TURKISH JEWELS WITH TROY

Welcome to Türkiye, a country rich in culture, history, and unique experiences where the differences between East and West blend together. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary holiday.

Arrival at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST). Opened in April 2019, it is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, going through immigration, and collecting luggage, proceed to our meeting point at exit gate 9. Following this, meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and accommodation. Free time to relax.

Note: If you cannot find our representatives at the meeting point, please contact our emergency number.

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion: “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS.” Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a typical restaurant): Visit the old Jewish neighborhood in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and enjoy magnificent views of the “Golden Horn.” Next, visit the St. George's Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue to the Suleymaniye Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and featuring the largest dome of all mosques in Istanbul. We head to the Spice Bazaar, a charming place known for its color and aroma, the perfect spot to buy teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets, and spices; conclude with a boat ride on the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, appreciating the wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides of the city. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

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

Breakfast. Free day. Option to take the optional excursion “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch at a typical restaurant): Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) for a tour of the historic center of the city, where you can observe the various remnants of the different empires that shaped modern Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, the center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years, where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural wonder 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 Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, where 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 with the Church of Aya Irini, a Byzantine church that did not become a mosque, and end 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 entry to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, please check for supplements.

Breakfast "lunch-box" and early departure (around 06:00 - time to be confirmed by the guide) to Ankara for a panoramic visit of Türkiye's capital and the Atatürk Mausoleum, the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, we will stop to photograph the Salt Lake, followed by a visit to a Caravanserai, an inn from the Silk Road era. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure around 08:00 to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. Starting with the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rocks and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Continue to the impressive valleys of the region with their “otherworldly” landscapes, and admire the views of the iconic geological formations known as the "Fairy Chimneys." We will stop to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of some of the famous volcanic rock valleys. Continue to the underground city of Cappadocia, one of the many impressive engineering works built by ancient local communities to protect themselves from attacks throughout history. After the tour, visit a carpet center to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces, which are true treasures, and a gemstone center featuring exclusive designs from the region. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Optional programs in Cappadocia: “TURKISH NIGHT” featuring folk dance performances in a typical cave with local drinks; “JEEP SAFARI” adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops for the best photos; “BALLOON RIDE” early in the morning to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.

Breakfast. Departure around 06:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) to Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder with giant waterfalls, stalactites, and natural pools. The name "Hierapolis" comes from Greek and means "sacred city," referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that existed in the city. One of Hierapolis' notable features was its famous theater, which could hold thousands of spectators and is largely preserved today. The city became known as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural hot springs and white travertine pools. These mineral-rich waters created stunning natural terraces and waterfalls known as "Pamukkale," which means "cotton castle" in Turkish. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to their historical significance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we will have the opportunity to learn about locally made textile products. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit the House of Mary, located on a nearby hill. This site is venerated as the final resting place of the mother of Jesus, who, according to Christian tradition, spent her last 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 sacred. We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic visit of the city with its rich history, appreciating the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis, which has made Ephesus an important religious and cultural center of antiquity. We will continue to visit a showroom specializing in leather goods, where you can see high-quality products made from lambskin, known for their lightweight designs. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kuşadasi depending on the season.

Breakfast. Departure to Pergamum around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide). Visit the Asclepius Hospital, dedicated to the "god of health," where you can see the snake reliefs that later became the symbol of medicine. This is the largest hospital in ancient history, known as a great center of culture, art, and medicine of the time. Continue to Troy, a city once thought to be only a legend from Homer’s “Iliad,” until it was discovered in 1868. We will see the archaeological site of the nine-layer city and also the representation of the famous wooden horse (under restoration). Accommodation in Çanakkale. Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast. Early departure around 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) heading back to Istanbul, crossing the Dardanelles Strait back to the European side of Türkiye. The Dardanelles, also known as the Hellespont, is of great historical and strategic importance, and crossing it is a unique experience. During the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, the strait was crucial for the defense of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Many years later, the Battle of the Dardanelles (1915-1916) during World War I occurred here, where Allied forces attempted but failed to capture the strait to open a naval route to Russia. The Dardanelles is the maritime passage connecting the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara, and through this, to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation in Istanbul.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport (IST) for your return flight.

END OF SERVICES