Contrasts of Istanbul

Day 1: Arrival into Alacati.

The trip starts in along the Aegean sea in the quaint town of Alacati. You fly into Istanbul and take a one hour flight to our boutique hotel run by a family. Dinner is planned at hotel that will showcase of all the wonderful flavors of Turkish cuisine.

Day 2: Live Like a Local.

Enjoy a leisurely Turkish breakfast or maybe a bit of yoga before you’re welcomed into a private home for a unique and personal experience with women. You’ll chat, enjoy tea and begin to discover the warmth of Turkish hospitality and the variety of dishes prepared for family meals.

In the afternoon, the blue waters of the Aegean sea await. You glide along on a private sailboat with an entertaining captain while absorbing the beauty of the the Turkish coastline. The weather will be ideal for swimming or just enjoying relaxing moments as you pass the beaches and beautiful landscapes.

Day 3: Past & Present.

Spend the morning in a yoga class before departing for the incredible archeological site of Ephesus. Through the stories and insights of our private specialist, you’ll understand the significance of this ancient civilization and its impact on modern day Turkey.

We return from Ephesus through the wine-making region of Urla. Some will stay in the car while others will take a ride on e-bikes through small villages and sloping landscapes. You’ll stop for a coffee, meet friends of the guide, and understand why the area is becoming important in wine production. It’s also the home to new farm to table restaurants started by Istanbul chefs drawn to the plethora of fresh ingredients produced in the region.

Day 4. Straddling Two Continents.

After breakfast, you take the one hour flight from *Izmir to Istanbul. You start with an exploration of the Asian and European sides of Istanbul with a local foodie. You’ll discover how the multiple layers of the past create the dynamic neighborhoods and culture of today, all through the lens of delicious food and meeting warm, wonderful people.

Day 5. Majestic Sites.

You'll spend most of the day visiting the more important sites of Istanbul with our female guide. She’ll speak about the many influential and important women of Istanbul. You’ll enter the Blue Mosque, stroll through the underground Cisterns and awe at the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia. You’ll also have time for a look at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. You enjoy the evening dusk sailing aboard a private yacht on the Bosphorus enjoying a different perspective of the city. The special light in the evening sky makes it particularly magical. We end the day with a drink in the garden of one of the grand hotels along the water.

Day 6. Food & Fashion.

You’re invited into the home of an Istanbul family to learn the technique of pickling vegetables. Pickled ingredients are an important part of Turkish cuisine. You have the opportunity to ask questions about life in Istanbul while enjoying a homemade lunch. After lunch, you visit the hip Nasantasi area to discover the cool shops where the past and present techniques and design aesthetics collide. We end the route at the every changing exhibit space to see what’s new in art and design.

Day 7. Art & Culture.

Rather than using the hotel gym, start your daily exercise with an hour of rowing on the Bosphorus. It’s an experience that is truly memorable. In the late morning, your entrance to the The Istanbul Modern Museum reveals the city’s vigorous contemporary art scene. Take time in the galleries and special exhibits before enjoying lunch at Restaurant Modern where its unique view of the historic Peninsula and Bosphorus

At the end of the day, you learn the ancient art of Ebru a marbling process done on paper with water and color. You’ll mix up your own designs with a local artist.

Day 8. Departure.

Private transfers are arranged to the airport. You’ll return with a renewed spirit and great appreciation for this part of the world.