Honeymoon Tour Package: Land Tour of Turkey

Arrive in Istanbul and a private transfer to your hotel for a night’s stay. At the hotel, you can take an optional relaxing Turkish Bath (Hamam). This hotel will serve as your base for the next three days as you tour the top attractions in and around Istanbul.

Overnight at Istanbul

We start at the Blue Mosque, one of the largest and most iconic mosques in Istanbul. This architectural phenomenon was commissioned in the 17th century, and to this day, it remains one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. The mosque stands in full splendor with its iconic six minarets adorning the city’s skyline. Enjoy the beautiful designs and the breathtaking blue Iznik tiles that decorate the inside of this world-famous mosque.

After the Blue Mosque, we will proceed to another of Istanbul’s finest attractions, the Hagia Sophia. Arm in arm with your spouse, bask in the full grandeur of this cultural landmark that borrows influences from both its ancient Christian occupants and current Muslim ones. Enjoy the unique interior decorations, which are a mix of breathtaking Christian frescoes and Arabic inscriptions.

We then proceed to the most extensive underground cistern in Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern. Three hundred thirty-six columns support the splendid cathedral-sized cistern, and the faint lighting insides give it an air of romance that you will surely appreciate.

Our last stop of the day will be the grand Topkapi Palace, where you will enjoy a taste of the Sultans’ sumptuous lives. Marvel at the palace’s breathtaking collection of artifacts, take a romantic walk in the royal gardens and appreciate the delicate architectural design of the building.

Overnight at Istanbul | Meals: B

Today, we start with a visit to the small but Iconic Maidens’ tower, which sits on a tiny island at the southern entrance of the Bosphorus. This little tower serves as a museum and houses a restaurant that serves traditional Turkish dishes, and here you will enjoy a scenic view of the bay before proceeding for a cruise up the Bosphorus.

This scenic cruise will reveal Istanbul’s hidden gems; enjoy the striking scenery of iconic landmarks along the way in the arms of your spouse before alighting at the Spice market. The bazaar is known for its thousands of spices that fill the air with a rich fragrance and give the market glorious colors. Take in the sights and sounds of this famous bazaar where you can also buy souvenirs to take back home with you.

Overnight at Istanbul | Meals: B

Finish your tour of Istanbul with an optional romantic excursion to the peaceful Princes’ Islands, away from the city’s hectic and noisy life. This chain of small islands sits in the sea of Marmara and derive their name from the many Byzantine and Ottoman princes and royalty that were exiled here. Later on, the islands became a popular destination for the wealthy citizens of Istanbul, hence the many Victorian-style cottages.

The Princes’ Islands provide tourists and Istanbul locals with a tranquil escape when the hustle and bustle of Istanbul get tiring. Motorized transport is banned in these islands, which gives them the precious gift of silence that visitors enjoy so much. Stroll or ride the narrow streets of the Idyllic islands on a bicycle as you take in the peace of the lover’s paradise.

Overnight at Istanbul | Meals: B

Take a flight to Cappadocia, a region famous for its moonscape topography, underground city, and a collection of rock-cut churches. Check-in at a cave hotel in one of the most popular spots of the region, Uchisar rock citadel.

Overnight at Cappadocia | Meals: B

Kick-off the day with a scenic hot-air balloon flight above the breathtaking moonscape landscape of Cappadocia for most of the morning and mid-morning hours. After a delicious local lunch, visit the No. 1 tourist attraction in Cappadocia, Goreme Open Air Museum, and explore the numerous rock-cut churches decorated with impressive frescoes on the walls and roof. The site was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site 1984 and is home to some of the best artistic works of medieval Christian monks that are still in good condition despite years of erosion and damage by malicious acts.

Head to Hermit’s valley for a glimpse of Cappadocia’s unique topography thanks to the numerous Fairy Chimneys in the area. Explore these mushroom-like columns and glimpse more churches and houses that were cut into the rocks by the hermits of Cappadocia.

Later on, proceed to the small town of Avanos, which has a reputation for producing the finest examples of pottery art. Visit one of the workshops for a taste of pottery and enjoy a demonstration by a local master, where you can have a go at the potter’s wheel for fun.

