Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 ISTANBUL
a.m. hours: Arrival to Istanbul Ataturk International Airport; personal greeting at the plane’s gate and transfer to the Hotel by your private chauffeured Mercedes Benz following fast track assistance through visas, immigration and customs.
11.30 a.m.: Arrival to the Çırağan Palace Hotel Kempinski; time to check-in and freshen up.
12.00 noon : As you depart from your hotel’s lobby with your private guide, your tour will take you on a journey that will submerse you into the history of the city. Our first stop will be the Haghia Sophia, one of the greatest architectural examples of the period, built during the reign of Justinian The Great - the most famous of all Byzantine emperors. The Haghia Sophia was the largest church in the world and kept that title for 1089 consecutive years; it was later on turned into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the conqueror of Istanbul.
Next, visit the Blue Mosque, namely the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, built in the classic Ottoman style and decorated with some of the most exquisite blue tiles and glass-work.
1.40 p.m.: We will then move towards Zeyrekhane Restaurant overlooking the Golden Horn, where you can have a taste of the authentic Turkish dishes.
3.00 p.m. : After lunch, you will be immersed into one of the most mystical atmospheres, notably that of the Underground Cistern, thought to have been built after the Nika revolt in 532 AD. Known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman period, after the conquest of the city by the Ottoman Turks, the cistern's existence was totally forgotten. Re-discovered in 1545, it was used to water the gardens of the Topkapi Palace. The cistern is supported by 336 beautiful columns two of which are carved with the head of Medusa on the plinth.
4.00 p.m. : Arrival to the hotel.
7.00 p.m.: Your driver will be waiting to transfer you to the highlight event of the Istanbul Music Festival (only available between June 6th - 30th , 2008).
9.30 p.m.: Roundtrip transfer to Ulus 29 where Turkish and international specialties are served in a chic atmosphere.
Day 2 ISTANBUL
9.30 a.m.: Today, enjoy a full day cruise to the Prince’s Islands with your private yacht M/S Süreyya V which will be waiting for you at the quay of the Hotel. On your way, you will have a chance to discover Kınalı Ada, Burgaz Ada, Heybeli Ada before arriving to Büyük Ada (Big Island).
12.00 noon.: Enjoy a simple yet delightful lunch at a typical local fish restaurant of the Big Island: Milto.
2.00 p.m.: Then, experience a traditional private horse carriage tour of the island prior to boarding the yacht. Afternoon coffee and tea will be served aboard M/S Süreyya V.
5.00 p.m. : Arrival back to the hotel.
Day 3 ISTANBUL
a.m. hours: Morning at leisure.
1.00 p.m.: Today, your guide will take you through the Spice Market at the entrance of which you will find the historic Pandeli Restaurant.
2.30 p.m.: After lunch, take a stroll around the colorful Spice Market , also called the Egyptian Bazaar, to discover the 1001 smells and tastes. Then visit one of the world’s largest covered bazaars; the Grand Bazaar – a labyrinth of over 4,000 little shops. Moving from old to the modern, our last stop will be at the trendiest shopping spot; Istinye Park.
6.00 p.m. : Arrival back to the hotel.
8.00 p.m.: Your private yacht will be waiting you to embark at the quay of the Hotel for an hour long sunset champagne cruise along the Bosphorus. Your captain will then drop you off at a 200-year-old private Ottoman mansion, notably at the Hekimbasi Salih Efendi mansion, one of few such yalis that remain along the Bosphorus. Built by the sultan’s head physician, it is still owned by his family. The grand-daughters will show you around the property and invite you for a private dinner.
Day 4 ISTANBUL - KAYSERI
10.00 a.m. : After breakfast and check-out, you will be transferred to the airport by your chauffeured private Mercedes Benz.
10.30 a.m: Arrival to the airport where your private jet will be waiting to take you to Kayseri.
11.45 a.m. : Arrival to Kayseri Airport; your private guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you to the Anatolian Houses Hotel. After check-in, you will have time to freshen up and relax.
