Silk Road on Ferrari

Updated on 2014-01-29

Daily Program

Day 01

Today, your ship will dock at Istanbul where the continents meet each other! Your private guide will welcome you at the pier, holding a sign bearing your name. Upon meeting, you will get on your Ferrari rental and begin your day in Istanbul with a scenic ride along the shoreline on European side of Bosphorus. Driving through Besiktas and Barbaros Avenue, you will reach Bosphorus Bridge that you will cross over to the Asian side of Istanbul. You will follow the shoreline starting from Beylerbeyi where is a small neighborhood in Uskudar district on the Asian shores of the city. Next to Beylerbeyi, you will see again a heartwarming neighborhood Cengelkoy. While you keep driving on the shores of the Bosphorus, you will see Kucuksu and Goksu before you reach Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge which is the second bridge in Istanbul. Crossing over the bridge back to the European side, continue your ride along the northern shores of the strait on to Sariyer, a small old fisherman town. You may enjoy a coffee break when you reach Bebek. Leaving Bebek, you will arrive in Ortakoy where in 1492 Sephardic Jews arrived to set foot on Ottoman lands escaping from Spanish Inquisition. Finally, you will stop in Karakoy where you will leave your luxury car to carry on your touring in the Old City. Founded in the 13^th century BC, Greeks, Romans and the Ottoman Turks left their traces of culture and architecture in Istanbul, Blue Mosque, probably one of the most famed masterpieces of Ottoman religious architecture, is another stop among Istanbul’s monumental shrines of different faiths. Your next stop will be the magnificent 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 the Ottoman Empire when the city was conquered by Ottoman Turks in 1453 AD. You will reach the inner courtyard to visit the Treasury that displays exclusive examples of jewelry and accessories that were dressed by the Sultans or were given as gifts to ambassadors. Later in the afternoon, you will be wandering through Grand Bazaar and Nuru Osmaniye District where you can find opportunities of fine shopping especially for jewelry, leather products and many other handcrafted souvenirs. Your guide will transfer you to your hotel for overnight and relaxation. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 02

Passing through Besiktas and Barbaros Avenue on your luxury car rental, you will reach Bosphorus Bridge that you will cross over to the Asian side of Istanbul. You will start your day with a visit to Beylerbeyi Palace which was built in the 19th century as a summer residence for the royal family of the Ottoman Empire. Leaving the palace, you will carry on driving on the highway to Bostanci; the starting point of famed Bagdat Avenue where the heart of fashion beats in Istanbul. You will drive through the most chic avenue of Turkey (North Michigan Avenue of Istanbul). You will then follow the coastline to reach the port where you will board your private boat for cruising to Princess Isles. During the days of the East Roman Empire, Istanbul became the scene of uncountable intrigues that resulted in the execution or exile of the princes that were competing against each other for the crown. The Byzantine Princes were sent in exile to these isles and were sentenced to live here until the end of their lives. Today, the group of isles is called as Princess Isles and is still considered among the most exclusive resorts where well-to-do Istanbulers have their summer residences. Buyukada, the largest of the Princess Isles, is also the most charming one known for its architecture and natural beauty. A tour in a traditional horse-pulled carriage when you reach the island will remind you of the Ottoman habits of flamboyant life. You will enjoy a seafood lunch tasting olive oil appetizers accompanying fresh fish at the traditional local tavern of Prinkipo by the shores of Marmara Sea. Prinkipo is the old Greek name for Buyukada meaning the back garden of the Prince. Later in the afternoon, you will also have time to wander around the market area of the island and maybe try the famed waffles with ice cream before you embark your private boat to return Kabatas pier and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 03

You will find your private guide ready at the lobby of your hotel for the transfer to board your early morning flight getting you to Kayseri to begin your exclusive expedition to Cappadocia. You will board your luxury car rental; Ferrari upon arrival for a ride to reach the very heart of the most fascinating region of Turkey. Cappadocia will thrill you with its unique landscapes formed by erosions of winds and water. Today’s inactive volcanoes of Erciyes and Hasan had been active thousands of years ago erupting continuously and covering the region with a blanket of tuff that gets eroded so easily due to its soft character. You will start your explorations in Cappadocia right away from the Monastic Center of Goreme. Goreme was founded by St. Basil as the first Monastic Center of Christianity during 4^th century. You will carry on driving to reach Kaymakli Underground City, a subterranean settlement composed of troglodytic cave dwellings, where early Christians lived protecting themselves from invaders. Once you start hearing your guide, you will be impressed by the self discipline of the ancient people living in the underground cities under such difficult conditions.You will return to your hotel at the end of your touring for your first overnight in the region. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 04

You will experience a memorable activity special to Cappadocia this morning; hot air ballooning over the nature-formed valleys. You will be collected from your hotel approximately at 5.30 am for your transfer to the launch site for your hot air balloon flight where you will meet your pilot. You will much appreciate the tranquility of the morning gliding in your balloon over the colorful valleys and rock formations. Concluding your experience, celebrate the joy of viewing Cappadocia from the air with a glass of champagne and return to your hotel approximately by 8.30 am.

