From Ottoman Istanbul, the battlefields of Gallipoli, Roman ruins, the Aegean Coast and the stunning mineral pools of Pamukkale, to the Pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and Nile Cruising in Egypt. Take in the best of Egypt and Turkey in 16 days.
Starting in Madrid and visited Segovia, Santiago de Compostela, Oviedo, Santillana del Mar, Santander, Bilbao, Pamploma, San Sebastian and Barcelona!
Each town/city had an amazing uniqueness about it. We had wonderful tour guides along with our incredible tour director.
was incredible and made the tour a dream of a lifetime.
We had a great experience on our trip in London. From there we did day trip excursions to various locations in England. These tours were are a bit rushed but overall very pleased. The only thing that was tricky was the tour does not bring us back to the original starting point that was walkable back to our hotel. It would be helpful to plan for this and the extra cost for the cab back to our hotel.
Also, one of the day tours was cancelled but they let us know right away and offered to reschedule. The Claremont hotel in London was fantastic.Location, concierge, breakfast bar and room were an A+ experience and would highly recommend. Michael was very available to help plan the trip and respond to my questions. I would use this tour company again in the future.
Our family of 5 adults recently went to Italy on a 9 day trip to Venice, Rome and Sorrento(Amalfi Coast) with private tours, fast train travel, door to door drivers, and great accommodations; which was all set up by Michael.
Michael was very responsive to my communications, very helpful with trip suggestions to make the trip better, and just overall a great travel planner! I was nervous at first, because I have never completely booked a vacation online without ever meeting the travel planner, but it all worked out great!
We were completely happy with everything about our trip, and will definitely reach out to Michael again when we travel to Italy! There were a couple of small issues that arose over the duration of the trip, but they were handled quickly and without further problem to us. So all was good.
Our private tour guides in Rome, Ornella; and Roberta in Pompeii were incredible. Our Venice tour guide, Cynthia, was awesome too, she did a great job! We did a full day 8 hr tour in Rome of the Colosseum and Vatican, and I would recommend splitting that to two half days if you have the time. It was awesome, but a bit much for one day!! Also, we had a full day Amalfi Coast tour by van, with great driver Antonio, which was supposed to go to Positano, Amalfi, & Ravello, but because the traffic is so bad on the roads, there wasn't time to make it to Ravello. So, I recommend either going by boat, which we hear is faster, or allow more time if you want to see all three villages.
Again, a great trip for the memory books! Thank you MIchael and all of the local operators who worked to make our trip such a success!!
Explore Sicily and see how much this island in the heart of the Mediterranean has to offer. Join an expert local leader on a fully immersive 10-day Premium journey – with a sprinkling of Arab, Norman, Greek and Roman influence, this region is a hive of history and culture. See intricate mosaics, towering palaces, crumbling ruins and marble-lined laneways. Head out of the main hubs to discover Mount Etna – Europe’s largest active volcano. Taste Genovesi, arancini, local dishes like caponata and cannoli, and take a traditional cooking class to get the most out of Sicily’s celebrated cuisine. With Exclusive Experiences and a gorgeous Feature Stay in the countryside, what are you waiting for?
A four-day city break in Paris promises an enchanting blend of timeless elegance, cultural richness, and culinary delights. Begin your exploration with iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, immersing yourself in the city's artistic and historical treasures. Take a leisurely boat cruise along the Seine River, admiring the romantic bridges and landmarks. Conclude your journey on a captivating day trip to the opulent Palace of Versailles. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of 17th-century French architecture as you explore the ornate chambers, lavish halls, and meticulously manicured gardens
We saw 16 cities that had a lot of history and beauty. Loved the archeological sites of Ephesus and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Our tour director had outstanding knowledge of Turkey and provided continuous commentary over 2 weeks. I would highly recommend this vacation.
This 8-day Turkey tour takes you from bustling Istanbul to the Mediterranean at Kusadasi and then inland to the beautiful scenery of Cappadocia. The itinerary is designed to combine some of Turkey's classic highlights in a week's visit, balancing bustling cities, beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and modern Turkey. You'll stay in a mix of 4-star and boutique style properties along the way.
