DESTINATION: TURKEY

Day 1 – You will be met at the gate of the aircraft in Istanbul by our VIP hosts with a sign with your name. You will have VIP Airport Service upon arrival at the airport for assistance with the airport formalities, luggage handling, and escorted to your waiting transfer vehicle where your Admiral Travel representative will handle your transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 – You will meet your professional guide holding a name sign for your private full-day of sightseeing

Hagia Sophia is mostly known as one of the most valuable and fascinating structures in the world of art and architecture. It deserves to enter to the collection of the rare works by challenging to the time. The walls of this beautiful piece of architecture are decorated with gorgeous mosaics. UNESCO accepts Hagia Sophia as The World Heritage because of architectural beauty.

You will visit the Hippodrome Square which was built by Septimius Severus to entertain the public at the beginning of A.D 2 century, In 196. Pretty attractive Thedosius I Obelisk is the product of Egypt. This alone should give you some idea of how impressive the Hippodrome of Constantinople’s architecture was.

Blue Mosque, this breath-taking building is one of the most majestic Ottoman mosques in all of Turkey. The blue Iznik Tiles covering the walls have given the mosque its popular name, Blue Mosque. Make sure you will spend some time in silence inside the magnificent mosque to admire its prayerful atmosphere and superb blue tiles.  * It is advised to dress respectfully when visiting, although scarfs and outer garments are given at the door if necessary.

Lunch is suggested at Matbah Restaurant serving traditional Turkish cuisine.

You will visit the magnificient Topkapi Palace which was completed between 1465 and 1478. The Topkap Palace Museum is notable not only for its architecture and collections but also for the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire that it recalls. Opulent, decadent and steeped in history, it offers visitors a chance to get to know the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire rather more intimately.

The largest surviving Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, it was constructed using 336 columns, many of which were salvaged from ruined temples and feature fine carved capitals. Its symmetry and sheer grandeur of conception are quite breathtaking. One of the two Medusa sculpted columns from the Roman period was placed underneath one of them and the other in the opposite direction.

At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.

Day 3 – You will meet your professional guide for your private full-day of sightseeing

You will visit the Grand Bazaar. Before arrival to the Grand Bazaar you will have an opportunity to learn about the art of carpet weaving. One of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar dates from the 15th century. The world famous handmade carpets and kilims of Turkey, some of the most beautiful examples of Turkish silver art, souvenirs and decorations made of copper and bronze and high quality ceramics, onyx, and leathergoods are for sale.

Suleymaniye Mosque, or better known as the mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, was built in the 16th century by the great Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Suleyman the Magnificient, also known as the Legislator. The Süleymaniye crowns one of Istanbul’s seven hills and dominates the Golden Horn, providing a landmark for the entire city. The mosque is the largest mosque of Istanbul.

The Chora Mosque has one of the best examples of Byzantine mosaic art. The mosque today is located at Kariye neighborhood near Edirnekapi city walls over the Golden Horn. Originally a Christian church, it was converted into a mosque after the Conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans, and after the Republic it became a museum. *Chora Museum turned into a mosque again by Turkish government on October 30, 2020.

Lunch is suggested at Hamdi Restaurant, located on the Golden Horn. You can taste traditional Turkish kebabs.

The historical Egyptian / Spice Bazaar is a colorful and mystical covered spice market lined with spice stalls in Eminonu coast, near the Yeni Mosque, in the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul. Spices, dried fruits, cheeses, sausages, jams, nuts and seeds, Turkish delight and other edibles fill most of the shops. You are able to find about every kind of herbs and spices at the market, and as well as ingredients for cooking, Turkish delight and Turkish coffee.

At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel

Istanbul Spice Market

Day 4 – Check-out of your hotel and meet your ATI representative at your hotel lobby and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia.

En route to the hotel, you will visit Devrent Valley. One magical corner in the countless panoramic valleys of Cappadocia, here is an unbelievable landscape with its rock formations and savage feeling; one of the best introductions to understanding the formation of fairy chimneys.

Devrent Valley

Lunch recommended in Dibek Restaurant serving traditional home-cooked food. The restaurant also serves homemade wine.

Next, you will stop in the Pasabag Valley where the formation of “fairy chimneys” can be best observed. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.

You will visit Zelve Open Air Museum, where three valuable valleys meet. This glorious natural beauty consists of numerous pointed and large fairy chimneys, incredible cave town, honeycombed structures, religious and secular chambers.

At the end of your visits, you will continue to your hotel.

Day 6 – Check out of the Museum Hotel for your transfer to the Cappadocia airport

Call Amanda Densmore at 941-951-1801 at extension 104 or email at Amanda@AdmiralTravel.com now to reserve your space on this unique journey today!

Cost: A $500 good faith deposit is requested to reserve your space, the balance of the deposit will be due September 2021

Minimum 10 guests needed for this departure

Included Services:

• Private arrival and departure transfers with baggage handling.
• 4 full-days of private sightseeing in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.
• Officially Licensed professional tour guide in English language throughout the tour program
• Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary.
• Officially Licensed professional tour guide in English language throughout the tour program
• Entrance fees to all museums, parks, and historic sites as marked on the itinerary.
• Domestic Airfare (Turkish Airlines – Economy PrimeFly)
  • Istanbul to Kayseri
  • Kayseri to Istanbul
• Bottled water provided throughout the tour.
• Welcome Package.
• Taxes.

Excluded Services:

• OPTIONAL: Hot Air Ballooning Experience on Small Group (8) Balloon for 1 hour.
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Recommended lunches & dinners at own expense
• International airfare
• Meals unless specified
• Personal expenses of the guests

Note: Turkish Visas are required for travel. You can get it online through the following link with just 3 easy steps:

Check out Oceania’s Istanbul-Rome immediately following!  Click link below for full program.

PLEASE NOTE: 

• All payments made to or on behalf of Admiral Travel are non-refundable unless stated otherwise
• Founder’s Journey will always be priced at or below published rates, but never higher.
• Travel with like-minded individuals on these exclusive departures.
• Enjoy a welcome cocktail party to meet your fellow travelers.
• A hosted dinner will be offered during one night of the trip with the Hiltons.
• On many occasions, optional shore events are offered as an option that only our group is invited to join.
• Special global relationships that the Hiltons have formed over the years will allow you privileged access opportunities.
• Trips are offered well in advance to give ample time for your future planning.
• Minimum numbers must be met in order for the Hiltons to host the journey.
• The Hiltons reserve the right to adjust the duration of their participation should any schedule conflicts arise.