Unison Travel & Events
Tour Description
Discover Turkey’s Horticultural Wonders: 12-Day Garden Tour
Take a captivating journey through Turkey’s rich history and culture as revealed through its horticulture, gardens, and botany. This 12-day tour offers an immersive experience that highlights the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Turkey.
Tour Highlights: What You’ll Explore
• Historical Parks & Gardens
Walk through scenic parks and historic gardens that have stood the test of time.
• Educational Lectures
Enjoy expert-led discussions that deepen your understanding of Turkey’s unique flora.
• Private Landscapes and Arboretums
Gain exclusive access to beautifully curated private gardens and arboretums.
• Nature Walks for Wildflowers
Witness Turkey’s stunning wildflower blooms along serene nature trails.
• Organic Farms and Vineyards
Discover the art of sustainable farming and taste locally-produced wines.
• Artists’ Studios and Nurseries
Explore creative spaces where nature meets artistry and discover rare plant species.
• Botanical Gardens
Visit lush botanical gardens showcasing Turkey’s vast plant diversity.
• Authentic Local Life
Immerse yourself in the daily life of quaint towns and cities along the journey.
The Crossroads of Nature: Why Turkey Stands Out
Turkey: Neither East Nor West
Positioned at the junction of three continents, Turkey’s location has shaped its ecological richness. This unique geographical position has created an unparalleled environment with diverse ecosystems and agro-landscapes.
As a global biodiversity hotspot, Turkey holds a wealth of fragile natural assets, including endemic plant species that thrive in this transitional zone. No other region in Eurasia merges such vast biological diversity.
Join the Journey
Embark on this exceptional adventure through Turkey’s natural and cultural heritage. From wildflower meadows to historic gardens, this horticultural tour promises unforgettable memories.
About the Leaders
Gursan Ergil
Gursan Ergil spent six years living in the United States and studying landscape design, history, and preservation at Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum, where he later lectured on Islamic Gardens for two years. After moving United Kingdom from US, he continued studying at Cambridge Universtiy’s advanced garden history program. We celebrate two decades of collaboration with Unison Travel & Events through an inspiring tour titled “Gardens of Humanity.”
Gallery
Itinerary
Istanbul Arrival
Sunday
Welcome to Istanbul. Today is the arrival day.
This evening you will meet Gursan Ergil, your tour leader for an introduction about our tour, over a welcome dinner we will have together.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul
Monday
Today Gursan Ergil will lead the group to various gardens of Istanbul along Bosphorus…
Emirgan Park: Emirgan Park is one of the largest urban parks in Istanbul with Europe’s biggest grotto. These dates will coincide with the tulip festival, and the park will be very pretty.
Sakip Sabanci Museum and gardens: One of the most interesting private museums of Istanbul also has a beautifully designed garden worth a visit.
Private garden: We will be visiting gardens of historic house in Bebek facing Bosphorus with spectacular panorama.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul - Iznik
Tuesday
Taking a very early departure, our first visit is to a private garden of an internationally renowned Turkish sculptor. His sculpture garden and workshop is located on the Asian side.
Visiting sculpture park and his workshop, now we are heading to Karaca Arboretum. It is run by a foundation.
We will have a traditional lunch on the way to Iznik, important and historical town where Councils of Nicaea took place. Iznik is a lovely town located by Iznik Lake and famous for its ceramic tiles, plus monumental Cypress trees.
Overnight in Iznik
Iznik - Bursa
Wednesday
After breakfast, We are visiting gardens of Iznık Foundation and learn about procedure of tile making.
We will drive around two hours to reach Bursa. On the way we will drive through Iznik Lake, fruit orchards, walnuts and olive trees.
Before arriving our hotel in Bursa we are visiting Cumalikizik, a well preserved Ottoman Village. We will walk amongst the picturesque old houses, reflecting the medieval Ottoman architecture. The village is also home to fruit gardens famous with raspberry and other type of berries.
