Signature: Turkey's Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia

Welcome to Istanbul. Your expedition begins in a city that spans two continents and three millennia of history. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, descend a stone staircase into the golden-lit depths of the Binbirdirek Cistern, a 4th-century Byzantine marvel. Amongst a forest of marble columns, join your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a private welcome dinner. Savour traditional dishes and fine wine in this hidden underground world, feeling the vastness of history embrace you as you toast the start of your Turkish odyssey.

Meals included: Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.Activity - Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.Activity - Descend into a 4th-century underground reservoir for a welcome feast among marble columnsAccommodation - The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul

Istanbul reveals another layer of its history this morning, beginning with the Hagia Sophia and special access to hidden rooms rarely seen by the public. Continue to the ancient Hippodrome and its underground cistern before marveling at the iconic Blue Mosque. After a local lunch, choose to wander the labyrinthine stalls of the Grand Bazaar or enjoy a quiet afternoon at your leisure. As evening falls, board a private boat for a passage across the Bosphorus, watching the city's minarets and palaces flicker to life from the water before a sophisticated dinner served beside the shimmering strait.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - A visit to Hagia Sophia is a journey through a dual-world experience. Following major policy shifts, the site now functions with a strict separation between tourism and worship, but this has actually unlocked new ways to visit "unseen" parts of the structure that were previously ignored.Activity - This evening, board a private luxury boat for passage across the Bosphorus where dinner is served beside the water where history, design, and gastronomy meet in quiet sophistication. Afterwards return to your hotel.Activity - Visit the hippodrome, including the underground cistern. See the Blue Mosque and other iconic buildings of Istanbul. After.wards, you may join your expedition leader for a walk to the The Grand Bazaar or return to your hotel for free timeAccommodation - The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul

Step into the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire with a private tour of Topkapı Palace. Accompanied by the Museum manager and the Expedition Expert, explore the ceremonial halls and opulent chambers that housed sultans for four centuries. This afternoon, fly south to the Aegean coast and the vibrant town of Bodrum. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner, feeling the coastal breeze replace the energy of the city as you prepare to uncover the secrets of ancient maritime history and the turquoise coast.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Take a step back in time with a visit to the Topkapi Palace. Once home to the Ottoman sultans and their harems, it's now a museum hosting a number of collections, ranging from porcelains found in Europe, Asia and China to Ottoman-era weaponry.Transport - Leave Istanbul behind and fly south toward the Aegean Sea, where the sun-drenched coast of Bodrum awaits.Accommodation - Divan Bodrum Hotel

Bodrum's ancient past and maritime secrets take centre stage today. Visit the Halicarnassus site before heading to the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, located within the Castle of St. Peter, where we have private access to the research and conservation laboratories. Join a maritime archaeology specialist to learn about the preservation of the world's oldest known shipwreck. The afternoon shifts to the land, with a visit to a local farm, a community weaving workshop, and a wine tasting at a renowned vineyard as the sun softens over the vines.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - A visit to Ancient Halicarnassus in modern-day Bodrum is a journey into the heart of the Carian Empire and a masterclass in how ancient ruins can be woven into a vibrant, modern Mediterranean city.Activity - Join a Senior Archaeologist or a specialist from the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA) for an exclusive visit to the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The "behind-the-scenes" experience focuses on the world-class conservation labs that make this museum the global gold standard for maritime heritage.Activity - A visit to a local jam and olive oil farm is a complete sensory shift from the turquoise coast to the silver-green heart of the Aegean. Here, you meet the family at their stone farmhouse surrounded by ancient, gnarled olive trees for a short tour led not by a guide, but by the owners themselves, followed by a tasting of these regional produce.Activity - A visit to the Weaving Cooperative starts in the cool shade of stone walls, you sit beside master weavers whose fingers fly across vertical looms, turning wool and root-dyes into a coded language of Anatolian symbols. You leave not just with a sense of history, but with the taste of Aegean hospitality and the quiet satisfaction of having touched the "living" culture of Turkey.Activity - Experience the pinnacle of Turkish viticulture with an immersive "earth-to-glass" journey at a renowned local vineyard. This curated escape begins with a peaceful stroll through rolling, ancestral vines, followed by an educational tasting and presentation that unveils the estate’s rich heritage. The afternoon culminates on the terrace, where guests savour world-class wines against the backdrop of a cinematic Aegean sunsetAccommodation - Divan Bodrum Hotel

Take to the Turkish countryside on a scenic drive toward Izmir. Stop at Didim to stand before the monumental Temple of Apollo, once one of the largest sacred structures of the ancient world. Learn how this site functioned as a powerful oracle centre before enjoying lunch in town. Continue to Miletus to hear the legends of the Seven Sages. Upon arrival in Izmir—the ancient city of Smyrna—join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for a tour of the city's layered civilizations. The evening is yours to explore the vibrant waterfront and local culinary scene at your own pace.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Visit the Apollo temple at the ancient Greek sanctuary of Didyma. Said to have been destroyed by Persians in 494 BC, it was later restored by Alexander the Great during the 3rd century BC where it flourished for centuries thereafter.Activity - Visit Miletus, located near the mouth of the Maeander River. The history of Miletus goes back to 3500 BC when the ancient city was an important trading outpost for goods coming out of the interior of the country. The site and the impressive theater we will see are from the Roman period.Activity - Set out on foot with your Expedition Leader on an orientation walk of the Kemeralti Old Bazaar, in Izmir. Wander amongst the traditional food stores before taking some free time in Izmir to explore.Accommodation - Swissotel Izmir

