A Private Passage: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Bodrum

Istanbul

Upon arrival in Istanbul you will be met by an airport assistant at your flight gate. Your package includes porter service and fast track services at the airport.. Upon arrival in Istanbul, and after immigration and luggage collection, you will be greeted by an English-speaking guide waiting for you at Gate 9. Your representative will help you coordinate meeting with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. A Welcome Package with a copy of your itinerary, domestic flight tickets (if relevant), and any other information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you in destination.

Accommodation: Çiragan Palace Kempinski (B) (Çiragan Bosphorus View Room), Istanbul

Istanbul

Explore the highlights of Istanbul’s storied Golden Horn on a full day tour, accompanied by a private guide and driver. Start by visiting the ornate residence of the sultans of the past, the Topkapi Palace. Marvel at its incredible architecture and opulent decor as your guide introduces you to the history of the Ottoman empire. Continue to Hagia Sophia, one of Istanbul’s most renowned structures that dominates the Golden Horn’s skyline. Enter this majestic complex and feel immediately in awe of its sheer grandeur and beauty. Take in the intricate mosaics and tiling and let your guide explain how Hagia Sophia is an architectural reflection of the city’s fascinating past. Next, explore the underground Basilica Cistern, the largest of the several hundred reservoirs built beneath the city to provide its inhabitants with water. Stroll through the dim colonnades and keep an eye out for the Medusa heads proudly guarding this ancient technological wonder. Your next stop today is the Blue Mosque. Head inside and be amazed at its glorious interior and the iconic blue Iznik tiling that earned the mosque its name. Continue to the nearby Hippodrome for a glimpse at what used to be the hub of the local civic life centuries ago. Transfer to Rustem Pasa Mosque, a smaller mosque tucked away from the main city sites. Be inspired by the array of intricate tiles, adorned with floral and geometric patterns. Your tour ends when you are transferred back to your hotel.. At Neolokal, tradition is revered and preserved through dishes that bridge the past with modern innovation. The renowned Chef leads a dedicated team passionate about reviving endangered recipes and ingredients, ensuring each dish reflects genuine, honest flavors sourced directly from Mother Earth. The restaurant's commitment to heritage is evident in their exclusive, meticulously crafted menu, offering a contemporary twist on local cuisine. Guests are invited to savor these timeless flavors, each bite a testament to the rich culinary legacy of the region. With seamless private round-trip car service, join Neolokal on a journey of culinary rediscovery, where tradition meets innovation for a dining experience that honors the past while embracing the future. Please note: Your meal is not included and must be paid locally, however a 60€ per person non-refundable deposit is included with your reservation. This amount will be credited against the total bill for your dining experience at Neolokal. Reservations are confirmed at the time of booking and are subject to availability.

Accommodation: Çiragan Palace Kempinski (B) (Çiragan Bosphorus View Room), Istanbul

Istanbul

Experience Istanbul’s lively bazaars and explore one of the most celebrated mosques in the city on a privately guided tour. Start your day with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest covered markets in the world. Accompanied by your private guide, stroll through the vibrant lanes dotted with countless shops and expose your senses to this melting pot of colors, sounds, and scents. Watch the skillful local artisans and craftsmen work on their masterpieces and try out your bargaining skills. Continue to the Süleymaniye Mosque and enjoy a guided tour of this unmissable and majestic structure that has shaped the landscape of Istanbul for centuries. Walk through the vast, airy interiors and keep an eye out for some of the finest examples of calligraphy in the city. Head to the adjacent gardens for a chance to appreciate stunning vistas of the Golden Horn and Bosphorus. Next, make your way to the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Market. Wander through this captivating marketplace with your guide and take in the myriad of sights, flavors, and aromas. Stop by numerous stalls selling fragrant herbs and decadent treats, or perhaps grab a cup of hot Çay and simply watch the local life go by.. See Istanbul from the water on a private two-hour sunset sailing experience along the Bosphorus, when the city's shoreline softens in the evening light. With your guide sharing context along the way, glide between Europe and Asia past Ottoman palaces, waterside mansions, fortresses, and mosque-lined silhouettes for a fresh perspective on Istanbul's layered history. Private transfers to and from the port keep the experience seamless from start to finish.

