InterContinental Istanbul is the ideal base from which to explore the Ottoman capital's endless historic sites, museums, restaurants, clubs and shops. Located in Taksim with stunning views of the Bosphorus, Istanbul Skyline and the Blue Mosque, the hotel is a short walk from Dolmabahce Palace and Lütfi Krdar Congress Hall.

City Lights Restaurant and Bar is an exclusive rooftop venue with panoramic views; Safran offers traditional Turkish cuisine with live Fasil music; and the newly opened Veranda Restaurant and Lounge offers a unique take on alfresco dining. Also enjoy the soft music, warm lighting, delicate fruits and the subtle aroma of essential oils at Spa InterContinental, a chic sanctuary accented with indigenous stone, wood and flowers. Reinforcing a commitment to nature, the spa uses only natural products not tested on animals.

ADDRESS:

INTERCONTINENTAL ISTANBUL

ASKER OCAGI CAD. NO.1 TAKSIM BEYOGLU

ISTANBUL, TURKEY 34435

PH# 90 212 368 44 44

Standard Rate
Number of Nights: 1, Price: $449 per guest based on double occupancy.
Number of Nights: 2, Price: $758 per guest based on double occupancy.
Number of Nights: 3, Price: U$1.067 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.

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

After breakfast at the hotel and then check out, enjoy a drive through Istanbul to see some of its marquee attractions.

Stop 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.

You will also see the Hippodrome which is 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 visit 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.

After lunch in the Sultanahmet area proceed to the airport for a flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for check in. Dinner is included before you retire for the evening.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at your 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.

Next, drive to Çavusin Village is a small, historic settlement located in the heart of Cappadocia, which can be found nestled between the towns of Avanos and Goreme, within a valley that has gradually widened over time Turkey.

Enjoy lunch in a 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. Locals still live in the rock-cut dwellings and stone houses. The village has variety of historical sites such as ruins from the Christian monks and a few churches including the Church of St. John the Baptist, which was carved into the rock in the 5th century.

By evening, you will return to the hotel for dinner and spend the remainder of the evening at leisure.

DAY 4

After breakfast depart for a full-day tour. The landscape you will see 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 towards 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.

Next visit Pashabag village, 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.

Enjoy lunch at a local Kosebasi restaurant followed by a visit to the nearby Pigeon Valley, named for the thousands of pigeon houses that have been carved into rock cliffs since ancient times.

Following the visits, there will be shopping opportunity before you return to your hotel for some time to freshen up before a lovely dinner outing. Drive to the Red Valley; one of Cappadocia’s most beautiful natural wonders with its surreal rock formations, pinkish-red colors, and ancient cave churches. Arriving just before sunset and with champagne in hand, watch all the colors blend together to create a spectacular landscape. This is truly the best place to end the day in Cappadocia. From there, you will proceed to Uçhisar for a delicious dinner in one of it’s local restaurants.

Following this spectacular evening, return to your hotel.

DAY 5

Depending on flight time, enjoy breakfast at the hotel or a breakfast box will be provided. Check out and transfer to the airport for a return flight to Istanbul.

Upon arriving in Istanbul, transfer to the Sultanahmet area for lunch. Continue with a tour of the Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a church and later became a mosque. 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.

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.

Following your tour, proceed 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

•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 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 your hotel.

2:0om Check-in time is at 2:00pm; early check is not guaranteed.

Meals on own today

Overnight at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel 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 – timings subject to change depending on actual flight times which can change up to the time of departure

AM Breakfast at your hotel

7:45am Check out and depart from your hotel

9:00am Visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome

10:00am Visit Topkapi Palace

12:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant

1:30pm Depart for the airport

2:30pm Arrive at the airport and check in

4:05pm Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia (flight details TBA and subject to change)

5:35pm Arrival in Cappadocia, collect luggage

6:00pm Transfer to your hotel for check-in

7:00pm Dinner at the hotel and overnight

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at your hotel

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

9:30am Visit the underground city.

