Luxury Tour of Istanbul and Cappadocia

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. Begin your tour at 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, drive back to your hotel in your private vehicle. (Duration: half day; Private activity & transfers; 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 cruise boarding point. Make yourself comfortable in a private motor yacht and sail on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Asia and Europe, and through the Golden Horn. Take in views of majestic palaces, impressive fortresses and opulent waterfront villas as you enjoy hot and cold beverages along with a fruit platter. 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; Meals included: wine and fruit platter; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees included; Please wear comfortable shoes as there is plenty of walking involved; The Spice Bazaar may be crowded on some days; If you are prone to seasickness, we recommend taking appropriate medication before the cruise)

Rejuvenate your body and mind with a traditional Turkish hammam experience. At the scheduled time, walk to the Ayasofya Hurrem Sultan Hamam, located within easy reach of your hotel in the old town area. Step inside the camegah, or lounge, and sip on a traditional homemade sherbet which is a cold beverage. The staff will explain the treatment in detail. It includes traditional body scrubbing, a relaxing bubble wash and a head and neck massage. You can then make your way to the dressing rooms and change into a cotton wrap. At the entrance to the hot room, you will find a courteous attendant who will assist you through the process. The first step involves lying down on the gobekasi, a hexagon-shaped heated marble slab, in the middle of the room for about ten minutes. This helps relax and soften the skin while helping it adjust to the heat of the hammam. Next up is the kurna, or marble water basin, where the attendant will exfoliate your skin with a special bath mitten. After rinsing comes kopuk, or bubble soap wash, with a loofah, the final step of the treatment. You could then continue to relax in the hot rooms or head to the lounge. The lounge area is equipped with comfortable sofas as well as a cafe offering traditional refreshments and delicacies. Leave the facility feeling refreshed and energized. (Duration: 45 mins; Private activity; No transfers; Meals included: homemade cold drink/sherbet; Please inform us of any food allergies in advance; Fitness level: easy; Entry fees and 45-min treatment included; There are separate hammams for men and women; Towels, slippers and soaps provided; Complimentary lockers available to store belongings)

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)

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)

History and food come together on this full day tour in Cappadocia. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the Goreme Open-Air Museum. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a vast complex filled with hundreds of monasteries and churches. Visit some of the most important churches, such as Yılanlı Kilise, Elmalı Kilise, and Tokalı Kilise, and discover the 11th and 12th-century frescoes that cover their walls. Then drive to the Kaymakli Underground City. Descend beneath the earth’s surface with your guide and explore the living quarters, kitchens, wine presses, storage rooms, and stables that make up this subterranean complex. Along the way, discover how they were built by early Christians as a safe space from invaders during the 6th-9th centuries. Return to the surface and proceed to the traditional stone home of a local family for a cooking lesson. Meet the family and settle in for your cooking lesson. Prepare the dishes using natural organic ingredients, such as fresh eggs from the family’s chickens, honey from their beehives, and fruits, vegetables and spices from their garden. Once the food is ready, sit down together and enjoy the meal. Finally, return to your hotel. (Duration: full day; Private activity & transfers; 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 as there is plenty of walking involved; Please note that climbing steps, walking uphill & downhill, and tight underground corridors could be an issue if you have mobility issues or claustrophobia)