TURKEY PEARLS

Welcome to Turkey, a country full of culture, history, and unique experiences, where the differences between East and West blend together. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation.

Arrive on an international flight to the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST). Opened in April 2019, it is now the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, clearing immigration, and baggage claim, you will head to our meeting point at Gate 8. Afterward, meet our drivers for transfer to your hotel. Arrival and check-in. Free time to rest.

Note: If you do not find our representatives at the meeting point, please call our emergency number.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion: “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND THE BOSPHORUS.” Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant). Visit the old Jewish quarter in Balat and the Greek quarter in Fener, where you can admire the magnificent views of the “Golden Horn.” Then, visit St. George’s Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church. Continue to the Suleymaniye Mosque, designed by Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and boasting the largest dome of any mosque in Istanbul. We head to the Spice Bazaar, a charming place with its color and aroma, the perfect place to buy teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets, and, of course, spices. The tour culminates with a boat ride across the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia. We'll enjoy wonderful views of the Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges that connect both sides of the city. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Note: The order of the Istanbul excursions can be reversed, depending on operational conditions, such as the number of participants, weather, traffic, or days when monuments are closed.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional "JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE" excursion (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant). Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) for a tour of the city's historic center, where you can observe the variety of vestiges of the different empires that shaped modern-day Istanbul. Visit the Roman Hippodrome, the center of Constantinople's social life for thousands of years, where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain. Visit the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles imported from Iznik. Enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque, and museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, an astonishing technical achievement for its time and still one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years. We will visit the beautiful royal gardens, the kitchens, and the royal treasury rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan's wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration.

We continue to the Aya Irini Church, a Byzantine church that was not converted into a mosque, and we will end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where haggling is a tradition. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Note: For admission to the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, please consult the supplement.

Breakfast. Departure to the airport for a flight to Cappadocia (flight not included - see mandatory supplements; transfers are included for a single group trip). Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. Starting at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th-century frescoes, we continue to the region's stunning valleys with their otherworldly landscapes, where you can appreciate views of the iconic geological formations of the region, the famous "Fairy Chimneys." We will stop to enjoy the incredible and expansive panoramic views of some of the famous valleys of volcanic rocks with spectacular shapes. Continue to the underground city of Cappadocia, one of the many impressive engineering feats built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks throughout history. At the end of the tour, visit a carpet center to learn about the artisanal production of these truly treasured pieces, and a gemstone center for jewelry with exclusive designs from the region. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

Optional programs in Cappadocia: "TURKISH NIGHT" Folk dance performance in a traditional cave with local drinks; "JEEP SAFARI" adventure through the region's mystical valleys with stops for the best photos; and "BALOON RIDE" early in the morning to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 6:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by your guide) to Pamukkale to visit ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder, featuring a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name "Hierapolis" is derived from Greek and means "sacred city," referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that existed in the city. One of Hierapolis's most notable aspects was its famous theater, which had a capacity to hold thousands of spectators and is still largely preserved today. The city gained recognition as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural hot springs and white limestone pools. These mineral-laden waters created stunning natural terraces and waterfalls known as "Pamukkale," which in Turkish means "cotton castle." Pamukkale and Hierapolis are listed together on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their historical significance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we'll have the opportunity to learn about locally made textiles. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit the House of Mary, located on a nearby hill. This place is venerated as the final resting place of the mother of Jesus, who, according to Christian tradition, spent her final years in Ephesus under the care of the Apostle John. Today, the house is an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims, who consider it a sacred site. We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic tour of this city rich in history, appreciating the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis, which has established Ephesus as an important religious and cultural center of ancient times. We will continue the visit to a showroom specializing in leather goods, where you can see high-quality products made from sheepskin and famous for their lightweight construction. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Note: Overnight stays may be in Izmir or Kuşadası depending on the season.

Breakfast. Transfer to the port/airport.