11:30am Visit Sinasos Village

12:45pm Visit the Çavusin Village

1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:00pm Orientation tour to Avanos town and shopping stop

5:45pm Return to the hotel for dinner

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at your hotel

9:00am Depart for a full day tour in Cappadocia

9:30am Visit Göreme Open Air Museum including Tokali Church

11:15am Visit Uçhisar Castle

11:45am Visit Pasha Bagi Village

12:30pm Visit Dervent Valley

1:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:15pm Visit Pigeon Valley

2:30pm Shopping opportunity

3:45pm Return to your hotel for some time at leisure

7:00pm Sunset tour in Red Valley with exclusive champagne service

8:00pm Farewell dinner at a local restaurant

9:45pm Return to your hotel

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 5 timings subject to change depending on actual flight times which can change up to the time of departure

6:30am After breakfast depart for Cappadocia airport

Depending on flight time a breakfast box may be provided

7:30am Arrive at the airport and check-in

8:40am Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul (flight details TBA and subject to change)

10:10am Arrive in Istanbul, collect luggage, proceed to lunch venue

12:00pm Lunch in a local restaurant

1:30pm Visit the Hagia Sophia

2:30pm Visit the Spice Market

3:45pm Proceed to the port

4:30pm Approximate arrival to the ship for embarkation

These sites are not wheelchair accessible and there is a lot of walking on this program:

• Underground city

• Hagia Sophia

• Goreme open air museum

• Topkapi palace

• Blue Mosque

• Zelve open air museum

Closed days of attractions:

If an attraction is closed on one of the dates, an alternate site will be visited. Details will be provided in your final cruise documents to be received 21 days before sailing.

•Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

•Hagia Sophia is closed during prayer hours on Fridays

•Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays

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).

Electricity:

220 Volt AC/50 Hz throughout Turkey. We recommend you bring a travel adaptor for electric devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport valid for at least six months after travel is required.

Please check with your local Turkish Embassy as some nationalities require an E-Visa to be purchased in advance of travel.

U.S., Canada, and several European nations are exempt currently up to 90-days in any 180-day period; however, this above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind all our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination. If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements for your nationality.

RSSC will require guest passport details within 75 days of sailing as hotels and airlines are requiring these details for reservations and ticketing. Please ensure the most up to date details are added to your booking before this time. Rooms and flight tickets will not be guaranteed without this information. Should you be waiting for new passport details, submit what you have and then provide new details once secured. Bring both passports with you for this journey for check in for flights.

Luggage:

It is recommended for time saving to bring only a carry-on to Cappadocia. Guests are permitted to bring 1 carry-on not to exceed 23x40x55 in size and 8kg (17 lbs) in weight and one personal item not to exceed 40x30x15 and 4kg (8 lbs) in weight. In your hand luggage, you can only carry liquids, aerosols, and gels in containers of no more than 100 milliliters. These containers must be placed in a transparent plastic bag. Volume of this resealable plastic bag must not be more than 1 liter per passenger.

Your main luggage will 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.Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC) - Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry a POC. Further paperwork may be required by the airline. Please advise RSSC of the specifics at least 14 days before sailing.

2.CPAP Machine NOT being used in flight – please advise RSSC right away (pre cruise program) or the Destination Staff on board the ship (post cruise or overland programs) at least 90 days before the program starts if you will bring a CPAP on the internal flight(s) used in this land program. Please supply the make, model and battery type.

3.CPAP Machine to be used during flight – same as above + a doctor’s note is required mentioning the need to use the machine during flight.

*Guests are required to bring with them any details from the manufacturer regarding the CPAP specifications. While most modern CPAP machines are FAA-approved for in-flight use, having a copy of your manufacturer’s FAA-approval status will help to quickly clear any confusion that may arise.

* Failure to provide the above details in a timely manner may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator will be responsible for.

*Some hotels do not provide distilled water. While we can certainly request this for you, we cannot guarantee that it will be available. If received in a timely manner, requests will be sent on the final manifest that our ground operators and hotels receive. We highly recommend packing your own supply especially on programs that travel to more remote locations in order to avoid not having it. Please keep in mind the rule for liquids in carry-on bags. Many hotels will charge for distilled water. If there is a fee, this will be added to your hotel incidental account to be paid at check-out. Fees will vary from hotel to hotel.

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.

Program includes:

•1 night at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar (Club Level Room)

•3 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

•Four lunches and three dinners including soft drinks

•Exclusive Sunset Champagne service at Red Valley in Cappadocia

•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

•Hot air balloon ride (guest may speak to their guide during the program regarding this option)

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 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 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.

Price: U$2.299 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.

Experience the joys of Istanbul with visits to some of the most memorable landmarks of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires including The Palace of Porphyrogenitus, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, the underground cistern and Topkapi Palace to name a few. Also enjoy a sunset cruise along the legendary Bosphorus and ample time in the evenings to enjoy the culinary delights of Turkey at your leisure. Your Club Access room at the Ritz Carlton includes the service of a dedicated Concierge who can assist you in planning your evenings.

