Visit many of the most historically significant destinations throughout Turkey’s Anatolia peninsula with a special emphasis on Biblical sites that played key roles in early Christianity, many of them World Heritage sites.

Special Note: Any guests traveling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.

Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests who have walking difficulty or who utilize a wheelchair or scooter.

DAY 1

Upon arriving at the Istanbul Airport (IST), you will be met and transferred to the Divan Hotel Istanbul (or similar) for check-in. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure, allowing time for you to settle in and explore the city on your leisure. Meals will be on your own.

Please note: transportation arrangements for arrivals at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side are not included.

DAY 2

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will drive through Istanbul to visit the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman Mosque that is now a museum. Although the earliest two versions were destroyed, this Hagia Sophia dates from 537 AD 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.

You will next visit the landmark Blue Mosque, one of the few mosques with six minarets. It 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 Blue 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.

The mosque is adjacent to the Hippodrome, where chariot races, coronations and parades all took place starting in 203 A.D. It too is a landmark in Istanbul.

Following lunch, you will visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, where Turkey’s sultans lived from 1453 until the middle of the 19th century. The imposing building sits atop one of the seven hills of Istanbul.

Later, you will have the opportunity to browse through the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, the largest and the oldest covered marketplace in the world. It contains more than 5,000 shops selling an 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.

After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure with dinner on your own.

DAY 3

After an early breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will transfer to the Istanbul Airport for the domestic flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you will depart for the ancient city of Pergamum, a World Heritage site. Here, you will visit the Acropolis, which was the capital of the Hellenistic Attlid dynasty and a significant learning center.

You will next visit the Temple of Serapis, more commonly known as the Red Basilica. The Roman emperor Hadrian ordered its construction in the early 2nd century, and it was later converted into a Byzantine church. Be sure to browse the small mosque within the magnificent ruins.

Continuing, you will next visit Sardes, once the capital of the flourishing Lydian kingdom, where gold and silver coins were first minted. The fabulously wealthy King Croesus was the last king to rule Lydia before Sardes was repeatedly conquered until becoming part of the Roman empire.

After an in-depth visit of the ancient ruins, you will depart for Pamukkale to spend the evening and dine at the Doga Thermal Hotel (or similar).

DAY 4

In the morning, you will check out of the hotel and drive to nearby Hierapolis, an ancient city that together with Pamukkale is a World Heritage site. Because of the abundant water throughout the area, Hierapolis and numerous smaller settlements once thrived here. In the 2nd century BC, the ruling kings had a thermal spa constructed at Hierapolis and the ruins have been excavated, along with several temples and Greek monuments.

Neighboring Laodicea also prospered as a Roman market town and an early center of Christianity. Although an earthquake destroyed the city, remnants have been unearthed, including the ruins of a stadium, odeon and aqueduct.

Following lunch in nearby Denizli, you will depart for the town of Izmir. An orientation tour will acquaint you with the city’s landmarks, after which you will check into the Swissotel Grand Efes hotel for the evening. Dinner will be on your own.

DAY 5

Following breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will depart for the Church of St. Polycarp, the oldest church in Izmir. Built in the early 17th century, it miraculously survived the devastating fire of 1922 that destroyed much of Izmir. The church is named for the patron saint of the city, who John the Evangelist converted to Christianity.

After visiting, you will proceed to the airport and fly to Istanbul. Upon arriving, you will transfer to the port for embarkation.

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 at the Istanbul Airport.

You will be met outside Customs and baggage claim and transferred to the Pera Palace Hotel.

The afternoon and the evening with be at your leisure with meals on your own.

Check in at your hotel is 2:00 pm Although every effort will be made to have rooms available sooner, this cannot be guaranteed.

Overnight at the Divan Hotel Istanbul or similar

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

7:30am Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart from the hotel

9:00am Visit the Hagia Sophia

10:00am Walk to the Byzantine Hippodrome and Blue Mosque

12:30pm Lunch at Matbah Restaurant

2:00pm Visit the Topkapi Palace

3:15pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

4:30pm Drive back to the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Divan Hotel Istanbul or similar

DAY 3 - timings may vary depending on flight details to be confirmed 60 days before sailing

AM Early breakfast at the hotel

6:30am Depart for the Istanbul airport

8:30am Fly from Istanbul to Izmir (flight details TBA and subject to change)

9:30am Depart for Pergamon and visit

1:00pm Lunch at Les Pergamon Restaurant

2:00pm Drive to Sardes and visit

4:00pm Depart for Pamukkale

7:00pm Arrive in Pamukkale and check in

8:00pm Dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Doga Thermal Hotel or similar

