Ritzy Türkiye 13 Days - USA/Canada Departure

Day 1: Depart from USA/Canada

On board an international flight to Türkiye.

Please note: Due to the selected departure city and flight schedule, you might need to leave a day earlier than the itinerary date. The flight schedule will be provided after ticket issuance.

Day 2: Istanbul Arrival

Upon arrival, meet and greet then transfer to the hotel (transfer is not included if you booked the land only package).

Istanbul, the only city in the world that stretches across two continents, is the largest city in Türkiye with a population of 20 million. Used to be the capital city for the Byzantine Empire, Latin Empire and Ottoman Empire, this ancient city has a long history, fascinating culture and gourmet food that attract visitors from all over the world.

Rest up and get ready for your stoked itinerary tomorrow.

Remarks before tour starts:

1) Conservative dress is recommended especially when visiting religious venues. No shorts or short skirts for ladies and bare shoulders/heads are better to be covered. Men are encouraged to choose long pants. Remove shoes when entering into the mosques.

2) Ramadan is the holy month for the Islamic world and all Muslims have to fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking or smoking. Non-Muslims are not supposed to eat in public at this time.

Day 3: Istanbul

Start off the day by visiting the UNESCO listed Ancient Sultanahmet District on the European side. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also nicknamed the “Blue Mosque" owing to the blue glazed tiles the architects used for the decoration is a must-see sight. This massive construction is topped by over 30 domes and 6 minarets, big enough for housing 3500 pilgrims at the same time. Built between 1609 and 1616, the Blue Mosque mixed with Byzantine and Islamic styles is the city landmark building visible from across the Bosporus Strait. Not far from here is the Hagia Sophia, a 900-year-old Byzantine church in history as well as a 500-year-old Islam Mosque till today. When Muhammad II stepped in this grand cathedral in 1453AD, instead of ordering to smash the complex into pieces, he determined to modify the structure, kept St. Mary status, covered the Byzantine mural paintings with plaster and converted this Christian church to a Muslim mosque. Keep going to the Egyptian Bazaar, an ancient spice market and Grand Bazaar, one of the world largest and oldest markets featuring all kinds of commodities you can imagine. Walk around in the old town center at Sultanahmet Square where you could admire three remarkable historical remains: Obelisk of Theodosius, Spiral Column and Constantine Column. Last but not least, the final program today is the Basilica Cistern (Complimentary by UTO ), an underground reservoir built in 532 AD for the water supply of the imperial palace. The accidental discovery of two upside down Medusa head sculptures has added more mystery and romance to this unique place which has appeared in many top-grossing movies.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Istanbul - Safranbolu

Drive to Safranbolu (410km/256mi), once an important caravan station along the ancient Silk Road between the West and the East. This historical peaceful town, which was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, boasts its well preserved, red-roofed Ottoman architecture since the 13th century consisting of old mosques, old bath houses, old workshops and old stone-paving streets. Ascend to the top of Hidirlik Hill for a bird’s eye view of Safranbolu and walk around the old town before an authentic Turkish dinner.

Optional Tours: Enjoy a typical traditional Turkish bath for a relaxing evening U$125/person

Overnight in Safranbolu.

Day 5: Safranbolu - Ankara - Lake Tuz - Cappadocia

Morning bus ride to the capital city Ankara (230km/140mi), the second largest city of Turkey. Upon arrival, go straight to Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Elected to be the first president in 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has been highly respected as the founder of the Republic of Turkey who had abolished the Sultan Monarchy of Ottoman Empire and brought the renaissance to modern Turkey by advocating and implementing a more secular state policy. There are 12 pairs of stone carved lion statues standing on both sides of the sacred walkway leading to the Grand Ceremonial Plaza, symbolizing the 24 Oghuz Turkic Tribes and adding solemn beauty to the whole tomb site. Depart for Cappadocia (330km/206mi), an area with unrivaled picture-perfect landform filled with imposing pillars, caves and valleys attracting world class filmmakers, photographers, newlyweds and hot air balloon riders. On the way, make a brief stop at Lake Tuz, “Mirror of the Sky”, an unusual pink color Salt Lake south of Ankara. Upon arrival at Cappadocia, enjoy this surreal region, the celebrated “Most Moon-like Place on Earth”. Tonight, you are scheduled to join us for a unique dinner in the cave restaurant with a traditional folk-dance show and belly dance performance.

Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 6: Cappadocia

We invite the early risers to participate in an unforgettable adventure (optional) by riding on a hot air balloon at sunrise time. Cappadocia is one of the top 3 world-famous destinations ideal for hot air balloon activity because of its breathtaking volcanic rock formations, unbeatable Moon-like terrain and epic history of legendary human settlement.

Optional Tours: Morning hot air balloon ride U$280/person

Remarks for hot air balloon experience:

1) We strongly suggest early booking as the demand is usually high and the availability is limited especially during busy seasons.

2) The ride may be canceled any time depending on the weather conditions.

3) Bring extra layers for the high-altitude chill and do not wear high heels or short skirts.

4) Follow safety instructions and keep the correct landing position.

5) Participants are offered safety insurance by the reputable licensed service providers.

6) Seniors,very young kids or anyone with physical/health issues are not recommended for this activity.
7) Participants come back to the hotel for breakfast after this activity.

In the afternoon, you are scheduled to follow our guide to explore the UNESCO listed Goreme National Park, a wide stretch of a rocky, water- and wind-eroded landscape with cave churches and underground dwellings. Among the numerous valleys, rock towers, cliffs and peaks, Guvercinlik Valley, Devrent Valley, Fairy Chimneys, Love Valley, Rose Valley, Pasabag and Three Beauties are the most striking and picturesque ones. Around the 9th century AD, more Christians escaped to this remote and isolated place and settled down here to avoid the attacks from Arabs. People hewed out houses from the rocks and later added churches, markets, wineries and tunnels to create some huge interconnected communities. Uçhisar Castle was built on a steep slope of a 60-meter-high rock hill as a fortification functioned to ward off any invaders. The interior of the rock hill was unbelievably hollowed out to be served as a stronghold with water storage and food supply capable of supporting the warriors for months without any help from outside.

Optional Tours: Wonders of Goreme with 4X4 jeep ride U$90/person

This two-hour 4X4 Off-Road Jeep Safari allows you to venture off the beaten path and discover the hidden canyons and caves upclose which are not accessible on foot or by bus. The bumpy ride through rugged terrain, stunning valleys and local villages is the best way to explore this lunar like landscape of Cappadocia.

Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 7: Cappadocia - Konya

After breakfast, tour Derinkuyu, the famous 40-meter deep underground city built in the 7th century big enough for 15,000 people to survive at the same time. Then drive to Konya (270km/168mi), one of the oldest cities in central Turkey. Formerly the capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate as well as the pilgrimage site for Sufis until now, Kanya was a key city in Turkish history. Proceed to the iconic Mevlana Museum with a striking green conical dome on top. This is also a mausoleum built to commemorate the 13th-century philosopher, poet, scholar and mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi who founded the Mevlevi Order (Whirling Dervishes).

Back to the hotel for a restful evening or take part in the optional UNESCO listed Sufi Whirling Dervishes performance which has 800 years of history in Turkey and dancers believe while they spin and meditate set to the music, their soul could escalate to a more harmonious level between heaven and earth, much closer to the Creator.

Optional Tours: Evening Whirling Dervishes Performance U$109/person

Overnight stay in Konya.

Day 8: Konya - Pamukkale

Depart for Hierapolis (390km/240mi), the “Holy City” at Pamukkale, the UNESCO listed historical Greco-Roman ruin site featuring theater, church, bath house and Necropolis atop the Pamukkale hot springs used as a thermal spa since 2nd century BC. The unique carbonate mineral left by the flowing water has granted another name to the area as “Cotton Castle” referring to the white limestone formations of the hot springs. Wrap up the day by stepping in the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum to feast your eyes with precious artifacts discovered from this region.

Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Day 9: Pamukkale - Kusadasi

Today is free for you to explore Kusadasi on your own for its well-known beaches or you may wish to join us for a full day excursion to Ephesus with lunch included.

Optional Tours: Full day exploring Ephesus with lunch U$149/person (Free giveaway)

Hop on our bus and unlock an enriching day with our local tour expert. Ephesus, so called ”the Pompeii in Turkey”, is by far the biggest and best preserved ancient Greek archeological site worldwide with about 3000 years of history and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Used to be the first large scale cosmopolitan city in Asia, Ephesus was one of the five major thriving and prosperous Roman cities described as “A city not Rome but excels Rome". To your surprise, the bathroom, music hall, hospital, court house and temple you can see today are just a small portion of the structures already unearthed while most are still buried underneath. The Temple of Hadrian, the world first Water-flush Toilet, the earliest Joy House Advertising Sign, the Amphitheater and world third largest Celsus Library are all landmarks indicating how sophisticated and metropolitan Ephesus was. Visit Ephesus Museum at tranquil Selcuk and admire the priceless antiquities excavated from the whole district. Swing by House of Virgin Mary, the pilgrimage place where St. Mary spent her last years on earth.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi.

Day 10: Kusadasi - Pergamon -Troy - Canakkale

Your first program today is to touch down on the UNESCO listed Pergamon (196km/120mi), an ancient Greek city to the northeast of Kusadasi dating back to the Pre-Hellenistic period. Among the numerous historical sites, the Theater of Pergamon on the Upper Acropolis is the most impressive one as it is one of the steepest old theaters in the whole world. Take the cable car ride to the top of the Upper Acropolis (Complimentary by UTO ) and reach the best observation point for you to enjoy this mesmerizing town. Continue to Troy (195km/120mi) an old Greek town close to the Dardanelles Strait where the legendary Trojan War used to happen. Immortalized in the prominent poem Iliad and Odyssey by Homer, the epic story of this battle together with the image of Troy Horse are so well-known around the world today. The Archaeological site of Troy has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list as it has 9 layers of remains under the ground of about 100ft/30m deep from different eras all the way from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine time, totalling around 3400 years. The stoneware, bone objects, bronzeware and pottery from this heritage area reveal how flourishing Troy was when it was a busy and prosperous sea port back then. The ruins of the city wall, theater, temple all demonstrate how advanced European civilization was in the early age.

Overnight stay in Canakkale.

Day 11: Canakkale - Istanbul

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic bus ride back to Istanbul (310km/195mi) and the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Check in the hotel and relax or you are invited to join us for the optional evening dinner cruise on the Bosporus, the dividing line between East and West.

Optional Tours: Night cruise on Bosphorus with dinner U$99/person. (Free giveaway)

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 12: Istanbul

Today is free for you to design your own agenda.

“If the whole world is one country, the capital must be Istanbul”. Join us for an optional full day in-depth tour to learn more about this appealing place.

Optional Tours: Full day exploring Istanbul with lunch U$169/person (Free giveaway)

Morning sightseeing is at the famed Topkapi Palace. Initially constructed by Muhammad II and expanded by Suleiman I, this royal palace is a huge compound consisting of imperial residence, library, mosque, school, hospital, and garden, spacious enough for 4000 dwellers. There were as many as 30 sultans who lived and ruled the vast country from this palace. Move to the New District on the European side and visit the Dolmabahce Palace, also called the “New Palace”, where the last 6 sultans resided. Enlightened by the Louvre and inspired by Buckingham Palace, this complex was designed to be fancy, luxurious and extravagant on a man-made land in water, overlooking the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Stroll along the lively Istiklal Avenue connecting Galata Tower and Taksim Square lined with boutiques, book stores, bistros, high end restaurants, music pubs, art galleries, movie theaters and libraries. The elegant and charming architecture here in Classical, Gothic and Renaissance styles portray the golden era when this was all Genovese concession.

Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 13: Depart for USA/Canada

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board the flight back to your home (transfer is not included if you booked the land only package).

