Welcome to Turkey!

Transfer service direct from the airport to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight Istanbul.

Istanbul Old City Tour
Today you get your first look at Istanbul and like centuries ago when Istanbul was the greatest gateway on the old silk road, this city will intrigue and delight you. The skyline is dominated by incredible iconic buildings such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace all of which you will visit today accompanied by your expert tour guide who will bring the history of this city to life. You will also stand on the site of the Hippodrome with its ancient Egyptian Obelisks, a central part of Roman Constantinople. Finally, the tour will end in the Grand Bazaar, the beating heart of the city where trade has not stopped in over 500 years.  

Our recommendation:
As with the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar has a feel of its own not to be missed whilst you are here, enjoy the incredible aroma of the spices. You can make your own way back to your hotel as there will be plenty of time. This is not part of your tour package.

Important Notes:
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
Blue Mosque due to prayers on Fridays we are unable to enter
Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

We provide pickups from hotels in central areas in the following vicinities:
Sultanahmet, Sirkeci, Laleli, Aksaray, Taksim area. Pickup from anywhere outside these areas may incur an extra charge. Please speak to our crew if you have any questions.

Overnight Istanbul.

Dolmabahçe Palace Tour
This will be your first stop on today’s tour; you will have a private transfer to the palace. Built by Sultan Abdulmecid in the 1840s-1850s, this was home to the last six of the Sultans. It is an extraordinary space with over 100 oil paintings, around 280 rooms, and the largest Bohemian chandelier. It is particularly loved and remembered by Turks as the final place that the first president of the Turkish Republic, Ataturk lived before his death in 1938.

Bosphorus Boat Tour
After around 1.5 hours in the palace, you will board your Bosphorus Cruise which will take you to view some more famous sights. You'll get the chance to step on the Asian continent, not long after leaving Europe, at the Kucuksu Palace. This was another palace that the Sultans lived in, although most only stayed in the summer. You will have around 2 hours here before continuing up the Bosphorus for a view of Maidens Tower, Rumeli Fortress, Bosphorus Bridge, and the Ortakoy Mosque. Head off the boat and onto a bus which will take you up to the best view of Istanbul, Pierre Loti Hill. Named after the French poet who adored the city, you can sip on Turkish coffee here or even stop for lunch. Enjoy the panoramic views while riding the cable car back down before you take a drive around the Old Byzantine Walls. Your tour will end for the day in the centre of Sultan Ahmet.

Important Note:
Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays, therefore on this day, only the tour will begin 2 hours later (11:30 am departure) on Mondays.
Dolmabahce Palace, Kucuksu Palace, and Pierre Loti Hill are the only sights you will tour by foot. The other sights will be seen from the boat or bus.

Board an overnight bus bound for Fethiye.

Pick up on arrival to Fethiye. You will all be checking in to one of our Farout Gulets to start your 4 days of cruising the beautiful Mediterranean coastline. Today you visit Butterfly Valley, Oludeniz / Blue Lagoon and spend the evening anchored down at St Nicholas Island. Be sure to climb to the top of the island for the most beautiful sunset, possibly one of the best, of the whole cruise.

Overnight cabin cruise.

Today after making some stops along the way for swimming, breakfast and lunch you will get to spend some time in the beautiful town of Kas. Here you can shop up a storm with the abundance of jewellery shops in town or spend time just wandering the cobblestone streets soaking up the ambience of the seaside fishing village. Overnight cabin cruise.

Today you sail past the sunken city. Once part of the original settlement that still makes up the island of Kekova, after a devastating earthquake many centuries ago, this part of the town has fallen into the ocean. You will sail past slowly for a closer look before anchoring down on the opposite side to visit what still remains of Kekova. Here you can wander the island and walk up to the Lycian tombs for a closer look or climb to the top and enter Simena Castle for some beautiful views over the coastline you have just cruised.

Overnight cabin cruise.

Today is the last day of your gulet cruise you will disembark and head for Olympos by bus. Here, you enter the National Park where you can explore the ruins of ancient times as you make your way down to the beach for some more sun and swimming.

Overnight Olympos.

Today you get a free day to relax, soak up some more sunshine and have one last swim in the Mediterranean. You will leave Olympos in the early evening to meet the overnight bus in Antalya, that will take you directly to Istanbul.

Tonight you will board an overnight bus bound for Istanbul.

You arrive early into Istanbul this morning where the tour ends. If you require any assistance with onwards travel within Turkey, accommodation bookings, queries, please let us know & we will be happy to assist.