THE WONDERS OF TURKEY, EGYPT AND DUBAI

Day 1 | Sunday – Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival and assistance by our representative. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 2 | Monday – Istanbul | Ankara (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure, with the option to join the "Turkish TV Series & Grand Bazaar" excursion.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | TURKISH TV SERIES & GRAND BAZAAR (Half-day, no lunch included)
Departure from the hotel to visit the Grand Bazaar (closed on Sundays, religious holidays, and October 29th), a complex housing over 4,000 shops. Afterward, we visit the Balat district (formerly a major hub for Jewish, Greek, and Armenian communities) and Fener (famous for its Greek Orthodox community). Known for their authentic atmosphere and colorful architecture, these neighborhoods are must-see destinations for visitors interested in Istanbul's history and culture. Their picturesque alleyways and historic buildings offer a fascinating glimpse into the city's multicultural past; consequently, both neighborhoods are frequently used as filming locations for Turkish TV series such as *Çukur* and *Ezel*.

At the scheduled time (between 12:00 and 12:30 PM), departure by coach for Ankara (450 km), crossing the intercontinental bridge in Istanbul. Arrival in the country's capital. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3 | Tuesday – Ankara | Cappadocia (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Tour of Turkey's capital, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations—featuring exhibits of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian artifacts—and the Mausoleum of Atatürk, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Departure for Cappadocia (290 km). En route, visit an underground city built by Christian communities to seek refuge from Arab attacks. The Underground City preserves its stables, communal areas, meeting room, and small family quarters. Arrival in the Cappadocia region. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | HIDDEN CAPPADOCIA BY 4X4
An optional 4x4 excursion through the hidden valleys of Cappadocia, featuring magnificent panoramic stops to photograph fairy chimneys and other volcanic formations sculpted by nature over millions of years. The excursion concludes with a sparkling wine toast to the extraordinary natural beauty of the Cappadocia region.

Day 4 | Wednesday – Cappadocia (Breakfast and Dinner)

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE
At sunrise, there is an opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride—a unique experience—soaring over rock formations, fairy chimneys, natural landscapes, and lunar-like terrain.

Breakfast at the hotel. A day dedicated to visiting this fantastic region—unique in the world—with its spectacular fairy chimneys. Highlights include the Göreme Valley, featuring rock-cut churches with 10th- and 11th-century paintings; a stop at the troglodyte village of Uçhisar; a visit to Avcilar, known for its spectacular scenery; and the Derbent Valley, with its curious natural rock formations. There will also be time to visit artisan workshops specializing in carpets and onyx (semi-precious stones set in silver jewelry). Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | TURKISH NIGHT
After dinner at the hotel, there is an opportunity to attend a folklore and belly dancing show, featuring an open bar with local alcoholic beverages. Enjoy dances performed in traditional costumes and folk music from all regions of Turkey, along with a superb belly dancing performance in an amazingly spacious rock-carved venue.

Day 5 | Thursday – Cappadocia | Pamukkale (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast and departure for Pamukkale (610 km). En route, a stop to visit the Sultanhan Caravanserai, a medieval Seljuk inn. Continue to Pamukkale. Free time at Pamukkale—the "Cotton Castle"—a site unique in the world, famous for its natural thermal pools rich in limestone and its petrified travertine cascades. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6 | Friday – Pamukkale | Ephesus | Flight to Istanbul (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Selçuk-Ephesus (200 km). Arrival and visit to the archaeological site of Ephesus, a city dedicated to Artemis. Sights include the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, Marble Street, and the largest theater of antiquity. Visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, the reputed final resting place of the Mother of Jesus. Stop at a leather production center, followed by the transfer to İzmir Airport (65 km) to catch a domestic flight to Istanbul (included; the flight is scheduled for approximately 20:00–21:00). Arrival in Istanbul. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7 | Saturday – Istanbul (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day with the option to join an excursion: "Bosphorus and Sultanahmet District." Overnight stay at the hotel.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION | BOSPHORUS AND SULTANAHMET DISTRICT (Full day with lunch)
Departure from the hotel to visit the Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market), followed by a boat tour along the Bosphorus—the strait separating Europe from Asia—where we can admire the beauty of Istanbul’s woodlands, palaces, and *yalis* (wooden mansions) lining both shores. Lunch. In the afternoon, a visit to the Sultanahmet district, including the Roman Hippodrome square, the Blue Mosque (unique among Ottoman mosques for having six minarets), and the splendid 6th-century Hagia Sophia Basilica (admission included). Return to the hotel.

Day 8 | Sunday – Istanbul | Cairo (Breakfast)
Breakfast (subject to transfer schedule). At the scheduled time, transfer to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Cairo. Overnight stay in Cairo.

