Iconic Mardin Tour | 2 Nights’ Accommodation, Flight from Istanbul, Special for October 29th

A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY AND FAITH IN MARDIN’S STONE STREETS

Dear guests, you will arrive at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport according to the flight time information that will be communicated to you one day in advance, and we will individually complete our check-in procedures. We begin our journey to Mardin on the scheduled VF3264 flight departing at 08:55, operated by AJet Airlines from Istanbul to Mardin. After arriving at Mardin Airport, we meet our waiting vehicle and have breakfast with our guests who wish to join us. (Extra)

Following breakfast, we begin our program with a tour of Old Mardin. Mardin, where different religions, languages, and cultures have coexisted for centuries, takes its visitors on a journey through time with its unique stone architecture, enchanting streets, and historical texture. In this unique city, known as “A Feast for the Eyes by Day, a Necklace by Night,” our first stop will be Old Mardin, a protected urban archaeological site.

We begin our tour by visiting Kasimiye Madrasa, one of the finest examples of the delicate stonework of the Artuqid period, where medicine and astronomy were taught in the past. Following our visit to the madrasa, we proceed to Deyr-ul Zafaran Monastery, which was regarded for many years as the spiritual center of the Syriac people worldwide. Here, we see the Church, School of Medicine, Temple of Sin, Baptistery, and Tomb sections and receive detailed information from our guide.

Following our monastery visit, we begin walking through Mardin’s narrow, historic streets covered with stone and visit the Forty Martyrs Church. Afterwards, we continue our walk through the authentic atmosphere of Mardin’s bazaars and see the Grand Mosque, one of the city’s most important historical structures, which houses the Holy Beard of Prophet Muhammad.

As part of our program, we also visit Şehidiye Madrasa, Zinciriye Madrasa (panoramic), the PTT Building, Hatuniye Mosque and Madrasa (the site containing the footprint of Prophet Muhammad), and Savurkapı District. After our sightseeing throughout the day, we proceed to our hotel, settle into our rooms, and spend the night at our accommodation hotel.

In the evening, together with our guests who wish to join us, we depart at the designated time and participate in the Reyhani Night program, where our guide will provide detailed information inside the vehicle, folk dances are performed accompanied by local music, and local delicacies are served. (Extra – Optional)

Breakfast: Will be taken by our guests who wish to join at restaurants in the region. (Extra/Optional)
Lunch: Will be taken at regional restaurants as a menu consisting of local dishes or freely chosen. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Not included in the tour price. Our guests who wish to join may enjoy the local menu served at the Reyhani Night. (Extra – Optional)

Accommodation: Katori Deluxe Hotel Midyat / Raymar Hotel Mardin / Baypark Hotel Midyat

FROM DARA TO MIDYAT IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS

After having breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we depart for Dara Village to visit the Ancient City of Dara, which was used as one of the most important military bases in the region during the Roman Empire and is also known as one of the first places in the world where dam and cistern systems were implemented. Here, we tour the cave houses, water cisterns, and necropolis area while receiving information about the region from our guide.

After our tour in Dara, we reach Nusaybin by following the historic Silk Road route. We visit the Mor Yakup Monastery, which served as the patriarchal center of the Tur Abdin region between 1364 and 1839. After our monastery visit, we head toward Beyazsu Valley. Crossing this beautiful valley, which fascinates visitors with its lush green nature in spring, we reach Kafro Village and take a break here for lunch. Guests who wish may taste the village’s famous pizzas.

After our meal break, we proceed to the Deyr-ul Umur (Mor Gabriel) Monastery, which was built on a high hill. During our visit accompanied by the monastery guides, we have the opportunity to become closely acquainted with this ancient structure by seeing the Church of the Virgin Mary, Theodora Dome, Central Church, Baptismal Font, and House of the Saints sections.

After our monastery tour, we depart for the center of Midyat. We take a pleasant walk through the stone streets of Midyat, which became particularly famous for the Sıla TV series and today hosts many television series and films. We visit the Midyat Guest House, one of the finest examples of Midyat’s architecture, famous for its stonework, and where the Sıla series was filmed. After our guide’s explanations, we take a photography break here.

Afterward, we see Gelüşke Inn and take a short shopping break in Midyat’s bazaars. During this time, you can purchase local products such as perfumery items, watches, glasses, and the famous Assyrian wine. We then learn how the art of filigree, a delicate handicraft carried on by Assyrian masters for centuries, is made, and are given free time for shopping. After the free time, we proceed to our hotel and settle into our rooms. Accommodation is provided at our hotel.

Breakfast: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served as a pizza menu in Kafro Village or taken independently. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at our hotel as an open buffet or set menu. (Included in the Tour Price)

Accommodation: Katori Deluxe Hotel Midyat / Raymar Hotel Mardin / Baypark Hotel Midyat

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we set off toward the Savur district. Along the way, we arrive at Kıllıt Village, known as one of the first settlements of the Assyrian people. In this village, which stands out today with its largely abandoned appearance, we listen to stories about the history of Kıllıt Village from the village headman, Uncle İlyas, and receive information about the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches located in the village.

After our village visit, we set out toward Hasankeyf, one of Anatolia’s richest and most important settlements during the Middle Ages. Here, accompanied by our guide’s explanations, we learn about the Stone Bridge, which is now partly submerged and was one of the largest bridges in Anatolia, as well as the New Palace, Caves, Mint, Zakat Well, Talismanic Gate, Watchtower, Great Palace, Grand Mosque, Dungeon and Al-Rizk Mosque.

We then join the boat tour we will take on the Tigris River, where we can enjoy a panoramic view of Old Hasankeyf. (Extra – The fee is paid separately during the tour.)

After our visit to Hasankeyf, we continue via Batman and arrive at the Malabadi Bridge. (Extra – The fee is paid separately during the tour.) We tour the Malabadi Bridge, which has been considered one of the bridges with one of the world’s widest arch spans since the period in which it was built, and have the opportunity to closely see the reliefs depicting human, sun and lion figures on it.

After completing all our visits, we head toward Diyarbakır Airport for our return journey. We say goodbye, hoping to meet again on another organization, and travel to Istanbul on AJet Airlines’ scheduled VF3189 flight, which will operate our 21:15 Diyarbakır – Istanbul flight.

Breakfast:  Open-buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Fee)
Lunch: Will be taken independently at a restaurant along the route. (Extra/Optional)