Accommodation: Çiragan Palace Kempinski (B) (Çiragan Bosphorus View Room), Istanbul

Istanbul, Cappadocia

A private transfer will be provided from your hotel in Istanbul to the airport.. Board a flight in Istanbul with service to Cappadocia. The flight duration is approximately one hour.. A private vehicle with a driver and guide will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel.. Meet your private driver and guide for an adventure-filled day in magnificent Cappadocia. First, visit the picturesque Devrent Valley. Take a guided walk among its peculiar, sculpture-like rock formations and understand why some call this area the ‘Imagination Valley’. Transfer to the neighboring Pasabagi Valley and spend some time exploring this geological wonder dotted with the ubiquitous fairy chimneys. Make your way to the town of Avanos, renowned for its beautifully intricate pottery. Have lunch at a local restaurant before being driven to the Goreme Open Air Museum. This World Heritage Site showcases some stunning examples of Byzantine art and marvelous frescos in a series of churches carved into the rocky surroundings. Let your guide introduce you to the rich history of this fascinating area as you stroll through the mystical landscape. Your next stop is the Uchisar Castle, the highest point in the region. Take in the unmatched panoramic views of Cappadocia with Mount Erciyes proudly perched in the background. Continue to the Pidgeon Valley, yet another natural gem of this stunning part of Turkey. Relish in its wonderful scenery and don’t forget to take plenty of photographs. Your day concludes as you are dropped off back at your hotel.

Accommodation: Argos (B) (Deluxe Room), Istanbul

Cappadocia

Few experiences capture Cappadocia’s sculpted landscapes like sunrise from a hot air balloon, when the valleys glow and dozens of balloons rise at once. Arrive before dawn by private transfer to the launch field, then enjoy a light breakfast while the crew prepares the balloon and the burners bring it to life. Lift into the sky for about 1 hour as fairy chimneys and carved ridgelines unfold below in the first light. After landing, a non-alcoholic champagne toast and flight certificate mark the moment before your driver returns you to the hotel. Weather dependent. This decision is made by an organized weather organization in Cappadocia & can be cancelled within 24 hrs. of ride.. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.

Accommodation: Argos (B) (Deluxe Room), Cappadocia

Cappadocia, Bodrum

A private vehicle with a driver and guide will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel.. Board a flight in Cappadocia with service to Bodrum via Istanbul. Approximate travel time is four hours.. A private vehicle with driver and guide will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel.

Accommodation: Mett Hotel & Beach Resort (B) (Deluxe Sea View Room), Cappadocia

Bodrum

Explore Turkey’s Turquoise Coast in style from aboard a private traditional Turkish gulet boat. After a transfer to the local harbor, board your vessel and start your day by sailing along the unspoiled shorelines of the Turkish Riviera to Aquarium Cove, known for its crystal-clear waters and abundance of fish. Take a refreshing swim in this secluded bay or simply unwind and bask in the warm Aegean sun. Continue to Kara Ada, the Black Island famous for its healing mineral springs. Bathe in the soothing thermal waters and head to the nearby cave to treat your skin with mud believed to have been used by Cleopatra herself to preserve her famed beauty. After getting back on your boat sail south past a rocky outcrop towards the Poyraz Cove. Its gorgeous clear waters have made it one of the most popular diving spots in the area. Take in the tranquil scenery as you make your way to the nearby Meteor Bay. Jump into its irresistible blue waters and get unique opportunity to swim in a hole created by a meteorite impact. Your day at sea also wouldn’t be complete without a delicious fish lunch. The excursion ends when you travel back to the harbor and are transferred back to your hotel in Bodrum.

Accommodation: Mett Hotel & Beach Resort (B) (Deluxe Sea View Room), Bodrum

Bodrum

Settle in at your own pace, whether exploring independently or unwinding at your hotel with access to its full range of amenities.

Accommodation: Mett Hotel & Beach Resort (B) (Deluxe Sea View Room), Bodrum

Bodrum, Istanbul

A private vehicle with driver and guide will provide a transfer between the airport and the city or your hotel.. Board a flight in Bodrum with service to Istanbul. The flight duration is approximately one hour.