Tuesday, April 21

Meals included: Breakfast

After a leisurely breakfast, we step straight into history with a guided walk through Istanbul’s Old City—a living museum where empires have risen and fallen. We’ll stand in the ancient Hippodrome, once alive with the roar of chariot races, and admire the elegant minarets and blue-tiled beauty of the Blue Mosque.

Our journey continues to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has transformed over its 1,500-year life from church to mosque to museum—and now mosque again. It’s a place that humbles and inspires all at once.

No morning in Istanbul is complete without a sweet treat, so we’ll pause for a traditional slice of flaky, honey-drenched baklava before heading to the KEDV Foundation. Here, we’ll meet the inspiring women behind this social enterprise, dedicated to empowering low-income women across Turkey through craft and cooperative networks. At their Nahıl Dükkan store, browse beautiful handmade pieces steeped in a tradition of abundance, fertility, and sharing.

The afternoon is yours to explore at Galata Port—a lively waterfront where you can stroll, shop, or simply watch the ferries glide across the Bosphorus.

Included Activities:

• Old City walking tour

• Blue Mosque

• Hagia Sophia

• Baklava tasting

• Visit to Nahıl Dükkan by KEDV Foundation

• Free time at Galata Port

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Wednesday, April 22

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we step into the grandeur of Topkapi Palace, the opulent seat of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Overlooking the shimmering Bosphorus, this vast complex holds tales of intrigue, power, and lavish living, told through jewel-studded treasures and ornate courtyards.

From here, we wander to the Spice Bazaar, a feast for the senses and one of Istanbul’s most atmospheric markets. Meet a local spice merchant and learn the secrets behind Turkey’s most beloved blends, then follow your nose to a traditional Turkish Delight shop for a taste of these iconic sweets. Compared to the sprawling Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market wins with its intoxicating aromas, vibrant colors, and countless temptations you can sample along the way.

In the evening, your guide will lead us on a street food tasting tour, where we’ll savor Istanbul’s most mouthwatering local delicacies under the city lights.

Included Activities:

• Topkapi Palace

• Süleymaniye Mosque

• Rüstem Pasha Mosque

• Spice Market

• Night Street Food Tasting Tour

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Thursday, April 23

Meals included: Breakfast

Today we step off the tourist trail and into the Fener and Balat districts—colorful, history-soaked neighborhoods that feel like living time capsules. As we wander narrow cobblestone lanes, you’ll pass bustling markets, fragrant bakeries, and tea houses buzzing with conversation. Laundry flutters between weathered buildings, kids kick soccer balls in the street, and the sounds of daily life spill out from open windows.

These streets hold the layered stories of three religions, where synagogues, churches, and mosques stand as neighbors. We’ll learn about the history and cultural crossroads that shaped this unique community before meeting a local marbling artist. In a hands-on Ebru workshop, you’ll create your own swirling, colorful marbled paper—a piece of Istanbul you can take home.

Included Activities:

• Fener & Balat walking tour

• Ebru marbling workshop

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Friday, April 24

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we set sail across the Bosphorus for a day on the Asian side of Istanbul. Our journey begins in Kadiköy, a lively district where murals brighten the streets, markets brim with local produce, and cafés spill onto sun-dappled sidewalks. We’ll explore the creative enclave of Yeldeğirmeni, now home to hip artists and vibrant street art.

A local dolmuş (shared taxi) takes us to Üsküdar, where we’ll walk to the charming village of Kuzguncuk. This peaceful enclave is known for its history of religious tolerance, traditional wooden houses, and lush gardens tucked between the buildings. A soft Bosphorus breeze drifts through the streets as we pause for an optional lunch of handmade manti (Turkish dumplings) and tea before ferrying back to the European side.

Included Activities:

• Kadiköy & Kuzguncuk exploration

Accommodation: The Wings Hotels Collection (formerly named Roommate Emir Hotel) or similar.

Saturday, April 25

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we transfer to the airport for our mid-morning flight to Kayseri, gateway to the magical landscapes of Cappadocia. From there, a scenic one-hour drive brings us to Göreme, where dreamlike valleys of towering rock formations—cones, needles, and columns—stretch as far as the eye can see. These “fairy chimneys” were shaped over millennia from soft volcanic rock, and many have been carved into homes, churches, and even entire underground cities.

After settling in, we’ll take an orientation walk through the village, breathing in the crisp Cappadocian air and getting our first glimpses of this extraordinary terrain.

Tonight’s dinner is a special one—prepared by Nuray Abla, a beloved local cook and community leader, in her own cave home. As we savor her signature Anatolian dishes, we’ll hear her inspiring story of how hospitality and food have helped her support her family and empower other women in the region.

Included Activities:

• Domestic flight to Cappadocia

• Cappadocia orientation walk

• Home-cooked dinner with Nuray Abla

Accommodation: Dere Suites or similar

Sunday, April 26

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

For those who don’t mind an early start, the day can begin with one of Cappadocia’s most iconic experiences—a hot air balloon ride over the region’s surreal landscape. As the sun rises, watch the valleys and fairy chimneys glow in shades of gold and rose from a breathtaking aerial view.

Back on solid ground, we’ll set off to explore the region’s treasures, starting with the sweeping vistas of Pigeon Valley and the otherworldly rock formations of Pasabag (Monks Valley). We’ll wander through the peaceful paths of Soganli or Love Valley, where the scenery is both dramatic and serene, and then enjoy a homemade lunch at a female-run restaurant—a chance to savor local dishes and support women entrepreneurs in the community.

In the afternoon, we step into history at the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries are adorned with vivid frescoes that tell the stories of early Christian life in this remote corner of the world.

Included Activities:

• Valley walk

• Göreme Open Air Museum

Optional Activities:

• Hot air balloon ride

• Pasabag – Zelve Archaeological Site

• Whirling Dervish ceremony

Accommodation: Dere Suites or similar

Monday, April 27

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our last full day in Cappadocia begins with a taste of village life. After breakfast, we’ll join locals for a traditional coffee and unhurried conversation, soaking in the rhythms of daily life in the heart of Anatolia.

Next, we’ll visit a carpet cooperative to learn about the artistry and skill behind Cappadocia’s renowned rugs and kilims. Watch as weavers bring intricate patterns to life—each one telling a story through color and design.

In the evening, we’ll raise a glass of local wine as the sun sinks behind the fairy chimneys, painting the valley in gold and rose. Our final dinner together will be a celebration of shared experiences, new friendships, and the magic of our journey.

Included Activities:

• Village visit

• Carpet cooperative

• Ürgüp Three Beauties viewpoint

Optional Activity:

• Hammam (Turkish bath)

Accommodation: Dere Suites or similar

Tuesday, April 28

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll say our goodbyes to Cappadocia’s extraordinary landscapes and make our way to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul.

The trip concludes upon arrival at Istanbul Airport—your heart full, your camera roll brimming, and your mind carrying the quiet magic of Turkey home with you.

Included Activities:

• Departure transfer

• Domestic flight to Istanbul