Istanbul to Mexico City: The Ultimate City Adventure Across Three Continents

Türkiye is known for its incredible food, and today you’ll sample it for yourself during a food walking tour through two vibrant neighbourhoods that represent two facets of Istanbul’s food culture: European and Asian. The first is Besiktas, an animated district full of families and students. Its streets are lined with bars, restaurants and terraces where you’ll enjoy some local specialities. It’s then on to Üsküdar, on the other side of the Bosphorus. A boat trip serves as a transition to this other world: older, somewhat conservative, and home to a market teeming with crowds in search of incredible flavours. You’ll take this tour with a private guide who will help you make the most of the city and its dishes. If you’re less interested in the food side of things, we can also arrange for you to explore the city in the company of a local, focussing on different aspects of Istanbul’s culture.

It’s time to indulge again today as you head out to try some of the city’s best baklava. The Güllüoglu dessert shop is a true institution of the country, located in the Karaköy district and founded in 1820 by Haci Mehmed Gullu. This family business specialises in baklava, passing their recipes down from generation to generation. Tuck into these sweet treats of nuts and filo pastry soaked in honey, and wash them down with a steaming cup of tea – Turkish style. If you’re interested in trying even more local specialities, we can arrange for you to have dinner in the home of a local resident this evening.

From the chic banks of the Bosphorus to the bustle of Taksim, Istanbul is a city for getting lost, for discovering a rich history and a vibrant present. Ancient Byzantium, which became Constantinople and eventually Istanbul, is full of magnificent monuments: Topkapi Palace, the Süleymaniye Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace and the immense Basilica Cistern. During a hop-on, hop-off cruise on the Bosphorus, let yourself be guided by instinct as far as the Princes' Islands or the Golden Horn, in the Galata district, where you can take in the incredible sunset. If you really want to soak up the atmosphere of the city, there’s nothing like the fragrant maze of the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar or the streets of the Ortaköy district. As you stroll, enjoy a cup of traditional tea, a spicy skewer or a handful of olives, opening all your senses to this nostalgic yet cosmopolitan city. Istanbul is a real paradox and you’ll have two full days to explore at your own pace.

It’s time to trade one capital city for another. Today, you’ll be privately transferred to the airport where you’ll board your nine-and-a-half-hour flight to Bangkok. When you land, we’ll whisk you away by private transfer to the city’s Chinatown district, where you’ll spend the next five nights in a hotel that evokes the glamorous culture of 1930s Shanghai. Expect lavish décor, a supremely comfortable bedroom and a fabulous restaurant.

In the company of a knowledgeable private guide, you’ll discover the Grand Palace and the great temples of Bangkok today. Located on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River, The Grand Palace still houses the royal residence, several government offices and, above all, Wat Phra Keaw: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. With exceptional architecture and a world-famous statue, it’s no wonder this site is so popular. To the south of the complex is Wat Pho, the largest and oldest temple in Thailand which houses a large reclining Buddha (150ft long, 50ft high) entirely covered in gold leaf. These structures are truly the heart of the country’s spirituality, and a chance to connect with this side of the country’s culture.

There are plenty of things to fill your days with in Bangkok, from cooking classes and shopping to trips to local markets. But to really get your finger on the pulse of this metropolis, you need to see it at night, when the sun’s rays give way to city lights, and it comes alive to reveal a completely different side of itself. This evening, we’ll arrange for you to explore Bangkok by night with a local. Wander its streets to discover lesser-known neighbourhoods, night markets and, of course, incredible street food, and gain a fascinating insight into local life in this vast and diverse city. Nothing is decided in advance, so your guide will tailor your visit to what you’d most like to see and do. Rooftop cocktail, anyone?

