Special & Unforgettable Experiences

- Day 1
- Day 2
- Day 3
- Day 4
- Day 5
- Day 6
- Day 7
- Day 8
- Day 9
- Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
Istanbul: Arrival
Arrive in Istanbul, one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Formerly known as Byzantium and as Constantinople, it has been the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires, and is the only city in the world situated on two continents. Here, East meets West.
Istanbul: Byzantine and Ottoman Relics
Visit glorious Hagia Sophia, one of the most extraordinary buildings in the history of architecture. Constructed in 532 AD, for 1,000 years it remained the world’s largest and most magnificent cathedral before the Ottomans converted it to a mosque in 1453. See the Blue Mosque exterior (interior is under restoration), nicknames so for its interior covered with 20,000 brilliant, shimmering handpainted blue Iznik tiles. At the Islamic Arts Museum, see the examples of impressive Turkish decorative arts including illuminated manuscripts, […]
Istanbul: Ottoman Grandeur, Grand Bazaar Backstreets & Ottoman Cooking
Explore splendid Topkapı Palace, imperial residence of the sultan, his court, and harem, as well as the seat of government from which the Ottoman Turks ruled most of Europe and the Middle East. At the exquisite Underground Basilica Cistern learn about the city’s sixth-century sophisticated ancient water system in this beautiful and unusual space filled with recycled ancient marble columns. Tour the Backstreets of the Grand Bazaar seeing the local – but no less crowded – side of this bustling […]
Cruise and Cross the Bosphorus, Istanbul Locals
Board a privately chartered boat for a cruise fully narrated by Mert, along opulent 19th century Ottoman palaces, waterside mansions built by Ottoman aristocrats and foreign ambassadors, and the mighty 15th century fortress Rumeli Hisari. Watch how one man fishing boats share this busy waterway with giant shipping tankers. Afternoon flight to Turkey’s interior, Cappadocia where we will marvel at unusual and impressive geological landscapes.
Cappadocian Early Christian History in Cave Churches
After a cave breakfast room reminiscent of the Flintstones, visit Goreme Open Air Museum an UNESCO World Heritage Site containing 10th to 13th century Christian cave churches carved into the natural rock landscape. See exceptional, vibrant frescoes in a cave church where the columns and domes have been carved from the rock within the the cave. Enjoy Turkish hospitality and a home cooked lunch in the home of a village family, of enjoying the company of up to 4 generations […]
Subterranean City & Fairy Chimneys
Start our day at the bustling weekly village market, observing local villagers buying and selling produce, homemade cheeses, all types of groceries and home goods. Tour amazing Kaymakli Underground City, entirely carved into the rock landscape and down 6 stories by early Christians who fled from persecution by hiding and living in secret, sophisticatedly engineered subterranean cities for months at a time. In the afternoon, enjoy more fairly chimney views, and attend an optional Whirling Dervish ceremony. Enjoy a tasty […]
Village Life
Morning walk along colorful and ornate doors of village homes, perhaps see villagers at work and hopefully encounter a village woman with her own handicrafts to sell from her home. Village ladies show us how to make an amazing comfort food clay pot casserole, before we enjoy it for lunch. Visit a pottery workshop before our afternoon flight to Izmir from which we have a 1 hour drive to Kusadasi.
Villages & Roman Ephesus
Allow yourself to be impressed on a detailed tour of the sprawling ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most powerful Greco-Roman cities of the ancient world, and today one of the world’s best preserved archeological sites. Walk the Sacred Way, a paved and colonnaded marble street, tracing the steps of Julius Caesar, Saint Paul, Antony and Cleopatra. The Library of Celsus rivals any structure in the Roman Forum and the amphitheater dwarfs that of Pompeii. Our visit includes the […]
Organic Farm Breakfast & Ancient City of Aphrodisias
Experience a traditional Turkish breakfast feast at a tranquil organic village farm before we drive to Aphrodisias, one of the largest, best preserved archeological sites in Turkey and another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Named in honor of Aphrodite, goddess of love, this city was a center for sculpture, arts, literature, and religion. Many of this city’s monuments are still standing, including the 30,000 seat stadium. Elaborate sculptural details we see date back to the 1st and 2nd century AD. Continue […]
Pamukkale Travertine Terraces & Heiropolis
Today we head to to the travertine terraces of Pamukkale, health spa of the ancient world. Dip your toes in reputed healing mineral waters while exploring the terraced snow-white travertine pools, and view the theatre of the ancient city of Hieropolis, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mert leads active participants on a hike up hill to a restored ancient theatre. Fast forward 2,000 years – Experience Turkish fast food in a truly local environment. Lunch in a nearby big city shopping […]
Passages of Time: Quaint Village
Visit a very traditional village of stone houses, garden patches and a commitment to keeping alive village life in our globalized world through the dying art of village carpet weaving and farming. Village Cooking Demo & Lunch. Afternoon and evening free to explore the town and enjoy dinner on your own.
