Classic Turkey: A Tailor-Made Journey to Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Turquoise Coast

Arrive in Istanbul and meet your driver for the transfer to your centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to settle in and explore the neighborhood—and restaurants—around your hotel.

Set out with your private guide for a full-day tour of Istanbul’s many highlights. Visit the Hippodrome of Constantine, where the Romans raced chariots, and admire its 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk, transferred here in in 390 BC. See the dazzling azure tiles of the Blue Mosque, and tour the sixth-century Hagia Sophia mosque. Hear the tales of Ottoman intrigue and indulgence at the opulent Topkapi Palace, and delve into the labyrinthine lanes of the Grand Bazaar, where artisans have plied crafts and merchants have sold their wares since the 15th century. (B)

With its unique position astride two continents, Istanbul is an amalgam of flavors and cultures. Savor its delightful cuisine on a food tour that begins on the European side of the city before crossing the Bosphorus River into Asia. Sample an array of local delicacies, from delicious dürüm (kebab) to the best baklava in the city. You’ll have free time this afternoon to visit other sites or explore more of the city. Consider a tour of the Basilica Cistern, where soaring columns and vaulted arches date back to the Roman era, or stop in at the city’s renowned archaeological museum. (B)

Your driver will escort you to the airport for a short flight to Cappadocia. You’ll be met upon arrival and and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, meet your guide for a walking tour of the Göreme Open Air Museum, a magical volcanic landscape eroded into cliffs and “fairy chimneys” where monks carved out cells and sanctuaries—and eventually subterranean cities—over the centuries.  Wander amid the rock-hewn churches and monasteries of this World Heritage site, discovering frescoes and motifs amid the wild geological forms.

You will also enjoy a true local experience during a cooking class in a family home. Learn how to concoct Turkish specialties as you create dishes with the family, and gain insight into everyday life and traditions. Then sit down together to savor the meal you’ve crafted. (B)

Transfer to the airport with your private driver and board a flight to Izmir, on Turkey’s western coast. You’ll be met by another private driver and escorted to the picturesque village of Şirince. First settled by the Greeks in the 15th century, Şirince is now dotted with Ottoman-era homes surrounded with gardens and olive groves. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to discover the village and relax at your hotel. (B)

Encounter one of the most legendary sites in antiquity this morning with a visit to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. Once home to the Temple of Artemis—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World—Ephesus is best known for its magnificent theater, still in use today. As you stroll amid temples and boulevards, see the ruins of ancient homes and learn about innovative urban systems to manage water and waste. View the Library of Celsus, which harbored some 12,000 scrolls on three floors at its height. Then gain an inside perspective on the site and its artifacts on a tour of the Ephesus Museum with a museum lecturer. Continue to the charming stone village of Alaçati, set on the stunning shores of the Çeşme Peninsula. (B)

The interior of the Çeşme Peninsula is blanketed with vineyards where wines have been produced for millennia. They boast international grapes like Sangiovese and Chardonnay are grown as well as local varietials such as Sultaniye and Boğazkere. Follow the wine route to the renowned Urla Winery for a guided tour. Learn about the history and techniques of wine-making in western Turkey, and enjoy a wine tasting. (B)

Take advantage of a full day at leisure to discover more of the Çeşme coast. You might find a beautiful beach to stretch out on, or wander the lovely lanes of Alaçati, stopping in an inviting café or browsing the antique shops. (B)

Return to Izmir with your private driver and catch your return flight home. (B)