Explore Büyükada, the largest of Turkey’s Princes’ Islands, on this full-day trip from Istanbul! Cruise across the Sea of Marmara, watching the sights of Istanbul slip from view, and then explore the pedestrianized island in the best possible way – by horse-drawn carriage! Hear the history of this laid-back island from your expert local guide and then spend time at leisure, perhaps relaxing on its beaches, before returning to Istanbul.
PHAETON RIDE, SPLENDID HOTEL, WOODEN HOUSES Büyükada, literally “Big Island” in Turkish, is the original Princes' Island, and the largest and most populated of the Princes’ Islands. Büyükada was used as an exile destination and as a monastery region during the Byzantine Christian period. During the Byzantium history the island was also used as a prison for those who were opposing the Emperor. It was Büyükada where the Byzantine empresses Irene and Zoe and Anna Dalassena were sent on....
Take the ferry to one of the Princes' Islands, Buyukada (Big Island) which is a quiet sea front town and summer holiday escape from the city. Leaving the Golden Horn by ferry, you will round Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point), the headland on which the domes and minarets of Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque can be seen. We will pass four islands with their charming old Ottoman houses and finally reach Buyukada, the largest of the islands. Upon arrival to the island, you will see the lavish Ottoman mansions and other beautiful Victorian summer villas around the island .
We will take a tour of the island by Phaeton (horse and cart) and will pass elegant old wooden mansions and beautiful natural scenery. you can enjoy a delicious lunch in a cozy sea-side fish restaurant and relax looking back at the domes and minarets among skyscrapers of modern Istanbul's skyline. This a perfect day for relaxing and enjoying one of Istanbul's residents' favorite summer retreats. Return by ferry and drop off to hotel or port.
It was a fantastic trip and our tour guide was amazing. She went out of her way to solve any problems and was amusing and informative. The rest of the staff were brilliant too , including the delightful chef.
We enjoyed our vacation very much.
Our guide, Alkan was excellent. He was very attentive to the group and very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the commentary on the bus and at the historical sites. Our bus broke down, but he handled the situation with professionalism and ease to quickly get us on our way once again. Both drivers were excellent. The bus was clean and spacious.
Most restaurant choices were good, but some were too expensive. The cultural event in Cappadocia felt like an overpriced tourist trap with dinner served too late. It was so loud, it was not enjoyable and the food was average at best. It was a complete waste of money for us. ($90 USD each)
Hotels were ok - all clean, but some felt a little tired.
Most rest stops exceeded expectations with clean toilets and a good selection of reasonably priced snacks.
Wasn't impressed with recommended shopping areas.
Appreciated the follow up from Alkan to ensure we got to the airport at the end of the tour, and then the subsequent note to check that everyone got home safely!
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
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Selçuk, Eph
Istanbul, Pamukkale, Selçuk, Ephesus, Canakkale, Ankara, Goreme, Cappadocia, Antalya, Kas, Xanthos, Iztuzu Beach
Explore the best of Turkey and enjoy the Mediterranean on this private 8-day guided tour. See the best of Istanbul, the fairy chimneys at Cappadocia, the open-air museum at Göreme, and the incredible city of Antalya.
This incredible tour package takes you through Istanbul for a full two days, Cappadocia for two full days, Antalya for two full days, and Pamukkale for one full day! This is the perfect trip for those who want to explore Turkey at a leisurely pace, and it includes a full free day in Antalya for your explorations.
The package includes accommodation, flights, expert guides to each destination, meals, transport, and more. As this is a private tour, it is possible to customize it to your requirements.
I loved the experience with the tour that Destination Services created according to my needs and the time I had available. The organization was impeccable, the guides were wonderful and I loved especially in the case of Ronda that despite having people who spoke Spanish, English, and French, the guide was fluent in all these languages. Visiting these white towns full of history and incredible landscapes was the best decision I could have made.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
6-99 yrs
Operated in
english, spanish
Destinations
Madrid, Seville, Costa del Sol
Madrid, Seville, Costa del Sol, Granada
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Recommend this tour. Mini van with a driver and tour guide. The guide was so informative, a really lovely lady. Driver was on the ball - it was a couple of days into the trip he revealed he could understand english.
