HEART OF ITALY AND TURKEY

Arrival at Istanbul Airport to take a connecting flight to Rome. Reception and beginning of a panoramic tour of the city. We will admire the unmistakable silhouette of the Flavian Amphitheater, better known as “The Colosseum” (exterior visit). We will also pass by the historic Circus Maximus and the majestic Patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. Finally, crossing the Tiber River, we will arrive at the impressive Vatican. Free afternoon. Accommodation.

Departure to Florence with a stop in San Gimignano, a charming medieval village famous for its towers and cobblestone streets. Free time to stroll around and enjoy the place. Continuation to Florence, capital of Tuscany. Panoramic visit including St. Mark’s Square, the Academy Gallery (exterior), the Straw Market, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and its Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistery with its Gates of Paradise, the Ponte Vecchio, and Santa Croce Square with its basilica. In the evening, possibility of taking an optional activity. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day to explore the city or take an optional excursion. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Early departure to Venice. Upon arrival, walking panoramic tour where we will appreciate St. Mark’s Square, the imposing Basilica of St. Mark (exterior), the majestic Doge’s Palace (exterior), and the romantic Bridge of Sighs (exterior), as well as its charming canals. Free time with the possibility of taking an optional gondola ride. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure to Verona, one of the most charming cities in northern Italy, famous for its history, Roman and medieval architecture, and for being the setting of the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet. Free time to stroll through its streets or take an optional excursion. Continuation to Milan, capital of fashion and design. Upon arrival, panoramic visit to admire emblematic places such as the Duomo, the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, La Scala Theater, and the Sforza Castle (exteriors). Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure to Genoa, a historic port city in Liguria, known for its maritime legacy, medieval alleyways, and vibrant historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, panoramic visit through avenues, emblematic squares, and historical points of interest such as the ancient port, Via Garibaldi with its Renaissance palaces, and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo (exterior). Free time. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure to Rome, the Eternal City, capital of Italy and one of the most influential cities in world history. Known for its archaeological and artistic legacy, it is home to iconic monuments such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. Rome combines ancient history, Renaissance, and modernity, offering a unique experience of culture, architecture, and gastronomy. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day to explore the city or take an optional excursion. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Free day for personal activities or optional excursions. Accommodation.

Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer to take the flight to Istanbul.

Welcome to Türkiye, a country full of culture, history, and unique experiences, where East and West come together. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation.

Arrival on an international flight at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST). Opened in April 2019, it is now the largest airport in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, passing through immigration, and claiming your luggage, you must go to our meeting point at exit gate 9. After this, meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and check-in. Free time to rest.

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

Breakfast. Free day. Possibility of taking the optional excursion: “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS”. Departure approx. at 08:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a typical food restaurant): Visit the old Jewish neighborhood in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and enjoy the magnificent views of the “Golden Horn”; then visit the Cathedral of St. George, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue to the Süleymaniye Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, featuring the largest dome of all mosques in Istanbul. We will then head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its colors and aromas, the perfect spot to purchase teas, herbs, dried fruits, traditional sweets, and, of course, spices. The tour ends with a boat ride along the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will admire wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges that connect both sides of this metropolis. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: The order of the excursion days in Istanbul may be reversed according to operational conditions, such as number of participants, weather, traffic, or monument closing days.

Breakfast. Free day. Possibility of taking the optional excursion “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch at a typical food restaurant): Departure approx. at 08:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) for an excursion in the historic center of the city, where you will be able to observe the variety of remains from the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, center of Constantinople’s social life for thousands of years, where you will also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in the year 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque, and also a museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astonishing technical achievement in its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue with the majestic Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years. We will visit the beautiful royal gardens, kitchens, and royal treasury rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the wives and children of the sultan lived, famous for its luxurious decoration.

We continue with the Church of Hagia Irene, a Byzantine church that was not converted into a mosque, and we will finish our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where bargaining is a tradition. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

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

Breakfast. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to take the return flight to your city of origin. Thank you for choosing us as your travel agency.