DAILY TOURS TO LANDMARKS OUTSIDE ISTANBUL
   Gay friendly tours from gay & lesbian owned travel agency of Turkey

Attention !
These are not gay-exclusive tours. We cooperate with the most gay & lesbian friendly hotels, guides, tour operators transportation companies as much as possible and where available. Please kindly remember that  there is no such a big potential for such gay exclusive tours to be organized everyday in Turkey. Consequently, it is a coincidence if there will be other gay or lesbian clients at the same time you reserve this tour.
 

TOUR 11/A: ISTANBUL-BURSA/ULUDAG MOUNTAIN, DAILY – FULL DAY TOUR

bursa tour
Explore & Discover  First Capital Of The Ottomans

“The legacy of an empire, the crossroads of culture home to lush parks and tranquil forests”

There is no trip to Turkey which is complete without visiting Bursa. As the final stop on the Silk Road, and the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa has an extremely rich cultural heritage. Known as ‘Green Bursa’ because of its parks and gardens, this full – day trip explores the verdant city nestled at the foot of Uludag (ancient Mt. Olympus), near by villages and natural wonders. In Bursa we travel through 7000 years of culture and history, experiencing the early Ottoman period and Bursa’s role as a trade center.

Tour Highlights
Enjoy magnificent view over Bursa’s parks and gardens from historical Tophane district at the skirts of the mountain slope.
Experience the City Museum, which brings life to Bursa’s history, culture, the renowned baths, food and arts.
See exquisitely simple calligraphy and rich craftsmanship in the 600 years old Ulu Mosque.
Stop by Koza Han, the last Caravanserai on the Silk Road and a meeting place for travelers over the centuries.
Visit the Green Mosque, named after it’s beautiful turquoise – colored tiles and considered the ‘gem of Bursa’.
Be embraced by 700 years of Ottoman architecture in the last remaining Ottoman village.
Relax by a waterfall and end a perfect day in Mt. Olympus natural beauty before returning to Istanbul. Uludag is the legendary Mount Olympos, from where the Gods is said to have watched the Trojan war according to Greek mythology.

Tour Itinerary:
Pick up from hotel in Istanbul at around 08:00 am. Departure time can change depending on the location of hotels. The hotels need to be on the European side of Istanbul. Please let us know which hotel you will be staying in Istanbul
-Arrival to Yalova across the Izmit gulf within Marmara Sea with car ferry boat departing from Istanbul; a very lovely journey on the sea lasting about one hour.
-From Yalova continue to Bursa which is roughly another one hour ride through a very beautiful landscape, among the green forests, traditional small towns and villages along the way. Yalova is also a beautiful resort city good too see on the way shortly.
-Lunch in Bursa. Famous local kebab of Bursa for lunch. This is really a very delicious local food famous all over Turkey as Bursa's Iskender Kebab, mistakenly referred as Alexander the Great's Kebab on some websites.
-Visit the highlights of Bursa. (Tophane, City Museum, Lunch break, Ulu Mosque, Green Mosque, Cumalikizik Village, Saitabat waterfall)
-Drive to Yalova, and ferryboat to Istanbul. Transfer to hotels arriving at around 19:00-19:30.
 

Ulucamii, the great Mosque of Bursa	A part of old Bursa	Islamic scripts inside Green Mosque

Departure: Available everyday, depending on total number of participants on a specific day.

Price for Regular (Group) Tours: (other people joins the same tour)
89 Euro per person for 1 participant.
75 Euro per person discounted price for 2-3 participants.
70 Euro per person discounted price for 4 and more participants.

Price for Private Tours: (Private guide & transfer for individuals and private groups)
Private version of this tour is also possible for individuals and  closed private groups.
The price will highly depend on the number of participants in this case. Recommended for minimum 5 people for reasonable pricing. Private tours are guarantee departure everyday.
 

Prices include:
All taxes are included. Surcharges may apply in case of credit cards payments.
All transportation costs during the tour (hotel transfers, bus, ferryboat, cable car),
Lunch in Bursa, in a traditional local restaurant.
Full guidance during the tour (English speaking guide for regular tours, other languages possible for private tours or for group tours if the number of participants is high)
-Any entrance fees for the places to be visited mentioned above.

Bursa:  The First Capital of Ottoman Empire. Osman Bey, who was born in a town of Bursa, conquered the towns around Bursa  in 1299 and this is the year regarded as the founding of the Ottoman Empire, which was to survive for over six hundred years. (The word Ottoman is derived from his name, Osman) Bursa is located in the northwest of the Anatolian peninsula and southeast of the Marmara Sea. The shores of the Marmara Sea are 135 km away. The most important peak in the province is Uludag (Legendary Mount Olympus), which is a ski resort and national park.