"The tour was amazing
We had a lot of fun
Mira was so nice and helped us a lot"
Walking toursSightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
English
Destinations
Mostar, Budapest, Vienna, Tirana
Mostar, Budapest, Vienna, Tirana, Bratislava, Kotor, Belgrade, Shkoder, Sarajevo, Novi Sad, Kruje, Berat, Ioannina, Prizren, Ohrid, Meteora, Gjirokaster, Subotica, Athens
For point 2 and 3 the communication was very poor. It started with arrival at Budapest - it was not explained how I shall be received at the airport. The voucher of the service issued to me do not mention how I should recognize the pickup person at airport. When I inquired Makemytrip - the agency I booked this trip, told me that at the airport a person with their company sign will be waiting for me. I did not find the person for waiting at the airport in Budapest with makemytrip signage. I called all numbers in India and in Europe, finally to get answer that I must wait at the airport until 1 hour and half as mentioned in the voucher. Whereas the person with Europamundo sign was waiting from the time I arrived at the Airport. It was only when I started asking every person waiting there for pickup with some signage and then came to know that pick-up person from Europamundo was there but because of poor document and communication shared with me I could only find him after one hour of my arrival in Budapest. During this one hour I called so many numbers, felt harassed as either no one picked up the call or was able to tell me which sign I should look for. I spend almost USD 15 in this process.
The prague itinerary on day 4 was disaster. We were made to walk so much that we felt tired. the information does not say how many kilometer we shall be walking. Based on which we could have decided to continue with rest of the day walking or not. Castel Quarter was very good, the guide (Eva) was excellent. Later we were to take a boat. To get to the boat your agent made us walk another 1.5 Km. After the boat trip he made us walk another 1 km and said the coach will be there at 8pm, now I do not understand that a tour starts at 8.15 am with walking until 12:00. After which we were told that we should assemble again at some point at 13:40 so that we can get to boat. Then we walk from there until 14:10. After which again we are told now it your free time (which means walk) as the coach will come at 8pm. We had selected a trip as vacation to enjoy and not for exercising. Do you think on a normal working day any person will walk for nearly 12 hours? That left us completely tired on day 4. Clearly no one has reported to you until now. Please let me know how you intend to compensate me for this poor service and improve this service for any future customer.
The Best of Turkey Tour is an 8-day journey that showcases the country's most iconic historical, cultural, and natural wonders. Perfect for travelers with limited time, this tour offers a well-balanced itinerary covering Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus—ensuring you experience Turkey’s breathtaking landscapes and rich heritage. After a fulfilling exploration of Turkey’s most fascinating sites, you’ll return to Istanbul, marking the end of this unforgettable journey. With expert guides, seamless transportation, and comfortable accommodations, the Best of Turkey Tour is ideal for those seeking an immersive yet efficient exploration of Turkey’s top highlights.
Discover the sights, sounds and smells of Andalucian country on this seven-day adventure in Spain’s south. Feast on a variety of region-specific tapas, visit historic hilltop villages and bask in the laidback atmosphere along the Mediterranean coast. Explore some of the best landmarks in Seville and Ronda with your local leader, take a flamenco class in Casa de la Memoria and journey through the Granada Geopark in a 4WD. Whether you’re after a scenic hiking opportunity or some time to sit back and relax with a coffee or glass of wine, Andalucia’s got you covered.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This unforgettable tour of Spain and Portugal will take you to some of the most captivating cities in the Mediterranean with breathtaking sights and gorgeous cityscapes! Your journey will begin in Madrid, the famous capital of Spain known for its elegant boulevards and expansive parks. From there you will travel to Porto via Salamanca, a coastal Portuguese city known for its stately bridges and port wine production. Your next stop will be in Coimbra, a riverfront city home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado music. Discover the Monastery of Batalha, one of the most significant Gothic sites in Portugal, and continue your journey to Nazare and Alcobaca until you stop in Lisbon and explore the city's major sites such as the Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, and Liberty Avenue, which are included in mostly all Portugal tours. Then head back to Spain via Caceres and Cordoba and discover the fascinating architecture of Santa Cruz in Seville, the former Jewish quarter of this medieval city. Unwind on the breathtaking beaches of the Costa Del Sol before you travel to Granada to visit the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. Next, you will explore Toledo, a beautiful city surrounded by the Tagus River where Christian, Moorish, and Jewish cultures co-exist. Your final stop on this tour of Spain and Portugal will be in Madrid! a beautiful city surrounded by the Tagus River where Christian, Moorish, and Jewish cultures co-exist. Your final stop on this tour of Spain and Portugal will be in Madrid, a beautiful city surrounded by the Tagus River where Christian, Moorish, and Jewish cultures co-exist. Your final stop on this tour of Spain and Portugal will be in Madrid!
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Villa
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Seville, Fátima, Madrid, Granada
Seville, Fátima, Madrid, Granada, Costa del Sol, Porto, Lisbon, Cordoba
