Travel

Item Description

Walk Through History in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Izmir, Turkey(Europe) for Three Nights at the Ottoman Hotel Imperial in Istanbul, Two Nights at Yunak Evleri Hotel in Cappadocia, Two Nights at Charisma De Luxe Hotel in Izmir for Two, Including Flights Between Cities, Tours of Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pigeon Valley, Monk's Valley, Avanos, Kaymakli and Ayvali, Ephesus, Sultankoy and the Ephesus Archeological Museum, a Bosphorus Cruise and a Hot Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia (Land Only)

Packed to the brim with ancient monuments left over from a parade of empires, and endowed with stunning scenery that never fails to impress, Turkey is a dazzling destination that straddles the two continents of Asia and Europe. You'll discover incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites, epic histories, lyrical landscapes, impressive mosques and medieval architecture, beginning with the mystical city Istanbul, which has hosted many civilizations over the centuries. The rocky wonderland of Cappadocia was shaped by millions of years of natural phenomena, but human hands also played a role in creating the whimsical landscape of today; and the Greco-Roman world comes alive at Ephesus, which stands today as Europe's most complete renovated classical metropolis!

Bridging East and West, Europe and Asia, Istanbul possesses a richly complicated heritage because it was once the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. Explore the heart of Istanbul, the Old City, or Sultanahmet, which is home to some of the most historic sites in this vibrant megapolis. You'll visit the Hippodrome, a public arena that was mainly used for chariot races, but also for gladiatorial games, ceremonies and protests, and functioned throughout all of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods! Once a church, later a mosque, and now a museum, the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque served as a center of religious, political and artistic life for the Byzantine world. If the walls of the imperial Topkapi Palace, which served as the main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans, could talk, the stories might make you blush! Shop for souvenirs in the Grand Bazaar, taste and smell the goods at the Spice Market, admire the famous Iznik tiles covering the interior of the Rustem Pasha Mosque, and stroll through the subterranean cool of the Basilica Cistern. A join-in boat cruise along the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus strait rounds out your tours of Istanbul! Offering charming views of Hagia Sophia Museum, the Ottoman Hotel Imperial boasts elegant accommodations and a convenient location.

You'll feel like you're entering a whimsical place among the stark Anatolian plains, filled with towering boulders of otherworldly beauty. This is Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a spectacular region of natural and cultural treasures. The surreal lunar landscape of majestic rocks is composed of so-called fairy chimneys, mushroom and pinnacle-shaped formations of red sandstone, salt and volcanic tuff deposits that have been naturally shaped by wind and rain for millions of years. Visit Uçhisar Rock Castle and the town, before stopping at Derwent Valley with its animal-shaped rocks and the 'Three Beauties' for photo opportunities. If there was ever a place meant for hot air balloon rides, Cappadocia is it! Float above the region's volcanic spires, honeycombed hills and rock-cut churches. The next day, get ready for a hike through the Pigeon Valley, followed by a visit to Göreme open-air museum, where you'll see the ruins of monasteries, churches and houses carved into soft volcanic rock. A home-cooked lunch in the village of Ayvali will rejuvenate you before you continue with the underground city of Kaymakli, then Paaba (Monk's Valley) and Avanos town, with a visit to a pottery workshop. Set in Cappadocia's landscape of fairy chimneys, Yunak Evleri is a unique cave hotel carved into a mountain cliff. It offers rooms dating back to the 5th century, and a 19th-century Greek mansion.

A privately-guided exploration of the Ephesus region will provide the Mediterranean's best glimpse into what life was like during ancient times. Of all Turkey's ancient cities and classical ruins, Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the trade center of the ancient world, as well as a religious center for early Christianity. Stop in Sultankoy for a fresh, organic al fresco lunch, and learn about the cherished rug-making tradition that includes the processes of silk extraction, dyeing and weaving. Conclude your exploration with a visit to the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, where you will see not only findings from the ongoing excavations at the archeological site, but also the artifacts from the Cukurici Mound, the basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis. Stay in luxury at the five-star Charisma De Luxe Hotel, which features a 200-foot private beach, an infinity pool with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, a heated indoor pool and a Turkish bath.

Your trip for two includes:
3 nights accommodations at Ottoman Hotel Imperial in Istanbul
2 nights accommodations at Yunak Evleri Hotel in Cappadocia
2 nights accommodations at Charisma De Luxe Hotel in Izmir
Breakfast daily
Private full-day walking tour of Istanbul, including entrance fees
Private full-day tour of Istanbul, including Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Rustem Pasha Mosque and Basilica Cistern followed by Bosphorus cruise (entrance fees, lunch and private transportation included)
Early morning hot-air balloon flight (Optional) for $280 per person paid onsite
Private full-day sightseeing tour in Cappadocia
Economy class flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia
Private full-day tour to Pigeon Valley, Monk's Valley, Avanos, Kaymakli and Ayvali Village, including entrance fees, lunch and private transportation
Economy class flights between Cappadocia and Izmir airport
Private arrival and departure transfers between airports and hotels
Private full-day tour to Ephesus, Sultankoy, and Selcuk Archaeology Museum, including entrance fees and lunch
Economy class flights between Izmir airport and Istanbul
Private English-speaking local guide
Parking, ferry and toll road fees

Item Special Note

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Travel package is non-refundable and subject to availability. Certificates/gift cards cannot be replaced. Passport required for travel outside the U.S. Hotel may be substituted with equal or similar accommodations. Local city taxes are the responsibility of the traveler and are required to be paid directly to hotel. Tours and excursions run on specific days of the week and at specific times. Hot air balloon flight cost not included in the package. A minimum 45 day advance reservation is required. Please email auction@stmaryhs.org to find out deadline to travel.