TURKISH TREASURE

Welcome to Turkey, a country brimming with culture, history, and unique experiences where East and West blend harmoniously. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation. Upon arrival at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST), which opened in April 2019 and is now the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world, after disembarking, passing through immigration, and collecting your luggage, please proceed to our meeting point at gate 9 of the departure area. Following this, you will meet our drivers for transfer to the hotel. Check-in and accommodation. Free time to relax.

At the scheduled time, departure to enjoy the GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS activity. Visit the old Jewish quarter in Balat, the Greek quarter in Fener, and take in the magnificent views of the Golden Horn. Then, visit St. George’s Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue on to the Süleymaniye Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, which boasts the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul. We then head to the Spice Bazaar, a place full of charm with its vibrant colors and fragrances — the ideal spot to purchase teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets, and of course, spices. The tour culminates with a boat ride along the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where you’ll enjoy stunning views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides of the city. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Free Day.

Optional excursion “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Departure around 8:00 AM (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) for a tour of the historic center of the city, where you can observe the variety of remains from the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul:The Roman Hippodrome, the center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years, where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain. The Blue Mosque, featuring more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles imported from Iznik. Enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, a mosque, and a museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its massive dome, which was an incredible technical achievement for its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. Continue to the Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. Visit the beautiful royal gardens, the kitchens, and the royal treasure rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan’s wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration.Continue to Aya Irini, a Byzantine church that was never converted into a mosque. Finish the tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where bargaining is a tradition. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Note: Entrance fees for Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace (supplement may apply).

Departure to Ankara. In the capital of Turkey, you will enjoy a panoramic tour that includes the impressive Atatürk Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, you will make a stop at the Salt Lake, a spectacular spot perfect for photography. You will also visit a Caravanserai, an ancient inn from the Silk Road era, where you can learn more about the history of this important trade route. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you will enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by overnight accommodation.

Departure around 08:00 to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. We begin with the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rock and adorned with frescoes from the 13th century. Moving on to the stunning valleys of the region with their "otherworldly" landscapes, you'll witness the iconic geological formations known as the "Fairy Chimneys". There will be a stop to enjoy the incredible panoramic views of some of the famous valleys with spectacular volcanic rock formations. Next, we visit the underground city of Cappadocia, one of many impressive engineering feats built by ancient local communities to protect themselves throughout history. After the tour, we visit a carpet center to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces, which are true treasures, and a gemstone center showcasing exclusive designs from the region. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Optional programs in Cappadocia:

• TURKISH NIGHT - Folk dance performance in a typical cave with local drinks;
• JEEP SAFARI - Adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops for the best photo opportunities;
• HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE - Early morning experience to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Breakfast. Departure around 06:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) towards Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder featuring a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name "Hierapolis" is derived from Greek and means "sacred city", referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that once existed in the city. One of the most notable features of Hierapolis was its famous theater, which could accommodate thousands of spectators and remains largely intact today. The city gained recognition as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural thermal waters and white calcareous pools. These mineral-laden waters created stunning natural terraces and waterfalls known as "Pamukkale", which in Turkish means "cotton castle". Pamukkale and Hierapolis are jointly listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their historical significance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we will have the opportunity to explore locally made textile products. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Departure around 08:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit the House of Mary, located on a nearby hill. This place is revered as the final residence of the mother of Jesus, who, according to Christian tradition, spent her last years in Ephesus under the care of the apostle John. Today, the house is an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims, who consider it a sacred place. We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic visit of this historically rich city, where we'll admire the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis, which consecrated Ephesus as a significant religious and cultural center of antiquity. The tour continues with a visit to a specialized showroom featuring leather goods, where you can appreciate high-quality products made from sheepskin, renowned for their lightweight pieces. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kuşadasi depending on the season.

Free day.

Option to take the optional excursion "CHIOS - A GREEK PARADISE": Departure around 06:00 to 07:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide). Begin the day with a transfer from the hotel to the port of Çeşme. After passing through immigration control, we will board a ferry to charming Chios. Upon arrival, our tour starts with a visit to the picturesque village of Mesta, a fascinating labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets dating back to the Byzantine era. Next, we will head to Pyrgi, one of Chios' most distinctive villages. Its houses are adorned with geometric patterns in black and white, known as "xysta", creating a spectacular and unique visual contrast. Pyrgi is renowned not only for its architecture but also for its history and traditions that are still vibrant today. We continue to the Museum dedicated to mastic, a unique resin obtained from trees that grow only here, to learn about the collection and production process of this resin, valued since antiquity for its multiple uses. To conclude our excursion, we will visit a wonderful beach on the Aegean Sea. Here, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and serene landscape that characterize this region. Finally, we return to the port to depart back to Çeşme in Türkiye. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Departure around 08:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit Bursa. There, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of this historic city, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. We will admire the impressive Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, iconic monuments renowned for their exquisite decoration. Afterward, we will continue towards Istanbul, where we will check into our hotel upon arrival in the city.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for the outbound flight. (Flight not included).