Once serving as the capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, Istanbul today offers impressive architecture, historic sites, dining, shopping, nightlife and exotic atmosphere. Spend time in the Old City to explore renowned places, like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
Experience the joys of Istanbul through some of its most memorable landmarks: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the famous Grand Bazaar, and the magnificent and ancient underground cisterns.
Operational Note: For the 2024 season, the visit to the Archaeological Museum has been replaced with a visit to the Underground Cistern.
Day 1
After disembarking the ship in Istanbul, you will visit the true icons of the city, the must-sees that define Istanbul, beginning with the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church, turned Ottoman Mosque, turned museum, and now serves once again as a mosque and a museum.
Although the earliest two versions were destroyed, this Hagia Sophia dates from 537 A.D., and is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as Istanbul’s principal mosque for nearly 500 years and became a model for the Blue Mosque.
Note: Visiting St. Sophia requires managing ramps and stairs
The Hippodrome is also here, partially excavated to reveal some of the seats, columns, statues, and obelisks that were once part of this arena. Chariot races, coronations and parades all took place at the Hippodrome, which first appeared in 203 A.D. About 130 years later, Constantine the Great expanded and reshaped the arena so it could hold approximately 100,000 spectators.
Next you will see the fabulous Underground Cistern, the largest and most magnificent, covered cistern in Istanbul. It is an enormous, cavernous water storage tank built under Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.
The cistern was used to satisfy the growing demands of an expanding city and supplied the Great Palace area with water during extended sieges. Its 80,000 cubic meters of water were pumped all the way from the Black Sea through an extensive system of aqueducts.
Note: Visiting the Underground Cistern involves a series of steps to enter and exit
Enjoy a typical Turkish lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Grand Bazaar where you will surely enjoy browsing and bartering at the world’s largest and the oldest covered marketplace. It contains more than 5,000 shops selling an absolutely amazing range of merchandise. Jewelry, carpets, antiques, old coins, furniture, prayer beads and copperware are only a few of the items in the bazaar, which has been operating since the 15th Century.
Finally, you will embark on a boat for a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorus, the famed strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and perhaps even more important serves as a boundary between Europe to the west and Asia to the east. Passing palaces, wooden mansions and even modern villas along the way, you will experience Istanbul from an entirely different perspective, one you’ll never forget. (Note: Boat may not be exclusive to RSSC guests)
Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 2
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for a visit of the phenomenal Blue Mosque. One of the few mosques with six minarets, the Blue Mosque was constructed in the early 17th century under the direction of Sultan Ahmet I, who was only 19 years old at the time. The exterior of the mosque is notable for its cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the central dome. Inside, the ceiling is lined with the 20,000 blue tiles for which the mosque is named.
Then, it is on to the 15th Century Topkapi Palace, which was expanded under the reign of almost every sultan over the next 400 years. Today, it is a maze of lavishly decorated buildings and courtyards that reflect its most glorious years as the political center of the Ottoman Empire. If time allows a visit to the Harem section of the Palace will also be visited.
Following lunch at a local and authentic Turkish restaurant, visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, which was built in 1561 and has since survived fires and earthquakes. Thousands of brightly colored Iznik tiles are the allure here. They are all original 16th-century pieces of art and cover the walls, columns, and niches, lending the interior a spectacularly serene ambiance.
End your tour with a visit to the Spice Market, a locale so energetic and bustling that it is difficult to know where to look first. Aromas waft through the air, the cacophonous sounds are constant, and it is always crowded with shoppers haggling for the best possible prices.
Afterwards, you will return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will have until 12:00 noon to check out. Your transfer to Istanbul’s international airport will be arranged according to your flight time. Should you have a late departing flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
Day 1
8:00am Disembark the ship in Istanbul
8:30am Depart on your tour of the famous sites of Istanbul
9:15am Visit the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Hippodrome
10:45am Visit the Underground Cistern
12:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant
1:15pm Visit the Grand Bazaar
3:45pm Bosphorus cruise
5:45pm Return to your hotel
The evening is at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel
Day 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
8:30am Depart for another day of famous sites
9:15am Visit the Blue Mosque
10:30am Visit the Topkapi Palace
12:45pm Lunch at a local restaurant
2:00pm Visit Rustem Pasha Mosque
3:00pm Visit the Spice Market
4:15pm Return to the hotel, dinner on own
Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel.
