Our guide takes you from your hotel/seaport to visit most visited places of istanbul. To go to visiting points we use public transport/taxi or walking.
We start our tour by Hippodrome , which at one time was the center of Byzantine social and recreational life. A few parts of this spectacular site remain, including the Obelisk of Thutmose III and Serpent Column.
Near the Hippodrome is the Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Its exceptional architectural design features 1 main dome, 8 secondary domes, 6 minarets, and a vast number of blue tiles – hence the name.
And from here we go the Topkapi Palace, which dates back to 1459. It served as the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 4 centuries. In 1924, the palace was officially declared a museum.
And you will take a break and enjoy a lunch of delicious Turkish dishes
Afternoon we continu on our tour with Hagia Sophia, which served both Christianity and Islam at different times in history. When it was first built in 537, it was an Eastern Orthodox church.
In 1453, coverted to an imperial mosque. Approximately 5 centuries later, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum.
We finalize our tour with Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, comprising 61 covered streets and more than 3,000 shops offering almost anything you might need. The bazaar is a part of the walled city and was built during the years 1455-1461.
At the end of the tour we drop you back to your hotel/seaport.
The gateway to Europe? It can be a maze of confusion for the new kid in town. But hey, we got you. With your centrally-located hotel and included tix to the Hop On Hop Off bus, you can skip the weeks of fumbling with maps, catching wrong trains & accidentally eating at all the wrong places. You'll get easy access to see some of the top attractions in the city (and so much more!). These 3 days will leave you like a true local. Oh, and our experts at the Contiki Travel Hub in the Royal National courtyard will fill you in all the deets of the best foodie spots & hidden gems in town too!
We had our wonderful tour guide Miguel pick us (5 friends and myself) up at our AirBnB with no problem. There was a small mix up with the pick up time but the tour company was very quick to respond to me the night before (pretty late at night) with the correct times.
The trip is LONG tiring and TOTALLY WORTH IT! Granada and La Alhambra are the finest examples of Moorish art work anywhere in Spain!
We stopped at a lovely road side restaurant for a quick breakfast complete with cute, friendly cats to pet! Then we drove through the countryside and saw a million olive trees. Miguel answered all of our questions and was very informative along the way.
Once we arrived in Granada we got a private tour of the city and hiked up to the best view points to see La Alhambra. Afterwards we stopped in a local favorite place for traditional tapas. Miguel ordered for us so we could enjoy the finest food! It was a treat and delicious!
We were then dropped off at La Alhambra for our skip the line guided tour. So breathtaking and wonderful . words cannot describe the experience.
Miguel met us afterwards to drive us back to Seville we slept most of the way.
I recommend this company completely for a great trip and a great experience!
Dolmabahçe Palace, recent residence for Ottoman Sultans built by two Ottoman architects Karabet and Nikogos Balyan on a 110.000 m² area and served as the main administrative center
of the Ottoman Empire. Famous with great collection of European antiquity, furniture and
4.5 tons chandelier, the palace has 285 rooms and 46 halls.
Bosphorus Bridge, unique chance to step from one continent (Europe) to another (Asia) in 2 minutes.
Çamlıca Hill, famous for its widest bird’s eye panoramic view of İstanbul from Marmara Sea to the Black Sea, gives a chance to see the Bosphorus and Golden Horn from one of the best point of the highest and most appealing places of the city.
Day 1:
Early morning pick up from city center hotels and transfer to airport in Istanbul for flight to Cappadocia. Meeting at Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport and transfer to Cappadocia to meet with the group and guide.
Departure and walk through the “Fairy Chimneys” in Devrent Valley, Paşabağ (Monks’) Valley, practice pottery production with the ancient technique in Avanos. Visit to Göreme, the "open-air museum“ holding the earliest churches and chapels carved in fairy chimneys presenting finest examples of frescoes. Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in the region.
Lunch will be during the tour.
