Istanbul, Turkey

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 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.

See the Byzantine and Ottoman icons of Istanbul and explore both its European and Asian sides for a comprehensive look at this storied seaport. Visit ancient attractions such as the 3rd-century Hippodrome, lavishly decorated Topkapi Palace, the glorious Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church that was converted into a Ottoman mosque. For an authentic look at daily life, you will browse the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar and the cacophonous Spice Market. A sunset cruise on the Bosphorus will present Istanbul when it is absolutely radiant.

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. Because it is not allowed to hold any signage inside the airport, when you arrive, please proceed to exit gate #8, where you will be met by our ground team with logo signs.

Check-in at the hotel 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.

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.

NOTE: Transportation arrangements for arrivals at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) on the Asian side of Istanbul are not included.

DAY 2

After breakfast in the hotel restaurant or the Club Lounge, you will meet your guide in the lobby for a tour that will concentrate on the Byzantine history of Istanbul.

You will first explore the oldest settled areas around the Golden Horn by visiting Tekfur Palace, also known as the Palace of Porphyrogenitus. It served as part of the Blachernae palace complex which Byzantine emperors often used starting in the 12th century. In the 16th century, Europeans named the building the Great Palace of Constantinople and then renamed it the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. Today it has been restored and serves as a museum.

You will then proceed 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. Today, it serves as Molla Zeyrek Mosque.

After passing through the Women’s Market to reach the tour coach, you will drive to Chora Church, the second most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. Now a mosque and museum, it is famous for its magnificent frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible.

Following lunch in the Old City, you will proceed to the Hippodrome, which has been partially excavated to reveal 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.

You will next visit Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque that is now 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 once supplied water to the city for centuries.

Today’s final stop 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 is always crowded with shoppers haggling for the best possible prices. In a word, it is wonderful.

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

DAY 3

After breakfast in the hotel restaurant or the Club Lounge, you will meet your guide in the lobby for a tour of the Ottoman highlights of Istanbul.

The day will begin with a visit to the 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 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 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. 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 in a nearby restaurant that serves both Ottoman and Turkish cuisines.

After lunch, you will browse 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.

After a bit of free time to freshen up and relax at the hotel, you will depart for a leisurely sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, the famed strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It also serves as a boundary between Europe to the west and Asia to the east.

Passing palaces, wooden mansions and even modern villas, you will experience Istanbul from an entirely different perspective, one you will soon not forget. Along the way, drinks and canapés will be served.

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

DAY 4

After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, you will meet your guide and begin touring the Asian portion of Istanbul, which you will reach by crossing a bridge over the Bosphorus. There, you will visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer palace of the Ottoman sultans.

You will also have time to stroll along the waterfront and visit the historical residential area Kuzguncuk, where Turks, Armenians and Greeks have lived in harmony years.

You will then drive to the pier and embark the cruise 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 no-shows 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 Istanbul, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel check-in is 2:00pm; early check-in is not guaranteed.

The evening will be at your leisure with meals on your own today.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or a 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 the hotel

8:30am Depart from the hotel

9:00am Orientation drive along the Golden Horn and Balat Districts

9:45am Visit Tekfur Palace

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

12:00pm Visit Chora Mosque

1:15pm Lunch at a restaurant

2:30pm Visit Hippodrome and St. Sophia

3:45pm Visit Underground Cistern

4:45pm Visit Spice Market

6:15pm Return to the hotel

Spend the evening at leisure with dinner on your own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or a similar hotel

Day 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart from the hotel

9:00am Visit the Blue Mosque

10:15am Visit Topkapi Palace, including the harem section if time allows

12:30pm Lunch at a restaurant

2:00pm Visit the Grand Bazaar

4:30pm Arrive at the hotel to rest and change for the evening

7:00pm Depart for a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus

7:15pm Cruise the Bosphorus by private boat

9:30pm Return to the hotel

The rest of the evening will be at your leisure

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart from the hotel

9:15am Visit Beylerbeyi Palace

10:30am Free time at Beylerbeyi waterfront

11:15am Visit Kuzguncuk, one of Istanbul’s oldest residential districts

12:00pm Orientation drive on the Asian side of Istanbul

1:30pm Arrive at the port to embark the cruise ship

Please note:

• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

• All mosques are closed until 2:30 pm on Fridays

• Tekfur Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace are closed on Mondays

• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays

• 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 another 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. Check your final itinerary for the exact details of the program.

