A Grand Turkish Adventure

Istanbul

Arrive Istanbul, Turkey

Straddling the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a city where ancient minarets rise alongside the modern bustle, connecting Europe and Asia. Here, spice-laden air mingles with the scent of roasted chestnuts; the call to prayer echoes through cobblestone streets; and vibrant energy emanates through historic bazaars.

Istanbul

Istanbul - Ancient Domes

The soft dawn light illuminates the Hagia Sophia's majestic dome, while the Basilica Cistern offers cool, echoing depths, its forest of columns mirrored in still, dark waters. Beyond the old city's core, weathered walls mark the passage of time, and the tranquil Eyup Sultan Mosque attracts pilgrims to its sacred grounds. Later, the Galata and Karakoy districts buzz with activity. A ferry ride along the Bosphorus, with the skyline bathed in golden sunset light, leads to the lively market of Kadikoy.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Istanbul

Istanbul - Sultan's Secrets

Topkapi Palace, where power and mystery intertwine, safeguards tales of sultans and their courts. Its rooms gleam with treasures, while the Harem offers glimpses into a secluded world. Nearby, the archaeological museum exhibits artifacts from bygone eras. Just beyond, the archaeological museum displays relics from ages past. Baroque Dolmabahce Palace marks the country's shift towards Western influences. Changing gears, a stroll through the Nisantasi district offers a taste of modern Istanbul and the chance to pop into stylish shops and cafes.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Istanbul

Istanbul - Tiled Splendor

Suleymaniye Mosque marks the reign of Sultan Suleyman and the genius of its architect. Rustem Pasha Mosque, another jewel of the era, captivates with its Iznik tiles. The Spice Market then draws you in with its lively atmosphere and the alluring scents of local delicacies, while the vast Grand Bazaar immerses you in a world of commerce. As the day draws to a close, the Bosphorus offers a choice: relaxation or a cruise. This essential waterway, shaped by ancient geological forces, continues to be a vital link, its strategic importance woven into the city's fabric.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Cappadocia

Cappadocia - Stone Churches Carved by Hand

Fly to Nevsehir, in the heart of the Cappadocia, with its volcanic rock sculpted by time and the elements into strange pillars. Make a private, after-hours visit to the UNESCO-listed rock-carved churches of Goreme, home to the finest examples of ninth- and tenth-century Byzantine wall paintings, including the now fully restored Dark Church. Then visit a potter's workshop in Avanos, where artisans carry on a 5,000-year-old tradition of working with clay from the banks of the Red River. Observe them at work and feel free to get on the potter's wheel yourself to create a take-away souvenir.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Cappadocia

Cappadocia - Nature's Mysticism

Rise early this morning to lift off by hot air balloon (for an additional fee) to glide over Cappadocia's surreal landscape of "fairy chimneys" on a serene and inspiring experience. Return to your hotel for breakfast before heading out for a hike through the breathtaking terrain, absorbing vistas of domed white rocks and rippling rose canyons. Explore the Monks' Valley, so called because of the many monk refuges carved into the soft rock cones. Visit the Ortahisar Village Weavers Association for a talk on the art of weaving in Turkey, using time-honored patterns, composition, symbols and color schemes. Continue to the marvelous "underground city" at Kaymakli, descending into an extensive network of rock-carved tunnels to marvel at the hallways, sleeping cells, air shafts and chapels that supported subterranean life for centuries.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Izmir

Izmir - Markets, Bazaars and Promenades

Fly to Izmir, a city dating back at least 5,000 years and said to be the hometown of Homer. Touch down and explore the Agora, the well-preserved ruin of a marketplace constructed during the rule of Alexander the Great. This now-defunct Roman-age market lives on, just across the street, in the form of the medieval-to-modern-age Kemeralti Bazaar. Stroll among its colorful stalls, taking in the many sights, sounds and fragrances, and wander down to the wonderfully picturesque Konak Square, adorned by the glamorous marble clock tower and the Parmakli Masjid, a 15th-century mosque. Walk on to the city's waterside promenade (Kordon) to watch the sun set over the Aegean.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Bodrum

Bodrum - Foundations of Western Culture

Drive to Bodrum, stopping en route to explore the remains of the great ancient Ionian cities, ruins from the Classical Age that have no equal anywhere in the Mediterranean. Start with Ephesus, a city dated to 6000 BC that rose to prominence as a major seaport. View the ruins of the Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Terrace Houses with their beautifully preserved mosaics and frescoes, the Library of Celsus and more. Also stroll the nearby archaeological museum to round out your journey through time. Time permitting, explore Priene, a city once home to great philosophers. Further down the coast, view the Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Zeus at Euromos.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Bodrum

Bodrum - Ancient Treasures From the Sea

There is nothing quite like the harbor of Bodrum, where white-washed Aegean houses climb the hills around two semi-circular ports dotted by countless fishing boats. Jutting between them is an islet crowned by a 15th-century castle built by the Knights of St. John. Stop by the ancient Theater of Halicarnassos and the site of the Tomb of King Mausolos, another of the Seven Wonders. Explore Bodrum Town, viewing the Myndos Gate and visiting the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, housed in the romantic Castle of St. Peter. Peruse the museum's extensive collections of ancient amphorae, glassware, and the oldest shipwreck ever found, dated to the 15th century BC - all excavated underwater along the coast of Turkey. This afternoon is free to do with as you please.

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Bodrum

Depart Bodrum

• Meals Included:
• Breakfast