Turkish Delight

Fly into Istanbul (IST). After you've cleared customs, we'll meet you at the airport and whisk you to our home in Istanbul, the Michelin-recommended Soho House, in the historic Beyoğlu district. The hotel is housed in a palazzo built by a 19th-century Genoese merchant and has sweeping views of the Bosphorus.

Take time to rest and relax. We'll gather in one of the hotel's chic lounges for a welcome drink and overview of the week to come. 

Afterward, it's only a short stroll to our dinner reservation at Pera Antakya, where a sparkling introduction to Turkish cuisine awaits. We'll savor a delicious meal showcasing local flavors in an intimate and inviting atmosphere.

Wake up and open the curtains to unveil Istanbul in the morning light. We've got a lot of ground to cover in this dynamic city today, so enjoy a hearty breakfast (the Turks know how to put on a fantastic spread), and we'll meet in the lobby afterward. 

We’ll begin with a stroll through the Old City, pausing at the magnificent Blue Mosque, where elegant domes and intricate İznik tiles create an expansive, awe-inspiring experience. We’ll continue to the Hippodrome of Constantinople, once the center of Byzantine public life, before stepping inside Hagia Sophia to admire its extraordinary blend of Byzantine and Ottoman history.

We’ll pause for lunch at Deraliye Restaurant, where we’ll savor traditional Turkish flavors and share our favorite moments from the morning. 

Our exploration continues at Topkapi Palace, the lavish former residence of the Ottoman sultans, where imperial courtyards, treasured artifacts, and sweeping Bosphorus views offer a glimpse into the world of the Ottoman court. 

We’ll finish our afternoon wandering through the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets, filled with thousands of shops offering everything from textiles and jewelry to spices and handcrafted treasures.

By around 5 pm, we’ll return to the hotel with time to relax and refresh before the rest of our evening unfolds. We're in for an exciting treat tonight: the Whirling Dervishes, a mesmerizing Sema ceremony accompanied by Sufi music and centuries-old rituals. 

Following the performance, we’ll make the short walk to Panorama 360 Restaurant for dinner, where we’ll enjoy a meal accompanied by panoramic views across Istanbul. With the city's historic skyline unfolding around us, it’s a fitting way to bring an immersive day in the city to a close.

We’ll begin with a light breakfast and an easy morning at the hotel before setting out on foot around 10 am with our guide to explore some of Istanbul’s most vibrant flavors. 

Along Istiklal Street, we’ll sample a delicious range of Turkish favorites, from warm kumpir and sesame-studded simit to the city’s famously saucy wet burger. Sweet baklava and rich Turkish coffee round out our tasting as our guide shares the stories and local customs behind each bite. 

We’ll end on a high note (literally) as we make our way to the historic Galata Tower, ascending to its observation deck for sweeping views across Istanbul and the Bosphorus before walking toward our afternoon workshop.

We'll step into the intricate world of Turkish tea and coffee through an immersive workshop in a spacious atelier between Galataport and Galata Tower. We’ll explore teas from across the globe, comparing delicate Chinese greens with robust Black Sea varieties while learning the nuances of brewing temperatures, timing, teapots, and traditional gaiwans. 

We’ll also take part in a Turkish coffee ritual, selecting and grinding our own beans before slowly preparing the coffee over hot sand—a hands-on experience that offers a deeper appreciation for a beloved part of Turkish daily life.

Back at the hotel, you'll have a few hours to rest before we transfer to Hürrem Sultan Hamam. If you've never experienced a hammam, prepare to feel like a new person once the treatment is said and done. The experience begins with a full-body scrub and fragrant clay mask, followed by a warm bubble ritual on heated marble and a relaxing head and neck massage. A nourishing hair wash and moisturizing face mask complete this restorative experience. 

You'll have a personal changing room to refresh yourself after the hammam. Everyone will be absolutely glowing as we head to dinner at the Michelin-star Mutto Anatolian Tapas Bar to savor a unique assortment of Turkish-inspired Spanish small plates. 

Our last morning in Istanbul will be a great one. Sip on a Turkish coffee before we set off on a private morning cruise along the Bosphorus, offering a final look at Istanbul from the water. Aboard our private yacht, we’ll glide past Ottoman palaces, elegant waterfront mansions, and historic minarets while enjoying refreshments.

A private transfer brings us to the airport, where we'll catch our midday flight to Cappadocia. Once we touchdown, we’ll meet our guide and dive right in as we explore the city’s remarkable Seljuk heritage. 

We’ll visit the Gevher Nesibe Madrasah, one of the world’s earliest medical schools and hospitals, before continuing to Kayseri Castle, whose imposing basalt walls reflect centuries of Roman, Byzantine, and Seljuk history. Our final stop is the Hunat Hatun Complex, where intricate stonework showcases the sophistication of 13th-century Seljuk architecture.

By late afternoon, we’ll leave Kayseri behind and cross the Anatolian plateau toward Cappadocia, arriving around 5 pm. We’ll check into Cave Utopia, where our cave-style rooms offer a distinctive introduction to the region’s otherworldly landscape. 

