Absolute Turkey

Go even deeper into Istanbul, discovering diverse and lesser-visited districts with your CEO, and some of the best photography spots in the city! Today we will walk along the ancient Constantinople city walls; see Tekfur Palace(the Blaherne Palace) which has got thick walls adjacent to the landwalls ; stroll through the photogenic Fener (Greek) and Balat (Jewish) districts, known for their colourful wooden houses; enjoy lunch together; and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for stunning views of Ottoman palaces and the city skyline. Please note: this is a full day (6+ hours) day excursion. Lunch is included. Your CEO will collect you from the hotel lobby at 9am. Please bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and modest clothing/coverings for shoulders and upper legs for visiting religious sites. There will be a welcome note at the reception with more details from your CEO, so please check on arrival.

Learn more about the infamous local art of pottery making and take advantage of the opportunity to create your own masterpiece.

Enjoy an informative demonstration of one of the oldest art-forms in Turkish history. Gain a greater appreciation for the labour and workmanship involved in weaving rugs and carpets as you learn about the process.

Cappadocia is captivating from the ground, but that’s just the half of it. See the seemingly hand-painted landscapes of Cappadocia as they deserve to be seen, from the air aboard a hot air balloon. Get up early and enjoy a simple breakfast before climbing in the basket and taking to the skies in one of the most favoured places in the world to experience a hot air balloon ride.

Attend a "Turkish night" and enjoy a delicious multi-course meal followed by local entertainment.

Witness this spellbinding dance-like worship, practiced by followers of the Mevlevilik Sufi order.

Take along a towel, soap, and shampoo, and enjoy a scrub like no other. Then experience a traditional foam massage, included in the entrance fee. Get some tips from the friendly locals – they’ll show you the correct protocol. Make sure to check the hours as the bathhouses are strictly segregated, usually being used by men in the morning and evenings, and women in the afternoons.

Learn more about the infamous local art of pottery making and take advantage of the opportunity to create your own masterpiece.

Enjoy an informative demonstration of one of the oldest art-forms in Turkish history. Gain a greater appreciation for the labour and workmanship involved in weaving rugs and carpets as you learn about the process.

Cappadocia is captivating from the ground, but that’s just the half of it. See the seemingly hand-painted landscapes of Cappadocia as they deserve to be seen, from the air aboard a hot air balloon. Get up early and enjoy a simple breakfast before climbing in the basket and taking to the skies in one of the most favoured places in the world to experience a hot air balloon ride.

Attend a "Turkish night" and enjoy a delicious multi-course meal followed by local entertainment.

Witness this spellbinding dance-like worship, practiced by followers of the Mevlevilik Sufi order.

Take along a towel, soap, and shampoo, and enjoy a scrub like no other. Then experience a traditional foam massage, included in the entrance fee. Get some tips from the friendly locals – they’ll show you the correct protocol. Make sure to check the hours as the bathhouses are strictly segregated, usually being used by men in the morning and evenings, and women in the afternoons.

Visit the Mevlana Museum and mausoleum of Mevlana Rumi, a Persian Sufi mystic. Learn more about the mystic Islamic sect known as the Whirling Dervishes.

Take in some culture at the Antalya Museum, home to 13 exhibition galleries. See a wide range of exhibits, including great reconstructions of life under the Ottoman Empire.

This museum displays works of art from excavations at Hierapolis and towns in the surrounding area, such as jewelry, sarcophagi and Bronze Age crafts. Housed within a former Roman Bath and gymnasium, this museum will grab the interest of art, history and architecture lovers alike.

Take a plunge into an ancient swimming pool, preserved from the second century BC. Wade around in the thermally heated fresh mineral water around fallen marble columns, capitals, and plinths said to have come from the nearby Temple of Apollo. Kick back and relax, but don't forget admission is limited to two hours. Please bring a swimsuit if you wish to take part in this activity.

View St John's Basilica, once a grand basilica in Ephesus. Constructed by Justinian I in the 6th century, it was built in where John the Apostle is said to be buried.

Visit the centuries-old Isa Bey Mosque on the outskirts of Selçuk to see one of the oldest and most impressive works of art remaining in this region.

Head out to scenic Şirince, a Turkish-Greek village that was settled when Ephesus was abandoned; it’s now 600 strong. Wander the narrow village streets filled with people selling handicrafts, olive oil, and local wine.

Visit the one of restaurants of Selçuk and learn to cook a delicious traditional meal. Starting at the local market, you will learn about the fresh ingredients needed to create an appetizer, salad, main course, and dessert! After creating your meal (with potential vegetarian options), sit down and share with the rest of the class.

Built in the early 1800s, the Dolamabahçe Palace is the largest and the most important palace of the Ottoman Empire, after the Topkapi Palace. Marvel at its grandeur.

Opened in 1891, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is a must-visit for history buffs. Home to a classical statuary, artifacts, and sarcophagi - including the stunning sarcophagus from the Royal Necropolis of Sidon - this museum presents one of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse into the life of ancient Turks.

Climb up the Galata Tower - one of Istanbul's oldest architectural landmarks - for an amazing panoramic view of the city. To get the full experience, time your visit with the call to prayer that happens at sunset.

This museum is home to treasures from the Ottoman and Seljuk periods, and boasts one of the world's largest collection of Turkish carpets.

See the intricate mosaics on display from the Byzantine period, excavated from the site of The Great Palace of Constantinople.

Visit the Hagia Sophia, one of the most important and breathtaking icons of ancient Byzantine architecture. The domes and buttresses of the mosque punctuate the skyline of Turkey's capital and stand tall as a symbol of national pride.

Built in 532 AD, the Basilica Cistern is the largest cistern (underground water storage) of Istanbul. Spot the pillar bases carved in the likeness of Medusa.

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.

Go even deeper into Istanbul, discovering diverse and lesser-visited districts with your CEO, and some of the best photography spots in the city! Today we will walk along the ancient Constantinople city walls; see Tekfur Palace(the Blaherne Palace) which has got thick walls adjacent to the landwalls ; stroll through the photogenic Fener (Greek) and Balat (Jewish) districts, known for their colourful wooden houses; enjoy lunch together; and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for stunning views of Ottoman palaces and the city skyline. Please note: this is a full day (6+ hours) day excursion. Lunch is included. Your CEO will collect you from the hotel lobby at 9am. Please bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and modest clothing/coverings for shoulders and upper legs for visiting religious sites. There will be a welcome note at the reception with more details from your CEO, so please check on arrival.