Mount Uludag (Misios Olympos) : Uludag (2543 m), 36km south of Bursa, is one of the country’s favorite winter sports centers and as well as skiing, its richness of flora and fauna has made it into a National Park and summer activities like trekking and camping are also popular. Uludag was previously known as Olympus Misios in ancient times, and is known in mythology as the place where the gods watched the Trojan war.

Ulucami: (Grand Mosque of Bursa) It was constructed between 1396 and 1400 by Sultan Bayezit, fully made up of cut stone, with very thick and high walls, 12 heavy four edged grade, with pendantives as of 20 domes. It is the most classical and monumental sample of the multi - domed mosques. It has the biggest size (318 square meters) among all of the Turkish mosques with its rich and roomy space.

Green (Yesil) Mosque:  Constructed between 1419 and 1420, It is called Green Mosque due to the green turquoise tiles used on adornments. It is one of the most important Ottoman period structure in Bursa, and the mosque is famous with its adornments much more than its architecture.

Green Tomb (Center): Structure, which is the symbol of Bursa, is one of the most beautiful samples of Ottoman tomb architecture. Octagonal structure, to which you can climb via a marble stair, is covered by a lead dome perched on a high hoop. It is a unique structure with its tile adornments. Its fully tile covered balcony is a master piece of art. One of the most beautiful samples of the Ottoman wooden work, the door was built by transition technique of walnut tree, adorned with geometrical motifs and has inscription on it.

Cable car climbing up Uludag	Green Tomb, Bursa	Kozahan, the building for silk trade.

TOUR 13 - DAILY ABANT LAKE TOUR FROM ISTANBUL

Lake Abant
Explore & Discover Lakes & Mountains

Turkey has some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes, and lush forests and sparkling lakes are right at Istanbul’s doorstep. Spend the day in fresh air enjoying magnificent mountain views from Mount Bolu, enjoy lunch at a lovely hotel with spectacular views over Lake Abant. This region is known for its brilliant –colored foliage, and the nearby woods can be explored on foot, horseback or by horse-drawn carriage. Continue on to lake Golcuk, which is virtually undiscovered and an ideal place for a tranquil stop.

Tour Highlights
View from Mount Bolu, home to one of Turkey’s favorite ski spots. Bolu is halfway between Istanbul and Ankara, therefore this area has been an important trade center.
Lunch at an exclusive hotel by the tranquil lake Abant surrounded by colorful woods and lilypads.
Enjoy a walk through the woods, or visit the area on horse back or in a horse drawn carriage.
Visit the undiscovered and charming Lake Golcuk.
 

Views from Abant lake, Bolu

Departure: Available everyday, depending on total number of participants on a specific day.

Pricing:
89 Euro per person for 1 participant.
75 Euro per person discounted price for 2-3 participants.
70 Euro per person discounted price for 4 and more participants.
20 Euro discount for children below 7 years old.

Inclusions
Hotel pick up and drop off, English Speaking guide, Ground Transportation, Lunch & Tea, Admission Fees

Exclusions
Drinks, tips and Gratuities, Optional Activity Costs, Horse - drawn carriages, Horse - back riding.
Taxes are included but various surcharges may apply in case of credit cards payments.

TOUR 14 - DAILY SILE & AGVA TOUR FROM ISTANBUL

sIle & AGVA
A Day on the Black Sea

Istanbul is a beautiful city of many sights and sounds. But the Black Sea coast offers landscapes at least as interesting and spectacular as those found in the city. Our Sile-Agva Black sea, Tour is a relaxing day out of the city where you will experience the best of nature and culture that the area has to offer. Visit the Black sea coast with its sandy beaches and spectacular sea views. Experience a traditional village that was originally built by the Byzantines and Ottomans. Enjoy a leisurely river boat ride and time on your own to explore the area’s natural beauty. On the way back to Istanbul, relax with a tea as you sway in a hammock in a forest café. You’ll arrive at your hotel feeling completely refreshed.

Tour Highlights
See Sile Lighthouse, one of the most prominent lighthouse on the Black Sea coast and the largest in Turkey.
Visit Sile Castle which was built by the Byzantines to protect the coast and capital from sea attacks.
Experience traditional Turkish hospitality and village life in Kabakoz Village.
Relax on the sand and swim in the Black Sea at Kilimli Beach.
Enjoy magnificent views of the sea and bluffs Kilimli Bay.
Take a leisurely boat trip down the Goksu River.
 

Agva & Sile, by the far Black Sea coast of Istanbul

Departure: Available everyday, depending on total number of participants on a specific day.

Pricing:
79 Euro per person for 1 participant.
70 Euro per person discounted price for 2-3 participants.
65 Euro per person discounted price for 4 and more participants.
20 Euro discount for children below 7 years old.

Inclusions
Hotel pick up and drop of, English speaking guide, Ground Transportation, Lunch & forest café tea, Boat Trip
Admission fees, Beach chaise lounge and umbrella

Exclusions
Drinks, tips and Gratuities, Optional Activity Costs.
Taxes are included but various surcharges may apply in case of credit cards payments.