Turkish Delights

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide holding a “WELCOME TO TURKEY” sign (at Gate 14 in Istanbul Airport and Column 10 at Sabiha Gokcen Airport). After confirming your name, the guide will escort you to your transfer vehicle, where you will meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel. The journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Upon arrival, proceed with check-in at the hotel, noting that the standard international check-in time is 14:00.

You will be picked up from your hotel by your driver and guide to begin your exciting city tour. During the tour, you will visit some of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, including the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), where you can admire its magnificent architecture 🏛, intricate tilework, and grand interior while learning about its historical significance. You will also see the Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Serifi (Hagia Sophia) from the outside, a world heritage mosque renowned for its fascinating history and remarkable structure. The tour continues with a visit to Topkapi Palace, a grand residence that served as the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for nearly 400 years, where you will discover the lives of the Ottoman sultans. You will then explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, featuring around 4,000 shops 🛒 offering a wide variety of goods. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant 🍽 during the tour, and take advantage of shopping opportunities at famous Turkish delight stores, leather shops, and traditional handmade carpet outlets. After the tour concludes, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the port, where you will board a cruise sailing on the Marmara Sea. As you enjoy the spectacular views, including the iconic Bosphorus Bridge connecting the Asian and European sides of Istanbul, a delicious dinner will be served on board by a professional team. The evening comes alive with a variety of entertainment shows, including an exciting sword dance, a traditional Turkish gypsy dance, captivating belly dance performances, and the mesmerizing whirling dervish show—a 700-year-old Sufi ritual performed with rhythmic movements and chants. The experience is further enhanced with a lively DJ performance, where you can either relax and enjoy the music or join in and dance. After the cruise and entertainment conclude, you will be transferred back to your hotel.<br>

<div>You will be picked up from your hotel by your guide and driver to begin your tour to the beautiful Princes’ Islands, an archipelago located in the northeastern part of the Marmara Sea, off the southern coast of Istanbul’s Anatolian side, consisting of nine islands and a couple of rocky islets. You will visit Buyukada, the largest and most famous of these islands, historically known as Prinkipos, meaning “Prince” in Greek. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before having free time to explore the island at your own pace. You can choose from a variety of optional activities such as renting a bicycle to ride along scenic paths, visiting historical landmarks like the Aya Yorgi Church, or simply relaxing at one of the island’s serene beaches. After the tour concludes, you will be transferred back to your hotel.<br></div>

After checking out from your hotel (standard international check-out time is 12:00), you will be informed of your exact pick-up time one day prior to your transfer, which is generally scheduled around 4 hours before your flight departure. You will then meet your driver in the hotel lobby for your private transfer to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The journey typically takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.