Around the world
AUTHENTIC TURKEY I
When:
2nd - 9th October 2026
Price:
From 1595
Departure:
Bologna
Day
1
Gather at Bologna Airport for boarding formalities, and depart at 10:25 AM on a direct Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. Arrive in Istanbul at 2:10 PM. After a warm welcome, transfer to our private coach for a guided tour of this one-of-a-kind metropolis. Straddling two continents, Istanbul is uniquely divided by the Bosphorus Strait, separating Europe from Asia. Its rich history, originally the Greek city of Byzantium, then Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and finally the heart of the Ottoman Empire, has left behind an extraordinary cultural legacy, earning it a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We will explore Taksim Square, the city’s vibrant focal point, and walk down Istiklal Street, Istanbul's most famous avenue, buzzing with shops, restaurants, cafés, and street performers. Enjoy a stroll through the Pera district to photograph the Church of St. Maria Draperis, the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua, the iconic Galata Tower, the Fish Market, and the historical covered gallery of the Flower Passage (Çiçek Pasajı). Transfer to our hotel and check into your rooms. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day
2
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the historical heart of the city. We begin at the Hippodrome, once the epicenter of Byzantine public life and chariot races, where we will view the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, the Column of Constantine, and the remains of the Curved Wall. Next, we visit the stunning Sultan Ahmet Mosque, globally renowned as the Blue Mosque due to its exquisite 17th-century Iznik tiles. We will then marvel at the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and descend into the Basilica Cistern, built in 532 under Emperor Justinian I during the golden age of the Eastern Roman Empire. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we explore the breathtaking Topkapi Palace, a grand complex of courtyards, pavilions, mosques, and gardens spanning 70,000 square meters that showcases the sheer opulence of the Ottoman Empire. Here, we will visit the Imperial Treasury and the legendary Harem—a 400-room private residence of the Sultan and his family. We will also see the Church of Hagia Irene, Istanbul's oldest Byzantine church, which was never converted into a mosque but served as an arsenal before becoming Turkey’s first museum. To wrap up the day, immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and scents of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets, famous since 1461 for its jewelry, ceramics, spices, and carpets. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day
3
After breakfast, meet your guide and board the coach to cross the Golden Horn, the ancient Byzantine and Ottoman harbor. We will explore the historic, colorful neighborhoods of Balat and Fener, frequent backdrops for successful films and TV series, where the majestic Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (the Eastern Orthodox equivalent of St. Peter’s in Rome) stands. Next, we visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, designed in 1560 by the legendary architect Sinan, showcasing unparalleled Ottoman ceramic artistry. Its foundations were commissioned by the Venetian-born Queen Mother, Sofia Bellucci Baffo.We then head to the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market), a bustling extension of the Grand Bazaar filled with stalls offering exotic spices, Turkish coffee, sweets, and dried fruits. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant by the Galata Bridge, where you can watch the ferries glide by while local fishermen sell their catch. Optional Experience (extra charge): Take a scenic boat cruise along the Bosphorus to admire the stunning European and Asian shorelines. Later, take a walk through Galataport, the ultra-modern waterfront commercial and cultural complex, which features the striking Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, beautifully designed by architect Renzo Piano. We conclude our tour at the Dolmabahce Palace, an emblematic 19th-century residence built by Sultan Abdülmecid I to reflect Euro-Ottoman modernism through baroque, rococo, and neoclassical design. We will visit its lavish Harem, including the Pink Hall and the room where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk spent his final days. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day
4
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for an 08:30 AM domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, we delve underground to explore one of the region's famous subterranean cities (Ozkonak, Saratli, or Mazi). First carved into the soft volcanic rock by the Phrygians between the 8th and 7th centuries BC, these hidden networks provided refuge from invasions and persecutions well into the 20th century.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the troglodyte village of Cavusin, dramatically perched on a rugged cliffside. This labyrinth of abandoned rock-cut homes features the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of Cappadocia's oldest churches. We then move on to Mustafapasa (historically known as Sinasos, the "City of the Sun"), an ancient Greek-Orthodox village rich in stone mansions, decorated doors, and historical madrases. To end the afternoon, we stop at Chez Galip, a fascinating pottery workshop and living museum. Here, you will meet Galip, a truly eccentric master artisan, and try your hand at creating traditional hand-painted ceramics under his whimsical guidance. Transfer to our hotel, check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day
5
Optional Experience (extra charge, subject to availability and weather conditions): Early morning hot air balloon flight to witness the sunrise over Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape. After breakfast, we explore the Devrent Valley (also known as Imaginary Valley), where wind and rain have sculpted the rock into incredible peaks, animal shapes, and obelisks. Next, we visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, famous for its cave churches and the iconic rock formations known as "fairy chimneys." This surreal terrain was formed 60,000 years ago by volcanic eruptions, then sculpted over millennia by erosion. We will stop at a local carpet cooperative to discover the traditional art of Turkish rug weaving. After lunch, take in the panoramic views of the spectacular Uchisar Citadel, carved into a massive volcanic rock cone. We will continue through the stunning Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik), the breathtaking Love Valley (featuring unique mushroom-shaped rock formations hidden among vineyards), and finally the Rose Valley, famed for its pink-hued rock ridges and hidden cave churches. We will also stop at a traditional gemstone, gold, and silver craftsmanship workshop. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Optional Experience (extra charge): Traditional Turkish folklore evening featuring a belly dancing performance.
