Turkey: Iconic Istanbul, Aegean Coast To Cappadocia

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Take a step back in time with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. Once home to the Ottoman sultans and their harems, it's now a museum hosting a number of collections, ranging from porcelains found in Europe, Asia and China to Ottoman-era weaponry.

Step aboard your own private boat for a stunning glide across the Bosphorus Strait-the famous waterway dividing Europe and Asia. Continue on to the Kadikoy to experience the vibrant, mouth-watering energy of Istanbul's ultimate foodie neighbourhood during an included street food lunch.

Watch the city skyline unfold as we cross the spectacular Bosphorus Suspension Bridge, taking you from the Asian continent back into Europe. Every guest will be awarded a personalised "Intercontinental Traveler Certificate"-the perfect keepsake to remember the day you walked between continents.

Begin the day in Istanbul with a walking tour in the old city, including a visit to the historic Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. Be awed by the Blue Mosque's symmetry and internal tile work, and take the chance to learn more about the ceremony behind Islam, as it is a working mosque. Continue to the Basilica Cistern and then pass in front of the magnificent Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya), one of the great churches of the Byzantine Empire which was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. There will be time for an optional visit to the Hagia Sofia before continuing on to lunch.

Walk through the Grand Bazaar, the area locals come to do their shopping, and down to Golden Horn. Enjoy a coffee break at Buyuk Valide Han while admiring the view of Bhosporus. Visit Rustempasa Mosque.

Join renowned Chef Elif Edes for an exclusive "Echoes of Coexistence" dinner, an intimate culinary journey through Istanbul's multicultural history. This immersive storytelling experience invites you to savor a rich mosaic of traditional Armenian, Greek, Jewish, and Turkish mezzes. Each expertly crafted dish showcases centuries of shared flavors, vibrant spices, and coastal olive oils. As you dine, Chef Elif shares the fascinating stories behind the recipes, transforming a spectacular meal into an unforgettable celebration of community. It is the ultimate feast for curious culture lovers.

Leave Istanbul behind and fly south toward the Aegean Sea, where the sun-drenched coast of Bodrum awaits.

Discover the captivating ruins of Ancient Heraklia, a hidden historical gem peacefully nestled along the shores of Lake Bafa. Shadowed by the dramatic granite peaks of the Latmos Mountains, this off-the-beaten-path site seamlessly intertwines with the tranquil Turkish village of Kapikiri. Wander through silver olive groves where classical marble columns and ancient council chambers sit casually in local back gardens. Explore the spectacular Temple of Athena overlooking the water, marvel at exceptionally preserved Hellenistic city walls, and experience a raw, authentic slice of the Aegean where nature and ancient history unite.

A visit to Yalikavak's market offers a wonderful snapshot of coastal Turkish life. The lively covered bazaar features a colorful bounty of the Aegean harvest, from wild mountain herbs and regional olives to handwoven linens and artisan crafts. The definitive finale to your afternoon stroll is a classic, local lunch nearby. Pull up a bench to enjoy hand-pressed Aegean meatballs (kofte) sizzling straight off a charcoal grill, served with fire-roasted vegetables, traditional bean salad, and a refreshing glass of ayran.

Option 1: Depart Bodrum for a serene Karaova Valley journey. Discover Garova Vineyards' natural winemaking, explore a local village market, observe traditional carpet root dyeing, and enjoy a farm-to-table wine-pairing lunch. Option 2: Bike from Bodrum to bohemian Gumusluk, pedaling past windmills and olive groves. Explore ancient Myndos ruins by wading to Rabbit Island, and conclude with a waterside Aegean seafood lunch.

Visit the Apollo temple at the ancient Greek sanctuary of Didyma. Said to have been destroyed by Persians in 494 BC, it was later restored by Alexander the Great during the 3rd century BC where it flourished for centuries thereafter.

Visit Miletus, located near the mouth of the Maeander River. The history of Miletus goes back to 3500 BC when the ancient city was an important trading outpost for goods coming out of the interior of the country. The site and the impressive theater we will see are from the Roman period.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Tour the ruins of ancient Ephesus to get a feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times. Take in its massive, well-preserved theatre, which dominates the view down Harbour Street. See the two-story library, whose facade has been carefully reconstructed from all original pieces. Built in AD 125, it once held nearly 12,000 scrolls.

Visit Efesium Handicrafts, a community-focused initiative that highlights local culture, history, and, in particular, handicrafts produced by local women. This is a project supported by the Selcuk Municipality where local women create and sell handmade, specially designed, and authentic souvenirs. The products reflect the 8,600-year history of the region

Tonight, Immerse yourself in Aegean culture during an exclusive cooking class with the owners of your winery hotel. You will learn to prepare traditional regional dishes using fresh, estate-grown ingredients and local olive oil. Afterward, enjoy the glamorous dinner you helped prepare, served in the olive garden. Two musicians will stroll around the tables, serenading guests as they face the beautifully illuminated ancient city of Ephesus in the distance. It is an unforgettable evening pairing exquisite local wine and heritage.

Leave the shores of Izmir behind and fly toward the rugged heart of Anatolia, where the sweeping landscapes of Ankara await.

Visit the Roman and Ottoman quarters of town and Ataturk's mausoleum to learn more about the fascinating history of this comparatively contemporary capital and its relationship to modern Turkey. Finish at the magnificent Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which contains an outstanding collection of artifacts documenting this region.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Experience rural Cappadocia on a traditional valley farm in Goreme. Discover how volcanic ash nurtures regional crops, then participate in daily chores like gathering organic eggs or harvesting fresh produce. Finally, conclude your interactive morning with an authentic outdoor lunch featuring savory seasonal Anatolian stews and fresh traditional local flatbreads.

Be inspired by the natural beauty of the historic Goreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Tour the more than 10 caves on site, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of many of the churches that are up to 1,000 years old.

To enter Derinkuyu is to leave the world of light behind and descend into one of the most sophisticated engineering marvels of the ancient world. Located in the heart of Cappadocia, this subterranean metropolis reaches a depth of approximately 85 meters (280 feet) and was capable of sheltering up to 20,000 people along with their livestock and food supplies.

Trade the rugged for the refined with a gentle Cappadocia jeep tour. This curated sunset expedition takes you off the beaten path in a private 4x4 to discover the region's most iconic hidden valleys at a serene, panoramic pace.

Visit the ancient and expansive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli Underground City. Thought to have been built between the 8th and 7th Century BC, Kaymakli was carved out of the rock and consists of nearly a hundred tunnels with vast amounts of storerooms, ventilation shafts and a church.

Explore the historic cave city of Zelve Open Air Museum. Wander through three rugged valleys to discover one of Cappadocia's largest ancient troglodyte communities. This striking site showcases a multi-layered history of cultural coexistence, featuring incredible rock-cut homes, churches, and a mosque carved directly into the cliffsides.

Learn more about the infamous local art of pottery making and take advantage of the opportunity to create your own masterpiece.

Experience a serene gondola cruise along Cappadocia's Red River in Avanos. These boats offer a picturesque glide past willow-lined banks. The journey takes place on Turkey's longest internal river. The calm, slow-moving currents are lined with green riverbanks, weeping willows, and local waterfowl, offering a peaceful, low-tempo break from active hiking. This peaceful journey provides a relaxing contrast to the rocky valleys, deeply connecting you to the region's ancient pottery-making heritage.

Leave the wind-sculpted landscapes of Cappadocia behind and fly back to Istanbul.