Day 3
AM Breakfast at hotel
12:00pm Check out from the hotel (or earlier according to your flight time)
Transfer to Istanbul’s international airport
Extra Nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 3 of your program.
Transfers:
•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Please note:
Museums are closed on certain days and substitutions will apply as follows:
1. Topkapi Palace: closed on Tuesdays; Beylerbeyi Palace visit substituted.
2. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque are closed on Fridays until 2:00pm. If the program falls on a Friday, the order of the sites visited will be changed to make sure all visits are possible
3. Grand Bazaar: closed on Sundays (no substitution)
Should sites be closed on a day that you are scheduled to visit, alternate sites will be visited and if possible, the original site will be seen on the other day. Our local operator will do their utmost to ensure that you see all the sites listed in this itinerary and when necessary, make appropriate substitutions. This itinerary is to be used as a sample and guests should refer to their emailed Final Cruise Documents received approximately 21 days before sailing for their actual itinerary based on these factors.
Expected Weather:
Summers are hot and humid with temperatures averaging 25-30C (78-88F) from June to August, occasionally rising beyond 35C (104F). In spring and autumn, the days are temperate and the evenings mild.
What to Bring:
In the summer, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. Light coats are recommended for the autumn, as it may be chilly, especially in the early morning and after 5:00 p.m.
Clothing:
Proper attire is required when visiting mosques. Female visitors are required to cover their heads, shoulders, and arms. Shorts above knee length are not allowed in the mosques. Shoes will need to be taken off when visiting the mosques; bags will be provided for your shoes.
Currency:
Turkish Lira
Electricity:
220 Volts AC/50 Hz. throughout Turkey. We recommend brining a travel adaptor should you have any electric devices
Accommodations:
Intercontinental Hotel Istanbul
Gümüssuyu Mahallesi, Asker Ocagi Caddesi No:1, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 212 368 44 44
We will only source different hotels in unforeseen circumstances. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and guests would be notified in advance of travel. If guests are not notified prior to travel of any changes, then the hotel listed above will be used.
Program includes:
•Two nights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar (Club Level Room)
•Transfers
•All entrances and touring per the itinerary
•Two local lunches with soft drinks
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Not included:
•Gratuities for guides and driver
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
•Meals and beverages not listed above including beverages with alcohol
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Tour the icons of Istanbul and Turkey’s enthralling Cappadocia region, a bizarre landscape of volcanically formed rock chimneys, houses carved out of sheer cliffs and sprawling underground cities.
Special Note:
Due to the amount of walking during the day tours, at times over uneven natural ground and /or steps, this program is not recommended for guests who have walking or mobility difficulties or for those guests who rely on a wheelchair or scooter. Guests also must be able to get in and out of the tour coaches with little to no assistance.
Any guests travelling with CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour. Oxygen concentrators (POC) are not permitted on the flight.
The below represents a sample itinerary. Sites visited in Istanbul will depend on flight times and the day of the week as each site has closure days. Every effort will be made to include as many sites as possible given the circumstances of your voyage date. Please refer to the emailed Final Cruise Documents that you will receive approximately 21 days before sailing for your actual itinerary based on these factors. Should there be closures, alternate sites may be substituted and should flight times not allow certain visits, they will either be removed or moved to another day in the program.
DAY 1
After disembarking the ship, you will begin on a full-day tour of Istanbul.
Begin at the ancient Byzantine Hippodrome where chariot races and celebrations in honor of the emperors once took place during the Byzantine Era. From here you will see from outside the Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a church. In the 15th Century, it became a mosque. You will also see the famed Blue Mosque from outside as well.
Next you will visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, where Turkey’s sultans lived from 1453 until the middle of the 19th Century. It’s an extraordinary residence with beautiful courtyards, a harem, sacred relics and a treasury full of exquisite jewelry from the Far East, India and Europe.
Your lunch will be served in a local restaurant, near the Grand Bazaar.
After lunch, you will proceed to explore the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world. It contains more than 5,000 shops selling an absolutely amazing range of merchandise. Jewelry, carpets, antiques, old coins, furniture, prayer beads and copperware are only a few of the items in the bazaar, which has been operating since the 15th century.
Following your exploration of Istanbul, you will drive to the airport for a flight to Nevsehir. Upon arriving, you will transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day tour of the Cappadocia region. The landscape here is stunningly surreal, almost lunar-like. Created by volcanic eruptions and shaped by thousands of years of erosion, the terrain features soaring fairy-tale rock chimneys and ancient dwellings carved out of the rocks. Few places on earth are so visually arresting.
