With a 1,000 year history as the last remaining outpost of the Roman Empire, then called ‘Constantinople’, and a dramatic expansion under Ottoman rule from the 1500s until the city’s defeat in WW1, Istanbul has a fascinating heritage that draws travellers like bees to honey.

Situated on the narrow Bosphorus strait between the Black Sea and the Marmara Sea, Istanbul has attracted many a marauding army in its time and has been a bridge between Asia and Europe both physically and culturally for centuries. As the final stage on the legendary Silk Route, the cultural diversity of Istanbul is tangible to this day.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Istanbul’s Old City and marvel over some of its most incredible structures, including the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque, named because of the blue tiles that dominate the interior walls. Discover the Topkapi Palace, the largest and oldest palace in the world and see where wicked sultans, beautiful concubines, ambitious courtiers and scheming eunuchs lived and worked between the 15th and 19th centuries. Or head to the bustling Istiklal Street and choose from over 1.4km of shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bookstores and chocolate shops, amongst others, to entertain you.

Watch the captivating layers of history unfold before you in the vibrant city of Istanbul and find yourself enamoured with its vivid culture.

Green nature, a river with an unprecedented beauty, a blue sea, fresh air, delicious fish…This is Agva, the pearl of the Black sea.

Probably the most attractive parts of this pleasant town, which was established on the delta between the rivers of Goksu and Yesilçay and which stems from the Cal Tepe of Izmit, are the green coastlines of these rivers.

Agva has a 3 kilometre long seaside on the coast of the Black sea. It is a region where the natural beach, the environment - which is a miracle of nature itself, undiscovered bays, small isles and forests are intermingled with natural surroundingss giving very high levels of oxygen. The Kilim Bay, Gelin Kayası (Bride Rock) and Saklı Gol (Hidden Lake) are places which must be visited. The reason for it being called the Gelin Kayasi (Bride Rock) is due to its white colour and that it resembles a bride with a veil.

DAY 1 ISTANBUL
Arrival in Istanbul, the city that brings two continents : Europe and Asia. Transfer to your hotel. Brief orientation followed by a free day to enjoy at your own leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2 ISTANBUL
After breakfast at the hotel proceed for a full day tour (regular) which takes you through splendid attraction of Istanbul. Visit St. Sophia, the magnificent Byzantine church of all times, mosque during Ottomans and museum today. Byzantine Hippodrome, the former center for sportive and political activities of Constantinople. Obelisk of Theodosius from Egypt, the Serpentine Column and the German Fountain. The Blue Mosque, a magnificent 17th century mosque famous with its six minarets and 25.000 pieces of Blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior.

Continue to enjoy  shopping at Grand Bazaar with its more than 4.000 tiny shops, 58 streets, and alleys is said is the oldest largest indoor bazaar in the world. Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will visit Topkapi Palace, the former Imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire was once ruled. Today the 15th century Palace displaying the imperial treasury, 3rd richest Chinese and Japanese porcelain collection of the world and other collections scattered in 3 courtyards and vast gardens overlooking the Golden Horn and Bosphorus. Visit also Rustem Paşa Mosque, designed by the court architect Sinan for the Grand Vizier of SüleymanThe Magnificent. A typical sample of Islamic architecture amidst the rows of shops near the Spice Bazaar, famed with its exquisite and colourful tiles set in floral and geometric designs. Overnight at the hotel. Lunch is included in the tour at a local restaurants excluding beverages.

DAY 3 ISTANBUL
Day at leisure.  Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4 ISTANBUL- AGVA
After breakfast departure for Agva. Following one and half hours scenic journey along the green forest, arrive to  Agva near the Black Sea coast of Istanbul.  Agva is a natural miracle that leans against a very green forests, faces  a very blue sea of ‘Black sea’ and located between ‘Goksu’ & ‘Yesilcay’ Rivers which flow on two sides. Overnight at hotel. (B)

DAY 5 - 7 AGVA
Day at leisure.  Overnight at hotel. (B)

DAY 8 AGVA - ISTANBUL
Morning at leisure.  Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your flight back to Heathrow.

Richmond Hotel - Standard Room stay on a bed and breakfast basis.
Richmond Istanbul is the only hotel on the vibrant Istiklal Street, the centre of entertainment, culture and shopping in Istanbul. Ideally situated in the Old Town's Pera area, the hotel boasts unique views of the beautiful Bosphorus strait and the bustling Istiklal Street.

Just a short walk away from the hotel lies the historical Saint Antoine Church, Galata Tower, lively French street famed for its art and Turkey's first contemporary art museum Istanbul Modern. The rest of the city is easily accesible via the Tunnel metro station nearby, the second oldest subway in Europe.

The 4* Richmond Istanbul hotel offers a chic, contemporary and marvellously comfortable stay with breathtaking views of the city's skyline from its rooftop bar and restaurant; the perfect spot for your exciting city break.

Greenline Guesthouse - Standard Room stay on a bed and breakfast basis.

This hotel has a tranquil riverside location in Agva, 15 minutes’ walk from the beach. Built with stone bricks used in old Greek houses, the guest house features a large garden and offers a large jetty for exploring the river. Every room has a 55-inch TV, a minibar, an en suite bathroom, bathrobes and a hairdryer. Some rooms also offer mosquito nets. Some also have a balcony with river view.

Breakfast is served in the elegant restaurant. You can enjoy your breakfast along the river during summer season. There are also 2 bars, one with an open fireplace and another in the garden.

Guesthouse Greenline is an excellent base from which to base fishing, hiking and cycling excursions. Guests can swim in the sea or fish in the river, and the centre of Agva Town is just 0.6 miles away.