This evening, we’ll gather for dinner at Happena, a Michelin-starred restaurant, bringing our first day in Cappadocia to a memorable close. We have a early start tomorrow, but it'll be worth it, we promise.

We’ll rise before sunrise for one of Cappadocia’s most unforgettable experiences: a private hot air balloon flight over the region’s surreal landscape. As the first light spills across the valleys, we’ll float above fairy chimneys, sculpted rock formations, and ancient valleys before touching down for a celebratory toast and commemorative flight certificate. Back at the hotel, we’ll have time to enjoy breakfast and sneak a nap in before a full day exploring South Cappadocia.

Our tour begins in the vivid Red and Rose Valleys, where winding trails reveal dramatic rock formations and hidden cave churches. We’ll sit down for lunch at Cappa Gusto before venturing underground into a fascinating labyrinth once used as a refuge by early Christian communities. 

From the panoramic vistas of Pigeon Valley to a visit with local carpet makers at Yüksel Carpet, the rest of the day unfolds in a fascinating assortment of landscapes and craftsmanship. 

After some time to rest back at the hotel, we'll transfer to Tandır House, where we’ll step into the kitchen alongside a local chef to prepare a selection of beloved Turkish dishes, learning the techniques and stories behind each recipe. 

We’ll make specialties such as testi kebabı, dolma, mantı, and fresh tandır bread before sitting down together to enjoy our meal against a backdrop of Cappadocia’s valleys and fairy chimneys. 

Few sights capture the magic of Cappadocia quite like its morning sky. We’ll head out early to a scenic terrace where a lavish Turkish breakfast awaits, accompanied by the sight of dozens of hot air balloons drifting silently above the fairy chimneys as the sun rises over the valleys. If you're looking for an especially memorable keepsake, you can opt to add on a professional flying dress photoshoot after breakfast. 

Back at the hotel, we'll have a moment to gather ourselves before setting out to discover the other half of Cappadocia in the north. Our exploration begins at Pasabag, where towering mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys rise from the landscape, followed by the remarkable rock-cut churches and frescoes of the Göreme Open-Air Museum. 

Rather than rushing from one landmark to the next, we’ll experience the region through a succession of distinct landscapes: the fantastical formations of Devrent Valley, a traditional lunch at Bizim Ev, and a glimpse into the pottery workshops of Avanos along the Kızılırmak River. 

We’ll round out our sightseeing with views of Uchisar Castle and a stroll through the ancient rock dwellings of Çavuşin before returning to the hotel around 5 pm.

For our final evening in Cappadocia, we’ll trade the serene landscapes for an evening filled with music, movement, and color. Inside the buzzing Halayhan cave restaurant, we’ll settle in for a traditional Turkish dinner accompanied by lively folk performances, Turkish Gypsy dancing, and captivating belly dancing. Cheers!

We’ll enjoy one last Turkish breakfast spread at the hotel before checking out and meeting our private transfer for the journey back to the local airport. The entire group will travel together on the same flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul Airport (IST).

For guests ending their trip here, we hope you've made memories and friendships to last a lifetime over the past week. Safe travels.

For those joining us for a seaside excursion to Bodrum, onward!

Once we land at Bodrum Airport, our local guide will greet us, and we'll set off to our hotel on a scenic drive that lasts a little over an hour. 

You'll fall in love with our seaside, Michelin-guide hotel, The Bodrum EDITION. Once we’ve checked into our seaview rooms, the remainder of the afternoon is yours to unwind, relax by the Aegean with a crisp cocktail in hand, or perhaps treat yourself to a spa treatment.

Come evening, we’ll gather for dinner at Beynel Restaurant, a Michelin Guide-recognized destination known for its thoughtful approach to Turkish cuisine. Located about 25 minutes from our hotel, it offers a delicious introduction to Bodrum and sets the tone for our time along the Aegean coast.

We’ll spend the morning immersed in the sun-drenched beauty of Bodrum, a place teeming with ancient fortresses perched high above the sparkling Aegean waters and lively waterfront streets.

Our first stop will be Bodrum Castle, the city’s iconic 15th-century fortress built by the Knights Hospitaller. Set along the waterfront, the castle offers a peek into Bodrum’s colorful past while providing beautiful views across the harbor and sea.

From the castle, we’ll continue into the heart of Bodrum to explore its buzzing local markets and marina. We’ll have time to browse for handmade crafts and unique souvenirs before strolling along the waterfront, where gleaming yachts sit alongside charming cafés and boutiques. 

Lunch is on your own today, allowing you to pop into a cafe that's calling your name. This is the perfect time to try some künefe paired with tea, a treat that perfectly balances sweet and savory.

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Our hotel is basically begging you to sit back and soak in the sunshine, so take advantage of the plush sun loungers and relax.

Later in the evening, we’ll gather for our final dinner at Inari Kujira, where an inventive blend of Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian flavors provides a memorable finale to our time together. Over dinner, we’ll have the chance to reminisce about the remarkable places, flavors, and experiences we’ve shared throughout our Turkish adventure.

Our time together has come to a sweet, sweet end. After breakfast by the Aegean, we'll pack up and catch our private airport transfer to Milas Airport for our flight back to Istanbul, where you can catch your onward travel in the afternoon.

Until we meet again...