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. The Underground Cistern and St. Sophia Museum both include many steps and/or inclines and are not suitable for wheelchair access.

Operations note only for guests on Splendor's May 22, 2026 sailing:

Please take note of the below event details that will take place while you are visiting Istanbul:

The UEFA Europa League Final will take place on May 20 (Day 2) at Besiktas Park (Tüpras Stadium) which is located in close proximity to the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Roads around the stadium will close, and traffic will be diverted; however, your guide will share alternate routes as needed. The match is expected to start near 9:00pm,with road closures beginning later in the afternoon. We have been advised that The Ritz Carlton’s soundproofing and Club Room locations should minimize any noise disturbances

from the event.

DAY 1

Arrive at the airport in Istanbul (Istanbul Airport) and transfer to the hotel. 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 the hotel.

DAY 2

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel either in the restaurant or the Club Lounge and then meet your guide in the lobby for a tour that will concentrate on the Byzantine history of this unique city.

Your first visit will be to the oldest settled areas of the city located around the Golden Horn. Visit Tekfur Palace, The Palace of Porphyrogenitus. This palace served as part of the Blachernae palace complex which was often used by Byzantine emperors starting from the 12th century. As of the 16th century, the building was later named by Europeans as the Great Palace of Constantinople (Palatium Constantini), and later on as the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. Today it has been restored and serves as a museum.

Proceed next to Pantokrator Monastery which is located on the fourth hill of Constantinople overlooking the Golden Horn. Originally serving as a large monastic complex with a hospital, it was eventually converted into a mosque following the conquest of Istanbul and today it serves as Molla Zeyrek Mosque.

Pass through one of the largest markets in the city called the “Women’s Market” in order to reach the tour coach. From here it’s a short drive to Chora Church which is the second most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul, famous for its magnificent frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible.

Recently renovated, it is now open to the public as a mosque and a museum.

Lunch will be taken at a popular restaurant in the old city.

After lunch proceed to the Hippodrome which has been partially excavated to reveal some of the seats, columns, statues and obelisks that were once part of the 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.

Your next visit will be at the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque that is now converted to both 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 the model for the Blue Mosque.

No visit to Istanbul would be complete without viewing the famous Underground Cistern. This giant reservoir used to supply water to the city for many centuries.

Your final stop for the day will be at 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.

At the end of the tour, return to your hotel where dinner and the remainder of the day are at your leisure.

DAY 3

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel either in the restaurant or the Club Lounge and then meet your guide in the lobby for a tour of discovering the Ottoman highlights of Istanbul.

Begin the day with a visit to the incredible Blue Mosque. This is 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 mosque is notable for its cascade of domes that seem to spill down from the central dome. Inside, the ceiling is lined with 20,000 blue tiles for which the mosque is so aptly named.

Next you will visit the 15th Century Topkapi Palace, which was expanded under the reign of almost every sultan over the course of four hundred 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. Time permitting, you will also have the opportunity to visit the Harem section of the Palace that has been the subject of many novels and stories.

Lunch will be enjoyed at a typical local restaurant that serves samples of both Ottoman and Turkish cuisine.

After lunch, enjoy an 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 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. Brush up on your bargaining skills for this visit!

Return to your hotel for some time to freshen up and relax before departing for a leisurely sunset 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 not soon forget. Along the way, enjoy local drinks and light canapés on the boat. (Note: boat may not be exclusive to the group)

Return to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.

Day 4:

On this last day in Istanbul, you will discover the Asian portion of Istanbul. After breakfast and check-out (don’t forget to settle and incidentals), meet your guide and begin your tour.

Cross over from Europe to Asia via the shortest way in the world, the first bridge over the Bosphorus. On the Asian side, you will visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer palace of the Ottoman Sultans.

You will have time to stroll at the waterfront and then continue to visit Kuzguncuk, one of the oldest residential areas of the city on the Asian shores. This is the place where Turks, Armenians and Greeks lived in harmony for many years.

