Turkish History and Romance

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting one or more of these attractions in Istanbul. The city offers a wide variety of things to do, from visiting historic landmarks to eating good food. View the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, a major historical site, and the majestic St. Antoine Church, the largest and most prominent Catholic church in Istanbul. Take a tour of Topkapi Palace, which has stood for four centuries and been home to 25 sultans. Then go for a stroll around beautiful Gulhane Park, located right next door. Have a picnic in Belgrad Forest, a cherished green space that covers more than 1,300 acres. You could also explore the thousands of shops in the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Be prepared to bargain if you choose to buy anything. Treat yourself to a hammam ritual in the historic Kılıc Ali Pasa Hamam, which is nearly 450 years old. Sign up for a food tour to try some of the many delicious dishes to be found in the city. If you are looking for a novel experience, visit the Museum of Innocence that was inspired by author Orhan Pamuk’s book of the same name. (Duration: half or full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Entrance fees, transfers and meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Visit historical and cultural attractions in the old town area of Istanbul, followed by a cruise on the Bosphorus. After breakfast, you will be driven in a private vehicle to the famous Hippodrome Square located in the heart of the city. This former public arena is also known as Sultanahmet Square and was once a popular venue for chariot races. See the ancient Obelisk of Theodosius, believed to have been brought from Egypt, and the Serpent Column, transported from Delphi. Next visit the Blue Mosque, an exquisite example of 17th-century Ottoman religious architecture with its six minarets and perfectly proportionate dome. Your itinerary includes Hagia Sophia, considered to be one of the largest Christian shrines in the world. Also known as the Basilica of Saint Sophia, this magnificent edifice is decorated with rich mosaic murals and huge columns typical of Byzantine architecture. Make a stop at the bustling Grand Bazaar. It has 4,000 stalls packed with a variety of items including antiques, jewelry and carpets. Later, board the public ferry for a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Asia and Europe. Enjoy views of majestic palaces, impressive fortresses and opulent waterfront villas as you sail. After cruising for about an hour-and-a-half, disembark and return to your hotel. (Duration: full day (1.5 hrs cruise); Private activity & transfers (Bosphorus cruise is via public ferry); Group size (cruise): 40 – 70 ppl; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees to museums and cruise included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Grand Bazaar is closed on Sun & Blue Mosque is closed on Fri mornings; There may be long queues and crowds at some of the attractions; Please note that when visiting mosques and religious places, men as well as women must wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees; Women must cover their heads with a scarf; You will need to remove your footwear at these sites; If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking appropriate medication before the cruise)

Explore three of Istanbul’s historic landmarks. Travel by private vehicle to the Dolmabahce Palace, which was once the administrative headquarters of the Ottoman Empire. Built in the mid-19th century, this magnificent structure sits along the waterfront and is considered the largest palace in the country. Accompany your guide inside the tri-level structure, for a look at the opulent interiors decorated with gold and crystal. You will see Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical elements blended with traditional Ottoman architecture for a distinctive look. Next, make your way to the iconic Galata Bridge, which spans the Golden Horn, for a walking tour. As you walk across the bridge, observe the fishermen haul in the fresh catch of the day. Once you reach Beyoglu district, on the other side of the bridge, hop on the historic underground funicular. Journey up to Galatasaray and disembark. Make your way to the shopping street of İstiklal Caddesi. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the locality dotted with churches, embassies and stately buildings. Before the walking tour winds up, you could check out the boutiques, galleries and cafes in the area. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mon; There may be long queues and crowds at some of the attractions)

Descend into a subterranean world in Cappadocia, enroute from the airport. The region is home to a number of underground cities, such as Kaymakli Underground City, Ozkonak Underground City and Saratli Underground City. Your guide will meet you at the airport and you will drive to one of these cities. Which one depends on the location, availability and crowds. Once you reach your chosen city, follow your guide below the earth’s surface. Discover the five levels of the complex that include living quarters, kitchens, wine presses, storage rooms, and even stables. Your guide will tell you how these complexes were carved out of the earth by Early Christians, who wished to avoid invaders during the 6th-9th centuries. After exploring the city, head to your hotel. (En route activity; Duration: half day; Time: flexible; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Entrance fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable shoes; Please note that steps and tight underground corridors could be a problem if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia)

Soar over Cappadocia’s beautiful valleys on this half day tour. You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning and driven to the starting point for your hot air balloon ride. Climb into the basket and watch as your balloon fills with hot air and slowly lifts you into the sky. Get a bird’s-eye view of the colorful landscape and rock formations lit by the soft morning light and enjoy the tranquility that comes with floating gently through the air. After spending roughly 45 minutes to an hour in flight, return to earth and celebrate your experience with a glass of champagne. Then, head back to your hotel in time for breakfast. (Duration: half day: Time: Between 0400 & 0500 hrs; Transfer time: 40 mins to 1 hr; Shared activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please note climbing into the balloon basket can be a problem for guests with mobility issues; Please note this activity is subject to weather conditions and could be canceled at the last minute; Min age: 6; Min height: 4 ft 6 in)

