Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia
- Istanbul, Şirince, Ephesus, Cappadocia
- 9 nights / 10 days, prices start from USD$9,000 per person
This custom-designed itinerary is culturally immersive and thoughtfully paced. Highlights include exploring Ephesus (the most intact Greco-Roman city in the Mediterranean) while staying in a charming country boutique hotel reserved exclusively for your group. Carefully refined for a private circle of friends, this bespoke journey showcases Türkiye’s unparalleled collection of Hellenistic and Roman ruins, set against beguiling landscapes and enriched by private access, expert guides, and exceptional accommodations. Even over nine nights, Türkiye’s depth and diversity offer a remarkable abundance of discovery.
Top Highlights
- Private Bosphorus cruise with onboard guide and champagne
- Behind-the-scenes access to Ottoman jewellery masters in the Grand Bazaar
- Expert-led exploration of Topkapı Palace, including the Harem
- Private access to an active archaeological excavation at Magnesia on the Maeander
- Wine tasting and lunch at a boutique vineyard near Ephesus
- Optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia
- Private Whirling Dervish performance and farewell dinner
What’s Included
We design unforgettable and luxurious journeys just for you. Our bespoke trips include:
- Double room accommodations
- Breakfast at hotels
- Private transfers
- Private tours and experiences
- Full support from your travel designer and on the ground team
Itinerary
Istanbul
Discover one of the world’s most compelling cities, where centuries of Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern history converge. Settle into a waterfront hotel overlooking the Bosphorus, your base for an expertly guided exploration of Istanbul’s greatest treasures.
Highlights include a private Bosphorus cruise with onboard commentary, in-depth visits to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar, and a private introduction to Ottoman jewellery craftsmanship led by master artisans. Enjoy exclusive cultural access through a private Turkish coffee ceremony hosted by renowned Ottoman art expert Serdar Gülgün in his Bosphorus residence, as well as a curator-led visit to Istanbul Modern.
Your time in the city concludes with an expert-led exploration of Topkapı Palace and its Harem, followed by the Archaeological Museums and a private visit to the atmospheric Şerefiye Cistern.
Suggested Accommodation: The Peninsula Hotel Istanbul
Sirince
Travel to the Aegean heartland for an intimate stay in the charming village of Şirince. Explore the active archaeological site of Magnesia on the Maeander with one of the excavating archaeologists, gaining rare insight into ongoing discoveries at this important Ionian city.
A full day is dedicated to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world. Walk marble streets and monumental ruins with a private guide before visiting the Basilica of St. John and the House of the Virgin Mary. A relaxed wine tasting and lunch at a nearby boutique vineyard completes this evocative journey through antiquity.
Suggested Accommodation: Güllü Konakları
Cappadocia (Uçhisar)
Arrive in Cappadocia, where volcanic stone has been shaped into dramatic valleys, fairy chimneys, and ancient rock-cut dwellings. Stay at the remarkable Museum Hotel, built into historic stone structures and showcasing an exceptional collection of Turkish art and antiques.
Explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum, including the famed Dark Church, along with Cappadocia’s valleys and village ruins such as Zelve and Paşabağ. Visit an underground city to learn how early communities lived beneath the surface, and take part in a hands-on Turkish cooking class in a traditional stone house.
An optional sunrise hot-air balloon flight offers unforgettable views over the region’s surreal terrain. Your journey concludes with a visit to Avanos for a pottery workshop and a farewell dinner accompanied by a private Whirling Dervish performance.
Suggested Accommodation: Museum Hotel
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.
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Why we are the top choice for your next luxury trip.
Our unique approach to planning transformative experiences ensures our clients gain more than just a vacation: they come away with a greater understanding of the world, their place in it, and how the journey has enriched their lives.
- We prioritize personalized experiences tailored to guests’ wants and needs, from holiday getaways to educational trips and everything in between.
- Travel is about more than just going from point A to point B. It's an experience; we're here to help you create the best possible one for you and your family or friends.
- Taste. Indulge. Immerse. Each destination has unique flavours and dishes. Bespoke travel is the perfect way to indulge your senses.
- Our team of experienced travel planners has an eye for detail, meaning no stone goes unturned when crafting the perfect itinerary. Whenever you want it, the way you want it.