place to shop for exotic souvenirs. In the afternoon, we continue on the way to Gazi Antep (185 km. – 2hrs. 20mins.), one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Gazi Antep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Gaziantep, Gaziantep, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 9 - Sunday, May 1, 2016
 After breakfast, a tour of the city is planned. Gazi Antep was founded by the Hittites around 1600BCE, successively ruled by the Asyrians, Macedonians, Persians and Romans and finally the Ottoman Empire, establishing Gazi Antep as an important trade site along "The Silk Road." We start by visiting the world-famous Gaziantep Zeugma ((a town along the Euphrates, noted for the grand mosiacs-decorating its luxurious villas)tMosaic Museum with its vast display of intricately laid mosaics dating from the Greek and Roman eras – wander through reconstructed villas of Poseidon and the Euphrates, and view the frescoes, fountains and, considered the most treasured artifact, the bronze statue of Mars. On to a walking tour of the city, we next visit the cobbled streets and the shops of "Coppersmith Bazaar", where craftsmen can be seen creating copper pots, utensils, and decorative pieces using age-old techniques handed down through generations. Wedged amongst the streets, notice the many cafes, museums and the hammans (Turkish baths) – enjoy exploring all that the bazaar offers. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Gazi Antep.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton by Hilton Gaziantep, Gaziantep, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 10 - Monday, May 2, 2016
 Breakfast, then the tour continues en-route to Adiyaman (150 km. 2hrs. 15min.), a truly ancient city lying in the central Euphrates river region, also known as the "bread basket" of Turkey. Antiochus I, (86 – 38BCE), was the Greek King of Commagene, famous for the attempted uniting of different religions in order that he would be worshipped forever after his death. Combining Greek pagan gods with the Iranian credo of Zoroastrianism (the worship of one universal, supreme god) , he created the impressive religious sanctuary of Nemrud Dagi (Mount Nemrut). Using qualities of each (the clothes, headgear and noble stance of the Persians and the human-like quality of Greek statuary), he created monumental effigies – the ruins of which are magnificent to behold even today. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Return to Adiyaman. Dinner and overnight in Adiyaman.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Grand Isias Hotel, Adiyaman, 4*
Room: Standard Room
Day 11 - Tuesday, May 3, 2016
 Breakfast in the hotel. Midday flight to Istanbul (with Turkish Airlines TK2217 depart from Adiyaman 12:30 - arrive Istanbul 14:25). Transfer and check in at our hotel on arrival. Enjoy a free afternoon in Istanbul, with a farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Celine Hotel, Istanbul, 5*
Room: Standard Room
Day 12 - Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Transfer from hotel to airport for your flight returning home.
Meals: Breakfast
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• 11 Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary, in standard room categories with breakfast daily:
2 nights at Swissotel Ankara Hotel in Ankara;
2 nights at Hilton Garden Inn Diyarbakir in Diyarbakir;
2 nights at Erdoba Evleri Osmanli Konagi Hotel in Mardin;
1 night at Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa in Sanliurfa;
2 nights at Hampton by Hilton Gaziantep in Gaziantep;
1 night at Grand Isias Hotel in Adiyaman;
1 night at Celine Hotel in Istanbul
• Sightseeing with entrance fees for all sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
• Bottled water at meals
• An expert Turkish guide to accompany the group throughout the trip
• A Coda Tours representative to accompany the group, based on minimum participation
• Comfortable, air-conditioned transportation
• Group airport transfers where required, except for departure in Istanbul where transfers will be on a private basis and charged separately
• Bottled water aboard the motor coach/van
• Pre-departure assistance and information Portfolio from Coda Tours
• International airfare to Ankara and from Istanbul
• Intra-tours flights (quoted separately in coach class)
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance;
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary;
• Drinks at meals other than water;
• End of the trip tips to guide & driver;
• Items of a personal nature, including Wifi charges if charged in hotels
Swissotel Ankara Hotel, Ankara
 Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Swissotel Ankara. In the centre of Turkey's capital, Swissôtel Ankara is 200 metres from the Presidential Palace. It offers a wellness centre with a half-size Olympic indoor pool. Restaurants, bars, cafés and shops are within walking distance.
All rooms feature contemporary décor and marble bathrooms with rain showers. There is an LCD TV with cable channels and a DVD player in each room. Guests can also enjoy private espresso coffee machines.
 The hotel has one main restaurant, a bar and a gourmet shop. For drinks and light snacks Swissôtel features Energia Café, while casual all-day dining is offered by Café Swiss.
