The Flying Carpet Tour is a captivating 15-day journey through Western Turkey, blending history, culture, and natural beauty. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Troy, and Pergamon, this tour takes you on a fascinating exploration of Turkey’s most iconic sites.
Travel through time as you walk among the remnants of powerful empires, from the grandeur of the Ottoman palaces in Istanbul to the well-preserved ruins of Roman cities. Witness the moving landscapes of Gallipoli, where history and heroism are deeply intertwined. Experience the ethereal beauty of Pamukkale’s cascading travertines, the hidden churches of Cappadocia’s cave dwellings, and the pristine shores of Fethiye and Antalya.
Beyond its breathtaking sights, this tour also offers immersive cultural experiences, such as a traditional cooking course in Cappadocia and a wine tasting in Sirince, allowing you to connect with Turkey’s rich traditions and flavours.
This five-day adventure will take you to Istanbul and Cappadocia, two of the most-visited places in Turkey. In the first part of the trip, you will enjoy a full day of sightseeing tour in Istanbul, where you will be visiting all major highlights of the country, such as the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.
As the city that straddles Asia and Europe, Istanbul is steeped in rich history. Formerly known as Constantinople, it was once part of Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Here you will find many ancient relics and landmarks of those bygone eras.
The next part of the tour, you will be visiting the incredible Cappadocia, known world over for its unique landscape. Here, you will spend two days exploring the wonders of the place, including the Goreme Open Air Museum and the underground city of Derinkuyu.
So come join us in this incredible tour of Istanbul and Cappadocia. You won’t have to spend a moment worrying about timing or transportation as everything has been arranged for you, even the Internal flight tickets.
Kicking off in the powerhouse of the Ottoman empire - Istanbul, pay your respects at Gallipoli, get lost in the impressive Roman ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, witness the beautiful Aegean Coast and dip your toes in Pamukkale's beautiful cascading mineral pools.
Our guide Zaffer was extremely knowledgeable and made the talks inter sting by telling us about the everyday lives of the people at the archaeological sites. I would have liked an overnight stop at Konya to see the Whirling Dervishes perform. Zaffer did his best and booked us a demo at local hotel at Pamukkale but the room was very crowded and it didn't feel authentic.
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
Meeting in front of Starbucks near The Marmara Hotel at Taksim Square. First taste is ‘’Wet Burger’’.
Visit Hacıbekir Sweet Shop, confiseur since 1777, to taste the best Lokum (Turkish Delight) and colourful “Bonbon Turc”.
Experiencing different sidewalk tastes, wander through Flower Passage and Nevizade Street.
Explore the uncharted side-streets of Pera, cultural heart of İstanbul.
Tasting kebap wraps at Dürümzade famed by Anthony Bourdain.
Hazzapoulo Passage for Turkish Coffee and watch “coffee fortune telling”.
Visit a typical Meyhane (Turkish Tavern) to enjoy the Turkish Meze and Turkish Rakı.
Hope to meet at another walk…
Walking through ancient ruins, sailing along the Aegean, and exploring Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar—every day was an adventure! Highly recommend this trip for history lovers!
Embark on an immersive 7-day journey through Turkey's most iconic historical sites and natural wonders! Begin in Istanbul, exploring its magnificent Old City, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, with an optional Bosphorus cruise. Journey to the poignant Gallipoli battlefields and unravel the myths of ancient Troy before discovering the grandeur of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities. Marvel at Pamukkale's stunning white calcium terraces and therapeutic hot springs, gaining insights into local crafts. This captivating tour seamlessly blends deep historical insights with breathtaking beauty, concluding conveniently in the vibrant resort town of Marmaris.
Meeting in front of famous Güllüoğlu Baklava Shop at Karaköy, one of the oldest districts of İstanbul.
Traditional breakfast amongst the variety of authentic eatery shops.
Ferry to Kadıköy, ancient Chalcedon, where Ecumenical Council met (451 AD) to bring an end to the ecclesiastical chaos.
This will not be only a culinary walk but as well a stroll through the city’s Asian Side to discover
its local culture.
Visit different shops at Kadıköy. Fish Market and meeting new tastes of Turkish Cuisine. Typical delicatessen, muhallebi or baklava.
Main course at the famous Çiya Restaurant with special tastes.
Gossips of the day at a typical Turkish Coffee House. Ferry to Karaköy.
Hope to meet at another walk…
Are you looking for something unique out of Istanbul? This seven-day West Black Sea Tour offers an amazing route, which will take you away from the stressful city environment.
Starting from amazing Sile, we head to Agva to discover its pure natural beauty. Then, we will drive east along the West Black Sea toward Akcakoca, enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way. We will visit the old city of Akcakoca and other local attractions, including Genoese Castle.
Next up in our destinations are Bolu, home to the beautiful Lake Abant, and then the town of Safranbolu, famed for Ottoman architecture. The last stop of our tour is Amasra, a beautiful Black Sea port town, where we will tour its local attractions before returning to Istanbul to end our trip.
Sightseeing ToursWalking tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
1-85 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Black Sea Region, Ağva
Istanbul, Black Sea Region, Ağva, Akcakoca, Lake Abant, Safranbolu, Amasra
Journey through time on this 2-day tour, exploring Turkey's poignant historical sites. Step back into legend at the ancient city of Troy, home of the iconic Trojan Horse. Then, pay your respects at the serene Gallipoli Battlefields, visiting ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair, where you'll walk through original trenches. This powerful tour offers a deep dive into both mythological tales and solemn World War I history.
Discover the heart of Turkey on our captivating 9-day "Turkey Classics" tour! Begin in Istanbul, exploring its iconic Old City gems like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace, plus a scenic Bosphorus cruise between continents. Marvel at Cappadocia's unique lunar landscape, fairy chimneys, and ancient underground cities, with an optional folklore evening. Journey along the Silk Road to Konya and its Mevlana Museum, then witness Pamukkale's dazzling white travertines and the ruins of Hierapolis. Your adventure culminates in Ephesus, exploring its grand Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis site, and enjoying a wine tasting in Şirince. This expertly guided tour is perfect for experiencing Turkey's most celebrated historical and natural wonders.
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.