*Please note: Depending on the air scheduling and availability, your flight back to USA/Canada may depart very early in the morning the next day (00:00 am-03:00 am).

For your final day, you may explore the city on your own and transfer to the airport in the evening. Hotel check-out is before noontime. (Late check-out may be available for a fee subject to the hotel policy).

Included:

1. Round-trip international flight from New York (All Airports) to Istanbul for NO additional charge

The following departure cities are available for additional charge:

Additional U$300/person	Miami / Boston / Washington, D.C.
Additional U$500/person	Los Angeles / Fort Lauderdale / Orlando
Additional U$600/person	Atlanta / Austin / Oklahoma / Chicago / Detroit / Memphis / Milwaukee
Additional U$700/person	Dallas / Philadelphia / Charlotte / Houston / Denver / Phoenix / Sacramento / San Antonio / Seattle / Portland / Las Vegas / San Diego / San Francisco / Toronto / Vancouver/ Montreal
Additional U$800/person	Calgary

Land only package without round-trip international flight ticket: minus U$500/person

2. Hand-picked 5-star hotel accommodations

3. Transfer from airport to hotel and hotel to airport (except for land only package)

4. Sightseeing admission fees as listed on the agenda

5. Food as specified on the itinerary

6. Special cultural programs as specified in the schedule

7. Professional English speaking local tour expert

8. All tax and fuel surcharge

Excluded:

1. Travel insurance

2. Any personal expenses

3. Tour extensions and optional programs

4. Gratuity* for tour guides and drivers

5. Single supplement fee: U$2100 (*Our tour price is based on double occupancy and if a single passenger is traveling solo and not sharing room with any roommate for the entire trip, a single supplement fee is charged. If a passenger shares a room with travel partner(s) on the tour, such fee is waived.)

Optional Features

FLIGHT CHOICE:

☆ Regular Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with moderate layover time: + U$0

☆ Express Flight: We are trying to put you on a direct flight. If this is not possible, you will take flights with limited layover time of less than 6 hours each way

Price: U$299/person

☆ Swift Flight: You will take a direct flight with no layover guaranteed (if there is (an) direct flight(s) service already existing between your departure gateway and the arrival gateway of your destination country)

Price: U$599/person

☆ Business Class Upgrade (exclusively available for US departures): Elevate your journey with a luxurious international long-haul flight that defines sophistication and comfort.

Price: U$ 6,000/person

OPTIONAL PROGRAMS (BOOK ON-SITE):

☆ Day 4: Enjoy a typical traditional Turkish bath for a relaxing evening U$125/person

☆ Day 6: Morning hot air balloon ride U$280/person

☆ Day 6: 4X4 Jeep ride U$90/person

☆ Day 7: Evening Whirling Dervishes Performance U$109/person

☆ Day 9: Full day exploring Ephesus with lunch U$205/person (Free giveaway)

☆ Day 11: Night cruise on Bosphorus with dinner U$109/person. (Free giveaway)

☆ Day 12: Full day exploring Istanbul with lunch U$225/person (Free giveaway)

RETURN FLIGHT DEVIATION SERVICE:

1) Return Flight Deviation Service - 3 days (Airport drop-off service not included)

Price: U$299/person

Included:

*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary

2) Return Flight Deviation Service - 5 days (Airport drop-off service not included)

Price: U$399/person

Included:

*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary

3) Return Flight Deviation Service - 6-20 days (Airport drop-off service not included)

Price: U$499/person

Included:

*Air Ticket change fee & fare difference from the original itinerary

*Please note the exact departure date may be selected at a later point prior to final payment or you may specify your preferred return date in the "Remark" Column.

PRE & POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION SERVICE:

Please contact us for details and pricing whenever you need

Visa

This trip does not require a visa for USA/Canada passport holders.

Visit the "IATA Travel Centre" for detailed information on country-specific passport, visa and health requirements:

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm

Call 1-855-526-1286 or email [email protected] for any inquiries about travel visas.