Complimentary internet access is available at the business centre. The spa and wellness centre includes a sauna and a Turkish bath.
Hilton Garden Inn Diyarbakir, Diyarbakir
 Located in the heart of Diyarbakir, luxurious Hilton Garden Inn Diyarbakir offers a fitness centre, a Turkish bath and an outdoor pool with free parasols and sun loungers. Each room of the property features modern amenities. The old city of Diyarbakir is just 5-minute drive away.
Rooms here will provide you with flat-screen satellite TV, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a fridge. There is also an electric kettle in each. Featuring a shower, private bathrooms also come with free toiletries and slippers.
 The reception, which is available 24 hours a day, provides room service and concierge service. Laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services can be provided upon request, at an additional charge. Daily maid service is also offered.
There are a lot of shops and major government offices within a walking distance.
Erdoba Evleri Osmanli Konagi Hotel, Mardin
 Typical accommodation in an authentic 19th-century konak is provided by the Erdoba Evleri Osmanli Konagi. The hotel combines historical atmosphere with modern free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour reception desk.
Rooms at the Erdoba Evleri are decorated with natural stone walls from the Mardin Province. They are all equipped with air conditioning, a TV set, minibar and en suite bathrooms.
 Guests can enjoy traditional Turkish food at the restaurant of the hotel or relax in the typical lounge area.
Located in the historical centre of Mardin, the Erdoba Evleri Osmanli Konagi is a getaway to explore Cumhuriyet Bazaar, Meliksah Grand Mosque and the Ulucami Neighborhood.
Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa, Sanliurfa
 Situated in the city centre, Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa is only 15 minutes' walk from Balikli Gol (Fish Lake). The hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness centre and a sauna. Each room has HD TV and free Wi-Fi.
Tastefully decorated, the modern rooms of Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa include a mini fridge, and an electric kettle with complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.  A work desk with adjustable lighting and ergonomic chair is included. A telephone with voice mail, and 15-inch laptop-size safe box are standard in all rooms.
Sumac Grill Restaurant and Terrace serves a freshly prepared buffet breakfast including waffles, and an à la carte menu for lunch and dinner. Cocktails can be enjoyed at the stylish lobby bar.
Hampton by Hilton Gaziantep, Gaziantep
 Hampton By Hilton Gaziantep City Centre is located at the centre of Gaziantep. It offers a fitness centre and a garden. Free WiFi is available.
The elegantly decorated guestrooms at Hampton By Hilton Gaziantep City Centre feature air conditioning, a minibar and a safety deposit box. Each room has a flat-screen TV, a work desk and ironing facilities.  Numerous dining options can be found in the surrounding area. Around-the-clock front desk service is provided. Laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are available upon request.
Grand Isias Hotel, Adiyaman
 Along with a prime location in the centre of Adiyaman, Grand Isias Hotel offers comfortable accommodation with free wireless internet access.
Grand Isias Hotel is within easy reach of Adiyaman's historical sites and shopping district.  Each of the rooms is well-presented and spacious. A comfortable seating area, air conditioning and satellite TV provide home comforts. A buffet breakfast is included in your room rate.
The friendly staff is available 24 hours a day and arranges daily trips to Nemrut Mountain. Back at the hotel, a sauna and indoor pool are available for health and relaxation.
Celine Hotel, Istanbul
 The Celine Hotel is located at Istanbul's historic center, and moreover, it is part of the city's immaculate cultural legacy. Built in a totally renovated antique mansion, the hotel has a magnificent location at an tranquil, old Istanbul street, just steps away from major attractions such as the Blue Mosque, or the Topkapi Palace.
This Istanbul hotel offers a coffee shop/cafe and a bar/lounge. Guests are served breakfast each morning. Wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is complimentary in public areas.
 The 14 air-conditioned guestrooms at Celine Hotel include iPod docking stations and laptop-compatible safes. Pillow menus are available. Complimentary wireless and wired high-speed Internet access is provided. 102-inch flat-screen TVs are equipped with premium satellite channels. All accommodations provide desks and phones. Bathrooms offer shower/tub combinations with deep soaking bathtubs and rainfall showerheads. Bathrooms also include bathrobes, hair dryers, and slippers. All units feature minibars (stocked with some free items), minibars, and coffee/tea makers. Additional amenities include complimentary bottled water and complimentary toiletries. In addition, housekeeping is offered daily and amenities available on request include hypo-allergenic bedding.
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