This year, try something new and exciting. Embark on an epic 6 Night / 7 Day small group luxury tour of Turkey which includes business class international air. Here are the itinerary, details and amazing rates:
Day 1, Sunday depart USA
Take the Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul and enjoy flying with one of the best airlines in the world. You will enjoy delicious meals prepared by your flying chef!
Day 2, Monday ISTANBUL
Arrive in Istanbul, you will be met at the gate of the aircraft by our VIP host/ess with a name sign and have our VIP Airport Service for assistance with the airport formalities. Then you will meet your Sea Song Representative in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel.
onight you will enjoy a Welcome Dinner at your hotel to meet everyone in your group and mingle.
Overnight at Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
Day 3, Tuesday ISTANBUL
After breakfast, at 8:00am, you will meet your professional guide at the hotel lobby for your private full day experience.
Today a special private early opening of St. Sophia has been arranged for you to visit the architectural marvel of all time privately. It was built during Emperor Justinian reign ( AD 537 ) and it remained the greatest church in Christendom until the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet II who ordered to convert Hagia Sophia into a Mosque. In 1934, Atatürk proclaimed it a museum. The walls of this beautiful piece of architecture are decorated with gorgeous mosaics.
Then you will visit to the Hippodrome, which was one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine Empire. You will take a short walk to the Blue Mosque, completed in 1616, it is a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance. The mosque was a part of a complex also including, tombs, fountains, kitchens, and a bath. Its colourful 260 windows enables the sunlight to reach inside. This makes the interior unusually light. The blue Iznik Tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque.
Lunch is suggested at a local restaurant on your own.
After your lunch, you will visit the Underground Cistern. It was built by Justinian in the 6th century. It is 70 meters wide and 140 meters long, with a capacity of 80,000 m³ of water. It has 336 beautiful columns that support the cistern, two of which are carved with the head of Medusa on the plinth.
Then, you will visit the Egyptian Bazaar, the second largest covered market in Istanbul. It was constructed in the 1660s as part of the Yeni Camii (New Mosque) complex. The name derives from the herbs, and spices imported from or through Egypt. It is still the best place to buy Turkish delight, dried fruit, exotic spices and herbs.
Last you will visit the Karakoy neighborhood to taste the local flavours of Istanbul!
You will visit Namli, a gourmet shop and restaurant carrying quality varieties of olive oils, international sauces, cheeses, helva, dried fruit and nuts, meze and other delicacies, as well as deli meats such as pastırma and sucuk. You will enjoy tasting some specialties that are in high demand by locals.
Your last stop will be the Karakoy Gulluoglu Baklava shop to indulge in what most locals believe to be the best baklava in all of Turkey. Enjoy dessert at this Istanbul institution, and observe the local foot traffic as deliveries depart for homes throughout the city and to all parts of the country.
At the end of your full day experience, you will return to your hotel.
Enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight at Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
Day 4, Wednesday ISTANBUL
After breakfast, at 9:00am, you will meet your professional guide at the hotel lobby for your private full day experience.
You will start your day with a visit to the magnificient Topkapı Palace, the residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. It is located on the promontory jutting out between the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. This setting provides a magnificent view. The construction of the Topkapı Palace was completed between 1465 and 1478. Being the imperial residence of the sultan, his court and harem, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. 4,000 people lived in the Palace. In the Treasury section, you will see breathtaking displays, including the 7th largest diamond in the world, the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”.
Next, you will explore ninety-two streets of the famous Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of Turkish Handicrafts, Oriental carpets, rare jewels and inexpensive souvenirs all sold in small shops next to each other. The streets are named according to the trades, such as gold and silver sellers, carpet sellers, booksellers, etc. The most oriental atmosphere in Istanbul is found in the bazaar.
Lunch is suggested at a local restaurant on your own.
After your lunch embark on your private motor yacht to enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water separating the Asian and European continents and the life blood of Istanbul. Passing along the shores of the Bosphorus you will view magnificent palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite. Enjoy soft drinks on the motor yacht and see a different perspective of Istanbul, described by a Byzantine visitor in the 12th century as “the city of the world’s desire”. Your cruise will take approximately 1 ½ hours and your guide will give you information about the architectural monuments that you will see on the Bosphorus; such as palaces, fortresses, yalı’s (Ottoman waterfront villas) that were owned by Ottoman Pasha’s and bridges.