Starting in Istanbul, the beating heart of Turkey and historically a vitally important connecting point between the continents of Europe and Asia, we visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Spice Bazaar, Hippodrome and take a cruise on the Bosphorus before flying south to the Mediterranean coast at Kusadasi. We have two nights here, and a tour to the nearby ruins at Ephesus. One of the best preserved ancient Greek & Roman sites in the whole of the Mediterranean region, this is a spectacular site with a fascinating history. We'll also visit a village famous for producing local fruit wines, and learn about the importance of carpet making in Turkey. Our next stop is at the stepped calcium travertines and hot pools at Pamukkale, before we continue into the centre of Turkey along the ancient Spice Route, passing old caravanserais and visiting the Mervlana museum at Konya on the way. This brings us to picturesque landscape of Cappadocia where we visit the strange rock formations, cave chuches and 'fairy chimneys' in the Goreme valley and venture down into one of the labarynthine underground cities built by Christians centuries ago to hide from persecution. The tour then finishes with a drive (or optional flight) via Ankara back to Istanbul where extra nights are available to spend more time exploring the city.
Turkey is a land of contrasts, with a vibrant modern culture following a long history showing the marks of several different civilisations which have left a wealth of incredible ancient sites to explore. The scenery also varies hugely, from the dramatic Bosphorous strait in Istanbul, to the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, forested hills and mountains further inland and special highlights like the surreal landscapes of Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
This comprehensive 19 day tour takes all this in and more. Starting and finishing in Istanbul, the tour learns about modern history at the war memorials and ANZAC cemeteries at Gallipoli before developing deeper into the past with tours of some of the region's most important historic sites at Troy, Ephesus, Hieropolis, Aphrodisias, Aspendos and Side. There are plenty of stops to relax and enjoy the seaside at the coastal towns of Kusadasi and Fethiye and Antalya, with a 12-island boat cruise also included in the Gulf of Fethiye.
The tour then heads inland, following the ancient Silk Road trading route to see the Sultanhani Caravansary at Konya before heading south east to see Lake Van, Biblical Mount Ararat, Kars and the ruins of ancient Ani.
There are a wealth of opportunities to taste traditional and modern Turkish cuisine and to pick up souvenirs and learn more about this fascinating country along the way. Accommodation is in a mix of 4-5 star and boutique style properties, either on a breakfast only or half-board basis depending on the location and other options available nearby.
CHRISTMAS TOUR: There’s no stuffing birds or entertaining aunts! Enjoy snowflakes on fairy chimneys, legendary sites at Ephesus, Troy and Aspendos, thermal springs at Pamukkale and Christmas Eve at St Nic’s on this 12 day tour of Turkey.
Take your taste buds on a tour of the Czech Republic, discover the food markets of Prague, explore the Kraków Christmas Market in the city’s Old Town district, and indulge in Berlin. Setting out from Kraków, get a sense of Poland’s old-world charm with your Local Expert as you ascend Wawel Hill to the Renaissance castle and cathedral—the final resting place of the Kings of Poland. Known as the Venice of Poland, Wrocław is a wonder to behold with its 150 bridges spanning five rivers and twelve islands, not to mention the Baroque grandeur of the Rynek Christmas markets. In the German capital, see what remains of the Berlin Wall, admire the painstakingly restored Reichstag and soak up the festive magic among the market stalls of Gendarmenmarkt Square.
Journey through the snow-capped peaks of the Austrian Alps on this grand tour of Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Salzburg’s 500-year-old Christmas Market and Munich’s six-storey-tall Christmas tree. Enjoy an Insight Choice in snow-dusted Seefeld: glide through the countryside on a horse-drawn carriage or savour coffee and cake in a Tyrolean cafe. Then feel the festive magic of Innsbruck, where Glühwein, Swarovski crystal and the Christmas Market’s cheerful bustle await. At the Salzburg Market Tasting experience, meet a local market stallholder for a warm cup of mulled wine accompanied by traditional gingerbread. In Neuschwanstein, follow in Walt Disney’s footsteps on a tour of the fairy-tale-like castle that reputedly inspired him, complete with extravagant decorations and breathtaking views.
