Turkey delights in its diversity. Ancient culture, golden sand islands, historic city, sapphire waters; this handcrafted itinerary combines it all with seven days of private luxury yacht cruising and four days in mystical Istanbul. Tranquil, idyllic, atmospheric; these 12 days offer some of the finest experiences in Europe. You will experience both the serene beauty of the Aegean Sea with the ambient wonder of a city that mixes East and West.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Istanbul – First Impressions
Istanbul has always wowed its first-time visitors, the streets shaped by numerous empires and sultans. Lavish architecture leaves the first impression, the city dotted with memories from 2,000 years. Now come sounds; the harmonic call to prayer resonates across rooftops, a tea seller sends shouts into the air, old women chat on a city bench. Whiffs of fragrant spices seem to come around every corner while barbecue stalls add smoky grilled fish aromas into the mix. You'll be met at the airport and transferred to your boutique hotel in the city. The unique impressions are all around and, while Istanbul bursts with famous sights, there's little better introduction than walking around and opening your senses.
What's Included:
Day 2
Istanbul – The Ottoman and Byzantine Treasures
Day 3
At Sea – Luxury Yacht Cruising Around Bodrum
Day 4
At Sea – Cruising the Bays to Cokertme
Day 5
At Sea – Elegant Journeys to Akbuk and Sogut
Day 6
At Sea – The Fine Sand of Cleopatra Island
Day 7
At Sea – Picturesque Swimming Around Aegean Bays
Day 8
At Sea – Cruising to Orak Island
Day 9
At Sea – Serene Aegean Waters and a Final Night on the Yacht
Day 10
Istanbul – Soaking Up the Atmosphere
Day 11
Istanbul – A Sensual Tour Through Istanbul
Day 12
Istanbul – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Spend seven days on a private luxury yacht cruising the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, stopping at countless bays and islands as you gently lull into hibernation
- Soak up the beauty of Istanbul with four nights of boutique elegance, the charms of the city revealed by an expert tour guide
- Explore the ancient architectural wonder of Istanbul with visits to the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and opulent palaces
- Fully relax on the waters of the Aegean, each day offering opportunities to swim in tranquil waters and rest on idyllic beaches
- Enjoy gourmet meals and attentive yet discreet service on your private yacht reserved just for you and your travel companion(s)
- Experience the delights of some of Europe's finest beaches and islands, including Cleopatra Island, Orak Island, and the traditional Ottoman village of SogutGree
Detailed Description
Turkey has an enviable location, straddling the divide between Europe and Asia and surrounded by azure waters. This handcrafted vacation maximizes the country's bounty, allowing for four days in atmospheric Istanbul and seven days aboard your own private luxury yacht. While the city sparkles with architectural wonder and sensual journeys, the Aegean coastline provides a week of tropical bliss. For every unique piece of history to explore in Istanbul, there's an idyllic bay or island to drop anchor beside. It's the perfect blend of Southern Europe's unique experiences, offering a rich insight into culture and history as well as a serene journey through the crystal blue.
The itinerary features a private yacht, expertly skippered and enhanced by a gourmet chef who serves up all your meals. A spacious cabin allows you to sleep on-board while a wide open deck is the perfect place for lounging away days in the sun. The cruise starts and ends in Bodrum, heading out on the Aegean Sea and slowly connecting coastal villages, remote islands, historical treasures, and a seemingly endless collection of beaches. The fine sand of Cleopatra Island is for indulgent beach bliss, the cute streets of Sogut offer an insight into traditional Turkey, while the bays of Ballisu and Longoz make for picturesque swimming with nobody else around. But these are just a sample of highlights. Each day's pace is decided by you and the route includes a number of tranquil stops, both those cast adrift in the sea and those fringed by forests along the mainland.
Your private yacht cruise runs from days three to ten. On either side of the blue adventure is Istanbul, the city imbuing a wonderful sense of charm. On the first two days you get a chance to soak up the atmosphere and be guided around the famous Ottoman and Byzantine treasures, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar. Istanbul is not restricted to its world renowned wonders. Every journey here brings a new surprise; rooftop restaurants with views to another continent, ancient Roman squares, spice markets, river cruises, opulent palaces stuffed with international antiquity. Return to Istanbul on day ten and you have a day to explore on your own. Then day 11 is guided and takes you to an eclectic selection of the iconic experiences.
Like all Zicasso itineraries, every facet of this tour is fully customizable. The exact yacht used is dependent on personal preference and there are numerous opportunities to tailor the cruise to include more or less days.
For ideas on how to further customize this tour, visit the tours to Turkey section on Zicasso or read the Turkey travel reviews.
Starting Price
$15,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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