This bustling megacity of over ten million inhabitants is the nerve centre of the Thai kingdom. Commotion is everywhere: in the aisles of the markets (floating and regular); on the wide roads teeming with tuk-tuks; and on the Chao Phraya river, full of long-tail boats. But the capital also conceals a few pockets of peace and serenity, for example in the popular scrap metal district of Talat Noi, on the canals lined with over-water houses known as khlongs, in temples and pagodas, and in the stalls of the Pak Khlong Talat flower market. It would take a lifetime to explore every corner of the capital, but these two days are a good place to start.

Your exploration of Asia continues today with a six-hour flight to Tokyo. We’ll transfer you to the airport in Bangkok, but when you land in the Japanese capital, you’ll make use of the efficient local public transport network to reach your hotel. For the next four nights, you’ll stay in the Shinbashi district, in a luxury hotel with a splendid view of the city. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from here, so after you’ve settled in, simply take your pick and dig in.

All over the world, we have a network of enthusiastic locals who are eager to show off their city in a new light. Tokyo is no exception. Today, in the company of your local guide, you’ll take a tour of the city that’s tailored to the things you’re most interested in. Passionate about manga? They’ll take you to the places that inspired the authors. Interested in the city’s culinary scene? They know all the best spots. Your guide is inexhaustible and full of passion and knowledge, so be sure to take advantage of this on your first full day in this exciting city.

We’ll arrange for you to meet a green tea specialist today. As the most consumed drink in the country, this beverage is an integral part of Japanese culture. You’ll learn more about green tea from an expert who has obtained the sacrosanct Japanese tea instructor diploma. They’ll share their passion and knowledge with you, from production methods to preparation – without forgetting tasting, of course. The rest of the day is then yours to spend at your leisure. If you like, we can make you a reservation at an exclusive seven-seat restaurant specialising in seafood.

From traditional streets where the spirit of the samurai lives on to futuristic districts where skyscrapers kiss the clouds, Tokyo certainly lives up to its name as the Eastern Capital. Beyond its obvious contrasts, the city is full of subtleties and surprises that are yours to discover on your final day here.

There are endless things to get stuck into, but here are some of our top recommendations: visit the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa; admire the stylistic sensibilities of Shinjuku’s punkettes, Harajuku’s lolitas, and Naka-Meguro’s hipsters; get up early to visit the Tsukiji fish market; savour some fresh sushi; admire the works of contemporary Asian artists at the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills; treat yourself to a manga portrait in a Purikura photo booth; tuck into ramen in a street canteen; admire the city from the 51st floor of Tokyo Sky View; stroll through the garden of the Meiji-jingu Shinto shrine; go shopping in the Omotesando district; curl up on a sofa with a cup of tea surrounded by cats at Neko Café; spend the evening singing your heart out at a karaoke bar in Shibuya.

From one continent to another, today you’ll head back to the airport where you’ll board your nine-hour flight to San Francisco. When you land, head to the iconic Fisherman's Wharf district, which can be reached by public transport. You’ll spend four nights here not far from Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 and Hyde Street Pier. Be sure to take some time today to soak up the view of San Francisco Bay.

We’ll arrange for you to explore the city’s vibrant Castro and Mission districts today in the company of a local guide. The first was one of the first gay neighbourhoods in the United States, while the second is home to a large Latina community. The Victorian houses that line the streets up to Dolores Park, the famous ‘Maison Bleue’ of Maxime Le Forestier, the city’s first openly gay bar, the magnificent Castro Theater and Harvey Milk’s Castro Camera: all this and more can be included on the itinerary. As always, you set the pace and everything is tailored to suit you.

We’ve left today free for you to spend as you please – we recommend taking a walk around the Seven Hills of San Francisco. The City by the Bay actually has over 40 hills, but the name refers to seven historic hillsides, beginning with Nob Hill, which has been a hub for wealthy families since the 19th century. Russian Hill, its neighbour, is not to be outdone. Beyond the attractive buildings and beautiful views, this neighbourhood is home to Lombard Street, the most crooked street in the US. Further on, a cable car descends the hill to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you can end your day watching sea lions lazing on the decks.