Underwater Archeology, Ancient Shipwrecks & Chillax
Morning tour of St. Peter’s Castle built by Crusaders now housing a fantastic underwater archeology museum. Explore ancient shipwreck discoveries. Then we’ll take a vacation from our vacation. Spend the day relaxing aboard a gulet, or Turkish wooden yacht sailing along the coast, swimming in the Aegean Sea, and enjoying lunch. Optional seafood dinner will be arranged according to the day’s catch and will include local delicacies.
“New” & Contemporary Istanbul
Morning flight back to Istanbul, and cross the Golden Horn to Beyoglu district in “new” Istanbul. New, as in much newer than the ancient historic peninsula where our journey began, yet today it has it’s own historic charms. Walking tour including lunch of street food tastings along boutique and eatery lined, pedestrian-packed Istiklal Street, considered the heartbeat of the city. Ride the city’s highly efficient Metro to explore one of countless shiny skyscrapers in Istanbul where Turkey’s educated, western minded […]
Spice Market
Visit Chora Church filled with glittering Byzantine mosaics, considered by some experts to be the world’s finest examples of Christian mosaics, and Suleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul’s grandest. You’ll gain appreciation for the design and engineering genius of imperial architect Sinan, and begin to understand why he is often compared to Michelangelo. Walk through busy backstreets to the famed Egyptian Spice Market. Shop for spices, nuts, other Turkish foods, and last minute gifts. We’re doing this at the end of our trip […]
Hosca Kal & Aloha!
Mert will join us in our panoramic rooftop breakfast room before we say our good-byes as our tour concludes after breakfast. Transfer to airport for your departure flight.
- Contemporary Turkish Dinner at one of Istanbul’s most celebrated restaurants, a destination for visiting international chefs.
- Cooking Demonstration of Ottoman Palace Cuisine
- Grand Bazaar Shopping – I’ll introduce you to vetted, reputable shopkeepers I have befriended, for exotic treasures – Fine Scarves, Needlelace Necklaces, Inlaid Wood & Mother of Pearl Marquetry, Silver Jewelry, Hand-loomed Ikat Fabrics, and more!
- Privately Chartered Cruise of the Bosphorus Strait along Ottoman Palaces & Mansions, crossing the Bosphorus Strait from Europe to Asia for Food Market Visit & Lunch.
- Istanbul Street Food Walking Tour
- Home Cooked Lunch Visit with a Cappadocia Village Family
- Seafood Dinners of the Day’s Local Catch – Watch local fishermen from a dockside restaurant
- Breakfast Feast at an Organic Village Farm
- Authentic Carpet Weaving Village Visit & Lunch – Meet 3 generations of villagers committed to maintaining traditional village lifestyle by weaving and farming.
- Village Cooking Demonstrations
- Nature Walk – Get Up Close Amongst the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia
- Optional Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride
- Optional Turkish Bath
- Optional Whirling Dervish Ceremony
Historical & Cultural Visits
Blue Mosque * Hagia Sophia * Topkapi Palace * Underground Basilica Cistern * Grand Bazaar * Chora Church * Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys of Pasabag Valley * Goreme Open Air Museum, UNESCO World Heritage Site * Kaymakli Underground City * Historic Greek Village Walk * Roman City of Ephesus, UNESCO World Heritage Site * Ephesus Terrace Homes * Ancient City of Aphrodisias, UNESCO World Heritage Site * Pamukkale Travertine Terraces, UNESCO World Heritage Site * Bodrum Underwater Archeoloy Museum * Full Day Aegean Sea Yacht Trip * Suleymaniye Mosque * Egyptian Spice Market * Village Markets * And More!
Travel with Mei-mei Means…
- Eat Wonderful, Varied Meals Like A Local – NOT With Tourists!
- Top Tier Historical & Cultural Turkish Guide
- Experience Off The Beaten Path Hidden Gems Other Group Travelers Don’t See or Do
- Explore Villages and Meet Local Villagers
- Make The Most of Your Time – Travel By Airplane instead of 8-10 hour bus days
- Comfortable Hotels With Local Character, Excellent Location, Special Features & Service – You will never need to take a taxi or navigate public transportation to explore during free time, nor drag your suitcase down the street or up stairs
- Optional Meals Arranged for Most Free Time Meals, for your convenience and peace of mind