SUPER OFFER! TÜRKIYE FROM LOS ANGELES

Departure from Los Angeles on an international flight to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. It is recommended to arrive at the airline counter at the airport at least 3 hours before departure for baggage check-in. Overnight on board.

Welcome to Turkey, a country brimming with culture, history, and unique experiences where East and West blend harmoniously. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation. Upon arrival at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST), which opened in April 2019 and is now the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world, after disembarking, passing through immigration, and collecting your luggage, please proceed to our meeting point at gate 8 of the departure area. Following this, you will meet our drivers for transfer to the hotel. Check-in and accommodation. Free time to relax.

At the indicated time, we begin the “PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS” excursion. (time to be confirmed by the guide) (includes lunch at a traditional restaurant). Visit the old Jewish neighborhood in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and enjoy the magnificent views of the “Golden Horn.” Next, visit the St. George Cathedral, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church. Continue to the Mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and featuring the largest dome of all mosques in Istanbul. We head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its color and aroma, the perfect place to buy teas, herbs, dried fruits, typical sweets, and of course, spices. The excursion ends with a boat ride through the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will admire the stunning views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges that connect both sides of this metropolis. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Free day.

Option to take the optional excursion "JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE" (includes lunch at a typical restaurant): Departure around 08:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) for a tour in the historical heart of the city, where you can observe the variety of remnants from the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, a center of social life in Constantinople for millennia where you can also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Obelisk of Constantine, and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with its more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural marvel that has served as a church, mosque, and museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astonishing technical achievement in its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. Next, visit the majestic Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans for over 400 years, where you will see the beautiful royal gardens, kitchens, and rooms of the royal treasures. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan's wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration. We continue with Aya Irini Church, a Byzantine church that did not convert into a mosque, and end our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest and oldest covered markets where bargaining is a tradition. Return to the hotel.

In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to take a special optional tour "ISTANBUL STREET GASTRONOMY": This gastronomic tour is a unique experience walking through the streets of the most historic region of Istanbul in the heart of ancient Constantinople that invites diners to taste a selection of typical and traditional bites. With this gastronomic tour, we will visit the hidden treasures of Istanbul's flavors through a combination of textures and artistic presentations, participants have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the gastronomic diversity while enjoying a feast for the senses. It is an opportunity to discover new flavors, ingredients, and culinary techniques, appreciate the art and passion behind each dish. A food tasting is a journey of discovery, a gastronomic adventure that delights the palate and creates memorable moments.

Accommodation

Breakfast "lunch-box" and early departure (around 6:00 - exact time to be confirmed by the guide) towards Ankara for a panoramic visit of Türkiye's capital and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the founder of the Republic. En route to Cappadocia, you will pass by the Salt Lake, where there will be a stop for photographs at this spectacular location, followed by a visit to a Caravanserai, an accommodation from the Silk Road era. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Departure around 08:00 to visit this wonderful region with its fascinating and unique landscape formed by volcanic lava over 3 million years ago. We begin with the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery with chapels carved into volcanic rock and adorned with frescoes from the 13th century. Moving on to the stunning valleys of the region with their "otherworldly" landscapes, you'll witness the iconic geological formations known as the "Fairy Chimneys". There will be a stop to enjoy the incredible panoramic views of some of the famous valleys with spectacular volcanic rock formations. Next, we visit the underground city of Cappadocia, one of many impressive engineering feats built by ancient local communities to protect themselves throughout history. After the tour, we visit a carpet center to learn about the artisanal production of these pieces, which are true treasures, and a gemstone center showcasing exclusive designs from the region. Return to the hotel, dinner, and accommodation.

Optional programs in Cappadocia:

• TURKISH NIGHT - Folk dance performance in a typical cave with local drinks;
• JEEP SAFARI - Adventure through the mystical valleys of the region with stops for the best photo opportunities;
• HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE - Early morning experience to admire one of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

Breakfast. Departure around 06:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) towards Pamukkale to visit the ancient Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a natural wonder featuring a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name "Hierapolis" is derived from Greek and means "sacred city", referring to the numerous temples and religious sites that once existed in the city. One of the most notable features of Hierapolis was its famous theater, which could accommodate thousands of spectators and remains largely intact today. The city gained recognition as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural thermal waters and white calcareous pools. These mineral-laden waters created stunning natural terraces and waterfalls known as "Pamukkale", which in Turkish means "cotton castle". Pamukkale and Hierapolis are jointly listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their historical significance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and we will have the opportunity to explore locally made textile products. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Departure around 08:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit the House of Mary, located on a nearby hill. This place is revered as the final residence of the mother of Jesus, who, according to Christian tradition, spent her last years in Ephesus under the care of the apostle John. Today, the house is an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims, who consider it a sacred place. We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic visit of this historically rich city, where we'll admire the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis, which consecrated Ephesus as a significant religious and cultural center of antiquity. The tour continues with a visit to a specialized showroom featuring leather goods, where you can appreciate high-quality products made from sheepskin, renowned for their lightweight pieces. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kuşadasi depending on the season.

Free day.

Option to take the optional excursion "CHIOS - A GREEK PARADISE": Departure around 06:00 to 07:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide). Begin the day with a transfer from the hotel to the port of Çeşme. After passing through immigration control, we will board a ferry to charming Chios. Upon arrival, our tour starts with a visit to the picturesque village of Mesta, a fascinating labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets dating back to the Byzantine era. Next, we will head to Pyrgi, one of Chios' most distinctive villages. Its houses are adorned with geometric patterns in black and white, known as "xysta", creating a spectacular and unique visual contrast. Pyrgi is renowned not only for its architecture but also for its history and traditions that are still vibrant today. We continue to the Museum dedicated to mastic, a unique resin obtained from trees that grow only here, to learn about the collection and production process of this resin, valued since antiquity for its multiple uses. To conclude our excursion, we will visit a wonderful beach on the Aegean Sea. Here, you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and serene landscape that characterize this region. Finally, we return to the port to depart back to Çeşme in Türkiye. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Accommodation.

Departure around 08:00 (exact time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit Bursa. There, you will enjoy a panoramic tour of this historic city, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. We will admire the impressive Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, iconic monuments renowned for their exquisite decoration. Afterward, we will continue towards Istanbul, where we will check into our hotel upon arrival in the city.

At the specified time, transfer to Istanbul Airport (IST) to catch the Turkish Airlines flight to Los Angeles.