Honeymoon in Turkey: Istanbul, Cesme & Bodrum

Updated on 2014-01-22

Daily Program

Day 01 - ARRIVAL IN ISTANBUL

Today, you will arrive in one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities of the world history: Constantinople! Our representative, will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02 - FULL DAY ISTANBUL

In the morning, meeting your private lecturer/guide at the lobby of your hotel, you will start your expedition in Istanbul, a fascinating city where the continents meet each other! Your first visit will be to the famed Hippodrome Square which was once the sporting and social centre of Constantinople. Istanbul boasts its monumental shrines of different faiths and Blue Mosque is probably one of the most famed masterpieces of Ottoman religious architecture. Continue your morning by visiting the home of the Ottoman sultans: Topkapi Palace. Located on the very cape of the peninsula where Constantinople was founded, Topkapi Palace was built as the center of administration of Ottoman Empire when the city was conquered by Ottoman Turks in 1453 AD. Today you will be having an intense tour of the palace going through corridors and different sections of the Harem where Sultan lived with his family members. Leaving the Harem through the “Golden Corridor” you will reach the inner courtyard to visit the Treasury that displays exclusive examples of jewelry and accessories which were dressed by the Sultans or were given as gifts to ambassadors. Your next stop will be the Basilica of Saint Sophia that was built by Justinian the Great during 6^th century. Later in the day, you will find yourself blending with locals looking for best buys of all kinds of merchandise for the daily need in the bustling atmosphere of the Spice Market dating back to 17^th century. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 03 - ISTANBUL

You will meet your guide in the morning to experience how it feels to change continents within only minutes when you take the public ferry to cross to a central neighborhood on the Asian side bustling with activity and crowds, Uskudar for a private water marbling (Ebru) workshop at the Ebristan Arts Center of Hikmet Barutcugil, one of the rarely found true masters of this art. Your day will continue with a short ride to one of the oldest settlements of Istanbul and now a busy neighborhood on the Asian shoreline of the Bosphorus, Kadikoy. You will walk through the narrow pedestrian streets of Kadikoy to enjoy the open markets for fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood and purchase some of the ingredients you will need for the following cooking class at a local Turkish home. After you enjoy your lunch composed of the dishes that you too will have contributed to, you will lead your way back to the European side of the city, driving over the Bosphorus Bridge. Later in the afternoon, you will find yourself drifting through one of the earliest shopping malls ever built in history, Grand Bazaar which maintains its charm and volume of business to the modern day with its indoor and outdoor sections. Nuru Osmaniye District (Glamour of the Ottomans) was where the Genoese and Venetian merchants had their ware houses to store their inventory of brass, copper, rugs and tiles before they were loaded on the ships to sail to Venice and Genoa. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 04 - CESME

In the morning, you will meet your private guide at the lobby of your hotel for your transfer to the boarding area to take your flight on the seaplane reaching Alacati that was occupied by both Greeks and Turkish inhabitants until 1920s and was known for its vineyards and wineries.You will have a scenic drive leading you to Peninsula of Cesme, which is one of the Turkey’s most beautiful stretches, surrounded by clear blue seas, with landscapes of cultivated fields of aniseed, sesame and artichokes dotted by fig and gum trees. After checking into your hotel and getting some rest, you will start to explore city with Cesme Castle. After the Cesme Castle, you will drive to Rumeli Patisserie. You will also familiarize with the vivacious town of Cesme famous for its mastic ice-cream and boasting an impressive ancient castle dating back to 16th century. You may then prefer to take a short tour of the winding streets of the town that are adorned with stone-built houses and fountains. When you move on to the small village of Dalyankoy known for its seafood restaurants, you may enjoy an unforgettably delicious seafood feast served at the Korfez Restaurant owned by Mehmet Agbi. Mehmet Agbi greets all his guests himself and accommodates them with his unmatched hospitality and great service. (Please note that dinner expenses are at guests’ own discreet.) Your guide will accompany you back to your hotel at the end of your tour. Overnight in Cesme.

Day 05 - CESME

This morning you will be having your first stop at the remains of Temple of Artemis Then, you will have a short drive and reach the city of Ephesus where history and archaeology will offer you their majesty with incredible richness. You will be walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city, having various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty with its articulate facade while Library of Celsus has all the expression of the grandeur of “good old days” of the Roman Period. Today you will also tour the Terrace Houses, the ancient residential section of Ephesus. Among all the archaeological remains, the Great Theater of Ephesus bears the major Biblical importance. In the afternoon you will visit House of Virgin Mary.

Day 06 - BODRUM

Today, you will drive to the charming resort town of Bodrum. Arriving in Bodrum, you will check in your hotel and start exploring the town in the afternoon. You will be strolling through the Crusaders’ Castle of St. Peter’s. Continue your sightseeing with the site of Mausoleum of King Mausoleus. You will have the rest of the day at leisure on your own. Overnight in Bodrum.

Day 07 - BODRUM

Day at leisure on your own. Overnight in Bodrum.

Day 08 - BODRUM

Day at leisure on your own. Overnight in Bodrum.

Day 09 - DEPARTURE

Today, you will be transferred to the Bodrum Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul and you will connect your international flight back to home.

Notes

OUR RATES INCLUDE:

- Airport transfers in Istanbul, Izmir and Bodrum.

- VIP Meet & Greet Service

- Visa fee

- Accommodation at the suggested hotels.

- Services of an English speaking professional tour guide throughout the entire program.

- Water marbling (Ebru) workshop.

- Cooking class at a local Turkish home.

- Demo of preparing mastic ice-cream

- Transportation by A/C deluxe minivan throughout the program.

- All entrance fees for the sightseeing in the mentioned program.

- Complimentary refreshments on vehicles throughout the journeys on the vehicle.

- Travel kits including guidebooks, bookmarks, stamped postcards and maps.

 

OUR RATE EXCLUDE:

- Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Kayseri and from Kayseri to Izmir and from Izmir to Istanbul. (The cost of a domestic flight varies within the price range of USD 75 – USD 250, depending on availability of seats and subject to change until the time of the confirmed booking.)

- Meals (except for the breakfasts at the hotels, cooking class in Istanbul)

- Beverages

- Gratuities for the guide and driver.

- Personal expenses.

 

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