Venture toward the town of Uchisar, whose natural rock citadel is the highest point in Cappadocia and visible from a great distance. You will also visit nearby Pigeon Valley, named for the thousands of pigeon houses that have been carved into the rock cliffs since ancient times.
Then, it’s on to the Goreme Open Air Museum, which contains the best-preserved examples of cave churches. You will notice that the frescoes adorning the walls are still brightly colored, even after centuries of exposure. More usual rock formations await you near Derbent at the fairy chimneys at Urgup.
The town of Avanos lies ahead and, as you will discover, is known for pottery making. The clay has a beautiful reddish hue and comes from the banks of the Kizilirmak River that flows through town.
After visiting, you will return to your hotel for dinner.
DAY 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day, all-encompassing tour of the area. A scenic drive brings you to the underground city, a massive living complex beneath the surface that includes churches, stables, wineries and storage rooms. It is the deepest of the 36 underground cities in the Cappadocia region and has airshafts carved at least 300 feet into the rock. Although the city was probably never used for long stays, it served as an excellent defensive hideout during the early Christian period. There are approximately 600 doors leading into the underground city, all of them hidden in courtyards on the surface.
Next you will continue to Sinasos, a former Greek village, and then nearby Zelve, which was an important settlement and religious area between the 9th and 13th centuries. The now abandoned settlement is spread over three valleys, which also contain numerous pointed chimneys with large stems and the remains of a monastery.
Later in the afternoon, you will drive to the airport for a return flight and overnight in Istanbul. Dinner is on your own this evening.
DAY 4
Following breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight home based on the flight details provided. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.
Land Program Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
DAY 1 – timings subject to change depending on actual flight times which can change up to the time of departure
8:00am Disembark the ship and drive to Istanbul’s Old City
8:45am View the Hagia Sophia from outside
9:45am View the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome from outside
11:30am Visit Topkapi Palace
1:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant
2:30pm Visit the Grand Bazaar
4:00pm Transfer to the airport
5:05pm Arrive to airport, check in and flight to Nevsehir airport (flight details TBA and subject to change)
8:20pm Arrive to Nevsehir and transfer to your hotel
Dinner is included at the hotel
Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 2
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Depart for a full-day tour in Cappadocia
9:15am Visit the Uchisar area
9:45am Drive for panoramic tour includes Pigeon Valley
10:45am Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum
12:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
2:00pm Panoramic tour including Derbent and fairy chimneys at Urgup
3:00pm Visit Avanos
4:00pm Shopping opportunity
6:00pm Return to your hotel for dinner
Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3 – timings subject to change depending on actual flight times which can change up to the time of departure
AM Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Depart for underground city
9:45am Visit the underground city
11:00am Drive to the Sinasos area
11:45am Visit Sinasos and the Kemal Pasha village
12:30pm Lunch at the Kösebasi restaurant or similar venue
1:45pm Drive to Zelve and the Pasha bag area
2:15pm Visit Zelve (monastery) and Pasha bag area
4:30pm Transfer to the Kayseri airport
6:15pm Flight back to Istanbul (flight details TBA and subject to change)
7:50pm Transfer to your hotel
Dinner on own
Overnight at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar hotel
Day 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
12:00pm Check out time at the hotel
If you have a late flight, you may keep your luggage in the hotel’s storage room until needed. Your transfer to the airport will be arranged according to your flight time.
Extra nights:
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers:
•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.
•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected Weather:
Expect significant temperature differences between day and night in Cappadocia. Spring begins in March and lasts until May, and the average temperature for this season is approximately 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). This is also when the region gets most of its rainfall. However, the rain usually comes in short intervals and lasts on average for only two hours.
Summer is between June and August. Summers in Cappadocia are very hot, with daytime temperatures approaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). However, nighttime temperatures fall into the 20’s Celsius (in the 70’s Fahrenheit). Autumn starts in September and ends in November and is the high season for Cappadocia travel. Average temperature at this time is in the 20's Celsius (in the 70’s Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
Due to the uneven walking surfaces, sport shoes are highly recommended. Also, pack sunscreen, light comfortable clothing and shoes, and a light jacket for the evenings. Please ensure suitable clothing is worn in the mosques. Shoulders and legs should be covered.
Currency:
Turkish Lira (TL). One U.S. dollar is worth approximately 2.2 TL.
