Overall a great trip. Our guides were wonderful and very helpful. Not all of the hotels were up to standard. The Marina Hotel In Kusadasi was the worst. Very shabby, dirty, and the water was turned off at night The front desk offered no explanation, just that it would be back on at 5:00. The Pasabey Hotel in Marmaris also not very good, and they turned their wifi off at night, until 8 a.m. This is unacceptable. We had trouble with the wifi in all the hotels except in Istanbul. Very difficult for a traveller with no cell phone data. The food set meal in the Hilton, Safranbolu was terrible. Staff were extremely unhelpful, and would not supply small extras such as butter. Very surprising for a Hilton. The itinerary was great - lots of interesting, beautiful and historic sites. Nice to have the ferry and boat rides included during the tour. Could have done without the carpet and leather shops.
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)
A+++ we had such a wonderful time hiking on Crete. The mix of land and sea are spectacular, the people of Crete are so warm and welcoming. Highly recommend.
Everyone in the Explore office was knowledgeable and helpful - they went above and beyond to give details of the trip and discuss its suitability and logistics. And a great bonus - the phone was answered quickly without endless waiting.
I had been apprehensive about my ability to walk quite so far for the full 6 days, but it was perfectly paced and plenty of time for coffee and lunch stops. The scenery was varied and the villages delightful.
The highlight of the trip was having our guide, Spiros, who spoke great English, was passionate about his island and the trail, hugely knowledgable about the local flora and fauna, and on top of all that, funny and kind and intent on ensuring that everyone had a great time.
Walking toursBeachMountains
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Spend six days discovering some of the best bits of central Turkey and Cappadocia. From the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the northern capital city of Istanbul, immerse yourself in the culture and history of a truly unique country. Explore Konya and maybe learn about the practices of Sufism and the art and performance of the whirling dervish. Spend three days in Cappadocia among the fairy chimneys and hot air balloons. Hike through the rocky landscape and natural sandstone monoliths, then make your way to Istanbul – the city that melds European and Middle Eastern cultures into one.
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-35 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya
18% OFF TODAY
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An exquisite cycling holiday which fulfilled all the usual Explore essentials: plenty of variety both in cycling and other activities, beautiful accommodation throughout, rustic village hosts, great food/restaurant selections by the guide Paul, stunning scenery at every turn and plenty of ‘off the beaten track’. Paul has over 2 decades of experience in cycle guiding in Turkey, and it showed in his cycle guiding and knowledge of the language, culture and flora and fauna-I particularly enjoyed his linguistic insights and the visit to the local village mosque. Others in the group who were architecturally inclined enjoyed his love of history too. The bikes couldn’t have been better for the terrain and were very comfortable with plenty of gears. I tend to find Explore holiday bikes are usually not great quality, so this was a pleasant surprise. Turkey has far exceeded our expectations and this has been one of my best ever holidays. If you’re not afraid of a bit of hot weather and undulating terrain and want to get a glimpse into local Turkish life, then I highly recommend you book onto this trip! Thanks again Paul for the fantastic memories you’ve helped us make.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Home-stay
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Kas, Dalyan, Köyceğiz, Fethiye
Kas, Dalyan, Köyceğiz, Fethiye, Saklikent Gorge, Sütleğen, Patara Beach
Want to see the real Turkey with a small group of likeminded travellers? On this 15-day adventure, you'll discover the cultural melting pot of the landscape that straddles both Europe and the Middle East. Indulge in some incredible local bites (and maybe some shisha, too), explore ancient ruins and walk in the footsteps of Marc Antony and the Trojan army, making strong connections along the way. Wander Istanbul at your own pace, then hit the coast to swim and sunbake in the Dardanelles Strait, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, sailing along the south coast. Learn about the practices of Sufism and the art and performance of the whirling dervish, then spend a few days getting to know otherworldly Cappadocia. Wander the fairy chimneys, get up early to see the iconic sight of hot air balloons floating along the city’s skyline and maybe even treat yourself to a ride at sunrise!
Adventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Would highly recommend this trip. It provides great variety in scenery, beginning in the very hilly area around the base of Mt Olympus; down into lovely valleys and then stunning coastal scenery. We found the written directions to be excellent while the red and white track markers gave us lots of help as well. We were very impressed with Mehmet who kept in contact with us at the end of each day.
Hop on an unforgettable journey through the lands of myths and legends that still continue to resonate today! Discover the timeless wonders and stories of Dracula as you explore Transylvania inside out, a most fascinating part of Romania. Starting off at the Romanian capital, Bucharest, soak in the unique culture reflected in the countless monuments of this magical city. Ride through the mystical forests, mountains and mists to reach the Dracula's Castle. Travel back in time through gorgeous samples of gothic and baroque architecture from various eras of Romanian history.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-75 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-napoca
Bucharest, Brasov, Cluj-napoca, Sibiu
40% OFF TODAY
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The Essential Greece tour was a fantastic journey through some of Greece's most iconic spots. They ensured a smooth and enjoyable experience. A must-do for anyone looking to experience the essence of Greece!