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

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.

There is a strict dress code at all the mosques and churches in Istanbul; ladies need to cover their heads; no shorts above knee length, tank tops or sleeveless shirts. T-shirts are not allowed for males or females. Female visitors are required to cover their heads, shoulders and arms.

Proper attire is required when visiting mosques and shoes must be removed. Shoe bags are provided.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL)

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

Plug: European round / 2-prong plug

Bring a travel adaptor for 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 will be notified in advance of travel. If guests are not notified of changes prior to travel, then the hotel listed above will be used.

Program includes:

• Three nights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar (Club Level Room)

• Transfers

• Two full-day tours, one sunset cruise and one half-day tour per the itinerary

• Two lunches with soft drinks. Local drinks and simple canapés during the sunset cruise

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently 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:

• 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, 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.

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 no-shows and their hotel space released.

Explore the lunar-like landscape of Cappadocia and for a startling contrast view Istanbul’s most iconic urban landmarks. UNESCO deemed Cappadocia worthy of a World Heritage site designation for its otherworldly erosion-sculpted terrain, underground towns, rock citadels and cave churches. They provide great insight into how people lived in this barren setting more than a millennium ago. This fascinating glimpse into ancient life will be decidedly different than your experience in Istanbul, where you will see emblematic attractions such as the Topkapi Palace and browse the Grand Bazaar.

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 with walking or mobility difficulties or that 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.

Note: 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. Guests who need to use any type of oxygen concentrators or devices during the flight will need to provide a detailed hospital and/or doctor prescription to clearly show the usage dose and periods of your needs. Guests will not be allowed to use their own oxygen devices during the flight. The airline will provide its own oxygen device for security reasons.

DAY 1

Upon arriving at the Istanbul International Airport, you will be met at exit gate 8 and transferred to the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or a 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 to explore the city on your own. Meals will be on your own.

DAY 2

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

You will tour the famed Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, then, opulent Topkapi Palace, where Turkey’s sultans lived from 1453 until the middle of the 19th century. It is an extraordinary residence with beautiful courtyards, a harem, sacred relics and a treasury full of exquisite jewelry from the Far East, India and Europe. Lunch will be taken in the Sultanahmet area.

Following your exploration of Istanbul, you will drive to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arriving, you will transfer to the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar, where you will dine and spend the evening.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day, all-encompassing tour of the area. A scenic drive will bring you to an underground city, a massive complex that includes churches, stables, wineries and storage rooms. It is one of the deepest of the 36 underground cities in the Cappadocia region.

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 visiting the underground city, you will explore the former Greek village of Sinasos and the cave architecture 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. Lunch will be at Kosebasi restaurant.

Later in the afternoon, you will drive for an orientation tour and a visit to the town of Avanos which is known for pottery making. The clay has a beautiful red hue and comes from the banks of the Kizilirmak River that flows through town.

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

DAY 4

After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day tour of Cappadocia. 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 rock cliffs since ancient times.

Then it’s on to the Goreme Open Air Museum, which contains the best-preserved examples of cave churches such as Tokali Church. 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.

Following the visits, you will drive to Cavusin Village, a small historic settlement located in the heart of Cappadocia between the towns of Avano and Goreme. Locals still live in the rock-cut dwellings and stone houses. The village has a variety of historical sites such as ruins from the Christian monks and some churches including the Church of St. John the Baptist, which was carved into the rock in the 5th century.

