North American Gems

Day 1 — Istanbul – New York

Meeting at Istanbul Airport at 04:00. Following passport control, check-in, and customs clearance, departure at 06:45 for New York, America's pre-eminent city, on flight TK003. Arrival in New York at 10:45 after a flight of approximately 10 hours. You will be met by our guide awaiting you at the airport, and before transferring to our hotel by private vehicle, we will embark on our New York City Tour. Arriving on Manhattan Island, the city's most iconic and prominent district, we begin our tour. We will see Central Park, New York City's most prestigious apartment residences, Museum Mile, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Columbus Circle, Trump International Hotel, The Plaza Hotel, the iconic Apple Store, Trump Tower, St Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, the New York Public Library, the Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park, and Washington Square Park alongside New York University in Greenwich Village. Later in our tour, passing through SoHo, we will reach the Civic Center and the Financial District. We will drive through Wall Street, the centre of global finance, and the World Trade Center area. Continuing along the Hudson River, we will return to Midtown. Here we will see Times Square, where the dazzle of LED billboards turns night into day. At the end of the tour, we head to our hotel; after room allocation and a short rest, we proceed to Central Park on foot or by subway. Following an enjoyable stroll through the park and a brief stop at the Apple Store, we return to our hotel. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 2 — New York

Breakfast included

Following breakfast, we begin a jam-packed full-day programme exploring New York City inside and out. First, we travel by metro to Battery Park at the southernmost tip of Manhattan, home to a historic circular fort that once housed cannons used in the defence of New York. We board our ferry and take photographs of the Statue of Liberty against the backdrop of the stunning Manhattan skyline, beginning our exploration of the island upon arrival. After reaching the very foot of the Statue of Liberty and hearing the stories of the statue and the immigrants who passed through here, you can explore the museum or savour a coffee during the free time provided by your tour guide. (Depending on weather conditions and ferry queues, your guide may adjust the schedule.) We return by ferry from the island to Battery Park. After seeing the monument where we begin the founding story of New York, a delightful walking route awaits us. Passing through the Financial District, Wall Street, the iconic Charging Bull statue, and the Stock Exchange, we view the 9/11 Memorial built in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the One World Trade Center tower, and the architecturally striking Oculus building, before continuing by metro to the Dumbo neighbourhood. After capturing photographs against the backdrop of America's renowned Brooklyn Bridge and listening to its history, we ascend the Empire State Building to admire Manhattan from above. (Subject to availability, your tour guide may redirect to One Vanderbilt instead.) Following our visit to what was once the world's tallest building, where we will enjoy bird’s-eye views over New York from the 86th floor, free time for shopping, dinner, and coffee. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 — New York - Niagara

Breakfast included

Morning transfer to New York airport. We fly to Buffalo on a US domestic flight. Upon arrival, we will be transferred from the airport to our hotel. After dropping off our luggage, we depart from the hotel to view Niagara Falls. Following a walking tour around the falls area, we will board the Maid of the Mist boat to get up close to the Falls and take photographs. Afterwards, transfer to the hotel and free time in the city of Buffalo. Following dinner, overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 4 — Buffalo – Chicago

Breakfast included

Following breakfast in the morning, transfer to the airport. After a flight of approximately 2 hours, we arrive in Chicago, known as the commercial and financial centre of North America, and before transferring to our hotel with our private coach awaiting us at the airport, we will take a panoramic tour introducing this beautiful city. On this tour, the Hancock and Sears Towers—among the world’s first skyscrapers—Historic Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, public works of art by Picasso and Miró, Michigan Avenue, and the Magnificent Mile are among the sights to be seen. Transfer to our hotel following the tour. After room check-in, free time to explore the surroundings and rest. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 5 — Chicago

Breakfast included

Following breakfast, we will embark on the Chicago Willis Tower and Boat Tour. On this tour, which we will conduct by underground and on foot, we will ascend to the visitor centre of the Willis Tower—regarded as the symbol of Chicago, the city of skyscrapers—and admire the city panorama from a height of approximately 400 metres. Next, we will take a boat tour lasting approximately 1,5 hours on the Chicago River, gaining a much clearer insight into why this city is called the city of skyscrapers. Free time in the afternoon for shopping and exploring the city. Overnight stay at our hotel.

