Turkish Delight
Istanbul | Cappadocia | Bodrum
Experience the delights of Turkish Luxury!
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Turkey is a richly historical country with some of the best gastronomy you will ever taste, dramatic scenery from beautiful beaches to majestic mountains and the great city of İstanbul at the heart of it all. From the ancient port city of Ephesus to the Byzantine dome of Aya Sofya, Turkey has more than its fair share of iconic ruins and monuments. A history of rule under the Romans, Byzantines and Ottoman empires is evident all over this important spot on the Silk Road. Experience the Turkish legacy from the closeted quarters of the sultan and his harem in İstanbul's sprawling Topkapı Palace to the romantic and mysterious Lycian ruins on Mediterranean beaches. Turkey's diverse landscapes, from Aegean olive groves to eastern mountains, provides a picturesque setting for its many great ruins. The country's most magical scenery is to be found in Asian Anatolia, where beautiful vistas are provided by the vertiginous Mediterranean coastline, Cappadocia's otherworldly 'fairy chimney' rock formations and wavy valleys, the alpine pastures of the Kaçkar Mountains, and golden beaches like Patara. Wherever you visit, Turkey's landscape will leave a lasting impression on your experience. Turkey offers activities to suit every temperament, from outdoors adventure to cultural enrichment. Aquatic fun includes diving, windsurfing, rafting and canyoning in mountain gorges, kayaking over Kekova's sunken ruins and traditional Gület cruises on the Aegean. Take to the air with Ölüdeniz' thrilling paragliding flights or a hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia. For a fresh angle on stunning Turkish scenery, trek to highland pastures or walk part of the Lycian Way trail. In the larger cities, take a culinary course, soak in a hamam (Turkish bath) or learn about the local culture during a walking tour. The best thing about visiting Turkey is sampling all of the delicious local specialties. From meze on a Mediterranean harbor to a pension breakfast featuring ingredients fresh from the kitchen garden, your tastebuds are the key to take you to the heart of Turkish culture.
What is Included
10 Days/9 Nights
Luxury Accommodations
Airfare on Turkish Airlines from the U.S. to Istanbul
Domestic Connecting Flights in Turkey (Turkish Airlines & Pegasus)
Modern Air-conditioned Transfer Vehicles
Most Meals Included
English Speaking Drivers & Guides
Cultural Experiences
Historical Tours
Private Yacht Cruises
Outdoor/Adventure Experiences
& MORE!
Pricing starting at $8,259
*Payment Plan available upon request
Trip Highlights:
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Full-Day Tour: Ottoman Relics & the Grand Bazaar Rooftops
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Hamam Experience (Turkish Bath)
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Full-Day Tour: Masterpieces of Rivals
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Private Yacht Bosporus Dinner Cruise
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Turkish Cooking Class
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Full-Day Tour: Hot Air Balloon & Goerme Surroundings
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Private Wine Tasting & Turkish BBQ Dinner
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Full-Day Tour: Underground Cities, Traditional Villages & ATV Tour
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Tour of Ephesus
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Tour of Bodrum Castle
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Private Gulet Aegean Day Cruise
Istanbul
Istanbul is the magical meeting place of East and West. The city has more tourist attractions than it has minarets, and that's a lot! The Greeks, Romans and Venetians took turns ruling Istanbul before the Ottomans stormed into town and decided to cement their hold. Reminders of each of the various former rulers can be found across the city. Istanbul was also the final leg on the legendary Silk Road linking Asia with Europe, and many merchants who came here liked it so much that they too, decided to stay. All of this migration gave the city a cultural diversity unlike any other country. When the Ottomans took over, they were quick to launch an ambitious building program. The magnificently decorated imperial mosques that they built are architectural triumphs that together form one of the world's great skylines. In recent years, local banks and businesses have reprised these grand ambitions and endowed an impressive array of galleries, museums and festivals for all to enjoy. The city's cuisine is just as diverse as its heritage, and delicious too. Locals take their eating and drinking very seriously. Restaurants in Istanbul are the best in the country. You can find everything from Asian dishes to Italian classics, but most visitors prefer to sample traditional Turkish dishes. Some ancient cities are the sum of their monuments, but İstanbul brings a lot more into the equation. One of the city's main attractions is the locals, who have an infectious love of life and welcoming generosity. Interacting with the locals at a Tea Garden or Turkish Tavern may very well be the highlight of your experience.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia looks like it was plucked from a whimsical fairytale and set down upon the Anatolian plains. Its a geological oddity of honeycombed hills and towering boulders of otherworldly beauty. The fantastical topography is matched by the human history here. Locals have long utilized the region's soft stone, seeking shelter underground and leaving the countryside scattered with unique cavern architecture. The fresco-adorned rock-cut churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and the subterranean refuges of Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı are the most famous sights, while staying in one of Cappadocia's cave hotels is an experience in 21st-century cave living. Whether you're drawn here by the hiking trails, the history and culture or the bragging rights of becoming a modern troglodyte for a night, it's probably the moon like panoramas that you'll remember the most. This region's ridged valleys are the stuff of psychedelic daydreams.
Bodrum
Bodrum attracts more than a million tourists to its sunny beaches, boutique hotels, trendy restaurants and vibrant clubs each summer. It’s a town that never seems to lose its cool. More than any other Turkish seaside city, Bodrum has a modest elegance that flows through the surrounding peninsula. From the iconic Bodrum Castle and its glamorous marina, to its flower-filled cafes and white-plastered backstreets. Even on the most hectic days during the peak of summer, there's always little corners of serenity to be found in town. Urban planners have sought to preserve Bodrum's essential Aegean character, which was influenced by the Cretans who moved here during the population exchange of the 1920s. Laws restrict building heights and the whitewashed houses with bright-blue trim evoke a lost era that looks more like somewhere in the Greek Isles than anywhere in Turkey. The impressive castle and the city's other ancient ruins also help to elevate Bodrum decisively above the rest.