At the conclusion of your tour, you will drive to the pier, bid your guide farewell 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 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 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 the Istanbul Airport

You are met and transferred to your hotel

2:00pm Check-in time at the hotel

Early check-in is not guaranteed without an extra night booked

Remainder of the day is at your leisure

Meals are on your own today – see the Club Room for complimentary options

Overnight at the Ritz Carlton 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 in the hotel restaurant or the Club Lounge

8:30am Depart for an orientation tour of Istanbul

9:45am Visit Tekfur Palace

10:45am Visit Zeyrek Mosque and Women’s Market

12:00pm Visit Chora Mosque

1:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:30pm Visit the Hippodrome and St. Sophia

3:45pm Visit the Underground Cistern

4:45pm Visit the Spice Market

6:15pm Return to your hotel

The evening is at leisure, dinner on own

Overnight at the Ritz -Carlton Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast in the hotel restaurant or the Club Lounge

8:30am Depart for a visit of the Blue Mosque

10:15am Visit Topkapi Palace (Harem section visited if time allows)

12:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:00pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

4:30pm Arrive back at the hotel to freshen up before evening activity

Perhaps grab a bite to eat from the Club Lounge

7:00pm Sunset cruise on the Bosphorus

7:15pm Cruise on the Bosphorus with drinks and canapes

9:30pm Return to the hotel

Overnight at the Ritz Carlton or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast in the hotel restaurant or the Club Lounge

8:30am Depart for and visit Beylerbeyi Palace

10:30am Free time at Beylerbeyi waterfront and photo stop

11:15am Visit Kuzguncuk

12:00pm Orientation drive on the Asian side

1:30pm Arrive at the port for embarkation

Operational Note

Museums are closed on certain days in Istanbul and substitutions will apply as follows:

•Topkapi Palace - closed on Tuesdays, replaced with Beylerbeyi Palace

•Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Zeyrek Mosque and Chora Mosques 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

•Grand Bazaar - closed on Sundays (no substitution will be made)

•All sites and museums are closed until 2:00 pm on the first day of the Religious Holidays; Grand Bazaar and Spice Market will remain closed throughout the Religious Holidays.

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. There may be times when a replacement site is not possible. 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).

Average temperatures:

April - ranges from a high of 62°F (16°C) to a low of 48°F (9°C).

May - ranges from a high of 70°F (21°C) to a low of 57°F (14°C).

October - ranges from a high of 68°F (20°C) to a low of 58°F (14°C).

What to Bring:

The program is casual throughout. Bring good walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, camera, charger, light sweater or jacket for cooler mornings or evenings, ladies - headscarf

Clothing Note: There is a strict dress code at all the mosques and churches in Istanbul. Ladies will be required to cover their heads; no shorts above knee length; tank tops and sleeveless shirts are not permitted for both males and females. Shoes will need to be taken off when visiting mosques; bags will be provided for the shoes.

Currency:

Turkish Lira

Euro and USD can be used in most tourist shops but the exchange rate may not be favorable

Electricity:

220 Volts AC/50 Hz. throughout Turkey. We recommend bringing a travel adaptor should you have any electric devices

Documents and Visa Requirements:

A passport valid for at least six months after travel is required.

Please check with your local Turkish Embassy as some nationalities require an E-Visa to be purchased in advance of travel.

U.S., Canada, and several European nations are exempt currently up to 90-days in any 180-day period; however, this above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind all our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination. If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements for your nationality.

RSSC will require guest passport details within 75 days of sailing as hotels and airlines are requiring these details for reservations and ticketing. Please ensure the most up to date details are added to your booking before this time. Rooms and flight tickets will not be guaranteed without this information. Should you be waiting for new passport details, submit what you have and then provide new details once secured. Bring both passports with you for this journey for check in for flights.

Accommodations:

Ritz Carlton Istanbul

Suzer Plaza Askerocagi Caddessi, Elmadag Cd. No:6, 34367 Sisli/Istanbul, Türkiye

Phone: +90 212 334 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:

•Three nights at the Ritz Carlton Istanbul (Partial Sea View room with club amenities)

•Transfers

•Tours and entrances per the itinerary

•Two lunches with soft drinks included

•Sunset cruise with limited local drinks and canapés

Private Club Access Includes:

•Dedicated check-in just for Club guests in the Club Lounge

•Throughout your stay the Club Lounge serves as your private retreat – open 7am-10pm

•A dedicated Concierge is at your service to ensure a seamless and memorable stay; whether you need assistance with dining reservations, arranging transportation or planning personalized experiences around Istanbul

•Delight in an array of exquisite culinary offerings presented five times a day in the Club Lounge including a selection of wines, liqueurs, beer, spirits and non-alcohol beverages during set times

•Complimentary laundry (2 items per day)

•Discount on spa services

•Additional amenities will be available in your room

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, mini bar and laundry

•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 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 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.

Price: U$2.499 per guest based on double occupancy.

Hotel and Land Program pricing is not combinable with FREE 1-Night Pre-Cruise Luxury Hotel Package. If applicable, please contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises or your travel agent for multi-night pre-cruise hotel pricing information. Land program promotions are subject to terms.