TURKISH JEWELS

Welcome to Turkey, a country full of culture, history, and unique experiences where the differences between East and West blend together. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation.

Arrival on an international flight at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST). Opened in April 2019, it is now the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, passing through immigration, and collecting your luggage, proceed to our meeting point at Gate 8. Then, meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and check-in. Free time to rest.

Note: If you cannot find our representatives at the meeting point, please contact our emergency number.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion: "JEWELS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS" Departure approx. at 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a local restaurant): Visit the old Jewish quarter in Balat, the Greek quarter in Fener, and enjoy the magnificent views of the Golden Horn; then visit the Church of St. George, the main patriarchal church of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue to the Suleymaniye Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and featuring the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul. We head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its color and aroma, the perfect place to buy teas, herbs, nuts, local sweets, and of course, spices; conclude with a boat ride on the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will enjoy wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides of this city. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: The order of the excursions in Istanbul may be reversed according to operational conditions, such as the number of participants, weather, traffic, or monument closures.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion "JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE" (includes lunch at a local restaurant): Departure approx. at 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) for a tour of the historical center of the city, where you will see various relics 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, with its more than 20,000 handmade tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural wonder that has served as a church, mosque, and also museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an amazing technical achievement in its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. Continue with the majestic Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, where we will visit the beautiful royal gardens, kitchens, and the royal treasury rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan's wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration.

We continue with the Aya Irini Church, a Byzantine church that did not become a mosque, and end our 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. Accommodation.

Note: For entry to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, additional fees may apply.

Breakfast "lunch-box" and early departure (approx. 6:00 - time to be confirmed by the guide) to Ankara for a panoramic visit of the capital of Turkey and the Ataturk Mausoleum, the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, we will stop at the Salt Lake for photographs at this spectacular location, then visit a Caravanserai, a historical Silk Road lodging. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure approx. at 08:00 to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. Start with the Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Continue to the impressive valleys of the region with their "otherworldly" landscapes, and see the famous "Fairy Chimneys." There will be a stop to enjoy the incredible panoramic view of some of the famous volcanic rock valleys with spectacular shapes. Proceed to the underground city of Cappadocia, one of the many impressive engineering feats built by ancient local communities for protection against attacks throughout history. After the tour, visit a carpet center to learn about the handcrafted production of these valuable pieces and a gemstone center with exclusive regional jewelry designs. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Optional programs in Cappadocia: "TURKISH NIGHT" Folkloric dance presentation in a typical cave with local drinks; "JEEP SAFARI" adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops for the best photos; "HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE" early in the morning to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.

Breakfast. Departure approx. at 06:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder with a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name "Hierapolis" comes from Greek and means "sacred city," referring to the numerous temples and religious places that existed in the city. One of the most notable aspects of Hierapolis was its famous theater, which could hold thousands of spectators and is still largely preserved today. The city became known as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural hot springs and white travertine pools. These mineral-rich waters created impressive natural terraces and waterfalls known as "Pamukkale," which means "cotton castle" in Turkish. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are together 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 see locally made textile products. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure approx. at 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit the House of Mary, located on a nearby hill. This site is revered as the final home of Jesus's mother, 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, appreciating the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis, which established Ephesus as an important religious and cultural center of antiquity (tickets not included). We will continue to a showroom specializing in leather goods, where you can see high-quality products made from sheep leather and famous for their lightweight pieces. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

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

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion “CHIOS – A GREEK PARADISE”: Departure approx. between 06:00 and 07:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide). Start the day with a transfer from the hotel to the Çeşme port. After passing through immigration, we will depart by ferry to the charming Chios. Arrival and begin our tour visiting 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’s most distinctive villages. Its houses are decorated with black-and-white geometric patterns known as "xysta," creating a spectacular and unique visual contrast. Pyrgi is famous not only for its architecture but also for its history and traditions that are still alive today. We will continue to the Mastic Museum, dedicated to the unique resin obtained from trees that only grow here, and learn about the collection and production process of this resin, valued since ancient times for its multiple uses. To finish off, we will visit a wonderful Aegean beach where you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and serene landscape of the region. Finally, we will return to the port to sail back to Çeşme, Turkey. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure approx. at 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit Bursa. There, you will take a panoramic tour of this historic city, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. We will admire the impressive Green Mosque and Green Mausoleum, iconic monuments known for their exquisite decoration. Then, we will continue to Istanbul, where we will check in at the hotel upon arrival in the city.

 Breakfast. Transfer to the Airport (IST) and flight back.

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