Electricity:
220 Volt AC/50 Hz throughout Turkey.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required and an e-Visa is required for all U.S. citizens entering Turkey. Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality
VERY IMPORTANT – The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
Luggage:
For the domestic flights, the luggage allowance is 25 kilograms (55 pounds) per person. We advise you to pack a smaller bag for the extension, allowing your main luggage to be stored in a secure office in Istanbul until your return. Please make sure to label any luggage staying behind appropriately and remember to take all medications and documents with you.
Carriage of CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations):
1. Guests must provide in advance a picture of the CPAP equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)
2. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
3. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
4. Personal oxygen concentrators are not permitted on the flights.
Hotel Accommodations:
Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel
Asker Ocagi Cad. No.1 Taksim, 34435 Istanbul, Turkey
Tel: 90 212 368 4444
Utopia Cave Hotel
Dua Yeri Mah. Istiklal 1 Sok. No: 6, 50400 Urgup, Nevsehir
Phone: +90 384 341 57 47
*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in the program.
Closed days of attractions:
If an attraction is closed on one of the dates, it will be replaced in the following manner:
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced with the Beylerbeyi Palace
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It will be replaced with the Spice Bazaar
Program includes:
•1 night in Istanbul at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar (Club level room) including breakfast
•2 nights at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar (deluxe room) including breakfast
•Airport transfers
•Porterage at the airport
•Service of an English-speaking tour guide throughout the program or a local guide depending on the number of guests booked on the package
•Air-conditioned vehicles
•Entrance fees to the visited sites and museums
•Two lunches and dinners in Cappadocia and one lunch in Istanbul
•Excess luggage storage in Istanbul
•Domestic flights per the itinerary (direct flights not guaranteed)
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
Beverages with alcohol on the tours
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Personal expenses
Any meals not listed above
Hotel incidentals including mini bar, room service and laundry
Excess or overweight luggage on the flights
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Tour the icons of Istanbul and Turkey’s enthralling Cappadocia region, a bizarre landscape of volcanically formed rock chimneys, houses carved out of sheer cliffs and sprawling underground cities.
Special Note: Due to the amount of walking during the day tours, at times over uneven natural ground and /or steps, this program is not recommended for guests who have walking or mobility difficulties or for those guests who rely on a wheelchair or scooter. Guests also must be able to get in and out of the tour coaches with little to no assistance.
Any guests travelling with CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour. Oxygen concentrators (POC) are not permitted on the flight.
The below represents a sample itinerary. Sites visited in Istanbul will depend on flight times and the day of the week as each site has closure days.Every effort will be made to include as many sites as possible given the circumstances of your voyage date. Please refer to the emailed Final Cruise Documents that you will receive approximately 21 days before sailing for your actual itinerary based on these factors. Should there be closures, alternate sites may be substituted and should flight times not allow certain visits, they will either be removed or moved to another day in the program.
DAY 1
Upon arriving at the International Airport in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to the
Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar hotel in Istanbul for check-in.
When you arrive, please proceed to exit gate #8 where you will be met by our local ground team.
The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure, allowing time for you to settle in or explore the city on your own. Meals are on your own.
DAY 2
Due to an early departure, you will receive a breakfast box upon check out.
Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Kayseri which lies in the Cappadocia Region.
The landscape here is stunningly surreal, almost lunar-like. Created by volcanic eruptions and shaped by thousands of years of erosion, the terrain features soaring fairy-tale rock chimneys and ancient dwellings carved out of the rocks. Few places on earth are so visually arresting.
You will then tour Uchisar, whose natural rock citadel is the highest point in Cappadocia and visible from a great distance.
Continue to the Goreme Open Air Museum, which contains the best-preserved examples of cave churches. You will notice that the frescoes adorning the walls are still brightly colored, even after centuries of exposure.
You will explore more of the region on a panoramic drive to Derbent to see its unusual Three Sisters rock chimneys.
Enjoy lunch in an authentic local restaurant before driving to Avanos which lies nearby and as you will discover, is known for pottery making. The clay has a beautiful reddish hue and comes from the banks of the Kizilirmak River that flows through town.
After visiting, you will check in to your hotel, where you will have dinner and spend the evening.
DAY 3
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day, all-encompassing tour of the area.
A scenic drive brings you to the Underground city, a massive living complex beneath the surface that includes churches, stables, wineries and storage rooms. It is the deepest of the 36 underground cities in the Cappadocia region and has airshafts carved at least 300 feet into the rock. Although the city was probably never used for long stays, it served as an excellent defensive hideout during the early Christian period. There are approximately 600 doors leading into the underground city, all of them hidden in courtyards on the surface.