At the end of your experience, you will return to your hotel
Enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight at Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
Day 5, Thursday ISTANBUL / CAPPADOCIA
After an early breakfast at 7:00am, you will meet your Sea Song Representative at the hotel lobby and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your flight TK#2026 departing at 9:00am. Arrive in Kayseri at 10:30am, meet your professional guide in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel with visits on route.
The region of Cappadocia, the jewel of Central Anatolia, and home to a bewitching landscape of spectacularly eroded tuff (hardened volcanic ash). The most famous and characteristic feature of the landscape are the remarkable conical rock outcrops know as fairy chimneys. The softness of the tuff made it easy to excavate and create dwellings; whole cities were constructed underground as well as hundreds of rock-cut chapels, beautifully frescoed churches and monasteries.
First you will have a panoramic drive through Zelve, where three canyons meet in the Valley of Monks. The rock face at Zelve is honeycombed with caves and churches, and much of the decoration inside the churches is symbolic.
Next, you will view Devrent Valley also called Imagination Valley. One magical corner in the countless panoramic valleys of Cappadocia, here is an unbelievable landscape with its rock formations and savage feeling; one of the best introductions to understanding the formation of fairy chimneys.
Then, you will visit Pasabag Valley where the formation of “fairy chimneys” can be best observed. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
Enjoy lunch on your own at a local restaurant.
After your lunch you will visit the village of Uchisar, full of towering rock houses typical of this area. Uchisar is a small town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle.
After your visits you will arrive to your authentic cave hotel.
At 5:30pm, meet in the hotel lobby for a private wine tasting experience in a cave wine cellar. (Exclusive Journeys Unparalleled Amenity)
Enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight at Argos in Cappadocia
Day 6, Friday CAPPADOCIA
An early start for an Hot Air Balloon Flight (one hour), this is truly a once in a lifetime experience and there is no better way to see the distinctive landscapes of Cappadocia than by gently floating overhead in a hot air balloon. Your skillful pilot will skim the basket across fruit trees and rise up over the fairy chimneys, before ascending to great heights for breathtaking views. Upon landing you will celebrate your flight with a champagne toast! Return to your hotel for a homemade breakfast. (OPTIONAL ACTIVITY)
After your breakfast, at 9:30am meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private full day of sightseeing.
First will descend below the earth’s surface into the Kaymakli Underground City, where five levels extend below ground and include; living quarters, kitchens, wine presses, storage rooms, stables and ventilation shafts. Early Christians carved out these subterranean complexes to avoid invaders who swept across the plains of Anatolia from the 6th to the 9th Century.
Next you will arrive in the pretty town of Avanos, which has long been a center for pottery artisans as it lies on the banks of the Red River where clay supplies are abundant. Enjoy a visit to a pottery workshop to meet the artisans and see their collections displayed in a vast underground cave complex. You will visit the Ceramic Museum where you will understand the developments in the field of ceramics in Anatolia from the first age to the 20th century and will see the pieces by living famous ceramic artists.
Lunch will be served in a local home prepared by a local Cappadocian family.
After your lunch, visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum where icons and other figurative representations were prohibited. The 11th century represents the “golden age” of religious art in Goreme. Then, you will visit the Goreme Valley, which has been occupied since the dawn of history. It is the valley of the churches. The wonderful and primitive 11th and 12th century frescoes cover the walls of these churches. The oldest churches in the area date back to the 6th century. Among the 356 of churches, the most important ones are Karanlik Kilise, Yilanli Kilise, Elmali Kilise and Tokali Kilise.
At the end of your day, you will be transferred to Nevsehir Airport for your flight TK#7353 departing at 6:30pm. Arrive in Izmir at 8:00pm, meet you guide in the arrivals hall and transfer to your hotel.
Enjoy dinner on your own.
Overnight at Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
Day 7, Saturday EPHESUS
After your breakfast, at 9:00am meet your professional guide in the hotel lobby for your private full day of sightseeing.
First, visit Ephesus, famous throughout the ancient world for its Temple of Artemis. You will first visit Odeon Theatre where the state affairs used to be held. Then, view the Hadrian Temple, It was dedicated in 118 AD to Hadrian, Artemis, and the people of Ephesus but greatly reconstructed in the 4th century. This impressive Corinthian style temple has beautiful reliefs on the porch. According to the belief of Ephesians, the Medusa head on the porch, would protect the city from its enemies.