2.00 p.m. : After lunch at the hotel’s Alaturka Restaurant, your private guide will take you first to the Uçhisar Castle - a rocky volcanic outcrop located in the village of Uchisar. The rock is riddled with tunnels and caves. From the top of the rock you have great views of Goreme and Cappadocia. You can also see Mt Erciyes, 3916m high, hovering in the distance. Oddly enough you cannot find information on why the locals dug so many caves into the rock. You can imagine it was for defensive reasons hence the name. Our next stop will be the Göreme open-air Museum – the cradle of Christianity with 1,600 year old rock carved churches and monasteries. These tall free standing cones of stone curve and twist as if pulled from the earth like taffy or they are tall and shaped like fairy chimneys.
In Avanos - an attractive old town with cobbled streets and superb views over the river, you will have a private workshop on the making of earthenware pottery where you will be taught all about its production. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites and the ceramic clay from the red silt of Kızılırmak (red river) has always been used.
6.00 p.m.: Arrival back to the hotel.
8.00 p.m.: Roundtrip transfer to Elai for a typical taste of the regional varieties.
Day 5 KAYSERI
9.30 a.m.: This morning, you can discover the Kaymaklı Underground City carved by the early Christian refugees which will take you on a journey into earth, the fairy chimneys and amazing natural stone formations.
12.00 p.m.: Enjoy lunch at Bizim Ev Restaurant where you can savor some of the best local delicacies.
1.30 p.m. : After lunch, visit a rock carved house still inhabited by a local farmer's family at the Avcılar Valley followed by Başabağ and the ruins of Zelve which are spread over three valleys and inhabited until 1952. Apart from monasteries and churches, houses, a tunnel joining two of the valleys, a mill, a mosque and several dove-cotes are found in the valley. You will also have the opportunity to visit Dervent Valley namely the “Red Valley” with its rock-cut churches.
5.30 p.m.: Arrival back to the hotel.
8.00 p.m.: Roundtrip transfer to Lil’a Restaurant at the Museum Hotel.
Day 6 KAYSERI
9.00 a.m. : After breakfast and check-out, participate in the rounding up of the wild Turkoman horses, namely the Akhal-Teke breed also called the "golden-horses". Thought to be one of the oldest surviving horse breeds, there are currently about 3,500 Akhal-Tekes remaining in the world. Witness their taming and traning, after which you can also enjoy a ride on them to discover the beauty of the surrounding scenery.
1.30 p.m.: Arrival to Kayseri airport where your private jet will be waiting to take you to Bodrum.
2.30 p.m. : Arrival to Bodrum Airport and transfer to the hotel.
4.00p.m.: Check in to the Maça Kızı Hotel and remaining afternoon at leisure.
8.30 p.m.: Roundtrip transfer will be provided to one of the best fish restaurants of Bodrum; Mey.
Day 7 BODRUM
11.00 a.m.: After breakfast, you will be transferred to the trendiest beach club of Türkbükü; Ship Ahoy where a lounge will be waiting for you.
6.00 p.m.: Arrival back to the hotel.
8.30 p.m.: Recommended dinner at the famous fish restaurant Sait in Yalıkavak.
Day 8 BODRUM
10.00 a.m.: After breakfast, your private gulet will be waiting to take you on a journey where you will have the opportunity to discover some of the nicest bays of the Bodrum peninsula. Enjoy watersports, take a dive in the crystal clear waters or relax in the sun and let the crew pamper you. A barbeque lunch and refreshments will be served aboard.
5.00 p.m.: Arrival back to the hotel.
8.30 p.m.: Roundtrip transfer will be provided for a wonderful dinner at Maki Restaurant.
Day 9 PRIVATE JET HOME....
a.m..: After check-out, you will be transferred to the airport where your private jet will be waiting to take you back to Istanbul (40 minute flight) in time for your connection back home.
