Ancient Mediterranean Treasures

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a Viking Representative who will accompany you to your hotel. After check-in, relax and spend the rest of your day exploring the city on your own. A Viking Host is available to help you plan your time in Istanbul so you can make the most of your visit.

Today, visit the striking Blue Mosque, stepping inside to admire its ornate interior. Continue to the Underground Cistern to glimpse its illuminated interior, a space supported by 336 columns. Then, set out on a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, savoring a tasty Turkish-style lunch along the way. Back on land, visit the Grand Bazaar for a presentation on Turkish carpets, as well as time to browse the many stalls. Afterward, the rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure. (B, L)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to your awaiting ship. (B)

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a Viking Representative who will accompany you to your hotel. After check-in, relax and spend the rest of your day exploring the city on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Istanbul so you can make the most of your visit.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch before checking in to your hotel and enjoying the afternoon at your leisure. This evening, journey to a restaurant located inside a cavern for a delicious dinner of local cuisine, accompanied by a folkloric show of traditional dances from across Turkey. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Cappadocia so you can make the most of your visit. (B, L, D)

This morning, join an optional excursion and take to the skies for a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then visit local historic sites. Journey through the Dervent Valley, dotted with rock formations called “Fairy Chimneys.” In Avanos, observe a pottery demonstration and continue to an underground city. Explore the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO Site, and visit the Roman Uçhisar Castle. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival, enjoy a panoramic drive past historic landmarks such as the “Blue Mosque,” the Hippodrome of Constantinople and the Topkapi Palace en route to your awaiting ship. (B)

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by a Viking Representative who will accompany you to your hotel. After check in, relax and spend the rest of your day exploring the city on your own. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help you plan your time in Istanbul so you can make the most of your visit.

After breakfast, set out to explore Istanbul’s cultural treasures. Visit the Topkapi Palace and hear intriguing stories of those who resided within these walls. Continue to the Blue Mosque, a revered architectural masterpiece, and the Hagia Sophia, a landmark that has witnessed the rise and fall of several empires. Savor authentic Ottoman cuisine at a Michelin Star restaurant, then continue to the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest marketplace. This evening, enjoy dinner at your leisure. (B, L)

After a light breakfast at the hotel, set out into the countryside to enjoy a farm-to-table brunch experience in an idyllic setting. Indulge in a feast of Turkish specialties of fresh, organic produce and artisanal delights, then journey to the Beylerbeyi Palace on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait; a summer retreat enjoyed by royals and sultans for centuries. After, browse the stalls of a local spice market—a kaleidoscope of colors and aromas. This evening, dine at your leisure. (B, L)

This morning, check out of your hotel and transfer to your ship to begin your cruise. (B)