You’ll be greeted at Istanbul International Airport and taken straight to your hotel where you can check in, rest and enjoy dinner at your leisure. We've selected a centrally-located hotel so that you can explore the local area at your own leisure.

This morning you'll check out of your hotel in Istanbul to begin the retracing the steps of Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi, hundreds of years ago.

Less than 200 km from Istanbul, Bursa is a beautiful thriving city home to the burial grounds of Ertugrul’s son, Osman Ghazi, and some of the earliest Ottoman mosques including the Grand Mosque of Bursa. This was the former capital of the Ottoman Empire before it was relocated to Istanbul. Today, Bursa is both a cosmopolitan city and home to some of the most beautiful - and unique - architecture in the region.

You’ll visit Cumalikizik Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the Ottoman Empire’s foundational years. As you walk through the village and notice the traditional architecture you’ll see how well-preserved it is, giving you a real insight into what life might have been like during the Ottoman era.

For lunch you will have the opportunity to try delicious Iskender Kebab, which was first made in Bursa in the 19th Century - this dish is not to be missed!

Whether you’re a fan of the wildly popular series Dirilis: Ertugrul or just curious to know more about the history of how a small Turkic tribe built a sprawling Islamic empire, today you’ll find out more.

You’ll be taken to the town of Söğüt, one of the earliest starting points of the Ottoman Empire and founded by Ertugrul Gazi. Our local guide will share how this small town paved the way for the rise of the Ottomans, ultimately leading to the victory at Constantinople (Istanbul) prophesied by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Tonight you'll head back for your final evening in Bursa.

But first, it wouldn't be Istanbul without a boat trip on the Bosphorus!