Continue to the nearby Village of Sinasos, a former Greek village. Explore More cave architecture awaits you in nearby Zelve, which was an important settlement and religious area between the 9th and 13th centuries. The now abandoned settlement is spread over three valleys, which also contain numerous pointed chimneys with large stems.
Enjoy lunch in an authentic local restaurant before some time for shopping.
By evening, you will return to the hotel for dinner and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.
DAY 4
At check-out you will receive a breakfast box and then depart for a transfer to the airport for a return flight to Istanbul.
Upon arriving in Istanbul, enjoy a full-day tour, starting with the opulent Topkapi Palace, where Turkey’s sultans lived from 1453 until the middle of the 19th century. Then, you will see the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Byzantine Hippodrome from outside.
A quick local lunch will be served in an authentic restaurant, nearby the Grand Bazaar.
After lunch, you will proceed to explore the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world. It contains more than 5,000 shops selling an absolutely amazing range of merchandise. Jewelry, carpets, antiques, old coins, furniture, prayer beads and copperware are only a few of the items in the bazaar, which has been operating since the 15th century.
Afterwards, you will transfer to the pier and embark on your cruise.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
•Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
•Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive one last final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review that Welcome Letter and your final itinerary carefully for any further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 2:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 2:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
DAY 1
Arrive in Istanbul via your international flight and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in time is at 2:00pm; early check is not guaranteed.
Overnight at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar
Dinner on own
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
DAY 2 – timings subject to change depending on actual flight times which can change up to the time of departure
6:00am Check out and receive breakfast box at Reception
6:15am Depart for Istanbul’s airport
8:35am Fly to Kayseri (flight details TBA and subject to change)
10:35am Arrive and transfer to Cappadocia
11:35am Visit Uchisar and the Goreme Open Air Museum
12:00pm Panoramic tour of Derbent and the Three Sisters Chimneys
12:45pm Free time at Pigeon Valley
1:30pm Lunch at Kösebasi Restaurant or similar venue
2:15pm Drive to Avanos
3:15pm Visit Avanos
4:45pm Drive to your hotel for dinner and overnight
Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Depart for the underground city
9:30am Visit the underground city
10:30am Visit Sinasos Village
11:30am Drive to Zelve and Pasabag
12:30pm Visit the Zelve Museum (Byzantine Monastery)
1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant
2:45pm Shopping stop
5:45pm Return to the hotel for dinner
Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 4 – timings subject to change depending on actual flight times which can change up to the time of departure
6:15am Check out and receive breakfast boxes at Reception
6:30am Depart for Kayseri airport
8:40am Fly back to Istanbul (flight details TBA and subject to change)
10:10am Drive to the Old Town
12:00pm Visit Topkapi Palace
1:30pm See the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Byzantine Hippodrome from outside.
2:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant
3:15pm Visit the Grand Bazaar
4:30pm Approximate arrival to the ship for embarkation
Expected Weather:
Expect significant temperature differences between day and night in Cappadocia. Spring begins in March and lasts until May, and the average temperature for this season is approximately 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). This is also when the region gets most of its rainfall. However, the rain usually comes in short intervals and lasts on average for only two hours. Summer is between June and August.
Summers in Cappadocia are very hot, with daytime temperatures approaching 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). However, nighttime temperatures fall into the 20’s Celsius (in the 70’s Fahrenheit). Autumn starts in September and ends in November and is the high season for Cappadocia travel. Average temperature at this time is in the 20's Celsius (in the 70’s Fahrenheit).
What to Bring:
Due to the uneven walking surfaces, sport shoes are highly recommended. Also, pack sunscreen, light comfortable clothing and shoes, and a light jacket for the evenings. Please ensure suitable clothing is worn in the mosques. Shoulders and legs should be covered.
Currency:
Turkish Lira (TL). One U.S. dollar is worth approximately 1.8 TL.
Electricity:
220 Volt AC/50 Hz throughout Turkey. We recommend you bring a travel adaptor for electric devices.
Luggage:
For the domestic flights, the luggage allowance is 25 kilograms (55 pounds) per person. We advise you to pack a smaller bag for the extension, allowing your main luggage to be stored in a secure office in Istanbul until your return. Please make sure to label any luggage staying behind appropriately and remember to take all medications and documents with you.
