Splendors of Istanbul and Turkey (10-Day)

A 10 day Private tour of Istanbul and Turkey
Choose Your own Travel Date

Come with us to tour the heartland of Anatolia, meet Turkey’s real people, see how they live, share meals with them, and go beyond what the average tour promises. We’ll meet artisans and learn their crafts, hike through striking landscapes, and explore the deep history, art, culture and society of biblical Cappadocia, the treasures of Istanbul, Ephesus and more. Compare with the 14-day version. Extend to the Mysterious Lost City  of Petra. Combine with Petra and Jerusalem.

Daily Departures. April – Oct. Some tourist sites are closed on different days of the week. Visits in Istanbul may be moved around to accommodate your dates and the sites “open” hours.

DAY 1- WELCOME TO ISTANBUL! Daily: April – Oct!
Our local rep. meets your flight at Istanbul’s Atatürk International Airport and escort you to your hotel located in the heart of the city’s historic district.

DAY 2 – ISTANBUL’S TOP SIGHTS (BL)
Today we explore Istanbul’s top sights, including the imperial palace of Topkapi, with its sumptuous 500-room Harem (Ticket included), ruled by the second most powerful person in the vast Ottoman Empire: the Valide Sultan (Queen Mother). A short walk takes us to the Byzantine Hippodrome and, beneath it, the eerie Sunken Palace cistern. Finally, we dive into the Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest “shopping mall,” to look for treasures in its 4000 shops, guided walking afternoon tour of this charming ancient world. Lunch is included in a charming local restaurant, bottled water included).

Smooth Tricks of a Turkish Ice Cream Parlor. Video by Tom Henry.

DAY 3 – Belle Epoque – ISTANBUL! (BL)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning fully guided walking tour: We start with our guide in Karaköy where the Venetian and other earlier foreign bankers and shipping companies set shop and had their headquarters (this is a walk back in time to the Renaissance period), then take the Tünel up to istiklal Caddesi; stop in the whirling dervish tekke, and walk past the various old palatial and historical embassy buildings (now consulates), and point out the charming architecture. Stop for tea and biscuits  (included) at the famous Pera Palace Hotel. Walk at least as far as Galatasaray Square, and have lunch in the Çicek Pasaji (Flower Passage) ( bottled water included); then walk up to Taksim Square and be picked up for the afternoon tour. In the afternoon we enjoy  the “Mehter” Ottoman Sultans Imperial  Musical Band Concert , think about this as a movie set from the 18th century with the band dressed up in 18th and 19th-century Ottoman costume, by late-afternoon, board your private air-conditioned vehicle with your private guide and head back to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 4- ISTANBUL to CAPPADOCIA (BD)
We fly to Kayseri for an adventure into fabled Cappadocia. This is a journey back into time. Here, you’ll settle in at one of the deluxe cave style hotels (Or more contemporary ones based on your preference). Cave Suites or Gamirasu Cave Hotel.

In the afternoon, we explore the foremost sights in this historic, visually striking region. Our first stop is the Göreme Open Air Museum, with its dozens of ancient cave-churches carved from the soft volcanic stone. Many still contain their beautiful colored fresco decoration. Next we explore the monastic valley of Zelve, where whole monasteries were carved into the rock. In the Pasabag and Dervent valleys we view the “fairy chimneys,” pinnacles of volcanic rock formed by wind and water erosion over millennia. We enjoy a panorama of the Red and Rose Valleys before we head back for our hotel. Transfers are always with a Private air-conditioned vehicle and a private chauffeur. Dinner is included this evening at the hotel with bottled water included.

DAY 5- EXPLORING CAPPADOCIA – WHITE VALLEY (BL)
Today we explore the foremost sights in this historic, visually striking region and continue our explorations of Cappadocia with a visit to the natural rock hewn citadel of Uçhisar, one of the highest points in Cappadocia, and the nearby Pigeon Valley. Then we explore the lunar landscape of the White Valley to see its spectacular rock pillars, fairy chimneys, tunnels, caves and passages, after the tour we drive through the typical Cappadocian towns of Ürgüp and Ortahisar to experience daily life in this rich farming region, and perhaps to do some shopping, lunch is included enroute with bottled water included, then we make the short drive to Avanos, a traditional pottery-making town, to visit its innovative “cave cultural center”. The staff and students welcome us to enjoy Turkish tea and sweet cakes. We return to your hotel for a good night’s rest. Private air conditioned vehicle- Private chauffeur – Private guide.

Avanos, Cappadocia city of earthenware pottery. Video by Nurettin Yilmaz.

