Turkey: An ultraluxe tour to Istanbul, Cappadocia & the Aegean Coast (11 days)

Please note that the following itinerary is an example, as all of our journeys are custom-made.

Your ultraluxe tour of Turkey begins in Istanbul. Upon arrival in the bustling city, you will be greeted at the airport by your personal host and go by private transfer to your hotel on the Bosphorus to relax after your journey on your first day.

In the afternoon, have tea time on the patio with your expert guide who will give you an introduction to the vibrant stages of Turkey's history and culture, which will give more life to your experiences over the following days.

In the evening, your host and driver will take you out for dinner at one of the finest restaurants in the city.

Experience Istanbul’s heritage from its Byzantine era (4th-15th centuries).

You will depart the hotel early to avoid the crowds, starting with a tour of the iconic Hagia Sophia. This site attracts nearly 9 thousand visitors per day, and with Blue Parallel, you may visit in private, prior to official opening hours. Later, visit the other main sites from the Byzantine period, including the Basilica Cistern, the Great Palace Mosaic Museum, as well as the city walls.

At mid-day, you will drive up the Golden Horn to the quiet Fatih neighborhood which is home to the Chora Church, where we recommend lunch in the patio of Asitane Restaurant.

After lunch, visit the Chora Church with your expert guide. The Chora Church is among the most famous of Turkey’s Byzantine churches, due to its immaculate interior frescoes and mosaics.

In the evening your host and driver will take you out to dinner at one of the city's finest restaurants.

Experience Istanbul’s Ottoman era (15th-19th centuries). In the 15th century when the Ottomans overtook Constantinople and made it their capital, they made their mark on the city as it entered into a new era. This day will focus on the prominent attractions from this chapter of Istanbul's history. You will depart your hotel to head into the old city to visit the Topkapı Palace, Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye Mosque.

At mid-day you will be taken for lunch in the city center, followed by a visit to the Rüstem Pasha Mosque with your personal guide, followed by the Spice Bazaar.

After visiting the Spice Bazaar, your guide will take you to the dock steps away, where you will take one of Istanbul’s famed public ferries up the Bosphorus to Beşiktaş where you will return to your hotel. Once there you may relax at your leisure before enjoying dinner in the evening at one of Istanbul's top recommended restaurants.

Experience Istanbul’s modern era (19th century onwards). Even before the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, Istanbul had begun to take on a more European face in the 19th century, reflected in its palatial architecture, street life, and commerce. You will depart your hotel to visit Dolmabahçe Palace next door with your personal guide, followed by an exploration of the city’s lively Taksim district and its prominent pedestrian İstiklal Avenue.

After lunch at a chic restaurant in the city center, return to the hotel to enjoy a traditional Turkish bath. First inspired by the Ottomans, Turkish baths later became popular throughout the empire, and today are found as far as Syria and Hungary. You will enter first into a steam room where you will adjust to the environment, following by a hotter room where you will have a bath and a massage by an attendant. Later, you move into a cooling room to relax

In the late afternoon, take a private boat up the Bosphorus as you admire the views of the green hills dotted by historical mansions, universities, and fortresses, including the prominent Rumeli Fortress. Disembark the cruise on Istanbul’s Asian side. Your guide will take you for a brief walk through the neighborhood before arriving at the Balikci Abdullah restaurant, with impeccable views over the Bosphorus River.

The next part of your bespoke, ultraluxe tour of Turkey starts with a flight to Kayseri where you will be greeted by your guide. Take a private transfer to the spectacular White Valley where you will embark on a breathtaking hike. Although the spectacular rock formations of the White Valley have made images of this region recognizable worldwide, it is an intimate experience with few visitors. You will hike through the rock formations with your personal guide as you are introduced to the landscape. During the hike you will stop for a traditional barbecue meal where you will enjoy cold appetizers known as meze as well as the kebabs. We will have a table set up for you and you will be attended by a private chef and a personal server.

After lunch, continue your hike with an exploration of the Red Valley, before departing for your hotel by private transfer. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure to explore the amenities of the hotel and savor dinner in the evening.