Day
6
Optional Experience (extra charge): Early morning Jeep Safari through Cappadocia's valleys—a thrilling way to photograph the landscapes and the rising hot air balloons. After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. Along the way, we stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai (or Agzikarahan/Alayhan), built in 1229. Now a museum, it stands as one of the largest and finest examples of Seljuk military architecture, originally built to shelter merchants traveling the Silk Road.
After lunch, we arrive in Konya, a spiritual city deeply tied to Mevlana, the mystical Sufi poet who founded the Whirling Dervishes (a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi), who famously inscribed on his mosque: "Come, whoever you are." We will visit his beautiful Mausoleum and Museum, a masterpiece of Islamic art and a major pilgrimage site. Continue to Pamukkale and check into our hotel. Take some time to relax and swim in the hotel’s thermal pools. Dinner and overnight stay. Optional Experience (extra charge): Spiritual performance of the Whirling Dervishes.
Day
7
Following breakfast, we spend the morning exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis, founded by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC as a thermal healing center. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as a historical testament to an era where Greeks, Romans, Jews, Pagans, and Christians peacefully shared the therapeutic waters. We will visit the ancient theater and the vast necropolis before exploring Pamukkale. Known as the "Cotton Castle," its surreal white travertines and natural terraces were formed over thousands of years by calcium-rich thermal springs, creating cascades that look frozen in time.
After lunch, we drive to Ephesus, the most important Roman city in Asia Minor and one of the world's premier archaeological sites. We will tour the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Celsus Library, the Great Theater, and experience the innovative Ephesus Experience Museum. Before heading to our final destination, we will stop at a traditional local leather workshop. Arrive in Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day
8
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Izmir Airport for our 08:55 AM scheduled flight to Istanbul. Arrive at 10:15 AM, connect to our flight back to Bologna departing at 12:45 PM, and touch down in Italy at 02:25 PM. End of our services.
Note: The itinerary may be subject to variations due to technical reasons or site management changes.
