This 5-day Turkish vacation showcases the capital, Istanbul, with a full-day excursion to Ephesus. It features deluxe accommodations and private tours.
Your journey takes you to Istanbul, Türkiye's capital and the only world centre to straddle two continents. Staying in a beautiful luxury hotel with views of the Marmara Sea, you’ll delve into the city’s Byzantine legacy on a half-day private tour. Start at Hagia Sophia, the fourth-largest church in the world and a central icon of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Continue to the Blue Mosque and end at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest outdoor marketplaces. That afternoon, visit the Spice Market before taking to the waters of the Bosphorus for a private cruise on this strait that divides Asia and Europe. Your day will end at the Bosphorus Bridge, which was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the republic.
The next day, rise early for a flight to Izmir and connect to the ancient city of Ephesus, where Greek and Roman ruins shed light on one of the centres of antiquity. You’ll tour the city ruins, such as the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and learn about the city’s importance to early Christianity. You’ll also stop by the House of the Virgin Mary, where the mother of Jesus of Nazareth reportedly spent some later years, before flying back to Istanbul at day’s end. You’ll have another day at leisure in Istanbul to explore other parts of the city and enjoy its culinary culture.
At the end of your stay, you’ll head to the airport to connect back home.