Carriage of CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations):
1. Guests must provide in advance a picture of the CPAP equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)
2. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
3. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
4. Personal oxygen concentrators are not permitted on the flights.
Accommodation:
Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel
Gümüssuyu Mahallesi, Asker Ocagi Caddesi No:1, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 368 44 44
Utopia Cave Hotel
Dua Yeri Mah. Istiklal 1 Sok. No: 6, 50400 Urgup, Nevsehir
Phone: +90 384 341 57 47
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen circumstances. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and guests would be notified in advance of travel. If guests are not notified prior to travel of any changes, then the hotels listed above will be used.
Closed days of attractions:
If an attraction is closed on one of the dates, it will be replaced in the following manner:
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced with the Beylerbeyi Palace
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It will be replaced with the Spice Bazaar
Program includes:
•1 night at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar (club level room)
•2 nights at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar (deluxe room)
•Breakfast or breakfast boxes depending on flight times
•Airport transfers
•Porterage at the airport
•Service of an English-speaking tour guide throughout the program or a local guide depending on the number of guests booked on the package
•Air-conditioned vehicles
•Entrance fees to the visited sites and museums
•Two lunches and dinners in Cappadocia and one lunch in Istanbul
•Excess luggage storage in Istanbul
•Domestic flights per the itinerary (direct flights not guaranteed)
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
Beverages with alcohol on the tours
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Personal expenses
Any meals not listed above
Hotel incidentals including mini bar, room service and laundry
Excess or overweight luggage on the flights
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Experience the joys of Istanbul through some of its most memorable landmarks: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the famous Grand Bazaar, and the magnificent and ancient underground cisterns.
Operational Note: For the 2024 season, the visit to the Archaeological Museum has been replaced with a visit to the Underground Cistern.
NOTE: Due to the amount of walking during the day tours, at times over uneven natural ground and /or steps, this program is not recommended for guests who have walking or mobility difficulties or for those guests who rely on a wheelchair or scooter. Guests also must be able to get in and out of the tour coaches with little to no assistance.
Day 1
Once you have arrived at the airport in Istanbul, gone through Customs and claimed your luggage, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city.
When you arrive, please proceed to Exit Gate #8 where you will be met by RSSC’s local ground team.
Day 2
Today, you will visit the true icons of Istanbul, the must-sees that define the city, beginning with the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church, turned Ottoman Mosque, turned museum, and now serves once again as a mosque and a museum.
Although the earliest two versions were destroyed, this Hagia Sophia dates from 537 A.D., and is considered a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as Istanbul’s principal mosque for nearly 500 years and became a model for the Blue Mosque.
Note: Visiting St. Sophia requires managing ramps and stairs
The Hippodrome is also here, partially excavated to reveal some of the seats, columns, statues, and obelisks that were once part of this arena. Chariot races, coronations and parades all took place at the Hippodrome, which first appeared in 203 A.D. About 130 years later, Constantine the Great expanded and reshaped the arena so it could hold approximately 100,000 spectators.
Next you will see the fabulous Underground Cistern, the largest and most magnificent, covered cistern in Istanbul. It is an enormous, cavernous water storage tank built under Emperor Justinian in 532 AD.
The cistern was used to satisfy the growing demands of an expanding city and supplied the Great Palace area with water during extended sieges. Its 80,000 cubic meters of water were pumped all the way from the Black Sea through an extensive system of aqueducts.
Note: Visiting the Underground Cistern involves a series of steps to enter and exit
Enjoy a typical Turkish lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Grand Bazaar where you will surely enjoy browsing and bartering at the world’s largest and the oldest covered marketplace. It contains more than 5,000 shops selling an absolutely amazing range of merchandise. Jewelry, carpets, antiques, old coins, furniture, prayer beads and copperware are only a few of the items in the bazaar, which has been operating since the 15th Century.
Finally, you will embark on a boat for a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorus, the famed strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and perhaps even more important serves as a boundary between Europe to the west and Asia to the east. Passing palaces, wooden mansions, and even modern villas along the way, you will experience Istanbul from an entirely different perspective, one you’ll never forget. (Note: Boat may not be exclusive to RSSC guests)
Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 3
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for a visit of the phenomenal Blue Mosque. One of the few mosques with six minarets, the Blue Mosque was constructed in the early 17th century under the direction of Sultan Ahmet I, who was only 19 years old at the time. The exterior of the mosque is notable for its cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the central dome. Inside, the ceiling is lined with the 20,000 blue tiles for which the mosque is named.