Driving through Ortahisar after a refreshing breakfast within the picturesque setting of your property, you will enjoy taking pictures of gorgeous valleys with rustic colors, fairy chimneys and many other conic rock formations like the Three Beauties that locals have created many legends about. Then, you will keep driving through Urgup to Zelve that was a town composed of hundreds of rock-carved houses occupied until 1942. Different religions coexisted in harmony in Cappadocia for thousands of years and one can see churches and mosques facing each other built into the rock cliffs here! During the Byzantine period, Cappadocia had hundreds of Christian hermits living in their private hermitages as well as the monastic centers where Christianity was institutionalized. Touring Pasabag Valley later on, you will adore the view of these tower-shaped hermitages that look as if they have been sculptured by contemporary artists! When you conclude your sightseeing today, you will head back to your hotel for your last overnight in Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 05

Your private guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel early in the morning for your transfer to Kayseri Airport to take the short flight to Izmir, the hometown of Homer and the third biggest city of Turkey possessing a rich historical background dating back to 3000 BC., to see the world’s best preserved Roman city, Ephesus! A scenic ride on your Ferrari rental will bring you to Selcuk, the very first settlement of Ephesus that was founded by the Greek colonists as early as 11^th century BC and remained inland due to the silting of the port of Ephesus. You will have the first stop of your excursion at the remains of Temple of Artemis that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. When you continue a little farther on your luxury minivan, you will reach where history and archaeology offer you their majesty with incredible richness. Ephesus was the Capital of the Province of Asia Minor famed for its flavorsome market during the Roman Era and was, therefore, the scene of many political intrigues while commanding an immense wealth due to its port and its trading activities. You will pursue the traces of the glorious past of Ephesus walking on the Marble Road that runs through the city with various structures resting on it: Temple of Hadrian is a unique beauty greeting you with its articulate façade that was built to honor the famous Roman Emperor, Hadrian during 2^nd Century AD. Standing right across the Temple of Hadrian are the Terrace Houses, the ancient prestigious residential section of Ephesus, where you will witness the flamboyant style of luxurious life of the rich Ephesians, exposed by the handmade frescoes and mosaics of the interior décor. Rising in the center of Ephesus is Library of Celsus built in honor of the great governor of Roman days. The façade of the Celsus Library reflects the grandeur and prestige of the Roman Period with a fabulous exposition of intricacy in its mural decoration. Among all the stunning archaeological remains, the Great Theater of Ephesus bears the major significance as the biggest Roman theater surviving in the world of archaeology. Concluding your sightseeing, you may spend some leisurely time in the town center of Kusadasi. You may stroll through the charming market that is right across the port to hunt for bargains in fine jewelry, silverware and leather products at a great variety of stores offering handmade souvenirs of Turkish culture. Bidding farewell to Kusadasi, you will keep on driving to Bodrum (3,5 hours) a charming resort town with its cozy Mediterranean architecture and historical monuments by the shores of Bafa Lake and reach to your hotel for your check-in. Overnight in Bodrum.

Day 06

Located on a beautiful peninsula, Bodrum has enchanting villages of houses painted in white and trimmed with purple bougainvillea together with miles of sandy beaches and ideal locations for water sports. What is more; Bodrum known as the pearl of Aegean, has gained the reputation as the center of the Turkish art community with its lively, friendly and Bohemian atmosphere and many small galleries. On the last day of your excursion before you bid farewell to Turkey; you will have the opportunity to drive along the coastline of the peninsula starting from Torba where your hotel is located and carrying on to Turkbuku (Saint – Tropez of Turkey). Passing through the peaceful village Gundogan in Bodrum, you will reach to Yalikavak; was the main fishing port in Bodrum formerly and is now considered as the most elite village on the peninsula. Afterwards, you will move on to Gumusluk; the village of peace and quiet, that is situated on the remains of ancient city of Myndos. The final destination which you will drive on your luxury car rental is Turgutreis that is spread throughout a rich valley well – planted with orchards and vegetable gardens. Getting off your Ferrari rental in Torba, your guide will lead you to Bodrum town center. Bodrum was called as Halicarnassus during the Hellenistic period and it still impresses its visitors with the colossal edifice, St. Peter’s Castle of Crusaders, resting right on the waters of its yacht harbor. Inside the castle, there are individual small museums displaying attractive works of archaeology such as the skull of Carian Princess and relics of underwater archaeology. Passing through the narrow streets that reflect very much of Mediterranean architectural tastes, you will continue to the site of Mausoleum of King Mausoleus. Concluding your tour; you guide will escort you on the way to your hotel. Overnight in Bodrum.

Day 07

You will have your private escorted transfer to the domestic terminal of Bodrum Airport for your flight back to Istanbul to connect to your international flight and bid farewell to Turkey.

Notes

Rate Includes:

- Private escorted arrival & departure transfers in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir and Bodrum.

- Accommodation on BB basis at properties of deluxe/superior category.

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

- A/C non-smoking deluxe minivan escorting during touring.

- Cost of Ferrari (F 430) rental.

- Domestic light tickets; from Istanbul to Cappadocia, from Cappadocia to Izmir and from Bodrum to Istanbul.

- All entrance and parking fees for the sightseeing included in the itinerary.

- Private boat tour to Princess Islands on Day 02.

- Tour on a traditional horse - pulled carriage in Buyukada.

- Lunch in Buyukada on Day 02.

- Hot air balloon flight on Day 03.

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

- Travel kits including guide book, stamped postcards, bookmarks.

- Local taxes.

 

Rate Excludes:

- Single Supplement for accomodations.

- Meals except for the breakfasts at the hotels .

- Beverages at the hotels and elsewhere.

- Cost of fuel to be consumed.

- Honorary gratuities for the guide and driver.

- Personal expenses.

- Visa fees.

- International flight tickets.

 

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