Istanbul to Bursa and Cumalikizik: Private day trip

First settled in 5200 BC, Bursa was made the first capital of the Ottoman Empire in 1326. While it was only capital for a few decades, Bursa remained the empire’s spiritual and commercial center until Constantinople was conquered in 1453. Today, Bursa is Turkey’s 4th largest city, though it’s still possible to see the civic center the capital grew around. Bursa’s largest mosque, Ulu Cami, was built in 1400 under Sultan Bayezid I, and is filled with 192 monumental wall inscriptions by the famous calligraphers of the day. The Green Mosque, built by Mehmet I in 1419 illustrates the next phase of Ottoman architecture, and exhibits some stunning calligraphic carvings, not to mention its namesake green tiles. Also on the grounds is the ‘Green Tomb’ - the final resting place of Sultan Mehmet I. If you’re after a pleasant stroll, there’s no better place than the Muradiye Complex with its park, cemetery, and intricately ornamented 15th century mosque.

Cumalıkızık dates back to the foundation of the Ottoman Empire, and was the only rural settlement to support the blossoming empire. Today, the town looks much as it did 700 years ago, offering visitors a look back in time. The steep cobbled streets wind their way past buildings faced with raw stone or vibrant colors in a distinctive display of topologically-conscious urban planning. Some of these historic homes have been converted into small shops or cafes, making for a pleasantly atmospheric place to rest your feet. The village mosque, and nearby baths and fountains all date back to the Ottoman era and are still in use. In the town’s main square you’ll find a market and cafes, and the Ethnography Museum, where you can see the traditional tools, utensils, goods, and other artefacts that would have been used in town centuries ago.