Very laid back and easy with two days in most places and a good quantity of free time. Fantastic tour director who kept her flock in control. Driver was phenomenal and a pleasure to talk to. As always there is too much to see and remember so picture taking is essential.
One of the most popular Indian tourist circuits is the Golden triangle, which includes Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. A tour through this route provides a great view of India’s varied landscapes and an opportunity to see many cultural jewels of the country. Delhi, the largest of the three metropolitan areas is divided mainly into two parts - New Delhi and Old Delhi. One can witness a blend of culture, sophistication and history in both New and Old Delhi. Agra is well known for housing the Taj Mahal, an epitome of eternal love and one of the seven wonders of the world. You will have an opportunity to see this great monument, explore its interiors and take pictures that last forever. Jaipur is famous for its majestic havelis, forts and markets. it is also known as the Pink City owing to the pink colored houses and buildings that dominate the city. In this tour we give you a glimpse of the rich heritage and culture of the subcontinent. This area is also a desert, so we get to see a different, drier side of india.
This 8-day Turkey tour takes you from bustling Istanbul to the Mediterranean at Kusadasi and then inland to the beautiful scenery of Cappadocia. The itinerary is designed to combine some of Turkey's classic highlights in a week's visit, balancing bustling cities, beautiful scenery, ancient ruins and modern Turkey. You'll stay in a mix of 4-star and boutique style properties along the way.
Starting in Istanbul, the beating heart of Turkey and historically a vitally important connecting point between the continents of Europe and Asia, we visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Spice Bazaar, Hippodrome and take a cruise on the Bosphorus before flying south to the Mediterranean coast at Kusadasi. We have two nights here, and a tour to the nearby ruins at Ephesus. One of the best preserved ancient Greek & Roman sites in the whole of the Mediterranean region, this is a spectacular site with a fascinating history. We'll also visit a village famous for producing local fruit wines, and learn about the importance of carpet making in Turkey. Our next stop is at the stepped calcium travertines and hot pools at Pamukkale, before we continue into the centre of Turkey along the ancient Spice Route, passing old caravanserais and visiting the Mervlana museum at Konya on the way. This brings us to picturesque landscape of Cappadocia where we visit the strange rock formations, cave chuches and 'fairy chimneys' in the Goreme valley and venture down into one of the labarynthine underground cities built by Christians centuries ago to hide from persecution. The tour then finishes with a drive (or optional flight) via Ankara back to Istanbul where extra nights are available to spend more time exploring the city.
My husband and I brought our entire family on this vacation to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. Great trip, the best way to see much of Italy in a short time - 8 days. The country, food and people are wonderful in Italy. Our tour guide was great! I highly recommend.
My cousin Andy and I finally made our long-planned trip to Greece a reality, and finding a tour that also included a cruise and Turkey’s top sites was the icing on the cake. We’re so glad we booked this one!
Embark on your own grand tour of discovery on this 10-day journey of Greece, taking us from ancient Athens to Thessaloniki through the sanctuaries, monasteries, monuments, and stunning landscapes at the heart of this cradle of Western civilization.
Rome is a fabulous mix of history, archaeology, art, religion, and delicious food; and it certainly is the most popular place to visit in Italy. Truth is, Rome is a city that hardly leaves you indifferent. It's the kind of place you either love or hate – and most inevitably love it.
The enduring phrase ‘la dolce vita’ (the good life) truly captures the essence of Italy. On this trip, you’ll spend eight days discovering the heart of all things Italian on a culturally rich adventure from the piazzas of Rome to the canals of Venice. Take in the crumbling ruins of Rome, board a scenic train ride to Bologna and discover the maze-like canals of Venice with your local leader. Visit the Leaning Tower in Pisa, learn how to make pasta by hand in Bologna and indulge in delicious local cuisine and a couple (or two) glasses of vino – ah Italia!
Welcome to the Balkans, where the east meets the west. Over the centuries, people have travelled to Eastern Europe for its rich tradition, layered cultures and mouth-watering cuisines. With historic attractions in Budapest, thriving nightlife in Belgrade, a 15th-century Old Town in Sarajevo, Durmitor National Park in Montenegro and the medieval walls of Dubrovnik, you have plenty to discover on this epic 15-day adventure. Hike through mountains, drive through ever-changing scenery and hit up the local bars after feasting on regional favourites.
Turkey is a land of contrasts, with a vibrant modern culture following a long history showing the marks of several different civilisations which have left a wealth of incredible ancient sites to explore. The scenery also varies hugely, from the dramatic Bosphorous strait in Istanbul, to the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, forested hills and mountains further inland and special highlights like the surreal landscapes of Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
This comprehensive 19 day tour takes all this in and more. Starting and finishing in Istanbul, the tour learns about modern history at the war memorials and ANZAC cemeteries at Gallipoli before developing deeper into the past with tours of some of the region's most important historic sites at Troy, Ephesus, Hieropolis, Aphrodisias, Aspendos and Side. There are plenty of stops to relax and enjoy the seaside at the coastal towns of Kusadasi and Fethiye and Antalya, with a 12-island boat cruise also included in the Gulf of Fethiye.
The tour then heads inland, following the ancient Silk Road trading route to see the Sultanhani Caravansary at Konya before heading south east to see Lake Van, Biblical Mount Ararat, Kars and the ruins of ancient Ani.
There are a wealth of opportunities to taste traditional and modern Turkish cuisine and to pick up souvenirs and learn more about this fascinating country along the way. Accommodation is in a mix of 4-5 star and boutique style properties, either on a breakfast only or half-board basis depending on the location and other options available nearby.
