Travel with your private party on this Luxury Tailor Made Journey, departing when you choose and with expert local guides leading the way; you can even customize the itinerary to your interests.
Independently explore Turkey, touring Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, along with the archaeological ruins of Ephesus as well as Bodrum — rich in maritime history. Also discover the marvelous Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
Luxury Tailor Made Journeys depart on the dates that work for you and feature expert local guides throughout your journey. The itinerary below can be customized to your interests.
DAY 1
Arrive in Istanbul, former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, where you are met and provided VIP assistance through immigration and customs procedures. Transfer to your hotel.
The Peninsula Istanbul
DAY 2
Visit timeless Hagia Sophia, with its marvelous Byzantine architecture, and the sixth-century Basilica Cistern. See the nearby Hippodrome, city walls and Chora Church. Stroll the Pera District, an ancient section of the city also called Beyoglu — today a thriving center of arts and entertainment. Stop at a coffeehouse for a cup of kahve prepared Turkish style.
The Peninsula Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3
Briefly visit the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, and then discover Topkapi Palace, the headquarters for the Turks who once ruled most of the Mediterranean. Ride Like a Local as you board a public ferry and cross the Bosphorus. Disembark in Kadiköy, a neighborhood on Istanbul’s Asia side, pausing at a local market.
The Peninsula Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
Enter the beautiful domed 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque, created by the great Ottoman architect Sinan, whom Frank Lloyd Wright called “the supreme master builder of all time.” Afterward, explore the dazzling Grand Bazaar, a monument to the “Rise of Istanbul.” Wander, shop and bargain among its 3,500 shops. Explore the Spice Bazaar as well as the Rustem Pasha Mosque, also built by Sinan, to marvel at its breathtaking tile decorations.
The Peninsula Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
Fly to Cappadocia and explore the frescoes at the rock-carved churches of Göreme. Next, take in the Fairy Chimneys (curious rock spires) of Paşabağ, a cave town honeycombed with dwellings hewn from the soft volcanic rock ages ago. This afternoon, visit the potters of Avanos and witness their time-honored craft.
Argos in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
This morning, enjoy an optional hot air balloon excursion over Cappadocia. Next, delve into the fascinating underground city at Kaymakli, exploring its chapels, kitchens, air vents and living quarters — all carved from volcanic rock. Proceed to the Red Valley for an engaging artisan visit with the Göreme Weavers Association. Then, sit down to tea with a local family in their home. Later this afternoon, tour local vineyards to learn about Turkish winemaking and sample regional varietals.
Argos in Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
This morning, fly to Izmir. Continue overland to explore the remains of the great Ionian city of Ephesus. Access the breathtaking Terrace Houses (provided excavation work is not taking place). Unmatched as an archaeological site, the sheer size and grandeur of the ruins make this the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, complete with stunning frescoes that reveal aspects of ancient life here. Also believed to be the place where Mary, the mother of Jesus, lived out her later years, Ephesus is adorned with temples.
Swissotel Buyuk Efes
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Today, head south toward Bodrum, pausing to explore the remains of the great ancient Ionian city of Priene and the age-old Temple of Athena. Continue on, stopping to take in the Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the ruined yet magnificent Temple of Zeus at Euromos.
The Marmara Bodrum
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
Explore picturesque Bodrum, the home of Herodotus, the “Father of History,” and visit the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which honors the crucial role that maritime activities have played in the history of civilization. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure to continue exploring Bodrum with its stunning harbor, or simply relax. Schedule permitting, visit a local weekly farmers market.
The Marmara Bodrum
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Meals: Breakfast
The Peninsula Istanbul
Argos in Cappadocia
Swissotel Buyuk Efes
The Marmara Bodrum