DAY 4

7:30am Breakfast at the hotel

8:45am Check out and drive to Hierapolis for a visit

11:00am Drive to Laodicia and visit

1:00pm Lunch at Marla Restaurant in Denizli

2:00pm Drive to Izmir

5:00pm Orientation tour of Izmir

6:30pm Check-in at the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Swissotel Grand Efes or similar

DAY 5 - timings may vary depending on flight details to be confirmed 60 days before sailing

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart for the Polycarp Church

10:00am Transfer to the airport

12:00pm Fly from Izmir to Istanbul (flight details TBA and subject to change)

2:00pm Approximate arrival at the pier for embarkation

Expected Weather

Summers in the region are very hot with daytime temperatures approaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). Nighttime temperatures fall near 24 degrees Celsius (about 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Autumn starts in September and ends in October and is the high season for travel. Average temperature at this time is in the 20s Celsius (in the 70s Fahrenheit).

What to Bring

Due to the uneven walking surfaces, sport shoes are highly recommended. Also, pack sunscreen, a hat during summer and an umbrella during autumn, light comfortable clothing and shoes, and a light jacket for the evenings. Suitable clothing must be worn in the mosques with shoulders and legs covered.

Local Currency

Turkish Lira. However, U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

Electricity

220 volts AC/50 Hz throughout Turkey. We recommend you bring a travel adaptor for electric devices. Although some hotels might have adaptors, availability might be limited, and they cannot be guaranteed.

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 information

For domestic flights, the checked luggage allowance is 15 kg (33 pounds) per person. We advise you to pack a smaller bag for the program, allowing your main luggage to be stored in a secure office in Istanbul until your return. Be sure to appropriately label luggage left and bring all medications and documents with you. Guests who wish to bring all of their luggage with them must pay any excess or overweight luggage fees upon check in at the airport.

Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)

1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.

2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description and specifications, especially with regards to the type of batteries used.

3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via our reservations department at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).

4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the cruise line nor our local ground operator be responsible for.

Please Note: Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests who have walking difficulty or who utilize a wheelchair or scooter.

Hotel addresses

Divan Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Asker Ocagi Caddesi No: 1 Sisli / Istanbul

Phone : 90 212 315 55 00

Doga Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale

Karahayit Mah., 147 Seyir Sokak 9/1, 20020 Merkez/Pamukkale/Denizli

Phone: 90 258 271 44 00

Swiss Hotel Grand Efes Izmir

Ismet Kaptan Mahallesi, Gazi Osman Pasa Blv. No 1, 35210 ALSANCAK/Izmir

Phone: (0232) 414 00 00

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests

•2 nights including breakfast at the Divan Hotel Istanbul in Istanbul or similar (Standard double room)

•1 night at the Doga Thermal Hotel or similar in Pamukkale, including breakfast and dinner (Standard double room)

•1 night at the Swissotel Grand Efes or similar in Izmir, including breakfast (standard double room)

•Transfers

•Entrance fees to the visited sites and museums

•Three lunches with limited beverages

•Domestic flights per the itinerary (direct flights not guaranteed)

•English-speaking guide

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 for guests

•Luggage porterage fees

•Gratuities for drivers and guides

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

•Any meals or beverages not listed above and beverages during the dinner in Pamukkale

•Excess or overweight luggage fees

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, gravel and 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.

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 no-shows and their hotel space released.

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 Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour

Due to the amount of walking, this program is not recommended for guests who have walking difficulty or who utilize a wheelchair or scooter.

DAY 1

Upon arriving at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, you will be met and transferred to the

Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar hotel in Istanbul for check-in. 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.

Please note: transportation arrangements for arrivals at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side are not included.

DAY 2

After an early breakfast at the hotel and then check out, you will drive through Istanbul to one of its marquee attractions.

Depending on the day and your flight details, it may be the Hagia Sophia OR the famed Blue Mosque and adjacent Hippodrome.

The Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a church, later became a mosque (15th Century). Today, the Hagia Sophia (meaning “Holy Wisdom”) is a museum containing phenomenal mosaics, Christian and Muslim religious art and remnants of the church that stood here until 532 A.D., when it was burned in a riot.

Following your visit, you will transfer to the airport for a short flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, 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 two towns in the region, beginning with Uchisar, whose natural rock citadel is the highest point in Cappadocia and visible from a great distance. Avanos 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.

Check in to your hotel, dinner is included.

Please Note:

Sites visited 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. 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. 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 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 Derinkuyu 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.

After Derinkuyu, you will 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. 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.

Then, it’s on to Derbent to see its unusual Three Sisters rock chimneys and to shop for a bit. By evening, you will return to the hotel for dinner and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

DAY 4

Following breakfast, you will drive to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your 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 visit the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, according to which site you didn’t visit on Day 2.

