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Turkey

"Turkey is a beautiful mosaic of cultures, religions, and landscapes. It's a fascinating place where East meets West." — Natalie Dormer

4 - 12

Guest limits

8 / 7

Days / Nights

 $8,995

Starting Rate Per Person

Explore the flavors of Turkey on a journey that blends ancient history and modern-day vibrancy in a rich tapestry of experiences. Wander through the historic streets of Istanbul, taking in bustling markets and iconic sites of the great Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Visit area vineyards, wineries, and small coastal villages showcasing the natural beauty and best local products of the area. And discover the well-preserved ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, which offers a window into the rich history of the region.

"Turkey is a place where the past and present coexist, where cultures are so intertwined, and the result is a rich tapestry of history and tradition." — Hamdi Ulukaya

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

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    DAY 1. Arrival Istanbul

    Land at Istanbul Airport and transfer to accommodations in the city’s fashionable harborside area. Tonight enjoy a traditional Turkish meyhane dinner at a local restaurant

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    DAY 2. Istanbul

    Full day of exploration including baklava-making demonstration, spice bazaar visit, cruise on the Bosphorus, and free time in Galataport

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    DAY 3. Gallipoli

    Leaving the city behind, travel west to the vineyard-clad hills of the historic Gallipoli peninsula, stopping along the way at a family-run winery

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    DAY 4. TROY & ASSOS

    Journey south across the Dardanelles strait to the ancient city of Troy followed by a guided visit to Assos, lunch and wine tasting at a nearby winery, and cheese workshop and pizza making at a local farm

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    DAY 5. AYVALIK

    Enjoy a free day to explore the cobbled streets of Ayvalik— its market squares, atmospheric cafes, and pretty stone houses built by Greeks during the Ottoman era

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    DAY 6. Ephesus

    Venture south to the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus, founded by the Greeks and a center of culture, trade, and spirituality in the ancient world

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    DAY 7. Urla

    Discover the wineries and olive groves around Urla and the local artisans in the center of the village and savor a picnic lunch and farm-to-table Farewell Dinner

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    DAY 8. DEPARTURE IZMIR

    Transfer to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport for flights home

Accommodations

Hyatt Regency Izmir11

Hyatt Regency Izmir

This modern hotel situated above the Gulf of Izmir provides modern elegant accommodations in the middle of Turkey’s third largest city. The property features a seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center, spa facilities, restaurant and bar, and complimentary Wifi. Spacious rooms have air conditioning, tea kettle, refrigerator, minibar, and bathrooms equipped with bathrobe, slippers, toiletries, and hair dryer.

Hyatt Regency Izmir11
Cunda Despot Evi6

Cunda Despot Evi

Situated on Cunda Island, this property across from the Aegean Sea offers guests a full-service spa, sauna, seasonal outdoor pool, garden, terrace, restaurant, and bar. Rooms feature air conditioning, complimentary Wifi, and bathrooms with toiletries and hairdryer.

Cunda Despot Evi6
Hotel Caeli 2

Hotel Caeli (Çanakkale)

Surrounded by vineyards, this boutique property is located on the Gallipoli Peninsula in the Ecebat district of Çanakkale, approximately three and a half hours west of Istanbul. The property offers a garden, terrace, spa and wellness area with sauna and steam room, pool, restaurant, bar, and snack bar. Rooms provide complimentary WiFi, air conditioning, coffee/tea maker, minibar, and bathrooms equipped with toiletries and hairdryer.

Hotel Caeli 2
10 Karakoy Hotel 13

10 Karaköy Hotel (Istanbul)

Located in Karaköy, Istanbul’s fashionable harborside district, this stylish upscale hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. The property features an impressive atrium lobby with modern decor, a terrace, fitness center, restaurant, bar, and complimentary WiFi. Rooms offer air conditioning and minibar and bathrooms containing toiletries and hairdryer.

10 Karakoy Hotel 13

"Istanbul, a universal beauty where poet and archaeologist, diplomat and merchant, princess and sailor, northerner and westerner screams with the same admiration. The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place on Earth." — Edmondo De Amicis

Get Started

Fun Facts

The Grand Bazaar is the world’s biggest and oldest covered market


With approximately 64 streets, 4000 shops and up to 400,000 visitors daily, this colorful market offers an incredible display of local craft. The Grand Bazaar was built in the 15th Century. Following the Ottoman’s conquest of Constantinople, sultan Fatih Sultan Mehmed II ordered its construction to promote trade in the city while providing an income for the Hagia Sophia Mosque.

Istanbul is the only city in the world stretched across two continents


Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus river, the west bank is in Europe, the east bank in Asia. Only a very small percentage of the country is actually in Europe, most of its territory is on the Asian continent. You can walk from one continent to another using the Galata Bridge. The present bridge was built in 1992 to replace an older version from 1912. Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to design a bridge in the 16th Century, but unfortunately it was never built.

Turkey has a long history of grape growing and wine making


Turkey may not be at the top of the list when thinking about wine but it is one of the earliest wine producing regions of the world. Archaeological remains show that grape growing in the area dates back to the fifth millennium BCE and continued together with winemaking throughout history. It is estimated that there are between 600 and 1200 indigenous grape varieties in Turkey. The country is also the fourth largest producer of grapes in the world, with many consumed as table grapes or raisins.

Tulip is the symbol of Turkey


Tulips were brought to Anatolia by Turkish nomads from the Pamir Mountains before being traded to the world in the 15th Century under the Ottoman empire. The Dutch ambassador at the time introduced them to Holland planting the seed, or shall we say the bulb, to Holland’s love of tulips. There is a tulip festival every year in April in Istanbul and the city becomes filled with colorful tulip displays.

Details

Included

  • Accommodations during program dates, including all taxes and fees
  • All activities and private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local guides, entrance fees, and private transportation
  • Meals as detailed in your itinerary, including pre-arranged drink pairings
  • Private airport transfers with porterage on the first and last scheduled days of the program

Not Included

  • Airfare to/from arrival and departure cities
  • Travel insurance
  • Additional alcoholic beverages beyond what has been arranged by Experi to pair with the included major meals
  • Gratuities for drivers, local guides, porters, and included meals

Travel Insurance

Learn more about travel insurance and how it can help you prepare for the unexpected at https://experi.com/travelinsurance/

Travel Terms & Conditions

View our complete terms and conditions here at https://experi.com/agreement.

Reservation process

Step 1:

Complete the form above indicating:

  • the number of travelers in your group
  • your preferred travel dates
  • the best way to reach you

Step 2:

We will contact you to discuss your preferences.

Step 3:

Based on our conversation, we will check availability, confirm pricing, and provide you with a detailed proposal.

Step 4:

To confirm the services and accommodations for your private departure, a non-refundable 50% deposit of the total trip fee is required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How a Private Departure Works:

A Private Departure is a program that our destination specialists have meticulously crafted and curated to highlight the best of a particular destination. While we offer a few options to personalize your journey, the main framework of a Private Departure itinerary has been set. If you are seeking to make changes in the schedule or activities, a Custom Program may better suit your needs.

Destination-Specific Information - Turkey

This trip appeals to food and wine enthusiasts curious to discover Turkey’s rich, colorful history and culture through authentic experiences and encounters with locals.

Experi

P.O. Box 10576
Bainbridge Island, WA 
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USA

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