The Ultimate Turkish Journey: From Istanbul to the Turquoise Coast

After breakfast, gather for a welcome briefing before setting off on a full day guided exploration of Istanbul. Begin at the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting heart of the Byzantine Empire. Continue to the legendary Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth of over 4,000 shops where centuries old traditions of bargaining still thrive. After lunch on your own, visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans, where courtyards, treasuries, and priceless jewels tell the story of a powerful empire. End the day with a group Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, celebrating the start of your Turkish adventure. Overnight in Istanbul. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

This morning, step into the awe inspiring Hagia Sophia, built in AD 537 under Emperor Justinian and admired for its immense dome and golden mosaics. Continue to the lively Spice Bazaar, where merchants have sold saffron, cinnamon, and fragrant teas for centuries. Then, board a private boat for a leisurely cruise along the Bosporus, gliding between Europe and Asia with views of Ottoman palaces, fishing villages, and modern bridges. Lunch and dinner are on your own, giving you time to discover Istanbul’s endless culinary delights. Overnight in Istanbul. Meals: Breakfast.

Fly this morning to Cappadocia, a surreal landscape of tufa rock formations shaped by millennia of wind and rain. Upon arrival, visit Ozkonak Underground City, a remarkable subterranean network of tunnels and rooms once used as a refuge against invasions. Walk through kitchens, stables, and ancient living quarters that sheltered thousands for months at a time. Later, continue to your hotel carved into the rocky terrain and enjoy dinner with your group. Overnight in Cappadocia. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Optional early morning balloon flight offers breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys bathed in dawn light. After breakfast, enjoy a hike through peaceful valleys before exploring the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO site with rock hewn churches adorned with Byzantine frescoes. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit a traditional carpet weaving cooperative, where artisans demonstrate the art of silk and wool weaving. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant, offering more chances to savor regional cuisine. Overnight in Cappadocia. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today offers a rare opportunity to live “a day in the life” of a rural Cappadocian village. Meet locals who share their customs and join seasonal activities such as farming or harvesting. Lunch is hosted in the home of a welcoming family, where you’ll taste homemade dishes and enjoy meaningful conversation. On the way back, stop at famous rock formations like the Three Beauties and Camel Rock. Later, you may choose the optional Whirling Dervishes ceremony, a moving spiritual performance. Dinner at your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Depart Cappadocia and travel across the Anatolian plateau to Konya, center of the Seljuk Empire and spiritual home of the Mevlevi order. Visit the Mevlana Museum, housing the tomb of the great poet Rumi, whose teachings inspired millions around the world. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue south over the Taurus Mountains, arriving in Antalya, a lively seaside city blending history and modern life. Dinner at your hotel. Overnight in Antalya. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Begin the day with a private talk from an archaeologist before visiting the Antalya Museum, home to exquisite Roman sculptures and treasures from ancient Perge. Continue with a guided walk through Kaleici, the atmospheric Old Town of narrow cobbled streets, Ottoman houses, and Hadrian’s Gate. Afternoon is free to relax at the beach or explore on your own. This evening, share a home hosted dinner with a local family, a warm cultural exchange. Overnight in Antalya. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Travel to Perge, once a flourishing Roman city visited by St. Paul. Explore colonnaded streets, public baths, and the remnants of a grand stadium. Continue to Aspendos, where you’ll marvel at one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the world, still renowned for its acoustics. Return to Antalya for an afternoon at leisure, perhaps enjoying a Turkish bath. Dinner on your own tonight. Overnight in Antalya. Meals: Breakfast.

Drive along the Mediterranean coast toward Fethiye, stopping en route for lunch in Demre. In Fethiye, board your private Turkish gulet, a traditional wooden sailing vessel. Cabins are comfortable yet authentic, and meals are enjoyed on deck whenever possible. Tonight, dine under the stars as your gulet sets anchor in a sheltered bay. Overnight aboard gulet. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Anchor near Gemiler and travel inland to Kayakoy, an abandoned Greek town whose empty houses stand as poignant reminders of population exchanges in the 1920s. Stroll through silent streets and deserted churches before returning to the gulet for lunch. Afternoon offers time for swimming, hiking, or relaxing on deck. Dinner aboard. Overnight aboard gulet. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today, transfer ashore for a scenic hike along pine forests and coastal trails, discovering the raw beauty of the Turquoise Coast. Return to the gulet for lunch and enjoy an afternoon of leisure perhaps another swim in crystal clear waters or sunbathing on deck. Dinner is served under the night sky. Overnight aboard gulet. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Cruise to Ekincik Cove and board small boats for a Dalyan River excursion. Glide past reed beds and keep watch for loggerhead turtles before exploring Kaunos, with ruins of a Roman theater, baths, and distinctive Lycian rock tombs carved into cliffs. Return to the gulet for dinner. Overnight aboard gulet. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Say farewell to the gulet in Marmaris and travel north to Kusadasi, stopping for lunch along the way. Arrive at your seaside hotel and settle in. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Visit Ephesus, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world. Walk the marble paved streets, admire the Library of Celsus, and stand in the Great Theater, where St. Paul once preached. Visit the Ephesus Museum for treasures excavated from the site. After free time in the afternoon, celebrate your journey with a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kusadasi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Return with unforgettable memories of Turkey’s landscapes, history, and people. Meals: Breakfast.