Dinner and overnight at a 4* hotel in Cappadocia
Day 2
Departure after breakfast for panoramic view of the Hospital Monastery. Walk into the “wonderland” at Kızılçukur (Red Valley) and the village of Çavuşin with rock-cut dwellings. Underground City of Kaymaklı, rock-cut city beneath the earth up to 8-9 levels where early Christians used to hide from Roman and Byzantine persecution. Explore the rock formations in Çatalkaya. A fantastic overview of the fairy chimneys from Esentepe. Pigeon Valley, greatest collection of pigeon nests in the world
Evening transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for flight back to Istanbul. Arrive to Istanbul Airport and transfer to hotels
Embark on an extraordinary seven-day journey across Spain, where history, culture, and breathtaking scenery come together in an expertly curated travel experience. This tour is designed for discerning travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the essence of Spain, from its vibrant cities to its tranquil countrysideLet Spain’s timeless beauty and vibrant culture captivate you on this remarkable tour!
From the hallowed Basilica of St. Francis to the glorious Sistine Chapel, discover why Italy is a bastion of Catholicism. Spend time at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, the beloved saint’s hometown. Stay two nights in San Giovanni Rotondo. Reflect at the Grotto of Michael the Archangel. Discover the cathedral of Salerno and the abbey of Montecassino. Explore the burial sites of the Catacombs where the early Christians hid and venerated their dead. Attend the weekly Papal audience and receive the blessing given by the Holy Father. Discover Michelangelo’s Last Judgment mural and explore St. Peter’s Basilica. See the world’s most inspirational sites and relics on a journey through the rolling hills and lively cities of Italy.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni Roton
Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni Rotondo, Amalfi Coast & Campania
Visit > Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ancient Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia>Luxury transportation, Personal Guide, 10 nights accommodation, Lunch at tours provided.Explore magnificent Turkey with 11 Days customized package with a local tour guide in a small group from/to Istanbul. Visit Istanbul; where Asia Meets Europe and was the capital of 3 different empires. Explore Gallipoli, home to one of the most dramatic battles in history and home of the Trojan Horse. Visit Pergamum; Where John wrote his letter. Walk on the ancient roads of the (Ephesus) greko-city with the House of Holy Mary nearby. Swim in Pamukkale's healing thermal springs. Walk in the cobblestone paved with colorful flowers streets of Antalya (old town) and see the clock tower, Hadrian Gate, and Kesik Minare, Underground cities of Cappadocia, learn history about early Christians and see rock churches, This is a Fully Guided small group tour.
City sightseeingAdventure
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
The Fire of Anatolia Tour is an 11-day journey through Turkey’s most iconic historical sites, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultural experiences. This immersive tour allows travelers to walk in the footsteps of ancient civilizations, experience the legacy of empires, and pay tribute to the heroes of Gallipoli. Your adventure begins in Istanbul, where you’ll explore the UNESCO-listed Old City, visiting landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. A Bosphorus Cruise offers a stunning perspective of the city, where East meets West. Flying to Cappadocia, you’ll marvel at its otherworldly landscapes, cave dwellings, and underground cities. In Konya, the spiritual heart of Turkey, you’ll visit the Mevlana Museum, dedicated to Rumi. A delightful wine-tasting experience in Sirince adds a special touch to this cultural immersion. This tour is perfect for travellers who want to dive deep into Turkey’s history and witness spectacular natural wonders.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
8-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Canakkale, Cappadocia
Istanbul, Canakkale, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Ankara, Troy
This was a fairly tough walking trip, with three challenging days (long days, lots of uphill) and two easier days. Certainly not one for the casual, uncommitted weekend walker! The two-night stay in the basic Curmatura hut was not made easier by the very very limited water supply (it was a trickle). There were 15 of us in the group and I thought that was too many for a hard walking trip of this type; 8-10 would have been ideal. The visits to the two castles (Peles and Bran) do not belong on this trip, in my opinion, as they resulted in unnecessarily late finishes to the walking on those days. The final day (Friday) in Bucharest could have been arranged much better, I thought, to avoid us sitting on a bus in traffic for ages. Why not take people straight to the hotel and then explore the city on foot from there?
Walking tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers