Highlights of Turkey

Today, on arrival in Istanbul you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Take some time to enjoy dinner in one of the trendy restaurants in the posh Nisanasi district.

Explore the mosques and monuments of this fascinating city with your local guide. You’ll visit the domed basilica of Hagia Sophia, a building of great architectural beauty reflecting the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. View ancient mosaics in The Great Palace Mosaic Museum and stroll by the imposing city walls. Enjoy a new perspective of the cityscape when you take a ferry ride across  the mighty Bosphorus  to explore the food markets. Sample some of the local delicacies from meze and baklava washed down with a steaming cup of Turkish coffee.

Today, you’re free to explore this intriguing city. You could start a trip to the iconic Blue Mosque. A glimpse inside will reveal how this city’s landmark acquired its name. A visit to the Topkapi Palace is a must. Once the court of the Ottoman Empire, this opulent palace is filled with magnificent pavilions and historical artifacts. Browse hand-painted ceramics, intricate carpets and fine jewellery at the Grand Bazaar. Follow your nose to the aromatic Spice Bazaar where you can pick up a cornucopia of flavours to take home. Toast your evening with a glass of raki in a meyhanes (Turkish tavern) on the banks of the river.  

Follow in the footsteps of the Silk Road merchants with a day meeting local artisans. Kick-start your day sampling the ultimate cup of coffee. During a visit to a coffee roastery you’ll learn the secerts of a dirty chai. As the aroma of the coffee beans wane you’ll be exposed to some of the local fragrances. Hear from a perfumer, or ‘nose’, about the signature scents. Taste the best baklava before returning to your hotel for a spa treatment. Bid a fond farewell with a sundowner cruise on the Bosphorus.

This morning transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Izmir. On arrival you will then take a short drive from the Aegean coast to the classical ruins of Ephesus, the grandest and best preseved ancient cities in Turkey. Explore the wonders of this UNESCO site, which include; one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis, House of the Virgin Mary and Basilica of St John. You can literally wander through the archaelogical ruins from a sucession of ancient civilizations. From here, you will journey to the beautiful beaches of Bodrum.

This morning, learn more about what lies beneath the turquoise coastline with a private tour of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology. Located in Bodrum Castle you’ll get a chance to view artefacts from shipwrecks dating from the Bronze Age to the Ottoman Empire. Your guide will then take you into the buzzing port of Bodrum. Learn more about the history and enjoy a stroll past the whitewashed building to the marina before browsing the trendy boutiques. Indulge in a Turkish Bath in the hotel spa before enjoying a sundowner on the terrace.

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward journey.