Day 6 — Chicago – Washington DC

Breakfast included

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport. After a flight of approximately 2 hours, arrival in Washington DC, the capital of the United States. Meet your tour guide awaiting you at the airport, and our first stop is the Pentagon. Since entry inside is not permitted, we will proceed to an elevated vantage point overlooking the Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, where we will have the opportunity to see which wing was struck by the aircraft during the September 11 attacks. Our next stop is the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Erected in memory of those who lost their lives and the veterans of the Korean War, this memorial also holds great significance in terms of Turkish history. Next is Arlington National Cemetery. Established in 1864 during the American Civil War, this cemetery serves as the burial ground for service members who lost their lives in early wars and those who fight on behalf of the United States today. Following the tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 7 — Washington DC

Breakfast included

Following breakfast, we begin exploring this magnificent city that welcomes us with its architecture, history, and culture, serving as the capital of the federal state. Set along the Virginia and Maryland banks of the Potomac River with a special administrative status, this city houses numerous governmental institutions. Among the places we will see are the US Capitol, which houses the Senate and the House of Representatives comprising the American Congress, the Library of Congress, Union Station, the national promenade known as the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument. During our walk along the National Mall, we will also see the memorial dedicated to the fallen and veteran soldiers of America's wars. Our next stop is the Washington Monument. Our next stop is the World War II Memorial. Following the Thomas Jefferson Memorial comes perhaps the most eagerly anticipated highlight of our tour, The White House. We will proceed right up to the front of this site, the official residence of the American president. In the area open to visitors, we will have the chance to see people gathered 24/7 to protest the president and the snipers stationed on the rooftops. Burned by the British in 1814 during the British-American War, yet rebuilt after the war largely preserving its structure with particular care taken to keep it modest, this landmark awaits you in all its grandeur. Before returning to our hotel, M Street and Georgetown University will be our final stops. On this central thoroughfare, where we will have the opportunity to mingle with the locals of Washington D.C., we will find numerous shops, restaurants, and cafés. After a break along this vibrant street, we will have the chance to view the building of Georgetown University, regarded as one of America's finest universities. Upon arrival at our hotel, we will have free time to rest and shop. Overnight at our hotel.

Day 8 — Washington D.C. - Istanbul

Breakfast included

Following breakfast in the morning, after vacating the rooms and completing check-out procedures, we depart from the hotel and head to a magnificent museum. We visit the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. In this museum, which will captivate even those without an interest in aviation, you will have the chance to discover the history of flight and advances in space exploration. After the tour, we proceed to Leesburg Premium Outlets to spend time until our flight departure. Following the visit, transfer to the airport and departure for Istanbul at 23:00 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 08. Overnight on board the flight.

Day 9 — Istanbul

Arrival in Istanbul at 15:45 local time and the end of our tour.

Included services

• Economy class flight ticket between Istanbul – New York / Washington – Istanbul with Turkish Airlines
• Economy class flight ticket between New York – Buffalo / Buffalo – Chicago with selected US domestic airline
• 2 nights' accommodation at the 4* Sheraton Times Square or similar hotel in New York
• 2 nights' accommodation at the 4* Millennium Knickerbocker or similar hotel in Chicago
• 1 night's accommodation at the 4* Sheraton Niagara Falls or similar hotel in Niagara
• 2 nights' accommodation at the 4* Hyatt Regency Bethesda or a similar hotel in Washington
• Breakfasts to be taken at selected hotels or out
• Resort fees and city visitor fees
• Empire State and Liberty Island boat trips
• Falls Tour with Maid of the Mist boat in Niagara
• Chicago city tour
• A very comprehensive city tour spanning 2 full days in New York
• Leesburg Premium Outlets tour
• All transfers
• Very comprehensive Washington City Tour
• Services of an experienced Turkish-speaking guide

Not included

• Tours indicated as optional
• Personal expenses
• Lunches and dinners
• International departure tax (Can be paid at designated banks or at the tax office desk at the airport)
• US domestic baggage fees (varying between 40 USD and 85 USD per bag with a weight limit of 23 kg. An extra fee is charged for each piece of luggage exceeding the weight limit. On some flights, domestic airlines also charge baggage fees for cabin luggage that does not fit under the seat.)