Turkish Delight

Fly into Istanbul (IST). We'll meet you at the airport when you clear customers, and whisk you to our home in Istanbul, the Bank Hotel in the vibrant Karaköy district. The hotel is housed in an old bank building designed by Antoine Tedeschi in 1867 and recently renovated. 

Take some time to rest and relax. In the early evening, we'll gather for a welcome drink in the lobby and thenl head out for dinner to plan our expedition to the Grand Bazaar, the world's first shopping mall.

A delicious Turkish breakfast will provide us with the energy to explore the historic districts of Sultanahmet/Fatih in Istanbul. Our first stop is at the Blue Mosque.  The beautiful hand-painted tiles that resemble the open sky will amaze you. Afterward, we'll visit the ancient and impressive Hagia Sophia, one of the oldest and most magnificent buildings we've ever seen.

We'll stop for a quick and easy lunch while we explore the Grand Bazaar and its vast collection of antiques, jewels, shoes, and lanterns. Our guide will help us to find hidden gems and the items we discussed yesterday. With over 4,000 booths and tiny streets, our guide will ensure we don't get lost. After that, we'll head to the Egyptian Bazaar, which specializes in spices, sweets, soaps, and medicinal teas. We'll take a break at the hotel before boarding a private boat for an evening sail up the Bosphorus to our dinner in a former Ottoman Palace, the Tuğra restaurant.

Our plan for today is to explore the contemporary art scene in Istanbul. We'll start with breakfast and then visit the impressive Istanbul Modern, Turkey's first museum of modern and contemporary art. After that, we will head to the innovative SALT Galata projects and take some stunning pictures at Kamondo Stairs.

For those interested in purchasing art, there will be an opportunity to visit a top-tier dealer gallery. Finally, we'll head to the airport to catch our flight to Cappadocia.

You'll have time to relax after checking in at Yunak Houses Cave. We'll have dinner in the Caverna Restaurant at the hotel and an early night.

We'll wake before dawn today for a private flight with one of Cappadocia’s premier hot air balloon companies. Nothing beats the gentle sensation of drifting above the fairy chimneys at sunrise!

Join us for a fun morning in the kitchen, where we'll learn to make traditional Turkish dishes. Afterward, we'll enjoy our creations for lunch. There's free time in the afternoon for those in need of a nap after the early balloon flight. You can also use the time to explore the beautiful historic village of Ürgüp. 

Tonight, you're the gastronomic explorer, discovering the town's culinary gems at your own pace.

If you're interested in learning about Turkish/Oriental carpets, we can arrange a fascinating workshop tonight.

Today is a nature-focused day. We’ll take a trip to a serene valley garden for some gentle yoga under the balloon flight path, then enjoy a picnic breakfast. A local female entrepreneur and yoga instructor who runs her own business in this little town will lead the yoga session. 

Next, you'll visit one of Cappadocia’s underground cities - an anthropological museum of the cave dweller’s life.   

Before sunset, a female sommelier will host us in a wine-tasting session in her lavender garden, facing the beautiful ferry chimneys of Cappadocia. Mrs. Gunesh will host you, talking about local grapes and wine and telling the story of how she set up her own business after being a hotelier in the region.

Enjoy dinner on your own tonight. 

In the morning, once we have finished our breakfast, we'll embark on a pleasant drive to Kayseri airport to take a flight to Izmir, the bustling third-largest city located on the picturesque west coast of Turkey.

From Izmir, we'll drive to the local traveler's paradise, Alaçatı. The Swissotel Resort and Spa is our home for two days. 

After you settle in your beautiful Mediterranean-style rooms, your guide will take you for an orientation walk in this cute town. Dinner is served at a local tavern, and mezes and seafood comprise your set menu! 

We'll wake up to enjoy the Aegean coast! Experience the ultimate relaxation on our private yacht. After a delicious breakfast, we'll set sail on the crystal clear waters for a day filled with adventure and tranquility. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy a delightful picnic at a secluded beach. We guarantee that you'll have an unforgettable time.

As we make our way back, we will take the time to indulge in a farewell dinner at the Asma Yapragi, cherishing every bite and every moment spent during our journey. Let's raise our glasses and toast the beautiful experiences we shared in Turkey.

It's time to say goodbye to Turkey! 

From exploring the beautiful architectural heritage to savoring delicious Turkish cuisine, we have made unforgettable memories here. As much as we would love to stay longer, it's time for us to move on to our next adventure.

After breakfast, we'll head to the airport for our flight to Istanbul, brimming with gratitude for the unforgettable moments and sharing one last güle güle (go smiling!) with the friends who have enriched our lives during this trip!