A great trip. A lot of ground covered. Tour notes had explained clearly that early starts were common and how much travel time was involved. Our modern, generously sized, coach and regular stops made it very comfortable. Our guide, Alcan Sisli, and driver, Attila, were of the high quality I expect from Explore! trips. Alcan was passionate about his country and extremely knowledgeable about all our points of interest. He took great care to include everyones wishes and needs when making plans and quickly knew us as individuals. He was unfailingly cheerful and looked after us all very competently, even when we perhaps did our own thing! We all got our turn to sit near the front of the coach to ask all those odd questions you might hesitate to ask in the whole group, though as usual the group, 12 in all, was such an interesting mix of backgrounds and personalities that it very soon felt as if we were just one big family. I miss them all now I'm home again! The accommodation was an eclectic mix of small city rooms to surprisingly luxurious bigger ones. All clean and with amazing buffet breakfasts. Food was varied - if sometimes a little solidly based on traditional Turkish meals. Fabulous fresh fish. Interesting 'greasy spoon' cafes with amazing dishes and the chance to try great local specialities. The attractions were as described - but even more spectacular in reality. The Mosques, Cotton Castle terraces, Rock formations and cave dwellings, Greco Romano remains etc were all fantastic and the final visit to Gallipoli was powerfully atmospheric. Our only disappointment was the unusually cold and wet weather during our particular trip dates but it didn't dampen our spirits and the only thing we couldn't do was the optional balloon flight. Another year perhaps. Now just got to sort out the 100s of photos and eat the Turkish Delight.
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
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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.
Enhance your Istanbul vacation by exploring the captivating highlights of Cappadocia in just 3 days, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey via plane (with included tickets) to optimize your time.
Upon arrival in Cappadocia, embark on an enriching journey led by a certified, English-speaking guide. Over 2 full days, immerse yourself in the region's wonders, traversing through Devrent Valley, Monk's Valley, and encountering the enchanting Fairy Chimneys. Stroll the charming streets of Avanos, steeped in picturesque beauty, and explore the ancient treasures of Goreme's open-air museum, a testament to centuries of Christian history. Delight in the scenic beauty of Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, and a 5-kilometer hike through the stunning Güllüdere valley before returning to Istanbul by the end of day 3.
This comprehensive tour package encompasses accommodation, select meals, expert guidance, seamless transportation, and inclusive flight tickets. For further information, refer to the detailed itinerary and the list of inclusions provided.
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 secrets of ancient Greece on this private, one-day Ephesus tour, available for departures from your hotel in Istanbul. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Isabey Mosque from the Seljuks period, and the Temple of Artemis, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
In the morning, our transfer car will pick you up from your hotel and drop you off at the Istanbul airport. Take a domestic flight to Izmir which is the third biggest city in Turkey. From here, our tour car will pick you and take you on the tour in Ephesus. Lunch is included in a traditional local restaurant.
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.
Another excellent tour. As always, the CEO and the other passengers can make or break the experience, and both were excellent here. The accommodation and meals were very good. Overall, a very enjoyable experience.
Explorer
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Lodge
Age Range
12-100 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Canakkale
Istanbul, Cappadocia, Canakkale, Selçuk, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya
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.
Experience the magic of Istanbul at night on this unforgettable dinner cruise. You'll sail along the Bosphorus, the stunning strait that divides Europe and Asia, passing under illuminated suspension bridges. Enjoy a panoramic view of the city’s palaces and mansions while being entertained by traditional folk dancing and belly dancing. This is an evening of beautiful scenery, delicious food, and cultural entertainment.
Duration: 19.30 pm to 23.30 pm.
A short drive to the boat to cruise up the Bosphorus. The waterway lies between Europe and Asia and passes under the suspension bridges whilst viewing Ottoman summer palaces, waterside mansions and modern villas lining the European and Asian shores. The panoramic view of Istanbul from the Bosphorus at night with dinner, traditional folk dancing and belly dancing will be memorable.
We are happy with everything from picking us up from the airport, booking the hotels, food service, taking us to the sites and introducing them, and finally taking us to the airport.
Thank you!