The Flying Carpet Tour is a captivating 15-day journey through Western Turkey, blending history, culture, and natural beauty. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Troy, and Pergamon, this tour takes you on a fascinating exploration of Turkey’s most iconic sites.
Travel through time as you walk among the remnants of powerful empires, from the grandeur of the Ottoman palaces in Istanbul to the well-preserved ruins of Roman cities. Witness the moving landscapes of Gallipoli, where history and heroism are deeply intertwined. Experience the ethereal beauty of Pamukkale’s cascading travertines, the hidden churches of Cappadocia’s cave dwellings, and the pristine shores of Fethiye and Antalya.
Beyond its breathtaking sights, this tour also offers immersive cultural experiences, such as a traditional cooking course in Cappadocia and a wine tasting in Sirince, allowing you to connect with Turkey’s rich traditions and flavours.
This 9-day tour of Greece will guide you through some of the most famous and fascinating islands in the Mediterranean. Begin your journey in Athens and discover the heady mix of ancient history and contemporary attractions. Bask in the beauty of the world-famous Acropolis, which is visible from nearly every part of the city! Dig deep into the layers of history through the magnificent monuments and museums or feel the creative energy of Athens with its fascinating street art. Make your way to Rhodes, a traditional yet modern destination and the sunniest place in Greece! Here you may explore the medieval Old Town and villages which have been popular since the Roman Ages. The Old Town boasts a history of 2400 years apparent through ancient statues, marble fountains, and magnificent palaces. Next, you will catch a ferry to Kos, one of the first Aegean islands to attract visitors. This is a handsome harbour community with its medieval castle boasting ancient ruins from the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras. Walk around the waterfront as you explore cafes and tavernas like a local before you travel to Athens where you will end your tour of the Greek Islands!
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Our tour was well planned with variety and interesting points of interest. Everything was done top notch. Travel Director was amazing. Had incredible knowledge, and was so personable and the driver provided us with safe transportation. Thank you for making our vacation so special.
Another spectacular trip with Explore. I highly recommend this company. As a solo female traveller they have never let me down. Explore is 100 % reliable.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Tirana, Kruje, Valbona Valley Na
Tirana, Kruje, Valbona Valley National Park, Shkoder, Durres, Lake Ohrid, Pristina, Peja, Prizren, Rahovec
This action-packed eight-day tour of Turkey offers an ideal overview to this diverse and beautiful country. You do not need to worry about flights, overland transport or hotel bookings, as all logistics are taken care of. Sit back and relax as you visit some of the most impressive sites in the country, including bustling cities, ancient ruins, natural wonders, and more.
Included in this itinerary are historic destinations like Ephesus and Hierapolis as well as famous natural landmarks like Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below:
From Istanbul: The flight leaves at around 07:00 to 07:30 am and arrives in Izmir between 08:00 and 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: The flight leaves between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm and arrives in Istanbul between 9:30 pm and 11:00 pm.
(Note: The schedule may vary as per flight availability)
Dive into beauty and history as you explore the medieval cities, tranquil lakes, stunning coastlines and quaint villages of Croatia and Slovenia. Explore Ljubljana, Slovenia’s romantic capital city. Discover the richness of Opatija, the “Riviera of Croatia” and an Istrian gem. Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park by foot and by boat, a place where waterfalls cascade down sheer cliffs connecting sixteen pristine lakes. Step back into Roman times in Split’s Diocletian’s Palace. Enjoy visits to local restaurants, wineries and artisanal food producers. Take in the white stone buildings and massive city walls of the ancient harbor town of Dubrovnik. Explore fascinating Zagreb. Delight in the old-world charm found in this sunny Adriatic paradise.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Resort, Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Op
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Opatija, Plitvice, Split
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Embark on an immersive 7-day journey through Turkey's most iconic historical sites and natural wonders! Begin in Istanbul, exploring its magnificent Old City, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with an optional Bosphorus cruise. Journey to the poignant Gallipoli battlefields and unravel the myths of ancient Troy before discovering the grandeur of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities. Marvel at Pamukkale's stunning white calcium terraces and therapeutic hot springs, gaining insights into local crafts. This captivating tour seamlessly blends deep historical insights with breathtaking beauty, concluding conveniently in the vibrant resort town of Marmaris.
Great itinerary around Turkey, made better by an excellent guide Osman who's very professional and knowledgeable. We spent 10 days visiting different parts of Turkey all very interesting. The tour included many dinners and all of them were very good. I loved the hotel in Capadoccia, vey unique and pretty even though it has a lot of stairs.
We had a great time in Turkey.
Discover the heart of Turkey on our captivating 9-day "Turkey Classics" tour! Begin in Istanbul, exploring its iconic Old City gems like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, plus a scenic Bosphorus cruise between continents. Marvel at Cappadocia's unique lunar landscape, fairy chimneys, and ancient underground cities, with an optional folklore evening. Journey along the Silk Road to Konya and its Mevlana Museum, then witness Pamukkale's dazzling white travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis. Your adventure culminates in Ephesus, exploring its grand Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis site, and enjoying a wine tasting in Şirince. This expertly guided tour is perfect for experiencing Turkey's most celebrated historical and natural wonders.
Join us on this guided trip and discover some of the most popular highlights located in the western and central parts of the country. Fly from Istanbul to Ephesus on the second day of this trip and discover the highlights of this ancient city. Then continue your journey to Pamukkale and Cappadocia before returning back to the capital city at the end.
Land transport during this trip will be provided by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles. Simply sit back and enjoy discovering the highlights of Turkey. The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below. However, this may vary due to availability reasons.
From Istanbul: Departure between 07:00 am & 07:30 am, landing in Izmir between 08:00 am & 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: Departure between 19:00 to 21:30 and landing in Istanbul between 20:30 & 23:00.
Please scroll down to the itinerary section for more details.
Discover the magnificent ruins of ancient Greece in their tranquil Mediterranean settings. This comprehensive journey explores Greece's most important ancient monuments, like the famed Temple of Zeus, the archaeological site of Olympia, and ancient artifacts of Delphi. Explore Athens on a comprehensive tour of the incredible Acropolis. Visit a local farm in the countryside to see how olive oil and wine are produced. Learn how to cook traditional Mediterranean cuisine during a cooking demonstration. Learn the history of this fascinating country from local experts on guided tours of Athens, Metéora, Delphi, and Olympia. This well-paced journey balances expeditions to Greece’s important historic sites with ample time to explore on your own.
Discover the beauty and history of Greece with an unforgettable journey through Athens, Delphi, and the stunning landscapes of the Peloponnese. Experience the ancient ruins of Olympia, the mystical Oracle of Delphi, and the breathtaking monasteries of Meteora. Dive into Greek culture with local culinary delights, guided archaeological tours, and charming traditional villages. Perfect for history enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike, this unique travel adventure offers a rich blend of historical exploration and cultural immersion in Greece.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
See some of the most popular destinations in Turkey during this guided, nine-day trip. Discover the myths and legends surrounding Ephesus and snap pictures of white travertine pools in Pamukkale. Explore one of the most popular tourist cities in Turkey, Antalya, and stay in a cave hotel in Cappadocia.
Included in this trip are eight nights of accommodation, most meals, museum entry fees, transportation and domestic flights. Simply sit back and enjoy exploring some of most famous destinations of Turkey. Please note that we do not operate big bus tours with 40 people in one bus. We operate small-group tours of up to 15 people.
The flights from and to Istanbul that we generally use are listed below. However, this may vary due to availability reasons.
From Istanbul: Departure between 07:00 am & 07:30 am, landing in Izmir between 08:00 am & 08:30 am.
From Cappadocia: Departure between 19:00 to 21:30 and landing in Istanbul between 20:30 & 23:00.