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Commune with nature on this peaceful day spent at the beautiful Belgrade Forest followed by a delicious, freshly prepared picnic lunch served in a tranquil picnic spot. Board your comfortable motorcoach and set out on this delightful six-hour adventure that begins when you arrive at Belgrade Forest for a morning walk.

Amazingly, in a bustling city with over 17 million people, there is an easily accessible stretch of nature, an expansive woodland oasis just 9 miles (15 km) outside of Istanbul. The forest covers over 12,000 acres (5,000 hectares) and is a sheltered sanctuary for a wide variety of birds and animals. The flora are lush and varied, with spruce, oak, pine, birch and elm trees. Here, you'll also find over 2,000 different species of both native and foreign plants in the Ataturk Arboretum, an expansion of the first nursery in Turkey, developed in 1916.

Lace up your sturdy shoes and embark on a guided 90-minute walk that takes you along pretty pathways that ribbon around a lake and make the most of a delightful mix of flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for deer, weasels, and occasionally a fox or wolf. Nature photographers will find the subject matter varied and the lighting beautiful.

The expansive forest was first utilized by Serbians after Süleyman the Magnificent decided they should supervise the grounds and the water-supplying reservoirs. It developed into a small village called Belgrade, which later became a popular summer resort area. As you explore, look for the scattered remains of their original 16th century community.

After your invigorating hike, relax on a short but scenic drive to a sunny picnic area, where a chef-prepared barbeque will be waiting for you. Tuck into an artfully prepared feast served in the garden setting, chat with your fellow travelers and snap a few last photographs, the perfect way to end this idyllic day. Relax on the motorcoach back to port.