9 Day Itinerary
£4,400pp
A journey that begins in Istanbul, leads onto Cappadocia before ending on the Turquoise Coast. Each moment marks a memory to be made, from the skies to the sea to the city, Turkey is a world of delight.
Where east meets west and Europe and Asia blend into each other, Turkey is a melting pot of culture, cuisine and legacy. Flanked by the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean, the experiences at the country’s helm extend far beyond what many people may first realise.
As you settle into the city, embark on a sunset river cruise along the Bosphorus River. Hugely significant in its location, the Bosphurus separates Asian Turkey from European Turkey and is one of very few places in the world where you can take in the sights of two continents, at once.
On your first full day in Istanbul, learn of the significance the city holds as you experience the Byzantine culture through the ages. Led by a scholar in history and architecture, visit the architectural wonders of Roman origins and the Ottoman Empire including the Hagia Sophia, once the largest cathedral in the world and home to mosaics and artefacts that represent one of the most significant periods in European history.
On your final day in the city, take a street food tour and sample the flavours of the Turkish cuisine. Where the buzz of the city is electrified and the core of the culture remains, a private guide will take you from the fragrant aromas of the Spice Markets to the striking halls of the Grand Bazaar; spanning across an astounding 61 streets, it is marked as one of the largest in the world and will certainly envelope you in the vibrancy of what life in Istanbul is truly like.
Out of the city and into Cappadocia, you will be met with scenes that simply cannot be described. Here is a world where the skies are busier than the streets, and a kaleidoscope of hot air balloons paint the sky as they float among the clouds. Famed for its ‘fairy chimneys’, i.e. climbing columns of rock that stand tall among the skies, the landscape is reminiscent of a world unto our own.
On your first morning here, wake with the sun as your embark on a hot air balloon journey at sunrise. Complete with breakfast in the skies, take in the magnificent views of Turkey’s arid country as you sip on a glass of champagne and wave to the birds that fly alongside you.
Back at your hotel, laze by the pool or enjoy a massage in the therapy room built into one of Cappadocia’s caves.
The next day, follow in the footsteps of a true chef and take a culinary tour of the region. Set in the village of Ayvalı, sample the local food, pastries and dried products, meeting the makers behind each en route. Armed with new knowledge and a taste for the local cuisine, return to the kitchen where you can experiment in a cooking masterclass. Harvest produce grown in the gardens of Argos and ignite your palate with new flavours, perfecting the art of Turkish gastronomy under the expert teachings of a local chef.
As you settle in at the coast, indulgent relaxation will lie ahead for your final days in Turkey.
Begin with a full day traditional gulet sailing experience, setting out along the Aegean coastline onboard a two or three-masted wooden sailing vessel. Seek out some of the world’s most idyllic beaches, clear turquoise seas, led by an experienced captain who navigates the waters with ease. Stop at a small cove, unknown to the crowds, and enjoy a beachside picnic with your feet in the sand.
Among time spent at the property’s beach club and holistic spa, spark your cultural curiosity with a helicopter tour of the country’s ancient cultural sites. See the sights of Ephesus, Priene, Miletus and Didyma from the sky, observing the remnants of Greek and Roman civilisations from an exceptionally rare vantage point. Land among the hills for a scenic lunch in situ and delve into the myths, tales and truths that have formed the foundation of Turkey as we know it.
On your final day, toast to a trip well spent with a gourmet wine and cheese tasting at Karnas Vineyard, meet the artisans of the fields and overlook olive groves as you sample the best of the local produce, fresh from harvest.
Day Itinerary
£4,400pp
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