Gather at Bologna Airport for boarding formalities, and depart at 10:25 AM on a direct Turkish Airlines scheduled flight. Arrive in Istanbul at 2:10 PM. After a warm welcome, transfer to our private coach for a guided tour of this one-of-a-kind metropolis. Straddling two continents, Istanbul is uniquely divided by the Bosphorus Strait, separating Europe from Asia. Its rich history, originally the Greek city of Byzantium, then Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and finally the heart of the Ottoman Empire, has left behind an extraordinary cultural legacy, earning it a spot as a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will explore Taksim Square, the city’s vibrant focal point, and walk down Istiklal Street, Istanbul's most famous avenue, buzzing with shops, restaurants, cafés, and street performers. Enjoy a stroll through the Pera district to photograph the Church of St. Maria Draperis, the Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua, the iconic Galata Tower, the Fish Market, and the historical covered gallery of the Flower Passage (Çiçek Pasajı). Transfer to our hotel and check into your rooms. Dinner and overnight stay.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading to the historical heart of the city. We begin at the Hippodrome, once the epicenter of Byzantine public life and chariot races, where we will view the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, the Column of Constantine, and the remains of the Curved Wall. Next, we visit the stunning Sultan Ahmet Mosque, globally renowned as the Blue Mosque due to its exquisite 17th-century Iznik tiles. We will then marvel at the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, and descend into the Basilica Cistern, built in 532 under Emperor Justinian I during the golden age of the Eastern Roman Empire. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we explore the breathtaking Topkapi Palace, a grand complex of courtyards, pavilions, mosques, and gardens spanning 70,000 square meters that showcases the sheer opulence of the Ottoman Empire. Here, we will visit the Imperial Treasury and the legendary Harem—a 400-room private residence of the Sultan and his family. We will also see the Church of Hagia Irene, Istanbul's oldest Byzantine church, which was never converted into a mosque but served as an arsenal before becoming Turkey’s first museum. To wrap up the day, immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and scents of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's largest covered markets, famous since 1461 for its jewelry, ceramics, spices, and carpets. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast, meet your guide and board the coach to cross the Golden Horn, the ancient Byzantine and Ottoman harbor. We will explore the historic, colorful neighborhoods of Balat and Fener—frequent backdrops for successful films and TV series—where the majestic Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (the Eastern Orthodox equivalent of St. Peter’s in Rome) stands. Next, we visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, designed in 1560 by the legendary architect Sinan, showcasing unparalleled Ottoman ceramic artistry. Its foundations were commissioned by the Venetian-born Queen Mother, Sofia Bellucci Baffo. We then head to the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market), a bustling extension of the Grand Bazaar filled with stalls offering exotic spices, Turkish coffee, sweets, and dried fruits.
Enjoy lunch at a restaurant by the Galata Bridge, where you can watch the ferries glide by while local fishermen sell their catch. Optional Experience (extra charge): Take a scenic boat cruise along the Bosphorus to admire the stunning European and Asian shorelines. Later, take a walk through Galataport, the ultra-modern waterfront commercial and cultural complex, which features the striking Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, beautifully designed by architect Renzo Piano. We conclude our tour at the Dolmabahce Palace, an emblematic 19th-century residence built by Sultan Abdülmecid I to reflect Euro-Ottoman modernism through baroque, rococo, and neoclassical design. We will visit its lavish Harem, including the Pink Hall and the room where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk spent his final days. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for an 08:30 AM domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, we delve underground to explore one of the region's famous subterranean cities (Ozkonak, Saratli, or Mazi). First carved into the soft volcanic rock by the Phrygians between the 8th and 7th centuries BC, these hidden networks provided refuge from invasions and persecutions well into the 20th century.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the troglodyte village of Cavusin, dramatically perched on a rugged cliffside. This labyrinth of abandoned rock-cut homes features the Church of St. John the Baptist, one of Cappadocia's oldest churches. We then move on to Mustafapasa (historically known as Sinasos, the "City of the Sun"), an ancient Greek-Orthodox village rich in stone mansions, decorated doors, and historical madrases. To end the afternoon, we stop at Chez Galip, a fascinating pottery workshop and living museum. Here, you will meet Galip, a truly eccentric master artisan, and try your hand at creating traditional hand-painted ceramics under his whimsical guidance. Transfer to our hotel, check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Optional Experience (extra charge, subject to availability and weather conditions): Early morning hot air balloon flight to witness the sunrise over Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape. After breakfast, we explore the Devrent Valley (also known as Imaginary Valley), where wind and rain have sculpted the rock into incredible peaks, animal shapes, and obelisks. Next, we visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum, famous for its cave churches and the iconic rock formations known as "fairy chimneys." This surreal terrain was formed 60,000 years ago by volcanic eruptions, then sculpted over millennia by erosion. We will stop at a local carpet cooperative to discover the traditional art of Turkish rug weaving.
After lunch, take in the panoramic views of the spectacular Uchisar Citadel, carved into a massive volcanic rock cone. We will continue through the stunning Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik), the breathtaking Love Valley (featuring unique mushroom-shaped rock formations hidden among vineyards), and finally the Rose Valley, famed for its pink-hued rock ridges and hidden cave churches. We will also stop at a traditional gemstone, gold, and silver craftsmanship workshop. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Optional Experience (extra charge): Traditional Turkish folklore evening featuring a belly dancing performance.
