Silk & Sea: Istanbul, Ephesus and the Aegean Coast Honeymoon
From the lively streets of Istanbul to the ancient ruins of Ephesus and the tranquil Aegean coastline, this tailored honeymoon invites you to explore the heart of Turkey at a leisurely pace. Each day unfolds gently, allowing moments of stillness to settle in as you journey through the city’s full of activity markets, ancient stone paths and sunlit shores. Whether it’s a quiet dinner by the Bosphorus, a peaceful boat ride on the Aegean or walking through ancient ruins, this is a honeymoon not about rushing and chasing highlights, but about enjoying every intimate moment together.
What's included
Itinerary
A private driver meets you upon arrival and brings you to your hotel. After settling in, step outside and let the city introduce itself at its own pace. Walk along the water, watch ferries cross between continents and pause wherever something feels right.
As evening arrives, enjoy a quiet dinner overlooking the Bosphorus, where reflections leave you feeling softly and the city exhales into night.
Inclusions:
Private airport transfer
Boutique hotel check-in
Dinner with Bosphorus views
After breakfast, meet your private guide and explore the historic heart of the city. You’ll visit icons such as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Moreover, you will visit quieter backstreets and hidden courtyards where daily life continues without interruption.
In the afternoon, take a ferry ride or enjoy a coffee at a local café. End the day with dinner in a neighborhood restaurant, where the city feels intimate and personal.
Inclusions:
Private guided walking tour
Visits to major historic landmarks
Dinner at a local restaurant
Start your day with a visit to the Spice Bazaar, where vibrant colors and fragrant scents fill the air. Additionally, a lot of different conversations overlap in many languages. Enjoy the guided tour and sample local flavors.
Later, board a private boat for a Bosphorus cruise. Palaces, mosques and wooden mansions passing by, Europe and Asia held together by water. The rest of the evening is free to explore at your leisure.
Inclusions:
Visit to the Spice Bazaar
Private Bosphorus cruise
Afternoon and evening at leisure
This morning you transfer to the airport for your short flight to Izmir. From here, a private driver takes you toward the Aegean coast, where olive groves and low hills meet the sea.
After check-in, the afternoon is yours! You can swim, walk along the shoreline or simply rest under the open sky. Dinner will be served by the sea at the edge of the evening, featuring fresh seafood and local flavors.
Inclusions:
Private transfer to Istanbul airport
Domestic flight to Izmir
Private transfer to coastal hotel
Dinner by the sea
After breakfast, travel inland to Ephesus. With a private guide, walk marble streets lined with columns, passing the Library of Celsus and the Grand Theater. Despite its scale, there are quiet moments of reflection among the ruins between stones and shadow.
After lunch, return to the coast and let the afternoon slow again. Evening arrives with another simple, local meal and the sound of the sea nearby.
Inclusions:
Private guided tour of Ephesus
Lunch at a local restaurant
Evening at leisure
Today’s schedule is allowing you to travel through the Aegean countryside today, visiting a local village or vineyard where time follows older rhythms. Taste local wines crafted from regional grapes, walk among olive trees and listen more than you speak learning about the ancient rhythms of village life.
In the afternoon, return to the coast for a peaceful swim, a good book or simply some time to relax. Dinner this evening will feature local ingredients and Aegean flavors.
Inclusions:
Private countryside or vineyard excursion
Wine tasting
Dinner at a local restaurant
This day is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may choose to join a small boat for a short cruise along hidden coves or stay close to shore, relaxing and letting the day pass between water and shade.
As evening approaches, sit by the sea as light softens and colors fade. Dinner arrives, ending another beautiful day.
Inclusions:
Leisure day on the Aegean coast
Optional boat experience
Dinner with sea views
With no plans pressing forward, revisit a favorite spot or explore somewhere new nearby. Perhaps a market, perhaps a coastal walk where the only sound is water against stone.
Your final evening is marked with a farewell dinner in a peaceful setting with candlelight, where the flavors and setting combine to mark the end of your unforgettable honeymoon.
Inclusions:
Leisure day
Farewell dinner
After a final breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to Izmir Airport for your onward journey. With memories of Istanbul’s vibrant streets, Ephesus’ timeless ruins and the quiet beauty of the Aegean, you’ll leave with your hearts full of special moments shared along the way.
Inclusions:
Breakfast at your hotel
Private transfer to Izmir Airport