After the tour, you will return to the hotel and get ready for the Gala Dinner evening. You will first drive to Red Valley, a beautiful natural wonder with surreal rock formations, pinkish-red colors and ancient cave churches. You will be there near sunset to watch the colors blend together to create a spectacular landscape. Here you will celebrate with an exclusive champagne party before you move on to Uçhisar for an exquisite dinner at a reserved restaurant.

After the unique dinner, you will return to the hotel for the night.

DAY 5

Following breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will transfer to the Sultanahmet area for lunch, before starting your tour of the city.

Your tour will begin with the Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a church and became a mosque in the 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.

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 and embark on your cruise.

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 no-shows 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 Istanbul, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Check-in is 2:00pm. An earlier check-in is not guaranteed.

The remainder of the day will be at your leisure with meals on you own.

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or a 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

9:00am Visit the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome

10:00am Visit Topkapi Palace

12:00pm Lunch in a local restaurant

1:30pm Depart for the airport

2:30pm Arrive at the airport

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

5:35pm Arrive in Cappadocia

6:00pm Depart for your hotel in Cappadocia

7:00pm Dinner and overnight

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 3

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

9:30am Visit the underground city

10:30am Visit Sinasos village

11:30am Drive to Zelve and Pasabag

12:30pm Visit the Zelve Museum (Byzantine Monastery)

1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:45pm Orientation tour to Avanos town and shopping stop

5:45pm Return to the hotel for dinner

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 4

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

9:30am Visit Uchisar

10:30am Visit Pigeon Valley

11:30am Visit Göreme Open Air Museum including Tokali Church

1:00pm Visit Çavusin village

1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

3:00pm Return to the hotel and relax

6:00pm Sunset tour in Red Valley with exclusive champagne service

7:00pm Gala dinner at a reserved restaurant (or similar)

8:30pm Transfer back to the hotel

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 5

9:00am After breakfast depart for Cappadocia airport

10:00am Arrive at Cappadocia airport

11:00am Fly to Istanbul (flight details TBA and subject to change)

12:35pm Arrive in Istanbul

2:00pm Lunch in a local restaurant

3:00pm Visit Hagia Sophia

3:45pm Visit Grand Bazaar

4:00pm Depart for the port

4:30pm Approximate arrival to the ship for embarkation

Closed attractions: If an attraction is closed, it will be replaced in the following manner:

• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. We will switch the visits between Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace according to the museum closures

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

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 about 15° Celsius (59° 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° Fahrenheit). However, nighttime temperatures fall into the 20’s Celsius (in the 70s 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 20s Celsius (in the 70s 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.

There is a strict dress code at all the mosques and churches in Istanbul. Ladies must cover their heads, shoulders and arms. Shorts above knee length, tank tops, sleeveless shirts and t-shirts are not allowed for males or females.

Shoes must be taken off and put in the provided bags when visiting mosques.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL).

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

Plug: European round / 2-prong plug

Bring a travel adaptor for electric devices.

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 25 kilograms (55 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. Be 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 will be responsible for.

Accommodations

Utopia Cave Hotel

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

Phone: +90 384 341 57 47

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:

• 1 night at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel including breakfast (Club Level Room)

• 3 nights at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar (deluxe room) with breakfast

• All 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

• Service of an air-conditioned vehicle

• Entrance fees to the visited sites and museums

• 2 lunches in Cappadocia with soft drinks

• 2 lunches in Istanbul with soft drinks

• 1 Gala dinner at Reserved Restaurant (or similar) in Cappadocia including limited local drinks

• Exclusive Sunset Champagne service at Red Valley in Cappadocia

• Domestic flights – direct flights not guaranteed

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently 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:

• Gratuities for guides and drivers

• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

• Meals and beverages not listed above

• Excess or overweight luggage fees

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal expenses

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.

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 no-shows 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:

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 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.

