Embark on a captivating 10-day journey through the heart of Turkey with a meticulously crafted itinerary that seamlessly blends ancient cities, stunning coastlines, historical landmarks, and modern Turkish culture. Starting and ending in Istanbul, this adventure offers travelers a comprehensive and diverse exploration of this remarkable country.
The tour commences in Istanbul, a dynamic metropolis where the past and present converge in harmony. Travelers experience the city's cosmopolitan vibrancy alongside its ancient wonders, providing a perfect introduction to Turkey's rich heritage.
The journey then takes a poignant turn as travelers visit the battlefields and memorials of Gallipoli, including the hallowed ground of ANZAC Cove, paying tribute to the historical significance of World War II.
As the tour heads south along the Mediterranean coast, travelers encounter Turkey's ancient treasures. Stops at the legendary sites of Troy, the impressive Pergamum, and the exceptionally well-preserved ruins of Ephesus offer insights into the country's illustrious past.
Arriving in the coastal town of Kusadasi, guests are treated to the charm of Turkish seaside life before embarking on an inland adventure. The surreal calcium travertines at Pamukkale beckon, providing a unique opportunity for a rejuvenating dip in the spa waters. The historic ruins of Hieropolis also await exploration.
Continuing the journey, travelers follow the ancient Spice Route deeper into central Turkey, arriving in Konya, where they delve into the art of Sufi dancing and celebrate the poetry of Rumi, a profound cultural experience.
The tour then unfolds into the captivating landscape of Cappadocia, with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai offering a glimpse into the past. In Cappadocia, guests are enchanted by the mesmerizing rock formations, cave churches, underground cities, and the famous 'fairy chimneys,' which define the region's unique charm.
The tour concludes with a return to Istanbul, with the option for a flight back to the city. Along the way, travelers stop in Ankara, the modern-day capital, where they can explore the city's contemporary attractions.
Throughout the journey, accommodations are carefully selected, offering a mix of 4-star and boutique hotels, ensuring comfort and a taste of local charm. For those seeking more time to explore Istanbul's wonders, additional days can be added at the beginning or end of the tour, providing a comprehensive experience of this magnificent city.
It’s hard to find a patch of Europe as secluded as this one – among the rugged mountains and green fields of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, you’ll find shepherds, monasteries, lakes, valleys and Byzantine churches. Lacking in tourist crowds, it’s taken decades for the Balkans to wipe away memories of conflict and Communism, but (amazingly) they’ve emerged strong and smiling. From cool cafes in Skopje and the soft shores of Lake Ohrid to the mosques of picture-perfect Prizren, this 15-day adventure showcases Balkan beauty at its very best.
It was a fast paced trip. It is a bit difficult staying only one night in a few places, just the logistics of packing up several nights and having everything ready for the next day is challenging.
But, that being said I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many things through out Italy.
That inconvenience was minor in comparison to the amount of ground we covered.
Good introductory cross-section in major cities. Good balance of scheduled vs. free time. Would like a little more emphasis on art--especially Uffizi Gallery and Pisan Camposanto--plus entry into St. Mark's/Doge's Palace and Duomo church (rather than some of the shopping stuff). A little too much commercial, too little history/art. (Some of guides under-informed, including one who said Galileo discovered the "two planets" around Jupiter!).
It was cool that we got to see so much of the beautiful country and making new friends along the way. It would have been nice to spend longer in certain spots , but we were pressed for time.
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.
It was a great experience with many highlights throughout our tour. We particularly enjoyed the many immersive stops (i.e. wine tasting, weaving, truffle hunting, pasta making, etc.) in addition to our guided tours. Our tour guide, was very well versed, knowledgeable, and helpful and provided good insights and tips throughout our trip. I can't imagine someone else doing a better job than she did! The local experts were also on top of their games.
A great grip with amazing food, cultural experiences, sights, activities, and people. Venice, Florence, Rome, Pisa, and Milan were amazing. I highly recommend it as a way for people to see Rome and Northern Italy.
G Adventures and Cinzia our CEO made traveling through Italy, easy, fun, with unforgettable memories. I highly recommend, and I plan to book another trip with G Adventures. Thank you Cinzia for making this trip AMAZING!
We saw and learned a great deal and had what I felt was enough free time and choices. Our guide was great - knowledgeable, personable, and could anticipate our needs. We had a nice group - 29 persons which wasn't too large.
Following the famed Aegean coastline, we discover Ottoman Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, ancient Ephesus and Pamukkale, finishing in coastal Marmaris - gateway to the Greek Islands. This 7 day holiday from Istanbul to the Mediterranean sea will give you an insight into the fascinating history, culture and landscapes of western Turkey.
You really do need two weeks to cicumnavigate Sicily and see things properly. Any shorter and you'll get just a couple highlights or get very rushed from place to place. This tour had good pace, gave sufficient time in major sites (Syracuse, Agrigento, Palermo, Villa del Casale) and included gems like Morgantina, Mozia Island, and Enna.
Antonio is an exceptional wealth of information, its obvious he has a professional background in Sicilian history. The level of historical, cultural and architectural background information was tremendous, helped greatly to put things in context and understand the flow and changes absorbed by this island that resulted in what we were seeing.