Overnight at Cappadocia | Meals: B, L

Today, we will enjoy a half-day tour of another one of Cappadocia’s top attractions, starting with the underground city at Kaymakli.

Explore the mazy connections of this impressive underground city, which is carved eight levels deep into the earth. With extensive and well-lit caverns, the awe-inspiring town has churches, barns, air shafts, and storage areas that made life underground as comfortable as possible.

After a delicious local meal, proceed to your hotel, where you will be picked up in the evening for a Whirling Dervishes Ceremony at Sarihan Caravanserai.

Overnight at Cappadocia | Meals: B, L

From Cappadocia, fly to one of the largest cities in Turkey, Izmir, from where you will be transferred to a hotel in Alacati.

Overnight at Alacati | Meals: B

Nestled on the Cesme peninsula on the Aegean’s shores, Alacati is Istanbul’s seaside playground where both locals and tourists enjoy lazy summer days on the beach clubs and galleries. Spend the day exploring this small village is famous for its traditional Greek stone houses, narrow cobblestone streets, beaches, and winemaking tradition.

The town’s grandeur lies in its simple yet breathtaking beauty complimented by the deep blue sea and the white sandy beaches in the background. For the authentic romantic Alacati experience, check into one of the several beach clubs in the town and enjoy the peace and tranquility that make the small town by the sea summertime’s most relaxed spot.

Overnight at Alacati | Meals: B

Enjoy a morning at the largest professional windsurf center in Turkey down at Alacati harbor, the 17-year old Alacati Surf Paradise Club (ASPC). The dock has an average of 330 windy days a year, and well, if any of you has surfing skills, you can surf on what is slowly becoming one of Europe’s best windsurfing venues.

In the afternoon, there is an optional tour of the ancient city of Klazomenai, where you will enjoy the finest monuments of Ionian paintings, including some on a large painted terracotta sarcophagus and its lid. Housed on the city’s ruins is one of the oldest olive oil extraction workshops in the world.

Overnight at Alacati | Meals: B

From Alacati, proceed to the ancient city of Ephesus and explore the best-preserved ruins of any Greco-Roman town in Turkey. Arm in arm with your spouse, tour one of the awe-inspiring remnants of the Temple of Artemis, the House of Virgin Mary, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent the remainder of her life, and the Basilica of St John.

After the ruins, explore a restored old Greek village where you can stroll around and enjoy a relaxing wine tasting session after checking in to your hotel.

Overnight at Sirince | Meals: B, L

Proceed to Pamukkale and start by touring the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis for a detailed glimpse at Greco-Roman architecture and the largest necropolis in Anatolia. Envision life in an ancient Greek city as you stroll the ruins of Hierapolis, visit the auditorium where the citizens used to enjoy performative entertainment. Here you can also enjoy a swim in Cleopatra’s pool among the fallen columns of the temple of Apollo.

Proceed to the world-famous scenic white steeped pools of Pamukkale and walk in the warm waters as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Paragliding is also an option, but this will be at your own expense. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the region’s ageless beauty as you soar high in the skies.

Overnight at Bodrum | Meals: B, L

At the port city, you will have the day to yourselves. Some fun activities you can do with your spouse include spending time on the beautiful beaches of Bodrum and visiting the Castle of St. Peter, which was once a Crusader fortress. Explore the castle’s battlements and dungeons and its Museum of Underwater Archeology, where undersea treasures and ancient shipwrecks are displayed.

At night, Bodrum kicks boredom away with its many vibrant nightspots, from booming nightclubs to little beachfront bars with a wide variety of beverages. Whether you are the party all night kind of couple or the soft drinking one, there is a perfect spot for you in this Mediterranean locale.

Overnight at Bodrum | Meals: B

For this leisure day, other fun places to visit in Bodrum include visiting the glorious Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can also head to the Bodrum Amphitheater.

Overnight at Bodrum | Meals: B

Take a flight back home via Istanbul or continue your honeymoon experience with a private yacht charter.

Meals: B