Explore Europe through expert eyes with over 3,500 professionally guided tours spanning the continent. Local insights, historical context, and hassle-free exploration await, rated by more than 35,800 guided tour enthusiasts.
Unearth the wonders of Turkey’s ancient past on the 'Taste of Turkey'—an 8-day guided group tour that’s perfect for those wanting a concise yet thorough exploration of the country’s legendary sites. Starting and ending in Istanbul, this trip takes you from the city’s vibrant bazaars to the storied battlefields and ruins of the Aegean coast.
Your journey begins with a full day discovering Istanbul’s highlights before continuing to the poignant battlefields of Gallipoli and the ancient cities of Troy and Pergamum (replaced by Assos for 2025 departures). Marvel at the grandeur of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities, and soak in the otherworldly terraces of Pamukkale.
The unique selling point of this tour package is its efficient itinerary—carefully curated to showcase Turkey’s must-see destinations in just over a week. With accommodation, transport, and meals included, this is an ideal introduction for history buffs and cultural explorers alike.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
8-95 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Gallipoli Peninsula, E
Istanbul, Gallipoli Peninsula, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Cape Town
Itinerary is good except that it would be good to have one more day at Istanbul.
Tour guide and the driver are helpful , knowledgeable and the tour guide Suat is delightful to deal with.
AdventureWalking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Gallipoli
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Gallipoli Peninsula, Selçuk, Ephesus, Fethiye, Kas, Kekova, Antalya
First time in Turkey and this was an incredible way to view the city. The staff was kind, polite, and wanted to ensure every guest was happy. I HIGHLY recommend. Comfortable, drinks/meals provided, and easy to relax as a foreigner.
I had done one trip previously – Amalfi coast hiking, fall 2023 – with EXPLORE. I was so impressed I asked my excellent guide, Pete, what else he would recommend knowing my abilities and interests. He immediately recommended the Slovenia trip, and it actually was on my list of places to visit. He had apparently set the trip up about seven years ago and was very familiar with it.
I have been in 50 countries to date - some several times- and Slovenia is now in my top five and I am already planning my return for next May.
We had a lovely small group, being the first of these hikes of the season, hailing from Canada, Spain, Australia, and the UK.
The accommodation, staff, management, and food at Art Hotel Kristal were A+ – and I especially loved and took advantage of the options of the sauna and cold plunge, Ayurvedic massages with the wonderful Bhatri, chocolate tasting with the owner, Alenka, and a fantastic wine tasting with her son, Jan. I went home with a lovely assortment of chocolates and also a wonderful bottle of wine that I will try to hold onto for a few years until it is optimal to drink.
The hikes were not difficult at all, but I found that I did feel like I got a good amount of exercise by the end of the day. I spent my free day doing a mountain bike ride. The whole area around Lake Bohinj is stunning and there are so many activities that one can partake in, as well as really yummy local restaurants close by the hotel. I loved that the hotel offered a pre-fixe three course menu for hotel guests for only €25 on the nights that were not included with the hike. An incredible bargain given the quality of the food, as with almost all of the food we had in Slovenia, it was locally sourced and delicious. I am not typically a meat eater, but I had the venison twice – locally sourced, and wild – and it was by far the best I have ever had.
I would definitely stay at this hotel when I return to the area. I would strongly encourage others to spend some time in Ljubljana – either before or after the trip. A beautiful city a two hour bus ride awaythat is just the right size and full of so much to offer. Next time I am going to see a lot more of this country – it is half the size of Switzerland, but the variety of the terrain and ecosystems is quite impressive. Also, to be noted is that English is widely spoken and children start in grade 3, learning this second language. The Slovenians couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful everywhere I went. What can I say?? Get yourself to Slovenia before it is overrun: safe, clean, and green – a beautiful country of farmers, foragers, wine makers, and beekeepers. Also note that they have some fantastic fly fishing there as well as mountain and road biking – very cycling friendly. After all, it is the country of Pogacar.
Trekking and HikingWaterfalls
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ljubljana, Bled, Lake Bohinj, La
Ljubljana, Bled, Lake Bohinj, Lake Bled, Brod, Julian Alps, Mostnica Gorge
I enjoyed the variety of places we visited. I especially liked having a local guide at each location to learn about the history and culture of each place. The only regret for me was that we couldn’t spend more time in Lake Bled. I liked that we were able to take the boats over to the island, but I would have also enjoyed seeing a view of the lake from a higher vantage point to be able to see the entire lake with the island in the middle. Otherwise, I was fully pleased with the itinerary of the tour.
Food tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Vienna, Sarajevo, Lju
Dubrovnik, Vienna, Sarajevo, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Plitvice, Split
I had an amazing time. Both trip managers were wonderful, super helpful and lots of fun. I really enjoyed all the places we went and the activities. Going in May was definitely a good idea, the weather was warm but not too hot and the crowds were an okay size.
We had wonderful trip with private tour guide Carlos. He is very professional, very knowledgeable and funny. He understood my husband's passion for photography, our interests of history and culture, our love for great food.
Thank you, Carlos
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
1-80 yrs
Operated in
english, portuguese, spanish
Destinations
Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, Coimbra
Lisbon, Sintra, Porto, Coimbra, Aveiro, Douro Valley, Tomar
This trip was a dream! From the Colosseum in Rome to the stunning Swiss Alps and the magic of Paris, every stop felt like a fairytale. Well-organized, great guides, and plenty of time to explore on our own!
The itinerary was perfectly curated, allowing us to see so much in just 10 days without feeling rushed. I particularly enjoyed the blend of city tours and beautiful coastal views. The guides were exceptional, and their passion for their countries was evident. This tour is a wonderful way to discover the rich heritage and stunning beauty of Spain and Portugal.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Lisbon, Seville, Madrid, Barcelo
Lisbon, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, Valencia, Ronda, Fátima, Sevilla, Cordoba, Costa del Sol
