Van is one of the most important tourist centres in eastern Anatolia. Built on a large fertile plain on the eastern shore of Van Lake, 4km from the water. In antiquity the area was famous for its horses. The tradition continues. Van is a hub to explore the extensive amount of historic relics of the Iron Age Urartu Civilisation, Seljuk and Ottoman Turks and 10th century Bagdarit Armenian Kingdom. For today's rest day we will arrange a day trip to visit the famous Armenian Church on Akdamar Island. Akdamar Church is famous for it's unique exterior stone carved decorations. Other attractions in the Van area include Urartu relics in Van, which was the capital of Urartu Kingdom, and Hosap, Van Castle, one of the best locations on earth to watch the sunset, and maybe an opportunity the see famous Van kilims and Van cats (indigenous to this area, with one yellow and one blue eye). Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and is considered to be the country's cultural, historical and economic heart, situated a long the anicent 'Silk Road' trading route - connecting Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.