ITINERARY DETAILS
DAY 1
Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul, a city where the ancient whispers of empires meet the vibrant rhythm of contemporary life. After landing at Istanbul Airport, your private driver will be there to meet you and take you to your selected hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and embrace the rich tapestry of culture, history, and hospitality that awaits you in this mesmerizing city.
DAY 2
Half-day Wonders of Istanbul Tour
Your tour of the most renowned sites in Istanbul will start with the Hippodrome, one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. Continue your exploration with the Blue Mosque famous for its blue Iznik Tiles covering the walls that have given the mosque its popular name. You will also explore Hagia Sophia (the Church of Divine Wisdom), one of the greatest marvels of architecture. This monument was constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Your adventure will then continue through the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts, carpets, rare jewels, and souvenirs are all sold in small shops next to each other, with merchants selling everything from antiques, homewares, books, copperware, ceramics, gold, and plenty of souvenirs. Venture into the hidden courtyards and look out for marble fountains and ornate kiosks. During the visit to the Grand Bazaar, you will taste Turkish coffee in Sark Kahvesi, a 400-year-old Turkish Coffee House.
DAY 3
Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus Cruise
Today’s adventure starts with the Topkapı Palace Museum, the complex that functioned as the Imperial offices, and the residence of the Ottoman sultans. Today the rooms of this lavish palace house exhibit the imperial treasury, Chinese porcelain, weapons, and Holy Relics (the Sword of King David, the staff of Moses, the turban of Joseph, and Relics of St. John the Baptist). You will then continue on a Bosphorus Cruise on a private yacht, one of the most important experiences. We will cruise up Istanbul’s winding straits and relax and admire the shoreline of beautiful mosques, lavish palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses, and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite.
DAY 4
Istanbul to Cappadocia
Breakfast at the hotel after which your driver will meet you to take you to Istanbul Airport. Turkish Airlines morning flight to Cappadocia. Private transfer from Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport to your selected hotel in Cappadocia. The rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 5
Hot-Air Balloon Flight and HD Tour of Goreme Valley
Enjoy an unforgettable experience as you embark on a shared hot air balloon ride over the nature-formed valleys. Your driver will meet you before sunrise to take you to the starting point of the tour. As the sun begins to ascend, you will head to the skies and witness one of the most breathtaking sceneries in the world. Revel in the tranquility of the colorful valleys and rock formations, and after landing, savor a glass of champagne to celebrate the joy of seeing Cappadocia from the air.
After some rest and a hearty breakfast, you will be ready for your next adventure, this time exploring the Goreme region with your guide. First, visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum followed by the Goreme Valley, which has been inhabited since the dawn of history. It is the valley of the churches. Among the 356 churches, the most important ones are the Yılanlı Kilise, The Elmalı Kilise and The Tokalı Kilise. Then, you arrive in the pretty town of Avanos, which has long been home to skilled pottery artisans as it lies on the banks of the Red River where clay supplies are abundant. Enjoy a visit to a pottery workshop to meet the masters of this craft and see their collections displayed in a vast underground cave complex. Last, you will view the castle of Uchisar, full of towering rock houses typical of this area.
DAY 6
Tuz Golu Lake Tour
Cappadocia and Goreme and a treasure trove of unique landscapes, and today you will visit the Tuz Lake with your private guide. Your first stop will be the Tatlarin Underground City, 22 kilometers (13 miles) from Nevsehir. Tatlarin underground city, one of the most important underground cities of the Cappadocia region, was only discovered in 1975 because its original entrance had collapsed, and it was not available to the public until 1991. You will then drive to Tuz Golu, a famous saline lake occupying a vast area in the arid central plateau of Turkey. The lake is formed by two streams however it has no outlet, which increases the saline content in the water, giving it a beautiful pink color. With the huge quantity of salt deposits, when the Sun shines brightly on the lake’s water, it presents a mirror-like image reflecting the sky on its surface, making this salt lake in Turkey one of the most Instagrammable sites in the country.
DAY 7
Travel to Kusdasi
Meet your driver at the hotel and start your journey at Kayseri Airport. Turkish Airlines connecting flights to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon arrival in Izmir, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to your selected hotel in Kusadasi.
DAY 8
Ephesus Tour with Wine Tasting
During today’s tour, you will explore the timeless city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. This 3D virtual tour brings you inside Ephesus with accurate 3D replicas and sites such as the Celcus Library and the Great Theatre. During this experience, your guide will give you explanations of seven sites: Odeon Theatre, Curetes, Trajan Fountain, Hadrian Gate, Library of Celcus, Commercial Agora, and Arcadian Way with a visual show of the Ancient Romans with live actors. You will then continue to the Seven Sages (Yedi Bilgeler) for our lunch and wine tasting. After lunch, you begin your tour with an overview of the estate, which includes a five-hectare winery of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Shiraz grapes. You will be briefed and explained step by step the whole process from grape to glass. After a view to the cellar, you will continue to the restaurant to taste the five different wines while listening to the stories of the Seven Sages.
DAY 9
Kusadasi to Bodrum with a stop in Magnesia
After breakfast, your driver will be ready to take you to Bordum. Relax and enjoy the scenic drive through the Turkish countryside as you head towards Ancient Magnesia, your stop during the transfer. Explore the archaeological sites, including the impressive theater, the Temple of Artemis, and the Agora. Take your time to absorb the rich history and architectural marvels of this ancient city before continuing your transfer to Bodrum. Afternoon at leisure.
DAY 10
Cooking Class at a Local Home
After meeting your driver, you will head to the farmers’ market to shop for the freshest local ingredients for your lunch, which will be comprised of four cold starters, one warm entrée, and the main course followed by the dessert. From the market, you will drive to a local house to cook, where your hosts will guide you through the delicious secrets of regional Aegean cookery with its accent on olive oil and fresh herbs. You will be invited to watch the cooking sessions while sipping a glass of wine or join in for a hands-on experience if you’d like to sharpen your culinary skills. After all the dishes are completed, lunch will be served, and your hosts will share stories of Turkish Cuisine and cooking traditions in their families while tasting local wines.
DAY 11
Bodrum
Day at leisure. Unwind and relax on the beach or take advantage of the hotel amenities.
DAY 12
Departure Day
A private driver will meet you at the hotel to take you to Bordum Airport for your departure flight.