Finally, you will have the opportunity to browse through 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 for embarkation.

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

AM Breakfast at your hotel

9:00am Depart for Istanbul’s Old City (SultanAhmet area)

9:30am Visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome or Hagia Sophia

10:45am Transfer to Istanbul Airport

12:15pm Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir , flight subject to change

1:45pm Drive to Kayseri for lunch

2:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant

3:00pm Transfer to Cappadocia

4:00pm Visit Uchisar

4:45pm Orientation tour of the area

5:30pm Visit Avanos

6:45pm Drive to the hotel for dinner and to overnight

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel Cappadocia or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at your hotel

9:00am After the breakfast, depart for the underground city

9:30am Visit the underground city

10:30am Drive to the Goreme Open Air Museum

10:50am Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum

12:45pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:00pm Drive to Zelve and Pasabag

2:15pm Visit the Zelve Museum (Byzantine Monastery)

3:15pm Panoramic tour of Derbent and the Three Sisters chimneys

4:15pm Shopping opportunity

6.00pm Return to the hotel for dinner

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel Cappadocia or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at your hotel

7:00am Depart for the airport

9:05am Fly back to Istanbul (Flight details TBA and subject to change)

10:45am Drive to Old Town

11:15am Visit Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia OR the Blue Mosque

1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:45pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

3:30pm Transfer to the port

4:00pm Embark the ship

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 15 kilograms (33 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 Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)

1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.

2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)

3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at OCI at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).

4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Oceania Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.

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.

• Both St. Sophia and Blue Mosque will be closed until 2:00pm on Fridays; the order of the sites will be changed to enable both visits but in case it is not possible, one of the visits will be replaced by Archaeological Museum.

• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays. It will be replaced with the Spice Bazaar.

Program includes:

•1 night including breakfast at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar (club level room)

•2 nights including breakfast at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar (deluxe room)

•Airport transfers

•Porterage at the airport

•Service of an English-speaking tour guide throughout the program or 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

•Domestic flights (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:

Alcoholic beverages on the tours

Gratuities

Personal expenses

Any meals not listed above

Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

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 its most memorable landmarks: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, and the legendary Bosphorus, which you’ll enjoy on a leisurely cruise.

Day 1:

Once you have arrived at the airport in Istanbul (IST), gone through Customs and claimed your luggage, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city. Check-in time is 2:00pm, leaving the remainder of the day to do as you please. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might shop or dine nearby before spending the evening at your hotel.

Please note: transportation arrangements for arrivals at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side are not included.

Day 2:

Today, you will visit the true icons of Istanbul, the must-sees that define the city, beginning with 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.

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.

Then, it’s on to the 15th Century Topkapi Palace, which was expanded under the reign of almost every sultan over the next 400 years. Today, it’s a maze of lavishly decorated buildings and courtyards that reflect its most glorious years as the political center of the Ottoman Empire.

Following lunch, you will see the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and now a mosque. 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.

You will also have the opportunity to browse through the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, 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.

Afterwards, you will return to the hotel for the evening. Dinner is on your own.

Day 3:

After departing from the hotel, you will enjoy a brief but enlightening tour of Istanbul on the way to the Archaeological Museum. Following the visit to the Museum, you will 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.

In contrast, you will then tour the Spice Market, a locale so energetic and bustling that it’s difficult to know where to look first. Aromas waft through the air, the cacophonous sounds are constant, and it’s always crowded with shoppers haggling for the best possible prices. In a word, it’s wonderful.

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.

Afterwards, you will drive to the pier and embark the ship.

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 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

• 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

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 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

AM Breakfast at hotel

9:00am Depart from the hotel

9:30am Visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome

10:30am Visit the Topkapi Palace

12:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant

1:45pm Visit the Hagia Sophia

2:45pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

4:45pm Return to the hotel

The evening is at leisure, dinner on own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel

Day 3

AM Breakfast at hotel

9:15am Orientation tour of Istanbul

9:45am Visit the Archaeological Museum

10:45am Visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque

11:30am Visit the Spice Market

12:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:15pm Cruise the Bosphorus Strait

4:00pm Transfer to the ship

4:30pm Arrival at the ship for embarkation

Please note:

The 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, and Rustempasa Mosque: are closed on Fridays until 2:30 pm, therefore, the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly

4. 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.

The order of the sites visited may change to avoid overcrowding at the sites.

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.

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

Two full-day tours as described above

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 drivers

Hotel incidentals including room service and mini bar

Meals and beverages not listed above

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.