Then, it is on to the 15th Century Topkapi Palace, which was expanded under the reign of almost every sultan over the next 400 years. Today, it is a maze of lavishly decorated buildings and courtyards that reflect its most glorious years as the political center of the Ottoman Empire. If time allows a visit to the Harem section of the Palace will also be visited.
Following lunch at a local and authentic Turkish restaurant, visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque, which was built in 1561 and has since survived fires and earthquakes. Thousands of brightly colored Iznik tiles are the allure here. They are all original 16th-century pieces of art and cover the walls, columns, and niches, lending the interior a spectacularly serene ambiance.
End your tour with a visit to the Spice Market, a locale so energetic and bustling that it is difficult to know where to look first. Aromas waft through the air, the cacophonous sounds are constant, and it is always crowded with shoppers haggling for the best possible prices.
Afterwards, you will drive to the pier for embarkation.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the hotel that is used on the FIRST NIGHT of your land program
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
Day 1
Fly into Istanbul, you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Check-in time is 2:00pm; early check-in is not guaranteed. Evening at your leisure.
Meals are on your own today.
Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you cannot locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the program representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Upon arrival, claim luggage, clear through customs, and proceed to the arrival hall of the terminal (porters and trolleys are available inside the luggage claim area)
•From this point, follow the airport’s signs to EXIT GATE NUMBER 8 and go outside the terminal building.
•Local ground staff will be waiting outside, in front of exit gate 8 with logo signs – they are not permitted inside with signs.
•Meet and greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Depart from the hotel
9:15am Visit the Hippodrome and the Hagia Sophia Mosque
10:45am Visit the Underground Cistern
12:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant
1:15pm Visit the Grand Bazaar
3:45pm Cruise on the Bosphorus
5:45pm Return to your hotel
The evening is at leisure, dinner on own
Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel
Day 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:30am Orientation tour of Istanbul
9:15am Visit the Blue Mosque
10:30am Visit the Topkapi Palace
12:45pm Lunch at a local restaurant
2:00pm Visit Rustem Pasha Mosque
3:00pm Visit Spice the Market
3:45pm Transfer to the ship
4:15pm Arrival at the ship in time for embarkation
Please note:
Museums are closed on certain days and substitutions will apply as follows:
1. Topkapi Palace: closed on Tuesdays; Beylerbeyi Palace visit substituted.
2. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque are closed on Fridays until 2:00pm. If the program falls on a Friday, the order of the sites visited will be changed to make sure all visits are possible
3. Grand Bazaar: closed on Sundays (no substitution)
Should sites be closed on a day that you are scheduled to visit, alternate sites will be visited and if possible, the original site will be seen on the other day. Our local operator will do their utmost to ensure that you see all the sites listed in this itinerary and when necessary, make appropriate substitutions. This itinerary is to be used as a sample and guests should refer to their emailed Final Cruise Documents received approximately 21 days before sailing for their actual itinerary based on these factors.
Expected Weather:
Summers are hot and humid with temperatures averaging 25-30C (78-88F) from June to August, occasionally rising beyond 35C (104F). In spring and autumn, the days are temperate and the evenings mild.
What to Bring:
In the summer, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are recommended. Light coats are recommended for the autumn, as it may be chilly, especially in the early morning and after 5:00 p.m.
Clothing:
Proper attire is required when visiting mosques. Female visitors are required to cover their heads, shoulders, and arms. Shorts above knee length are not allowed in the mosques. Shoes will need to be taken off when visiting the mosques; bags will be provided for your shoes.
Currency:
Turkish Lira
Electricity:
220 Volts AC/50 Hz. throughout Turkey. We recommend brining a travel adaptor should you have any electric devices
Accommodations:
Intercontinental Hotel Istanbul
Gümüssuyu Mahallesi, Asker Ocagi Caddesi No:1, 34437 Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey
Phone: +90 212 368 44 44
We will only source different hotels in unforeseen circumstances. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and guests would be notified in advance of travel. If guests are not notified prior to travel of any changes, then the hotel listed above will be used.
Program includes:
•Two nights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar (Club Level Room)
•Transfers
•All entrances and touring per the itinerary
•Two local lunches with soft drinks
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Not included:
•Gratuities for guides and driver
•Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar
•Meals and beverages not listed above including beverages with alcohol
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
