TURKEY SAPPHIRE LUXURY

Welcome to Türkiye, a country rich in culture, history and unique experiences, where East meets West. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary holiday.

Arrive 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 collecting your luggage, you should head to our meeting point at exit gate 8. Next, you will meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and accommodation. Free time to rest.

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

Breakfast. Included excursion: ‘PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS’ Departure at approximately 08:00 (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Visit the old Jewish quarter in Balat, the Greek quarter in Fener and enjoy the magnificent views of the ‘Golden Horn’; then visit St. George's Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church; continue to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, which has the largest dome of any mosque in Istanbul. We head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its colours and aromas, the place par excellence to buy teas, herbs, nuts, traditional sweets and, of course, spices. We will finish with a boat trip across the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will enjoy wonderful views of the Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas and bridges that connect both sides of this city. Transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: The order of the days of the excursions in Istanbul may be reversed, depending on operational conditions such as number of participants, weather, traffic or days when monuments are closed.

Breakfast. Free day. Optional excursion: ‘JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE’ (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant): Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) for an excursion to the historic centre of the city, where you can see the remains of the different empires that shaped modern-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, the centre 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 brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque and museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an amazing technical achievement in its day and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home to the Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, where we will visit the beautiful royal gardens, kitchens, and royal treasure 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 was not converted into a mosque, and we will end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where haggling is a tradition. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

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

Breakfast. Departure to the airport to catch a flight to Cappadocia (flight not included – please enquire about mandatory supplements; transfers are included for a single operation with the group). Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava more than 3 million years ago. Starting with the Göreme Open Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rock and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. Continuing on to the region's impressive valleys with their ‘otherworldly’ landscapes, you will be able to appreciate the views of the symbols of the region's geological formations, the famous ‘Fairy Chimneys’. There will be a stop to enjoy the incredible and extensive panoramic view of some of the famous volcanic rock valleys with spectacular formations. 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. At the end of the tour, visit a carpet centre to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces, which are true treasures, and a gemstone centre, featuring jewellery with designs unique to the region. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Optional programmes in Cappadocia: ‘TURKISH NIGHT’ Folk dance performance in a typical cave with local drinks; ‘JEEP SAFARI’ Adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops to take the best photos; ‘HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE’ Early morning ride to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 6:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) to Pamukkale to visit ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder featuring a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name ‘Hierapolis’ derives from Greek and means ‘sacred city’, referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that existed in the city. One of the most notable aspects of Hierapolis was its famous theatre, which had a capacity to accommodate thousands of spectators and is still largely preserved today. The city gained recognition as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural hot springs and white limestone pools. These mineral-rich waters created impressive natural terraces and waterfalls known as ‘Pamukkale’, which means ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale and Hierapolis are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their historical importance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we will have the opportunity to see locally made textiles. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Breakfast. Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit Mary's House, located on a nearby hill. This place is revered 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 place of pilgrimage for both Christians and Muslims, who consider it a sacred site. We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic tour of this city with a rich history, taking in the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John and the Temple of Artemis, which has consecrated Ephesus as an important religious and cultural centre of antiquity. We will continue the visit at a showroom specialising in leather goods, where you can see high-quality products made from sheepskin and famous for their lightness. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

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

Breakfast. Transfer to Izmir Airport for return flight to Istanbul (flight not included – please enquire about mandatory supplements; transfers are included for a single operation with the group).

Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport (IST) and return flight.