DAY 6- CANYONS – LABYRINTHS (BD)
We drive across the rolling steppe of Central Anatolia to the dramatic canyon of Ihlara, filled with historic churches. A leisurely walk takes us through this dramatic scenery and past a dozen churches to the villages of Belisirma and Selime. Following our canyon walk, we drive to the town of Derinkuyu and descend into an underground labyrinth carved thousands of years ago. Hundreds of cave-rooms and passageways descend eight levels into the earth. Store-rooms, kitchens, larders, and churches show that this “underground city” was capable of housing thousands of people when danger threatened. On our way back we stop at the striking Agzikarahan Caravansaray, built by the Seljuk Turks in the 11th century as a way-station for the rich camel caravans plying the Silk Route between Europe and Asia.

In the evening we visit an underground restaurant for a traditional Turkish folklore show, with dances and costumes from several regions rich in folklore, including Gaziantep, the Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. The mysterious and alluring art of belly-dancing, round out this enjoyable evening of traditional Turkish dance.

DAY 7 – Kayseri/ IZMIR / Kusadasi (BD)
We fly to Izmir via Istanbul, from Izmir Airport we  drive to Kusadasi. Afternoon at leisure, dinner is included tonight at your hotel (bottled water included).

DAY 8 – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (BL)
In the morning light. Then it’s off to biblical Ephesus to see the Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, who came here with the Virgin Mary. Passing the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, we reach Ephesus, the most impressive ancient city on the Mediterranean. Your tour includes the Terraced Houses. After our tour we continue to the hilltop House of the Virgin Mary, said to be her last home on earth.

Sirince Village Tour is included in the afternoon
This old Orthodox Village, 30 kilometers from Kusadasi, was once “Cirkince” (ugly). Indeed its inhabitants gave this name on the purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. Still after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly and called it “Sirince” (pretty). Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turkish-Greek culture as of the 1920’s; after the Turkish Independence War, people exchange between Greek and Turks has occurred and all the typical Greek houses, though they kept their original outside characteristics, have received the local layout inside. At Sirince Village you will have chance of seeing the local life at a village and purchasing some small local souvenirs and handicrafts. The village is also famous for its local grape and other fruit wines. During the lunch, mingle with the local people of the village as you will be a guest in their village for a simple cup of traditional Turkish coffee at the main coffee house of the village. Depending on the number of guests, a gypsy woman may read your fortune after you finish your coffee. We spend the night again in the Aegean resort of Kusadasi.

DAY 9 – Kusadasi (BLD)
Breakfast and lunch are included at the hotel. Full day at leisure to explore on your own, or ask us for available optional tours. Dinner is included at a charming local restaurant with folk music.

DAY 10 – RETURN HOME- Izmir- Istanbul (B)
We escort you to Izmir airport, air fare is included back to Istanbul in economy class with tax included. For guests connecting in Istanbul, you may need to change terminals and proceed to the International terminal. Bon Voyage.

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Comprehensive sightseeing by private air-conditioned sedan, with a private chauffeur, and private professional licensed guide
• Domestic airfares, within Turkey in economy class, or in business class when you choose the Four Seasons Hotel category
• All admissions and museum fees
• All transfers in Turkey are ALWAYS on a private basis, private air-conditioned sedan, with a private chauffeur, and private professional licensed guide
• Hotel accommodation as listed based on the category of your choice, for example deluxe properties such as Hyatt, Conrad or an Ottoman Mansion style boutique hotels in Istanbul & Cappadocia, based on your preference and availability at the time you book with us.
• Table d’hote (set-menu) meals as indicated in the tour itinerary: cB = continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner. One large bottled water for each guest with each lunch and dinner meal.

Rate doesn’t include:

• Visa Fee: (procure yours online in advance of travel at www.evisa.gov.tr/en/)
• International air fare from/to your home country.
• Trip/travel insurance
• Tips to escorts, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff.

General Sample of best available 5 Star Hotel Listing (or similar):

• Istanbul: Conrad Hotel, Hyatt Hotel, Inter.Continental or similar. If you prefer a boutique style: Gezi Bosphorus Hotel, Park Bosphorus Hotel Istanbul,  or Ottoman Mansion style hotel, please let’s know in advance.
  Sample Ottoman Style Mansion Hotels : Blue House, Arena, Yesil Ev, Sultanahmet Sarayi, Sultanhan or similar
• Kusadasi: Korumar Hotel or similar
• Cappadocia: Museum Hotel, Cave Suites hotel, Kapadokya Lodge or similar

Sample of best available 4 Star Hotels used or similar:

• Istanbul: Crystal Hotel or similar.
• Cappadocia: Lykia Lodge Hotel or similar
• Kusadasi: Adakule hotel or similar