Highlights of Türkiye

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)

Discover some of the historical landmarks in Istanbul’s old town area. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and walk you to the famous Hippodrome, a former public arena where chariot races used to take place. Accompany your guide around the square to see the gazebo-styled German fountain, the bronze Serpent Column of Delphi and the two obelisks. Next, head to the Blue Mosque, named for its colored tiles made of quartz. Also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, it is a fine example of 17th-century Ottoman religious architecture. After, visit the iconic Hagia Sophia that has served as both a mosque and a church over the centuries. Often called the Basilica of Saint Sophia, this magnificent edifice is decorated with rich mosaic murals and huge columns typical of Byzantine architecture. The last stop on your itinerary is the Grand Bazaar. It has over 4,000 stalls packed with a variety of items including antiques, jewelry and apparel. After the tour winds up, walk back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Private activity; Transfers not required;Fitness level: easy; Entry fees to museums 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)

Enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus and visit the 17th-century Spice Market. At the scheduled time, your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to the public ferry boarding point. Make yourself comfortable in the ferry as you sail on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Asia and Europe, and through the Golden Horn. Enjoy views of majestic palaces, impressive fortresses and opulent waterfront villas. After cruising for a couple of hours, disembark and head to the famous Spice Market. Housed in a stone building, dating back to 1664, this lively market is packed with shops selling aromatic spices, dried fruits and nuts. As you walk along the narrow alleys, soak in the sights and sounds as the vendors peddle their wares to locals and visitors alike. Stop at the renowned confectioner, Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir’s store. He is considered to be the inventor of the iconic Turkish delight. Also known as lokum, this sweet treat is a jelly candy flavored with spices and dry fruits. After, return to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers (Bosphorus cruise is via public ferry); Group size (cruise): 40 – 70 ppl; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; The Spice Bazaar and public ferry may be crowded on some days; If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking appropriate medication before the cruise)

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 tradition 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)

Discover Ephesus and the Terrace Houses, while driving from the airport to Sirince. Begin at the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Continue to the Odeon, a semi-circular theater that served as a venue for political meetings and musical performances. View the Corinthian-style Temple of Hadrian and then proceed to the Library of Celsus, which housed more than 25,000 scrolls. Stop at the Coliseum-like Great Theater, an example of Hellenistic and Roman architecture, where gladiatorial games and concerts once took place. Then, follow your guide down the Sacred Way, a section of which is covered with marble plates. Within the archaeological site are the Terrace Houses. These residences give insight into the sophistication and aesthetic refinement of upper-class Roman domestic life. After the tour, travel to your hotel in Sirince. (En route activity; Duration: half day; Private activity & transfer; Travel time to activity: 1 hr; Entry fees are included; Meals included: no; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; Please be prepared for crowds & hot weather; Please note, if guests arrive by noon, they can visit Ephesus enroute to the hotel; Sirince airport to Ephesus is 1 hr, Ephesus to hotel in Sirince is 45 mins, sightseeing 2.5 hrs, total duration 4.5 hrs)

Visit Yedi Bilgeler, or Seven Sages Winery, for lunch, a winery tour and a wine tasting. The winery, which is also a restaurant and hotel, is set amid rolling hills. Once you arrive, enjoy a superb gastronomic experience at the restaurant. Relish a sumptuous three-course lunch, while taking in panoramic views of the vineyard and mountains. Next, the vintner will lead you on a tour of the estate. Walk beside carpets of colorful wildflowers, roses and lavender, while learning about Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Shiraz grape varieties. Each of the wines is named after the ‘Seven Sages’, sixth-century BC philosophers, statesmen and lawmakers. In the cellar, learn about the winemaking process and see the French oak barrels, stainless steel fermentation tanks and myriad bottles. Also catch glimpses of the filtration equipment and bottling machines, before heading back to the restaurant. Taste four wines including a white, red, rose and the popular 7 Bilgeler Bia Prine Reserve Red Blend. (Duration: half 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 walking shoes)

Discover the historic city of Magnesia on the Meander, enroute to Bodrum. Your expert guide and chauffeur will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Magnesia, located in the Aegean region. Founded roughly between 400 to 350 BC, this ancient Greek city grew to a considerable size and was important to the region both commercially and strategically. The city even found a mention in Greek Philosopher, Plato’s treatise, ‘The Laws’. Follow your guide around the ruins of this city and see the temple built for Artemis by Hermogenes, in the third century BC. Enjoy exclusive access to archeological areas closed to the general public and attend a private lecture by archeologists present at the excavation. Then continue on to your hotel in Bodrum, a drive of approximately three hours. If you like, you can stop for coffee or lunch along the way. (En route activity; Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; Travel time to Magnesia is approx 1.5 hrs; Meals are not included; Fitness level: easy; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved)

If you have the time and the weather allows it, we recommend visiting one or more of these attractions in Bodrum. The town offers something for everyone, from history buffs and beach lovers to thrill seekers. Visit the 600-year-old Castle of St. Peter and browse the Museum of Underwater Archaeology located inside, to learn about Bodrum’s fascinating maritime heritage. Drive to the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. See the Myndos Gate, a surviving remnant of the fortifications that helped defend the town against Alexander the Great’s army. If you prefer a slower pace, spend a peaceful day by the sea at Akyarlar Beach. For something a little different, head to Camel Beach and take a camel ride across the sand or pick a hiking trail that runs along the coast or up into the hills. In the evening, walk down Bodrum Bar Street that teems with bars, clubs, and restaurants or listen to live jazz at one of Bodrum’s intimate jazz clubs. (Duration: half/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)

Step into the past on this tour of Bodrum town and castle. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and drive you to the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. This tomb was built between 353 and 350 BC and was one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World. After viewing the ruins, walk through the old town to reach the Castle of St. Peter the Liberator of the Order of the Knights of the Hospital of St. John of Rhodes. The castle is Bodum’s iconic landmark and has stood for over 600 years. Visit the Sunken Boat Museum located inside to see treasures such as Mycenaean copper ingots and vases, royal Carian jewelry, and Roman amphorae. The museum also houses two reconstructed shipwrecks from the Bronze Age and Medieval period. Then drive to the Myndos Gate, the restored remains of the wall built in the 4th century BC that helped defend the city against Alexander the Great. From there drive back to your hotel. (Duration: half day; Time: 0900 hrs; Private activity & transfers; Entry fees are included; Meals included: yes; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; 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 Bodrum Castle is not wheelchair friendly and may be difficult for people who can’t walk up and down a lot of stairs)