Resting at the hotel we are climbing up to ancient Mysian Olympus, Mount Uludag. This is the highest mountain in the region and a national park with a rich flora and fauna. On our way to the top, we will visit a monumental plane tree, Inkaya Cinari.
Spend your free evening walking around in Bursa town visiting Kozahan and Covered Bazaar or treatment in the healing hot springs. We recommend trying famous Iskender Kebab for dinner.
Overnight in Bursa.
Bursa - Kula
Thursday
Today, we are heading to Karacabey to visit an Organik Farm and have lunch before driving to Kula.
After 3 hours drive, we reach Kula. Kula houses constitute a rich example of Ottoman architecture that survived until today. We will walk along the historic district visiting old houses and historic arts and crafts bazaar.
We will stop at one of the famous vineyards of the region and taste their products.
Overnight in Kula
Friday - Kula, Birgi (B)
Leaving Kula behind, we continue to drive through the land of Anatolia towards Sardis. Sardis is located off the track so is away from tourist masses.
We are now starting famous route called ’Royal Road’ , from Sardis to Ephesus
We are driving two hours to reach to Birgi on our route, a very well preserved village, with a lovely river cutting through its streets. Enjoy an afternoon walk in town visiting the Cakiraga Konagi (Old Ottoman Mansion), a Monumental Cypress Tree, lovely private gardens and a local silk producer (from cocoon) - weaver.
Overnight in Birgi.
Birgi - Şirince
Saturday
We start our seventh day visiting Ödemiş plain to see some of the biggest nurseries in Türkiye. We will also stop by the Odemis Handcrafts Market, where the women of the region exhibit their art, mostly textile on a street market every Saturday.
Before reaching our hotel in Sirince we are visiting Ephesus. Breathtakingly beautiful and very well preserved ancient city, Ephesus. We will spend a memorable two hours visiting the Fountains of Trojan, the Temples of Hadrian, the Library of Celsius and the Great Theatre with capacity of 24,000 spectators. Prepare to be amazed.
Tonight’s accommodation is in Sirince is a beautiful Old Greek Town on top of a hill close to Ephesus.
Overnight in Sirince.
Sirince - Isparta
Sunday
We are having an easy morning in Şirince. Walk around Sirince streets with historic houses or walk through peach & cherry fields.
We will drive a short distance to experience a carpet workshop. This is an atelier located in Camlik village. Here, we will learn about the art of extracting colors from plants and roots to dye wool.
Then, we’re driving another long distance, around 3.5 hours, to reach to City of Isparta.
Overnight in Isparta.
Isparta - Olympos
Monday
We are starting our tour early in the morning to visit rose fields and picking rose petals for rose oil.
We will then drive through poppy fields to reach a rose oil production factory. Swimming inside rose petal sea with happy smiles. Learning about procedure and compost technology.
Our second stop is in Elmali. Three hours ride to reach Elmali than we change our vehicle to climb Taurus mountains.
We are visiting, biggest and oldest cedar forest in the world, Ciglikara Natural Reserve. We will see traditional wood cutters with moles and learn about their customs.
Now we are heading to Olympos taking around 2 hours.
Overnight in Olympos.
Olympos - Antalya
Monday
We are having easy start with breakfast and visiting lush greenery, the village is a bohemian sanctuary and the beach is alongside ancient ruins. There are various eco-friendly architecture and tree houses.
Today, we are enjoying a yacht tour of Mediterranean with lunch.
This evening, we are heading to Antalya.
Overnight in Antalya
Antalya - Akseki - Antalya
Tuesday
After breakfast, we start our wandering in Akseki region. We will be seeing rare species of orchids, flowers and also the authentic Ottoman “Button Houses” in Ormana Village.
We will enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.
Overnight in Antalya
Antalya
Wednesday
After breakfast, our tour ends. You may want to take some time on the Mediterranean Coast or take a flight towards Cappadocia if you still have time before returning home.
Gursan Ergil
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