Next, you will visit the newly excavated spectacular Terrace Houses (Villas) located on top of the hill within the City of Ephesus. They were inhabited by wealthy Ephesians, and are finely decorated with mosaics and frescos. The Terrace Houses were brought to light in excavations carried out since the 1980s. Along with those in Pompeii, they constitute some of the most vivid examples of Roman domestic architecture to survive to the present
Proceed to Celsus Library, The library is the best preserved structure of its kind. The inscription on the side of the building’s front staircase says that the library was build by Julius, in his father’s honour, after his death. His father, Celsus was the Roman governor of Asia Minor early in the 2nd century AD.
The Great Theatre, dates back to the Hellenistic period. In the 1st century AD it was succesfully reconstructed, expanded by the Romans until it reached the seating capacity of 25,000. This is also the place where St.Paul preached. Marble Road, runs between the Library of Celsus and the theater and is a part of the sacred walk way.
Lunch is suggested at a local restaurant on your own.
After your lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where the Virgin is said to have lived the last years of her life. The building was rediscovered in the late 19th century by Lazartis from Smyrna based on the vision of a German nun. The site is officially declared a shrine of the Roman Catholic Church and visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967, Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.
Last, you will visit the Ephesus Museum. Many of the artifacts displayed here were found in Ephesus and other ancient sites in the region. Highlights include the fresco of Socrates, statues and heads of Eros, crosses, coins and the works of the 1st century AD. Such as glass trays and theatrical masks, and much more.
At the end of your sightseeing, you will return to your hotel.
Tonight you will enjoy a farewell dinner at your hotel and enjoy your last night in beautiful Izmir.
Overnight at Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
Day 8, depart IZMIR / ISTANBUL / HOME
After an early breakfast, depart your hotel at 6:45am and transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight TK#2309 departing Izmir at 8:40am. Arrive in Istanbul at 9:50am and have a short walk to international terminal to connect your international flight. (Flight TBA) Enjoy Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge prior to your international flight.
Included Services:
- 3 nights accommodation in Advantage Bosphorus View Room at Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul
- 1 night accommodation in a cave room at Argos in Cappadocia
- 2 nights accommodation at Executive Sea View Room at Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir
- 5 full days of private sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.
– Private chauffeur driven a/c deluxe vehicle throughout the program.
- Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary.
- Licensed professional local guides in English language.
- Services of Sea Song Tour’s English speaking, officially licensed guides throughout the tour program
- Roundtrip Business Class international flights with Turkish Airlines
- from/to the gateways where Turkish Airlines has a direct flight
- Domestic airfare (Turkish Airlines-Economy class)
- Istanbul – Kayseri
- Nevsehir-Izmir
- Izmir – Istanbul
- All arrival and departure transfers and baggage handling in Turkey
- VIP Airport Service upon international arrival
- Private motor yacht cruise on the Bosphorus in Istanbul for 1 ½ hours
- Lunch in a local home in Cappadocia
- Special early private opening of St. Sophia
- Welcome dinner at Swissotel The Bosphorus, Istanbul with limited alcoholic beverages (2 glasses per person)
- Farewell dinner at Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir with limited alcoholic beverages (2 glasses per person)
- Bottled water provided thoughout the tour
- Welcome Package
- 18% VAT taxes.
Exclusive Journeys Unparalleled Amenity:
- Private wine tasting in a cave wine cellar in Cappadocia
Excluded Services:
- Gratuities to the Guide & Driver
- At the discretion of the guests
- Personal expenses of the guests
- Passport and visa charges
- Lunches and dinners throughout the program (except welcome and farewell dinners)
- (will be at the own cost of the guests)
Optional Services:
- Hot Air Ballooning Experience in Cappadocia
Tour Cost:
$3990.00 – Gateways New York (JFK), Boston, Atlanta
$4590.00 – Gateways Houston, Chicago, Washington DC
$5190.00 – Gateways San Fransisco, Los Angeles, Miami
Tour costs are per person in double or triple occupancy.
Single supplement is $585.00.
Departure Dates:
May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
22 5 10 7 4 2 6 4
12 17 14 18 9 13 11
19 24 21 25 16 20
26 31 28 23 27
30
Group is limited to 20 people. Tour will run with as few as 2 people.
Contact us to book or for questions: info@journeysunpralleled.com.