Day 9 | Monday – Cairo | Luxor (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) OR (Breakfast and Dinner)
Buffet breakfast. Free day, OR the option to fly directly to Luxor. In the morning, there is an opportunity for an optional full-day tour of Cairo: the Grand Egyptian Museum, the Citadel of Saladin with the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the Coptic Quarter, and the Khan el-Khalili market. In the afternoon, transfer to Cairo International Airport for a domestic flight to Luxor. Arrival and transfer to the cruise ship. Dinner and overnight stay on board.

Day 10 | Tuesday – Luxor | Esna | Edfu (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Buffet breakfast on board. Full board. Visit to the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Visit to the Theban Necropolis; ...to the Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (known as Deir el-Bahari), and the Colossi of Memnon. At the scheduled time, we will set sail for Esna. We will pass through the Esna Lock and continue sailing toward Edfu. Overnight on board.

Day 11 | Wednesday – Edfu | Kom Ombo | Aswan (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Buffet breakfast on board. Full board. Arrival in Edfu and visit to the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus. Sail to Kom Ombo and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, the only one dedicated to two deities: the crocodile-headed god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Haroeris. Sail to Aswan. Overnight on board.

Day 12 | Thursday – Aswan (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)
Buffet breakfast on board. Full board. In the morning, an optional excursion to the famous Abu Simbel Temples. There will also be a felucca ride (traditional Egyptian sailboats) on the Nile River to admire panoramic views of the Aga Khan Mausoleum, Elephantine Island, and the Botanical Garden. Afterward, a visit to the Aswan High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Overnight on board. The optional excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples may take place on this day OR the following day, depending on the schedule of the domestic flight from Aswan (ASW) to Cairo (CAI) the next day.

Day 13 | Friday – Aswan | Cairo (Breakfast) OR (Breakfast and Lunch)
Buffet breakfast on board and disembarkation. Transfer to Aswan Airport for the flight to Cairo. Arrival in Cairo and transfer to the hotel. In the evening, an optional buffet dinner and show on a Nile River boat. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. The optional excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples may take place on this day OR the previous day, depending on the schedule of the domestic flight from Aswan (ASW) to Cairo (CAI) on this day.

Day 14 | Saturday – Cairo (Breakfast)
Buffet breakfast. Departure for the included visit to the three Pyramids of Giza, the eternal Sphinx, and the Valley Temple (admission to the interior of the pyramids is not included). Free afternoon; optional visit to the Saqqara Necropolis and the city of Memphis, capital of the Old Kingdom. In the evening, an optional visit to the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 15 | Sunday – Cairo | Dubai (Breakfast)
Buffet breakfast. Transfer to Cairo Airport for the flight to Dubai. Arrival at Dubai Airport and assistance outside the terminal by our representative. Transfer to and overnight stay at a hotel in Dubai.

Day 16 | Monday – Dubai (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. City tour. Departure for Deira, passing by the Spice Souk and the Gold Souk, and crossing the Creek via *abra* (water taxi). Arrival and panoramic visit to the Dubai Museum. Traveling along Jumeirah Road, we will make photo stops outside the Jumeirah Mosque and the Burj Al Arab—the world's only 7-star hotel. We will pass by the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, located at the Dubai Mall (the world's largest mall, featuring 1,000 shops). Return to the hotel. In the evening, departure at 7:30 PM to enjoy the sights and sounds of Dubai Creek during a two-hour cruise aboard a traditional dhow. The journey takes us from the mouth of the creek along the waterway to the illuminated Dubai Creek Golf Club, a structure resembling a ship's sail. Dinner included. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 17 | Tuesday – Dubai (Breakfast and Dinner)
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM, you will be picked up for the most popular excursion: a 4x4 vehicle tour (6 people per vehicle). We will take an exciting ride across the magnificent high dunes, where you can capture unique photos of the Arabian sunset. Once the sun dips behind the golden sand dunes, we will head to a desert camp. The aroma of fresh skewers and grilled lamb, the glow of campfires, and the soothing sounds of Arabic music set the stage for an unforgettable evening. After a sumptuous dinner, we will enjoy the ancient art of belly dancing. (Includes: sandboarding, henna painting—for women only—water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee). Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Day 18 | Wednesday – Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Dubai (Breakfast and Lunch)
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit to Abu Dhabi. Journey from Dubai to the UAE capital (approx. 2 hours), passing by Jebel Ali Port—the world's largest man-made harbor. We will admire the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the third-largest in the world; it is named after the UAE's first president and the father of the nation. We continue to Al Maqta Bridge, passing through Al Bateen—the "Ministers' Quarter" and one of Abu Dhabi's most affluent areas. Arrival at the Corniche, often compared to Manhattan. Photo stop outside the Emirates Palace Hotel; this hotel features its own helipad and marina. Lunch at a local restaurant. Photo stop outside Ferrari World (brief time for photos). Return to Dubai. Overnight stay.

Day 19 | Thursday – Departure from Dubai (Breakfast)
Buffet breakfast. At the scheduled time, transfer to Dubai Airport for departure. End of services.

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