TREASURES OF TÜRKIYE

After breakfast, begin your exploration at the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the sporting and social center of the Byzantine Empire. Continue to the Blue Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Sultan Ahmed, famed for its stunning blue tiles and built during the reign of Ahmed I between 1609 and 1616. Enjoy a set-menu lunch at a local restaurant before visiting St. Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, built during Emperor Justinian’s reign in 537 AD and later converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453. The day concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, the vast covered market with nearly 4,000 shops offering antiques, jewelry, carpets, and more. Overnight at your hotel in Istanbul. (B,L)

After breakfast, visit the Underground Cistern, an impressive 6th- century water reservoir with 336 marble columns, originally built to supply water to Constantinople during sieges. Continue to Topkapı Palace Museum, once the residence and administrative center of Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, and now housing treasures such as Chinese porcelain, weapons, and calligraphy. Then explore the bustling Egyptian Spice Bazaar, dating back to the 17th century and still beloved by locals for its aromatic spices and vibrant atmosphere. A set-menu lunch will be served at a local restaurant, after which the afternoon is free for leisure. Overnight in Istanbul. (B,L)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, with the rest of the day free at your leisure to explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight in Istanbul. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and drive about an hour to Cappadocia, with visits en route. Begin at Devrent Valley, famous for its surreal rock formations, followed by Pasabag Valley, where the unique “fairy chimneys” can be seen in their most striking form. Continue to the village of Urgup, where traditional architecture blends into the rocky landscape. In the evening, transfer to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. Optional visit to the Saruhan Caravanserai can be arranged to witness the mystical Sema Ritual performed by Whirling Dervishes. (B,D) 

Optional Visit: For those who wish, the day can begin with an optional early morning hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia’s breathtaking valleys and rock formations. This iconic experience includes a champagne celebration and a personalized flight certificate. After breakfast, visit Kaymakli Underground City, a remarkable multi-level complex carved by early Christians as a refuge from invaders. Continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, home to rock-cut churches with exquisite Byzantine frescoes, and then to the pottery town of Avanos, where you will join a workshop to learn traditional pottery-making techniques using red clay from the Kizilirmak River. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Cappadocia. (B,D)

After breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul, where you will connect to your international flight home. (B)