Optional Experience (extra charge): Early morning Jeep Safari through Cappadocia's valleys—a thrilling way to photograph the landscapes and the rising hot air balloons. After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. Along the way, we stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai (or Agzikarahan/Alayhan), built in 1229. Now a museum, it stands as one of the largest and finest examples of Seljuk military architecture, originally built to shelter merchants traveling the Silk Road.
After lunch, we arrive in Konya, a spiritual city deeply tied to Mevlana, the mystical Sufi poet who founded the Whirling Dervishes (a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi), who famously inscribed on his mosque: "Come, whoever you are." We will visit his beautiful Mausoleum and Museum, a masterpiece of Islamic art and a major pilgrimage site. Continue to Pamukkale and check into our hotel. Take some time to relax and swim in the hotel’s thermal pools. Dinner and overnight stay. Optional Experience (extra charge): Spiritual performance of the Whirling Dervishes.
Following breakfast, we spend the morning exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis, founded by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC as a thermal healing center. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as a historical testament to an era where Greeks, Romans, Jews, Pagans, and Christians peacefully shared the therapeutic waters. We will visit the ancient theater and the vast necropolis before exploring Pamukkale. Known as the "Cotton Castle," its surreal white travertines and natural terraces were formed over thousands of years by calcium-rich thermal springs, creating cascades that look frozen in time.
After lunch, we drive to Ephesus, the most important Roman city in Asia Minor and one of the world's premier archaeological sites. We will tour the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Celsus Library, the Great Theater, and experience the innovative Ephesus Experience Museum. Before heading to our final destination, we will stop at a traditional local leather workshop. Arrive in Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city. Transfer to the hotel, check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Izmir Airport for our 08:55 AM scheduled flight to Istanbul. Arrive at 10:15 AM, connect to our flight back to Bologna departing at 12:45 PM, and touch down in Italy at 02:25 PM. End of our services.
Note: The itinerary may be subject to variations due to technical reasons or site management changes.
Individual Participation Fees (Entrance Fees Included / Cancellation Insurance Excluded):
Minimum 35 Participants: € 1,595 per person
Minimum 25 Participants: € 1,685 per person
Single Room Supplement: € 350 (Limited availability)
Please note: Triple rooms are not available (a 3rd extra bed can only be added for children).
Cancellation Insurance, any subsequent adjustments to local taxes or monument entrance fees, drinks/beverages during meals, tour guide and driver tips (amounting to €25 per person to be collected on-site), personal extras, additional entrance fees not explicitly mentioned, and anything not specifically detailed under "What is Included."
Valid Passport or Electronic Identity Card (must be completely intact/undamaged) valid for international travel with at least 5 months of residual validity from the entry date. We highly recommend traveling with a passport to avoid any border-crossing delays.
Capital: Ankara
Population: 85.3 million (2024)
Total Area: 783,562 Sq. Km
Time Zone: GMT+3 all year round. Turkey does not observe Daylight Saving Time (DST). Compared to Italy, the time difference is +1h during Central European Summer Time (late March to late October) and +2h during Central European Time (late October to late March). For this October departure, the difference will be +1h.
Language: Turkish. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.
Religion: The vast majority of the population is Muslim (mostly Sunni). Turkey is a secular state and a historical melting pot of cultures, with small Christian and Jewish communities.
Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)
International Dialing Code to Italy: 0039 (followed by the local number including the city code).
International Dialing Code from Italy: 0090 (followed by the Turkish area code without the leading zero, e.g., 212 or 216 for Istanbul).
Mobile & Connectivity: Mobile networks are excellent with extensive coverage across the country. Major operators include Turkcell, Vodafone, and Türk Telekom. 4G and 5G networks are widely available in all cities and main tourist destinations. Using a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free system is strictly prohibited.
Climate: Varies significantly by region. Istanbul has a transitional Mediterranean-continental climate; in early autumn (October), average temperatures range from a low of 13°C to a high of 20°C. Cappadocia has a semi-arid continental climate: October brings cool, sunny days (averaging 20°C), while night and sunrise temperatures can drop to around 5°C (ideal for hot air balloon flights!). The Aegean coast (Izmir/Ephesus) features a classic, warmer Mediterranean climate, with averages ranging between 15°C and 24°C.
