Arrival to Istanbul Airport where our driver/guide will meet you and transfer to your hotel for check-in before having the rest of the day at your leisure.

Go to the Topkapi Palace, which was once used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries and see the magnificent collection of priceless jewels, silver, crystal, and porcelain, robes that were worn by the sultans and the relics of the prophet Mohammed. (Entrance to the Harem is extra).

After lunch, we will visit the stunning Blue Mosque that was built for Sultan Ahmet I, and is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles.

Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II and visit the hidden Underground Cistern. See the Grand Covered Bazaar with its many shops perfect for your holiday souvenirs.

Visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market located on the Golden Horn before boarding your cruise of the Bosphorus where the waterway separates the two continents Europe and Asia.

Pass by Rumeli fortress which was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452, so he could prepare for his conquest of Istanbul.

Cross over the Bosphorus Bridge to Asia where you will visit Beylerbeyi Palace, which was once the summer address of the Ottoman Sultans, then on to Camlica Hill for a fantastic view of Istanbul.

Time for lunch in a lovely seaside fish restaurant. Cruise is on a public boat unless other arrangements are made. Visit the Hagia Sophia, which was built by Emperor Justinian and was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years and has intricate mosaics and a huge central dome. Order of visits may be reversed.

Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia, and upon arrival, you will be met at the airport just outside the arrival’s gate and transfer to Cappadocia. 

 Tour the Kaymaklı Underground City, one of the fascinating underground settlements in Cappadocia then drive to Sahinefendi (Sobesos) which is newly discovered (01 May 2002) mosaic houses and Archaeological excavation site. Villages in the valleys are surrounded by the “tabletop” mountains which are spectacular.

Continue to the Keslik Monastery close to Cemil, that hides its frescoes behind a thin smoke layer which you can only see by torchlight.

Visit Mustafapaşa (Sinasos), an old Greek town with its spectacular old Greek houses; outstanding examples of late Greek settlements and architecture.

Visit Saruhan Caravanserai, a roadside inn where travellers would rest and recover from their day’s journey. Caravanserais supported the flow of information, commerce and people across a network of trade routes of North Africa, Asia, and South-Eastern Europe on the legendary Silk Road and the Spice Road. Continue with the panorama of the Red Valley, with its fabulous volcanic rock formations and is in the heart of Cappadocia but still away from the tourist crowd.

Meet at the hotel reception after breakfast, then have your first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia with some rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley, walk-in Pasabag near Zelve and wonder at the “fairy chimneys” where the sound of the wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”.

Lunch in Avanos which has been the centre of terra cotta work of art since around 3000 BC and you will get a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.

In the afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art that are in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century).

Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia.

Drive to Ihlara and on the way walk in the Ihlara Canyon, a “mirage” in the Steps of Anatolia to Belisirma village, the ancient Peristrema: “Valley of the Sky” along the Melendiz River. Rock-cut churches spread across a wild plantation that will surprise you with their successfully painted representations from the Bible. Have lunch in Belisirma, a local restaurant by the river and stop at Selime, a village with cave houses and a “star wars” like landscape.

Have an early morning flight from Kayseri to Izmir (direct or via Istanbul), and upon arrival, our professional driver will meet at the airport with your name sign and transfer to Ephesus. Visit the ancient city of Ephesus and spend a few hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Apostles Paul, Caesar, Cicero, and John and many other well-known historical names.

The recently opened Terrace Houses (entry included) which is where the wealthiest Romans lived and are a great example of sensitive excavation and presentation and the mosaics and frescos are stunning. Tradition has it that St John brought Virgin Mary hereafter the Crucifixion and lived her last years close to the city of Ephesus on a secluded mountaintop. A lovely chapel was constructed on the site and tended by Franciscans and open to visitors and has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. We will continue with Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and was buried and visit the temple of Artemis to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Drive to Pamukkale and on the way visit Laodicea (present name Denizli) and one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Excavations are still active, and an ancient city as beautiful as Ephesus will soon be uncovered.

We will see the ancient theatres, the remains of the basilica which were recently uncovered, ancient stone water pipes, Temple A, agora and the monumental fountain. After Laodicea, discover the pure white travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis.

The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are definitely one of the most spectacular natural wonders that you will be able to see from several mineral springs in a substantial white cliffside. About 200 m overlooking the plain you can see how the calcite-laden waters have dripped over a number of terraced levels and created a fairyland of unusual solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins and look like creations made from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Moreover, the water in the basins changes its colour according to how the light enters.

Transfer from Pamukkale to Fethiye and board the boat in Marmaris from Marmaris Harbour. Guests who arrive early can leave their luggage at the Barbaros Yachting Office. On the first day, the cruise starts on the boat with a delicious dinner and overnight stay in the large Marmaris Port. Marmaris was constructed upon one of the ancient Karian cities called Phyckos and has been under the rule of many different civilisations. The most impressive work of art that you are able to see today is Marmaris Castle dating right back to 1577. You will also find a mosque and an 8-room caravansary that is covered with arches from the Ottoman Period. The ruins of the Antique times lie on Asar Hill; a small, low hill located on the northern side of the city. Being one of the best-known touristic places of Turkey, Marmaris also has a large marina.

After your tasty breakfast, you will be informed about the cruise itinerary and the boat before moving towards Ekincik Gulf.

You can join our optional Dalyan Tour from here where you will be taken from your boat by a smaller boat called “piyade”. You will arrive at Caretta-Caretta (turtle) Beach where you will take a swimming break, and you can enjoy the natural beauty of the delta as you cruise along the river. You will see the ancient Rock Tombs before arriving at the mud baths where you can relax and feel rejuvenated. A charming fishing village called Dalyan will be our final destination before we return to our boat by piyade boat.

Because of the unsettled of Disibilmez and Kurtoglu capes that we will cross, we will cruise earlier and reach the world-famous Gocek Gulf. We will anchor at Sunken Bath and have a delicious breakfast and a swimming break. This place is also called Cleopatra Bay due to the beautiful underwater ruins of an old bath. Then we will cruise to Tersane Island a naturally protected harbour which was used as a shipyard in Byzantine and Ottoman times.

After you have enjoyed breakfast, we will cruise to Kızıl Island for lunch and a swimming break. Fethiye, which was also known as Telmessos in ancient times and was the most important city located on Lycia’s western border.

It is claimed that the city’s name came from Apollon’s son, Telmessos and as the name hints, the city was the city of light and was well known for its prophets. Fethiye stretches in a half circle along the bay protected by 12 Islands.

After your final breakfast in Fethiye, it’s time to bid farewell to your shipmates, gulet and crew. Transfer to Dalaman airport and take the morning flight to Istanbul Airport. Arrival and transfer to Hotel and have a free afternoon for the last chance to complete your visits.

Transfer to Istanbul Airport to connect to your international flight.