Depart the hotel for a private hot air balloon ride to admire the landscape from above, as you have a bird’s-eye introduction to the area. This is one of the best places in the world to experience a hot air balloon due to the composition of the terrain and the dramatic rock formations in the many valleys.

Later, visit the Open Air Museum with your personal guide. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, this site is known for its “fairy-chimney” rock formations, in which many Christian churches were carved directly out of the rock. Within the complex, visit the 11th century Karanlık Kilise (or “Dark Church”), known for its beautifully-restored paintings. Afterwards, continue on to the Tokalı Kilise, 50 meters away. Tokalı is the largest church in Göreme and its keynote feature is its large, blue fresco depicting the crucifixion.

Continue to the Ihlara Valley, where you will go hiking. Ilhara contrasts from the rocky Cappadocian region with its greenery, bisected by rivers and creeks. The 7-kilometer stroll into the valley takes you along the riverbanks untul you reach the area known as Belisırma which is home to many Byzantine-era churches. At the last church, you will enjoy a boxed lunch, with fresh towels waiting for you.

Afterwards, you will return to your hotel to relax, before heading out to Avanos, where you will be able to witness a private demonstration of the local pottery techniques, as well as the silk-making techniques for rugs. For centuries, Avanos has, and continues to attract artisans and their talents.

Later, you will see an exclusive performance of whirling dervishes at Caravanserai. These performances are actually forms of prayer as the devotees enter into a state of meditation as they spin. The artistic religious expression has been recognized by UNESCO as masterpiece of humanity.

In the evening, savor a recommended dinner at one of Cappadocia's best restaurants, with incredible views over the valley.

You will fly to Izmir, where you will be greeted at the airport and taken to the town of Şirince in the Selçuk district, where you will check in to the Güllü Konak and have lunch with views of the valley.

Afterwards, visit the ancient Greek site of Ephesus with your personal guide. In its heyday, Ephesus was one of the largest cities of the Mediterranean world, with over a quarter million inhabitants in the 1st century BC. The city is was the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The highlight of the site today is the Library of Celsus, built to honor a Roman senator of the same name. Your visit in the late afternoon is timed in order to avoid the heat and the crowds.

In the evening we recommend dinner on the terrace of your lodge. Later, rest as you prepare for the following day when you will continue your journey toward the Turkish Riviera.

You wıll depart Şirince and continue your journey to the coast, along the way visiting the ancient Greek sites of Priene & Didyma, seen by few foreign travelers, with your expert guide. Later continue to the Amanruya on the Aegean Coast.

With its ancient ionic columns in tact, Priene is known not only for its architecture but also for the beautiful natural scenery which surrounds it. Didyma is a smaller site and offering a special experience due to the fact that it is less frequented by visitors. Both are idyllic examples of Greek architecture and are known for their temples to the various gods, including Athena and Apollo.

Once you arrive, we recommend lunch at the Amanruya and spend the afternoon at your leisure to enjoy yourselves, either at your pavilion’s private pool, or at the Olympic-sized pool of the property itself.

Today you will enjoy the Beach Club of the Amanruya.

A 15-minute walk from your pavilion gets you to the Beach Club, which is made up of several layered terraces surrounded by old trees that overlook the turquoise sea. There you can relax on the luxurious lounge chairs and go out to the pebble beach to swim

In the early evening you will be taken to the coastal jet-set destination of Göltürkbükü, featuring exclusive restaurants, and nightlife.

You will go out for the day on your private gület, a traditional Turkish sailboat. You will explore the varied beaches, inlets, and their caves throughout the multi-faceted Aegean coast. Enjoy swimming in the turquoise waters and snorkeling. You will visit the noted islands of Karaada and Orakada. At mid-day lunch will be served aboard your gület.

In the evening, savor a recommended dinner at the resort.

You will be taken to Bodrum Airport 40 minutes away for your flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul you will be greeted at the airport and assisted with check-in procedures for your international flight home.