Gain an in-depth understanding of Istanbul through attractions that define this former capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. You will see every imaginable icon, including Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia. Ancient Istanbul will come alive while touring the 3rd-century Hippodrome and the voluminous underground cistern that once supplied water to Istanbul. For contrast, you will experience daily life in bustling venues such as the Grand Bazaar. A sunset cruise on the Bosphorus rounds out the adventure.

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.

DAY 1

After disembarking the cruise ship, you will meet the guide in the port for a tour that will concentrate on the Byzantine history of Istanbul.

You will first explore the oldest settled areas around the Golden Horn by visiting Tekfur Palace, also known as the Palace of Porphyrogenitus. It served as part of the Blachernae palace complex which Byzantine emperors often used starting in the 12th century. In the 16th century, Europeans named the building the Great Palace of Constantinople and then renamed it the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus. Today it has been restored and serves as a museum.

You will then proceed 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. Today, it serves as Molla Zeyrek Mosque.

After passing through the Women’s Market to reach the tour coach, you will drive to Chora Church, the second most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. Now a mosque and museum, it is famous for its magnificent frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible.

Following lunch in the Old City, you will proceed to the Hippodrome, which has been partially excavated to reveal 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.

You will next visit Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque that is now 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 once supplied water to the city for centuries.

Today’s final stop 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 is always crowded with shoppers haggling for the best possible prices. In a word, it is wonderful.

At the end of the tour, you will check into the hotel where dinner and the remainder of the day will be at your leisure.

DAY 2

After breakfast in the hotel restaurant or the Club Lounge, you will meet your guide in the lobby for a tour of the Ottoman highlights of Istanbul.

The day will begin with a visit to the 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 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 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. 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 in a nearby restaurant that serves both Ottoman and Turkish cuisines.

After lunch, you will browse 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.

After a bit of free time to freshen up and relax at the hotel, you will depart for a leisurely sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, the famed strait that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It also serves as a boundary between Europe to the west and Asia to the east.

Passing palaces, wooden mansions and even modern villas, you will experience Istanbul from an entirely different perspective, one you will soon not forget. Along the way, drinks and canapés will be served.

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

DAY 3

Today, you will discover the Asian portion of Istanbul after crossing a bridge over the Bosphorus. Beylerbeyi Palace, the summer palace of the Ottoman Sultans, is among the highlights.

You will also have time to stroll along the waterfront and visit the historical residential area Kuzguncuk, where Turks, Armenians and Greeks lived in harmony for years.

At the end of the tour, you can return to the hotel or join the guide for an optional walking tour along Istiklal Street. Either way, the remainder of your time at the hotel will be at your leisure.

DAY 4

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will have until 12:00 pm to check out. Your transfer to the Istanbul Grand 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

• 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 will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with any updated 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

8.30am Depart from the ship

9:00am Orientation drive along the Golden Horn and Balat Districts

9:45am Visit Tekfur Palace

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

12:00pm Visit Chora Mosque

1:15pm Lunch at a restaurant

2:30pm Visit Hippodrome and St. Sophia

3:45pm Visit Underground Cistern

4:45pm Visit Spice Market

6:15pm Check into to the hotel

Spend the evening at leisure with dinner on your own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 2

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8.30am Depart from the hotel

9:00am Visit the Blue Mosque

10:15am Visit the Topkapi Palace, including the harem section if time allows

12:30pm Lunch at a restaurant

2:00pm Visit Grand Bazaar

4:30pm Arrive at the hotel to rest and change for the evening

7:00pm Depart for a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus

7:15pm Cruise on the Bosphorus by private local boat

9:30pm Return to the hotel

The rest of the evening will be at your leisure

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

8:30am Depart from the hotel

9:15am Visit Beylerbeyi Palace

10:30am Free time at Beylerbeyi waterfront

11:15am Visit Kuzguncuk, one of Istanbul’s oldest residential districts

12:00pm Orientation drive on the Asian side

1:30pm Return to the hotel or return later after a guided tour of Istiklal Street

Dinner will be on your own

Overnight at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Breakfast at the hotel

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

Transfer to the Istanbul Grand Airport for your flight

Extra Nights:

• 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.