We’ll also give you access to bikes and cycling accessories, so you can journey from the Golden Gate Bridge to the town of Sausalito, an undoubtedly iconic way to spend a few hours and an opportunity for some fantastic views across the bay. This six-mile journey begins with a cycle along the beach before crossing the bridge – one of the largest in the world – to Sausalito, a former fishing village that’s now a chic seaside town full of floating houses. Take a stroll and enjoy lunch there before returning directly to Fisherman’s Wharf by ferry.

San Francisco is one of those cities that puts you in a good mood. Large yet intimate, business-minded yet with a hippie soul, it’s a melting pot of cultures and lifestyles, and its steep hills and splendid setting on the bay give it that something special. You have one last day today to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of one of the most legendary cities in the US: trace the history of the Summer of Love in Haight Ashbury; spend an afternoon shopping in the Union Square district; take the boat to reach the impenetrable prison of Alcatraz; laze on the grass in Alamo Square; head to Clarion Alley to look at street art; sample some of the city’s cuisine, whether in an old-school taqueria or trendy brunch spot; stroll on Ocean Beach at sunset to soak up the view. The options are endless.

Your adventure is drawing to a close, but there’s still one more destination left to tick off. Have we saved the best until last? That’s for you to decide. Your flight to Mexico City takes just under four-and-a-half hours. When you land, you’ll be privately transferred to the Zócalo, the city’s main square and the beating heart of the city. You’ll spend four nights here in an elegant colonial residence that’s moments from the National Palace and the cathedral. If you’re too tired to head out and explore today, simply take in the view from your hotel terrace.

Mexico City isn’t just a big city – it’s huge. From Tenochtitlan to Chilangolandia, it embraces its roots while looking towards the future. In the company of a private guide, you’ll explore the city’s historic centre, which is overflowing with fascinating landmarks: the cathedral, the Palacio Nacional, the Templo Mayor, the world heritage-listed buildings of rue de Madero, the Casa de los Azulejos (‘House of Tiles’), the Palacio Postal, and finally the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

Then, depending on what you’re in the mood for, you might head to Mercado Jamaica, the most famous covered market in Mexico. We challenge you not to sample a little bit of everything, especially the incredible fruit on offer. In another part of the city, the Sonora district, you can dip your toe into the world of witchcraft and traditional medicine by taking up the services of spell casters. Your visit will continue in the National Museum of Anthropology, which holds some beautiful collections of pre-Columbian art and popular art, and is a great introduction to pre-Hispanic and indigenous history.

Capital of the country and bursting with life (nine million people, in fact!) Mexico City is spread over 580 square miles. Here, 21st-century cosmopolitanism rubs shoulders with the vestiges of an Aztec golden age, which are often supplanted by colonial constructions. This city has many layers, and you have plenty of time to continue exploring it today: take a boat trip on the canals of Xochimilco; stroll through the leafy Coyoacán district; visit Frida Kahlo's Casa Azul and the home of Leon Trotsky; taste taco al pastor (pork marinated in pineapple) in a traditional taqueria; fall for an alebrije, a colourful sculpture of a mystical Mexican animal; join the locals in line at a traditional churrería to indulge in a sugar-coated churro; admire the sunset from the top of the Torre Latinoamericana. The choice is yours. If you like, we can also arrange for you to enjoy a breakfast of local Mexican specialities, or take a cooking workshop alongside a local chef.

On your final day in Mexico, you’ll head out to experience some real Mexican wrestling: lucha libre. From the stands, immerse yourself in this electrifying local experience, during which wrestlers (Iuchadores) don eccentric character costumes and shimmering masks, and fight in and out of the ring with the aim of unmasking their opponent. From the stands, a feverish crowd chants the names of their idols, and boo those who try and bring them down. To round off your last evening in Mexico, we can also arrange for you to enjoy a taco tasting.