GREAT CITIES WALKING TOUR
This tour offers a glimpse into parts of the ancient Silk Road in central Asia, specifically the fascinating country of Azerbaijan. As a bonus, we also spend 5 nights in Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Istanbul usually makes the list whenever amazing cities are discussed. As the largest city in Europe and meeting place between Europe and Asia, Istanbul has an amazing wealth of cultural and historic sights to see. The food is unbelievable too!
Next up is Baku. While most Canadians have limited familiarity with Azerbaijan, in a previous life I visited this city on a regular basis and fell in love with it, especially the people and the food. Today's Baku is a city built on oil money, and offers a unique combination of modern architecture and ancient history. It is spectacular, surprising, and definitely worthy of a visit.
Finally, we will also venture beyond Baku into the regions of Azerbaijan. Situated between the ancient cultures of Russia and Persia, Azerbaijan is a fascinating country with much to offer.
DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$4,780 (US$3,585)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$1,160 (US$870)
DEPARTS: TORONTO Fri Sep 12, 2025
TOUR STARTS: ISTANBUL Sat Sep 13, 2025
TOUR ENDS: ISTANBUL Sun Sep 21 , 2025
TOUR ENDS: BAKU Thu Sep 25, 2025
ISTANBUL LAND PACKAGE:
Hotel Sultania Istanbul (or similar) 8 nts
Breakfast daily
Lunches (x)
Dinners (x)
All tours & activities listed
Local guides & ground transportation
All taxes and fees
BAKU LAND PACKAGE:
Merchant Hotel Baku (or similar) 4 nts
Breakfast daily
Lunches (x)
Dinners (x)
Att tours & activities listed
Local guides & ground transportation
All taxes and fees
This tour is guaranteed to depart with 4 guests. The Land Package price is in Canadian dollars, based on double occupancy, and guaranteed after the 20% deposit is received.
Istanbul
Day 0 (Sat Sep 7) Depart Toronto
Our Turkish Airlines flight departs in the late evening from Pearson Airport in Toronto.
Day 1 (Sun Sep 8) Arrive in Istanbul (D)
Our group arrives at Istanbul International Airport mid-afternoon , where we'll be met by our local guide and private transfer downtown. After check-in, we will have enjoy a Welcome Dinner together.
Day 2 (Mon Sep 9) Highlights Walking Tour (B,L)
On his day, our private guide will take us on a walking tour through the highlights of Sultanahmet, Istanbul's most famous quarter. After returning to our hotel late afternoon, guests will have a free evening.
Istanbul Galata Bridge
Day 3 (Tue Sep 10) Neighbourhoods Walking Tour (B,L)
Istanbul is a massive city made up of dozens of distinct neighbourhoods. Our guide will take us by ferry and subway to visit several of them, followed by another free evening.
Day 4 (Wed Sep 11) Bosphorus Boat Tour (B,L,D)
Istanbul is the crossroads of Europe and Asia, separated by the Bosphorus waterway. We will spend this day on the water, experiencing what has made this city a strategic location for thousands of years.
Day 5 (Thu Sep 12) Grand Bazaar; Free Time; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
This day will begin with a tour of Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar. Afterwards, guests will have a free afternoon before our Farewell Dinner.
Hagia Sophia Mosque
Baku
Day 6 (Fri Sep 13) Fly to Baku; Welcome Dinner (B,D)
After a mid-day flight, our group will arrive in Baku. Our private shuttle will deliver us to our hotel downtown. After check-in, we will walk through Fountain Square to our Welcome Dinner location.
Day 7 (Sat Sep 14) Old City Walking Tour (B,L)
After breakfast, our private guide will take us on a walking tour of the Old City, including the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs Palace, ending with a group lunch. After some free time, Barry will lead a group walk along the waterfront, ending up for Happy Hour drinks at the Hilton Hotel.
Day 8 (Sun Sep 15) Ateshga Fire Temple & Yanardag Fire Mountain; Haydar Alieyev Center (B,L)
On his day, we will be picked up and taken to the Ateshga Fire Temple and Yanardag Fire Mountain just outside Baku. After a lunch stop, we will tour the Haydar Alieyev Center before a free evening.
Haydar Aliyev Center
Day 9 (Mon Sep 16) Quobustan Mud Volcano & Petroglyph Museum (B,L)
After breakfast, we will head to see the Quobustan Mud Volcanoes and UNESCO World Heritage listed Petroglyph Museum. After a group lunch, we will visit Highland Park's historic memorials.
Day 10 (Tue Sep 17) FREE DAY in Baku (B,D)
On our final day in Baku, guests will be free to tour the various museums in the downtown area, including the unique Azerbaijan Carpet Museum and Modern Art Museum. At the end of the day, we will visit the Shirvanah Restaurant Museum for our Farewell to Baku dinner.
Baku Crescent Waterfront
Sheki & Gebele
Day 11 (Wed Sep 18) Drive to Gebele; Tufandag Mountain Cable Car (B,L,D)
After 5 days in the capital, we will head west to explore the interior of Azerbaijan. Along the way, we will see historic mosques and drive through agricultural regions, stopping for lunch in the forest. After arriving at our hotel mid-afternoon, we will take the cable car up Tufandag Mountain.
Day 12 Thu Sep 19) Sheki Day Trip (B,L,D)
On his day, we will visit the former capital Sheki to see an early Albanian Christian Church, the Palace of the Shaki Kahns, and Karvansary. On our way back to Gebele, we will take refreshment at the Bio Garden orchard. Dinner will be back at our hotel.
Day 13 (Fri Sep 20) Nohurgol Lake; Seven Beauty Waterfall; Savalan Aspi Winery (B,L)
There are many beautiful natural sights and waterfalls in the Gebele area. We will visit several, and stop in some small towns. Our afternoon will end at the Savalan Aspi Winery for a tour and tasting.
Sheki Khans Palace
Day 14 (Sat Sep 21) Lahic Village; return to Baku (B,L)
After check-out, we will drive up into the Caucus Mountains to the village of Lahic for shopping and our last outdoor meal in Azerbaijan. In the afternoon, we will return to Baku to the Fly Inn Hotel adjacent to the Baku airport.
Day 15 (Sun Sep 22) Fly Baku to Toronto (B)
Our group will depart Baku in the early morning to fly back to Canada.
Lahic Village