Please note:

• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays

• All mosques are closed until 2:30 pm on Fridays

• Tekfur Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace are closed on Mondays

• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays

• 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. Check the final itinerary for the exact details of your program.

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

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.

There is a strict dress code at all the mosques and churches in Istanbul; ladies need to cover their heads; no shorts above knee length, tank tops or sleeveless shirts. T-shirts are not allowed for males or females. Female visitors are required to cover their heads, shoulders and arms.

Proper attire is required when visiting mosques and shoes must be removed. Shoe bags are provided.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL).

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

Plug: European round / 2-prong plug

Bring a travel adaptor for electric devices

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.

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:

• Three nights at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel including breakfast (Club Level Room)

• All group transfers

• Two full-day tours, one sunset cruise and one half-day tour per the itinerary

• Two lunches with soft drinks. Local drinks and simple canapés will be served during the sunset cruise

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently 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:

• 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, 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.

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.

Spend an extraordinary day viewing the landmarks that define Istanbul – including the lavish Topkapi Palace and labyrinthine Grand Bazaar – before flying to Cappadocia, a highly unusual UNESCO World Heritage site sculpted by eons of erosion. As you will discover, this otherworldly landscape of volcanic rock-chimney hoodoos looks to be straight out of a fairytale. Explorations of Cappadocia’s rock citadels, cave churches and an enormous underground city will offer unprecedented looks into ancient life in this stark, seemingly uninhabitable terrain. Few areas on earth are so visually dramatic.

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 with walking or mobility difficulties or that 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.

Note: 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. Guests who need to use any type of oxygen concentrators or devices during the flight will need to provide a detailed hospital and/or doctor prescription to clearly show the usage dose and periods of your needs. Guests will not be allowed to use their own oxygen devices during the flight. The airline will provide its own oxygen device for security reasons.

DAY 1

After disembarking from the ship, you will enjoy a tour of Istanbul, beginning at the ancient Hippodrome where chariot races and celebrations in honor of the emperors took place during the Byzantine Era. From there you will see the exterior of the Blue Mosque.

You will also visit the opulent Topkapi Palace, where Turkey’s sultans lived from 1453 until the middle of the 19th century. It is 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 lunch at a restaurant and your exploration of Istanbul, you will drive to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Upon arriving, you will transfer to the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel for the evening.

DAY 2

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day, all-encompassing tour of the area. A scenic drive will bring you to an underground city, a massive complex that includes churches, stables, wineries and storage rooms. It is one of the deepest of the 36 underground cities in the Cappadocia region.

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 visiting the underground city, you will explore the former Greek village of Sinasos and the cave architecture 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.

Later in the afternoon, you will drive for an orientation tour and a visit to the town of Avanos which is known for pottery making. The clay used has a beautiful red hue and comes from the banks of the Kizilirmak River that flows through the town.

Afterwards, you will return to your hotel for dinner and to spend the rest of the evening.

DAY 3

After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a full-day tour of the Cappadocia region. The landscape there 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 Göreme 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.

Following the visits, you will drive to Cavusin Village, a small historic settlement located in the heart of Cappadocia between the towns of Avano and Goreme. Locals still live in the rock-cut dwellings and stone houses. The village has a variety of historical sites such as ruins from the Christian monks and churches including the Church of St. John the Baptist, which was carved into the rock in the 5th century.

After the tour, you will return to the hotel and get ready for the Gala Dinner evening. You will first drive to Red Valley, a beautiful natural wonder with surreal rock formations, pinkish-red colors and ancient cave churches. You will be there near sunset to watch the colors blend together to create a spectacular landscape. Here you will celebrate with an exclusive champagne party before you move on to Uçhisar for an exquisite dinner at a reserved restaurant.

