We travel by ferry to Yalova, then by luxury coach to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and one of the great treasure houses of Islamic architecture. We will visit the Green Mosque and the neighbouring Green Mausoleum, both world-renowned for their superb tile decoration, as well as the late 14th century Great Mosque and the Koza Han, which for centuries was the center of the silk trade. After enjoying a cable car ride up the slopes of Mount Olympus ( Turkish Uludağ ), we drive to the village of Cumalıkızık. This is one of the best preserved Ottoman villages in Turkey with scores of picturesque houses built in the traditional style. Lunch is at one of Bursa’s finest Turkish restaurants, the Darüzziyafe, where we will enjoy the finest Ottoman cuisine in a historic setting where Sultan Murat the Second once dined. ( available Monday, Thursday & Saturday )
