A Romantic 11-Day Getaway to Picturesque Turkey

Start the morning off fresh with a private, immersive tour of Istanbul's most iconic sites. Your tour begins at the Roman Hippodrome, once the scene of chariot races and political riots in Byzantine times. Continue your journey through time at the magnificent Blue Mosque, one of Turkey's most renowned landmarks. Stand in awe of the piercing spires and illuminating stained glass hugging the coast of the Mediterranean. In the afternoon you'll visit Topkapi Palace to admire the intricate blue-green tilework of its grand interior.

Travel between continents in a single day. In the morning you'll visit Galata Tower, a Genoese watchtower dating back to Byzantine and early Ottoman times. From the top, feel the crisp, fresh air against your cheeks as you relish stunning 360-degree views of the city below. Continue to the grandeur of the Rustern Pasa mosque to marvel at the Iznik tile craftsmanship. In the afternoon you'll travel to Bosphorous on the Asian side of Istanbul for a delectable lunch near local food markets. Later that evening, travel back to Istanbul's European side for a tour the illustrious Grand Bazaar.

Take the city by storm on your fourth day with some self-guided exploration. Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel or stroll into the city for a creamy cup of coffee or tea at the water's edge. Then enjoy the meticulous flowerbeds of Emigran park and step inside the historic pavilion. Or step inside the grand halls of the Dolmabahce Palace for an up-close look at the royal significance of the site during the mid-19th century in the final period of the Ottoman Empire.

Your private transfer will escort you to the airport for a nonstop flight to Cappadocia in the moring. You wil have plenty of time to relax in your luxury accommodations.  Before you indulge in an energy-filled evening at a retired Caravansary for a traditional whirling dervish performance, you may wish to partake in a hike for stunning views of the many canyons and valleys dotted throughout the region. Once settled into Cappadocia, the beauty and wonder of the unique display of devotion during the performance will accentuate the music, custom, and history in one space.

Take off on the flight of a lifetime on a hot-air balloon, for a romantic getaway unlike any other. Your adventure will begin in the early hours for impeccable views of the canyons at sunrise. Soak in the stunning views as you bob back and forth, suspended amongst a sea of colorful balloons. Later that afternoon you'll visit the Dervent Valley. Here you can marvel at rolling green plains and a winding river punctuated only by beautiful stone bridges. Later you'll visit Selve Open-Air Museums for an in-depth history lesson, including a closer look at troglodyte houses and monastic settlements.

Today you and your partner will pick up the pace with a day's hike through the beautiful Soganli Valley. Here you'll stand in awe at the famed churches carved into the side of a rocky cliff. According to inscriptions within the churches' walls, these mysterious yet momentous landmarks date back to the Byzantine empire. Next you'll travel to Sobessos, the only late-Roman/early-Byzantine settlement in Cappadocia. Along with a precarious burial site, visitors come from around the world to view the awe-inspiring tilework. Continue to the underground city of Kaymakli to view one of the largest and deepest of Cappadocia's settlements.

In the morning you'll fly south to gorgeous Dalaman, where the blue-green waters shimmer from a distance and mountaintops glisten with lush foliage. Transfer from the airport to your sleepy hamlet on the edge of a mountain with breathtaking views of the Turquoise Coast. Indulge in the exquisite splendor of a resort surrounded by natural wonders at your pace. Take off on a short hike along Lycian Way or Butterfly Valley to indulge in the sea breeze, aromas of the coastline, and fantastic views of the way the water’s colors shift in the sunlight.

Enjoy the day exploring Dalaman at your leisure. Go for a short hike to experience the beauty of local coves or take a short boat ride along the coast. You could also spend time in downtown to enjoy the lively ambiance and luxury shops. In the evening, you and your partner will enjoy another delicious meal, this time at your hamlet, served by a private chef who will explain the process of harvesting and mixing ingredients. Each can will accentuate a new flavor that speaks to the regional specialties while immersing you in the romance of a secluded couple’s dinner.

You and your partner can choose how you spend your last day in beautiful Dalaman. Spend the day on the beach enjoying some quality time together or quicken the pace with an exhilarating parachute ride above the treetops and sandy beaches of Dalaman's coast. Spend the evening downtown to enjoy the ambiance of the Turquoise Coast once more. From the bustling shops to the aromas of the sea, you can reflect on the flavors of local honey or enjoy the hidden treasure of the Dalyan riverside as the day comes to an end.

Even the best of adventures must come to an end and in the morning, you will meet your private airport transportation outside your hotel and head to the local airport. From there, you will continue to connect to your return flight home. As you stare out the window of your airport transfer one last time you'll be reminded of your warm experiences along Turkey's shimmering coast, amongst its dense foliage, at the center of busy urban life, and back in time to its mystifying past.