After the unique dinner, you will return to the hotel for the night.

DAY 4

Following breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will transfer to the Sultanahmet area for lunch before starting your tour of the city.

Your tour will begin with the Hagia Sophia, which was originally built as a church and became a mosque in the 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.

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.

At the end of the visit, you will transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.

DAY 5

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will have until 12:00 pm to check out. Your transfer to the Istanbul Grand 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

• 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 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

8:00am Disembark the ship and drive to Istanbul’s Old City

9:00am View the Blue Mosque and Hippodrome from the outside

10:30am Visit Topkapi Palace

12:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:30pm Transfer to the airport

4:05pm Arrive at airport, check in and fly to Cappadocia (flight details TBA and subject to change)

5:35pm Arrive in Cappadocia and transfer to your hotel for dinner

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 2

AM Breakfast

9:00am Depart for underground city

9:45am Visit the underground city

11:00am Drive to Sinasos village

11:45am Visit Sinasos and the Kemal Pasha village

12:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

1:45pm Drive to Zelve and the Pashabag area

2:15pm Visit Zelve (monastery) and Pashabag

3:15pm Orientation tour and visiting Avanos Village

4:15pm Transfer back to your hotel and dinner

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 3

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

9:15am Visit the Uchisar area

9:45am Drive for panoramic tour that includes Pigeon Valley

10:45am Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum

12:30pm Lunch at Reserved restaurant

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

3:00pm Visit Avanos

4:00pm Shopping opportunity

6:00pm Return to the hotel for dinner

Overnight at the Utopia Cave Hotel or a similar hotel

DAY 4

9:00am Breakfast

Depart for the airport

10:00am Arrive at the airport in Cappadocia

11:00am Flight to Istanbul (flight details TBA and subject to change)

12:30pm Arrive to Istanbul

1:30pm Lunch at a local restaurant

2:45pm Visit Hagia Sophia

3:45pm Visit Grand Bazaar

4:45pm Depart for your hotel in Istanbul

5:30pm Arrive at your hotel

Overnight at the Intercontinental Istanbul Hotel or similar hotel

DAY 5

AM Breakfast at the hotel

12:00pm Check out from the hotel. If you have a late-departing 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.

Extra Nights:

• 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 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 that 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.

Closed attractions: If an attraction is closed, it will be replaced in the following manner:

• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. We will switch the visits between Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace according to the museum closures

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

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 about 15° Celsius (59° 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° Fahrenheit). However, nighttime temperatures fall into the 20’s Celsius (in the 70s 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 20s Celsius (in the 70s 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.

There is a strict dress code at all the mosques and churches in Istanbul. Ladies must cover their heads, shoulders and arms. Shorts above knee length, tank tops, sleeveless shirts and t-shirts are not allowed for males or females.

Shoes must be taken off and put in the provided bags when visiting mosques.

Currency: Turkish Lira (TL).

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

Plug: European round / 2-prong plug

Bring a travel adaptor for electric devices.

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 25 kilograms (55 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.

Accommodations

Utopia Cave Hotel

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

Phone: +90 384 341 57 47

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:

• 1 night at the Intercontinental Hotel or similar hotel including breakfast (Club Level Room)

• 3 nights at the Utopia Cave Hotel or similar (deluxe room) with breakfast

• All 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

• Service of an air-conditioned vehicle

• Entrance fees to the visited sites and museums

• 2 lunches in Cappadocia with soft drinks

• 2 lunches in Istanbul with soft drinks

• 1 Gala dinner at Reserved Restaurant (or similar) in Cappadocia including limited local drinks

• Exclusive Sunset Champagne service at Red Valley in Cappadocia

• Domestic flights – direct flights not guaranteed

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently 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:

• Gratuities for guides and drivers

• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

• Meals and beverages not listed above

• Excess or overweight luggage fees

• Alcoholic beverages

• Personal expenses

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.

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 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

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 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.