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:

After disembarking the ship, 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 spend the evening at your hotel. Dinner is on your own.

Day 2

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 of 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.

Afterward, you will return to the hotel for the evening.

Day 3:

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will have until 12:00 noon to check out. Your transfer to the Istanbul Ataturk airport will be arranged according to your flight time. Should you have a late departing flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.

Land Program Step by Step:

• Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes, and subject to change.

• 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. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any 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.

Day 1

9:00am Depart from the ship

9:30am Visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome

10:30am Visit the Topkapi Palace

12:15pm Lunch

1:45pm Visit the Hagia Sophia

2:45pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

4:45pm Check in to the hotel

Remainder of the day at your leisure

Dinner on your own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel

Day 2

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 Return to the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel

Day 3

AM Breakfast at hotel

12:00pm Check out from the hotel (or earlier according to your flight time)

Transfer to Istanbul Ataturk airport

Extra Nights: If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 3 of your program.

Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

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 Mosques are all closed on Fridays until 2:00 pm. For this reason, for any program that falls on a Friday, the order of the sites visited will be changed to make sure all visits are possible

3. 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.

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 (TL). One U.S. dollar is worth approximately 1.8 TL.

Electricity: 220 Volts AC/50 Hz. throughout Turkey. (Industrial 380 V)

Plug: European round / 2-prong plug

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.

Standard Program Includes:

2 overnights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel including breakfast (Club Level Room)

All group 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 departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure 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 mini bar and room service

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.

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

DAY 1

After disembarking the ship, you will begin on a full-day tour of Istanbul, starting with the Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a church. In the 15th century, it 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 also tour the famed Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, and 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.

Finally, there’s the opulent Topkapi Palace, where Turkey’s sultans lived from 1453 until the middle of the 19th century. It’s an extraordinary residence with beautiful courtyards, a harem, sacred relics and a treasury full of exquisite jewelry from the Far East, India and Europe.

Following your exploration of Istanbul, you will drive to the airport for your flight to Nevsehir. Upon arriving, you will transfer to the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel for the evening.

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 2

After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day tour of 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 venture toward the town of Uchisar, whose natural rock citadel is the highest point in Cappadocia and visible from a great distance. You will also visit nearby Pigeon Valley, named for the thousands of pigeon houses that have been carved into the rock cliffs since ancient times.

Then, it’s on 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 usual rock formations await you near Derbent at the fairy chimneys at Urgup.

The town of Avanos lies ahead 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.

After visiting, you will return to your hotel for dinner.

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 Sinasos, a former Greek village, and then 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 and the remains of a monastery.

Later in the afternoon, you will drive to the airport for your return flight and overnight in Istanbul. Dinner is on your own this evening.

DAY 4

Following breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight home based on the flight details provided. Should you have a late flight, luggage storage will be available at the hotel until your transfer time.

Land Program 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. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any 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.

DAY 1

9:00am Disembark the ship and drive to Istanbul’s Old City

9:30am Visit the Hagia Sophia

10:45am Visit to Blue Mosque and Hippodrome

12:15pm Lunch at a local restaurant

1:45pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

2:45pm Visit Topkapi Palace

4:00pm Transfer to the airport

5:40pm Fly to Nevsehir airport (flight details TBA and subject to change) Direct flights not guaranteed

7:10pm Transfer to your hotel and have dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 2

9:00am After breakfast, depart for a full-day tour in Cappadocia

9:15am Visit the Uchisar area

9:45am Drive for panoramic tour includes Pigeon Valley

10:45am Visit the Goreme Open Air Museum

12:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:00pm Panoramic tour including Derbent and fairy chimneys at Urgup

3:00pm Visit Avanos

4:00pm Shopping opportunity

6:00pm Return to the hotel and have dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

9:00am Depart for Derinkuyu underground city

9:30am Visit the Derinkuyu underground city

10:45am Drive to the Sinasos area

11:15am Visit Sinasos and the Kemal Pasha village

12:00pm Lunch at a local restaurant

1:15pm Drive to Zelve and the Pasha bag area

1:45pm Visit Zelve (monastery)

2:45pm Transfer to the airport

5:20pm Flight to Istanbul (Flight details TBA and subject to change). Direct flights not guaranteed

6:50pm Transfer to your hotel

Dinner on own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar hotel

Day 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check out time at the hotel.

If you have a late flight you may keep your luggage in the hotel’s storage room until needed. Your transfer to the airport will be arranged according to your flight time.

•All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.

•When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.

Transfers:

•All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged.

•Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.

•Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.

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 2.2 TL.

Electricity:

220 Volt AC/50 Hz throughout Turkey.

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:

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.

Hotel Accommodations:

Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel

Asker Ocagi Cad. No.1 Taksim, 34435 Istanbul, Turkey

Tel: 90 212 368 4444

Utopia Cave Hotel

Dua Yeri Mah. Istiklal 1 Sok. No: 6, 50400 Urgup, Nevsehir

Phone: +90 384 341 57 47

*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in the program.

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 2:00 pm 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 may be replaced by Archaeological Museum.

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

Program includes:

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

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

•All 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.

•Entrance fees to the visited sites and museums

•Two lunches and dinners in Cappadocia and one lunch in Istanbul

•Domestic internal 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 departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure 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:

Alcoholic beverages on the tours

Gratuities

Personal expenses

Any meals not listed above

Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

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, 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.