The ancient city of Ephesus dominates the day, beginning with a visit to a community-focused initiative in Selçuk that highlights local handicrafts and supports women's empowerment. After a traditional lunch, a specialist lecturer leads an immersive exploration of this ancient city, once home to 200,000 people. As the crowds depart, the experience reaches its peak with a private dinner set against the iconic remains of the Library of Celsus — accompanied by live classical music under the stars.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Visit Efesium Handicrafts, a community-focused initiative that highlights local culture, history, and, in particular, handicrafts produced by local women. This is a project supported by the Selçuk Municipality where local women create and sell handmade, specially designed, and authentic souvenirs. The products reflect the 8,600-year history of the regionActivity - Experience the "City of the Romans" in virtual exclusivity as the crowds depart and your tour begins. Set off to explore the site with a specialist that weaves stories and breathes life into these ruins, followed by a walk through the marble-paved streets of Ephesus. The evening reaches its zenith with an extraordinary private dinner set directly in front of the moonlit Library of Celsus.Accommodation - Swissotel Izmir

A morning flight brings you to Ankara, Turkey's modern capital, where ancient and contemporary history sit side by side. Witness the changing of the guard at Anıtkabir before a private tour of the Anatolian Civilisation Museum, led by a historian who brings the region's ancient artefacts to life. After a free afternoon, the historic Ankara Castle district provides an intimate setting for an exclusive dinner in an Ottoman-era mansion — where layers of Roman and Byzantine history form the backdrop for an evening of refined local hospitality.

Meals included: Breakfast,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Leave the shores of Izmir behind and fly toward the rugged heart of Anatolia, where the sweeping landscapes of Ankara await.Activity - Visit the Roman and Ottoman quarters of town and Ataturk’s mausoleum to learn more about the fascinating history of this comparatively contemporary capital and its relationship to modern Turkey. Finish at the magnificent Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which contains an outstanding collection of artifacts documenting this region.Activity - Visit a mausoleum commemorating the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The Mausoleum of Atatürk is located in Turkey's capital of Ankara and has become one of the sprawling city's must-see locations.Activity - Step back into the "Zero Point of History" with an elite academic visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Led by an esteemed historian, enjoy a high-level private lecture with an exclusive guided exploration of Turkey’s most significant archaeological finds. From the 8,000-year-old murals of Çatalhöyük to the golden treasures of the Phrygian kings, this is a sophisticated narrative journey through the dawn of human society, housed within a magnificent 15th-century Ottoman landmark.Activity - Experience the storied past of Turkey's capital with an exclusive hosted dinner at a beautifully restored historic mansion within the Ankara Citadel. Surrounded by centuries-old timber architecture and panoramic city views, guests enjoy a sophisticated evening of Anatolian haute cuisine and fine local wines. This intimate gathering combines the privacy of a noble estate with the rich cultural narrative of a city that has served as a crossroads for empires, making it the ultimate venue for high-level hosting.Accommodation - Hotel Divan Ankara

Transition from the urban landscape into the vast, spiritual heart of the Anatolian Plateau. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hattuşa, the legendary Bronze Age capital of the Hittite Empire. Embark on a guided exploration of the ruins before continuing your journey into the "alien" world of Cappadocia. Watch the terrain shift into a surreal patchwork of volcanic peaks and honeycombed hills. Upon arrival, travel straight to your hotel to settle in and enjoy a dinner of regional specialities, surrounded by the unique geology that has defined life in this region for millennia.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Hattuşa is not merely an archaeological site; it is a sprawling, wind-swept testament to one of the "Great Powers" of the ancient world. The city is famous for its massive, cyclopean stone walls that stretch for miles across a rugged plateau.Accommodation - Seraphim Cave Hotel Cappadocia

Discover the subterranean secrets of Cappadocia at the Göreme Valley and the deep tunnels of the Derinkuyu Underground City. For lunch, join a local host for a cooking class, mastering the art of Anatolian cuisine before enjoying your creations. In the late afternoon, embark on a jeep drive through the valley, weaving amongst fairy chimneys as the landscape takes on the golden hues of sunset. Conclude your expedition with a private dinner at the Güray Museum. Enjoy a briefing from a museum official within these underground galleries before celebrating your journey with a menu inspired by ancient traditions.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Be inspired by the natural beauty of the historic Göreme Open Air Museum, a complex of medieval painted cave churches carved out by Orthodox monks. Tour the more than 10 caves on site, and enjoy the color and vibrancy of many of the churches that are up to 1,000 years old.Activity - To enter Derinkuyu is to leave the world of light behind and descend into one of the most sophisticated engineering marvels of the ancient world. Located in the heart of Cappadocia, this subterranean metropolis reaches a depth of approximately 85 meters (280 feet) and was capable of sheltering up to 20,000 people along with their livestock and food supplies.Activity - Experience the true spirit of Turkish hospitality with a private cooking class and lunch. This intimate cultural exchange offers a hands-on journey into the secrets of Anatolian village cuisine, from the delicate folding of Mantı to the firing of traditional clay-pot dishes.Activity - Trade the rugged for the refined with a gentle Cappadocia jeep tour. This curated sunset expedition takes you off the beaten path in a private 4x4 to discover the region’s most iconic hidden valleys at a serene, panoramic pace.Activity - Conclude your Anatolian journey with a masterpiece event at the Güray Museum. This exclusive farewell dinner takes place within a magnificent underground rock-cut complex, surrounded by thousands of years of ceramic history. Combining a private museum tour with a high-concept dinner in the historic surroundings.Accommodation - Seraphim Cave Hotel Cappadocia

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Istanbul airport where your expedition concludes. Reflect on the memories made—from the silent laboratories of Bodrum to the echoing halls of Ephesus — as you connect with your onward flight home. Carry with you a deeper understanding of the empires that shaped this land and the enduring warmth of the Turkish people you met along the way.

Meals included: Breakfast

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Leave the wind-sculpted landscapes of Cappadocia behind and fly back to Istanbul.