Kristen Korey Pike's 15-day Trip to Turkey, Maldives, and the United Arab Emirates
Kristen Korey Pike is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries she creates. To work with Kristen, you can contact her directly at kristen@kktww.com.
Day 1: Arrive in Turkey
Arrive in Istanbul and connect to a domestic flight to Bodrum. Arrive in Bodrum and meet your private driver outside of the luggage claim area to transfer to your hotel. Dinner is reserved at Kocadon Restaurant, serving fresh seafood in town.
Stay
Amanruya
Day 2: Bodrum
After breakfast, meet your private guide for a full day of touring in Bodrum. You will visit Bodrum Castle, which occupies the tip of the wedge-like peninsula at the center of Bodrum. You will see the collections of the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, located inside the Castle, and the famous Glasswreck Hall. Next, you will enjoy a private, adventurous sailing experience on a gulet, a typical wooden sailing boat from the region, with plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing and relaxing. Gourmet lunch will be served onboard. In the evening, dine at Maca Kizi Restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine.
Stay
Amanruya
Day 3: Cappadocia
Fly to Kayseri through Istanbul and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at Lil’a Restaurant, offering wonderful views of the valley.
Stay
Museum Hotel
Day 4: Cappadocia
You will be picked up at 5:00AM for your private, 90-minute ballooning experience. You will float over Cappadocia and see the fantastic landscape of the region from above. After breakfast at the hotel, meet your private guide for a full day of touring in Cappadocia. First, you will descend below the earth’s surface into the Kaymakli Underground City, before visinting the Göreme Open-Air Museum. Then, you will visit the Göreme Valley, which has been occupied since the dawn of history, and is also known as the valley of the churches. After lunch, you will arrive to the town of Avanos, which has long been a center for pottery artisans as it lies on the banks of the Red River where clay supplies are abundant. Enjoy a visit to a pottery workshop to meet the artisans and see their collections displayed in a vast underground cave complex. You will also visit a famous wine cellar and enjoy a Turkish wine tasting. Dinner is reserved at Sira Restaurant, serving traditional Turkish cuisine.
Stay
Museum Hotel
Day 5: Istanbul
Fly into Istanbul. In the evening, meet your guide for a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water separating the Asian and European continents and the life blood of Istanbul. Passing along the shores of the Bosphorus, you will view magnificent palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite. Dinner is reserved at Leb-i Derya Restaurant — we recommend trying the fried calamari.
Stay
Çırağan Palace Kempinski
Day 6: Istanbul
Your private tour of Istanbul will start with a visit to the Hippodrome, one of the largest chariot race grounds of the Byzantine
Empire. Istanbul's Byzantine Hippodrome was the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life and the scene of games and riots through 500 years of Ottoman history. You will see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and Constantine Column which are also from the original Hippodrome. Next, you will visit the Blue Mosque, which was completed in 1616 AD — it is a triumph of harmony, proportion and elegance. You will then visit the magnificent Topkapı Palace, the residence of the sultans for almost three centuries. Lunch is reserved at Ottoman House, serving traditional Turkish cuisine.
After lunch, you will descend underground and visit the Basilica Cistern, constructed in 532 AD. It was built by Justinian to hold the water supply for the Great Palace. You will then stop by the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey with more than 4,000 shops. A variety of handicrafts, carpets, rare jewels and souvenirs are sold in small shops next to each other. Dinner is reserved at Mikla Restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine and offering a beautiful view of the city.
Stay
Çırağan Palace Kempinski
Day 7: Istanbul
Spend the day at leisure before heading to the airport for your overnight flight.
Day 8: Maldives
Arrive at Malé International Airport, where you will be met by a Gili Lankanfushi representative who will escort you through your 20-minute speedboat ride to the resort, located on Lankanfushi Island in the North Malé Atoll.
Stay
Gili Lankanfushi
Day 9: Maldives
Spend the day at leisure. Dinner is reserved at The Main Restaurant, serving a variety of “East meets West” cuisine.
Stay
Gili Lankanfushi
Day 10: Maldives
Spend the day at leisure before a private sunset dolphin cruise on board the Gili Goes Voyaging luxury yacht. You will have the chance to see some of the most beautiful sea creatures, including dolphins and whale sharks, while enjoying champagne and canapés. Dinner is reserved at By The Sea, serving delicious sushi and Japanese cuisine.
Stay
Gili Lankanfushi
Day 11: Maldives
Meet your private surf instructor for a morning surfing lesson, then head to the Meera spa for a hot stone massage.
Stay
Gili Lankanfushi
Day 12: Maldives
Spend the day at leisure. In the evening, you will be escorted to a private, candle-light dinner on the beach.
Stay
Gili Lankanfushi
Day 13: Dubai
Meet your butler, who will escort you to the dock for your private speedboat transfer back to the Malé International Airport. Upon arrival in Dubai, you will be met by your driver who will transfer you to your accommodation. Dinner is reserved at Al Nafoorah, serving traditional Lebanese cuisine.
Stay
Burj Al Arab
Day 14: Dubai
Transfer to Al Maha resort in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Later, meet your private guide for a private sundowner safari tour. Trained safari guides will drive a private, 4x4 vehicle, over sand dunes and through the Reserve — deep into the heart of the desert. Enjoy a feast under the stars, including a Middle Eastern selection of grilled meats, fresh salads,
delectable sweets, and hand-picked beverages at a traditional Bedouin-style camp. Take a sunset photo among the dunes and experience camel rides, falcon viewing, belly-dancing, and more.
Stay
Al Maha
Day 15: Depart Dubai
Check out of Al Maha and meet your private driver in the hotel lobby. You will be transferred to the Dubai International Airport for your flight home.