Attend a traditional Mevlevi Sema Ceremony which involves Sufi whirling. Sema is the inspiration of the Persian poet and mystic Jalaluddin Muhammad Balkhi Rumi. This 700-year-old rite of communal recitation blends poetry, classical Turkish music, chanting from the Koran and the whirling of the dervishes. It is part of Sufism, the mystical Islamic belief that glorifies God and seeks spiritual perfection. Each participant wears a tall conical hat, black cloak, white shirt and waistcoat. The ceremony starts with a eulogy to the Prophet and is followed by the beat of the drums, symbolizing the Divine Order of the Creator. Then follows traditional instrumental music and the dervishes begin to revolve rhythmically. They throw back their heads and raise the palms of their hands, to represent giving and taking. As the rhythm accelerates, the dervishes whirl faster and enter a trance, to attain union with the almighty. After that, there is usually a reading from the Koran and the ceremony ends with a prayer. (Duration: 3 hrs; Time: show starts at 1800 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Travel time to activity: 40 mins to 1 hr; Show tickets are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please note that the duration of ceremony is one hour)

Immerse yourself in history in Cappadocia on this full day tour. After breakfast at your hotel, drive to the Goreme Open-Air Museum with your guide. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast complex filled with hundreds of monasteries and churches that contain 11th and 12th-century frescoes. Your guide will show you some of the most important churches, such as the Yılanlı Kilise, the Elmalı Kilise, and the Tokalı Kilise. Then, head to the town of Avanos, which sits on the banks of the Red River whose clay is ideal for pottery. Visit a pottery workshop to see the collections displayed in a vast underground cave complex, meet the artisans, and learn about their work and its heritage. Continue on to Pasabag Valley to view the tower-shaped hermitages, and from there to Pigeon Valley for a photo opportunity at Uchisar Castle Center. Proceed to explore the castle, which is full of towering rock houses typical of the area, before making your way to Uchisar town. There you will learn about the history and art of carpet making, a quintessential Turkish trade that has been passed down for generations, from mother to daughter. (Duration: full day; Time: morning; Private activity & transfers; Meals are not included; Entry fees are included; Fitness level: moderate, please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please note that climbing steps, walking uphill & downhill, and tight underground corridors could be a problem if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia)

If you have the time and weather allows it, we recommend visiting one or more of these attractions in Izmir. You could start by exploring Kulturpark, in the city center, which hosts the renowned Izmir International Fair, Türkiye’s oldest trade show. Next up is the Agora, an ancient marketplace. Wander through this Greek archaeological site that dates back to the 4th century BC. Pass under the rock arches and go past water channels. After, you could make your way to the Kemeralti Market. This historical bazaar is filled with shops selling fresh produce, spices, home goods, clothing and jewelry. Keep heading downhill, to the Ottoman-style Izmir Clock Tower located in Konak Square. This intricately patterned, 117-year-old timepiece was a gift from the German Emperor Wilheim II. Then, stop by Konak Mosque before making your way to Konak Pier. On either side of the pier, you’ll come across boutiques, fast food outlets and fine-dining restaurants. End your day with a stroll by the sea to Alsancak, the old Greek-Ottoman quarter. (Duration: half/full day; This is an unguided, independent activity; Transfers, entrance fees & meals are not included; Depending on your personal itinerary, weather conditions and time available to you, it may not be possible to do all recommended activities)

Explore the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ephesus, visit the Terrace Houses and enjoy a wine tasting at the Yedi Bilgeler Winery. You will be driven from Izmir to Ephesus, an ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia. Your guide will lead you down the Sacred Way, a section of which is covered with marble plates. Occupying a prominent position on the thoroughfare, is the Temple of Hadrian, dedicated to one of the ‘Five Good Emperors’. Visit the Celsus Library, a testament to Roman architectural grandeur and pursuit of knowledge. Next, see the Coliseum-like Great Theater, where gladiatorial games and performances once took place. Stop by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Within the temple ruins are the Terrace Houses, which give insight into the sophistication and aesthetic refinement of upper-class Roman domestic life. Later, head to Yedi Bilgeler Winery for lunch and a wine tasting. On a tour of the modern winery and cellar, learn about the wines named after the seven wise men of Greece. At the winery’s restaurant, sample five wines, including the popular 7 Bilgeler Bia Prine Reserve Red Blend, before the tour wraps up. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: lunch & wine tasting; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Min age: 18 yrs for wine tasting only; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please be prepared for crowds & hot weather)

Immerse yourself in the social, spiritual, and scientific history of Western Anatolia on this full day tour. You will be picked up from your hotel in Izmir and taken to Pergamon, an ancient city that was one of the major cultural centers of the Greek World. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will lead you to the remains of The Library of Pergamon, the second largest library in the ancient Greek world. See the Temple of Athena next door, and the Temple of Trajan that sits up on the hillside. Step into the Acropolis to view the military barracks, arsenals and Royal Palaces. Take a short walk around the corner for panoramic sceneries of the surrounding fields. The theater, within the acropolis, is also one of the steepest in the world and dates from the 3rd century BC. Stop here to listen to your guide tell you about the city. Then, head to the Altar of Zeus, built to commemorate Pergamon’s victory over the Galatians. Finally, visit the Sanctuary of Asclepius, or Asclepion, which is thought to be the birthplace of modern medicine. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please be prepared for crowds & hot weather)