Classical Tours

This trip is designed for you if you've been to Istanbul before and want to see the less visited but still amazing sites that especially get you outside of Sultanahmet.  This tour is also a great option for those wanting to extend a longer Turkey tour by adding a few days more in Istanbul, but not repeating the typical Hagia Sophia/ Topkapi Palace route. This 3 night 4 day tour, assumes you arrive early on  day 1 from your flight and allows you to visit the splendors of the Dolmahce Palace and the Yildiz palace on the Bosphorous.  The end of the day will be drinking tea while watching the sunset and commuters across the romantic Bosphorous straits from the Ortakoy Mosque.  Day 2 takes you to a less visited area - the cross roads of Orthodox Christianity, Judiasm and Islam all in the same avant garde and up and coming neighborhood of Balat. You'll see incomprehensible diversity in a small area on the Golden horn with lots of real life going on around you.  Day 3 will slow things down and allow you to visit the unbelievable but often overlooked Istanbul Archaeology Musem before you take a ferry to one of our favorite hangouts - the progressive, always on the move and very cool Kadikoy, where you can taste lots of street food and see how locals live... Day 4 after a nice rest includes private transfer to the Istanbul Airport 

Contact us for help designing your own trip and making decisions on sites, guides, transportation and hotels. You can use the Ask a Question button here or on any tour page to write us and request whatever you have in mind. We will send you an itinerary and price customized to your request.    

Walk in the Lycian Footsteps: Visit the Ancient Sites of the Lycian People It was a geopolitical region in Anatolia in what are now the provinces of Antalya and Muğla on the southern coast of Turkey, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the sharp dramatic Toros Mountains.  This area is a marvel of blue Mediterranean sea and green pine clad forest.    This unique tour is most often operated over 4 days starting in Antalya, and following the Mediterranean coastline westward where the Lycian people dwelled.  You'll vary from seaside location to mountain tops and spend glorious time outdoors in nature.   This tour can be designed per your desires and timing, just let us know.  You may consider extending this trip by adding time in Istanbul or Ephesus using direct flights: see the tour extension details at: Istanbul Extenstion

For those of you traveling to other areas of Turkey that want an add-on trip to see Ephesus or if you are wanting to focus on this region, this is just the tour for you.   Ephesus is the most visited and likely the most amazing Roman city in Turkey for travelers.  A major pilgrimage point for Christians for literally thousands of years, it is well worth the time and money for a visit. You’ll see the Odeon, the Bouleterion, Library, Agora, and the Great Theather.  What you won’t see is the Sea!  While in Roman times a port city – due to the Roman’s need for wood, its believed they clear cut most surrounding mountains, resulting in major erosion and, the resultant silting up of the harbor.  The sea is now over 2 miles away! Also, you’ll stop by the shrine of the Virgin Mary and visit the Ephesus Museum, though while small has some incredible exhibits. Your may choose hotels either in the hussle of Izmir, the quite small town of Selcuk very close to Ephesus, or in the Aegean seaside town of Kusadasi, Turkey. The tour assumes a domestic flight at the beginning to position you in Izmir. Let us know if this isn't needed or if the flight needs to come from Istanbul or Cappadocia instead.

This is one of the most sought after tours in Turkey.   You’ll discover Istanbul, Turkey a city of business frenzy, entertainment, and a wealth of rich Turkish culture. Absorb it’s ancient structures, traveling from its mosques to the Roman influenced architecture. On your arrival day you'll be transferred to your hotel in the center of the historic district - Sultanahmet and may choose to spend time this evening wandering the area as it is especially beautiful at night.  The next day take advantage of your guide’s knowledge on visits to St. Sophia Church and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue colored tiles and architecture. Continue your tour to Byzantine Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar - a massive bazaar where virtually every knick knack is available. Your second full day of touring will start at the Topkapi palace - where you start to understand the unique mystical Ottomans.  Next you'll visit the Spice Bazaar / Egyptian Bazaar before embarking on a tour of the Bosphorus Straits, where seasonally you may see an amazing sunset.  You'll return to your hotel for a final night.   The final day will include a return transfer to the Istanbul airport for your departure flight.  

Set Sail on the Mediterranean We offer the option to have a private blue cruise boat based on your group size.  The tour is offered at a fixed price for April - June and Sep-Oct.  Due to very high demand contact us directly if you want to travel in July or August A few hours drive from Antalya to Fethiye your relaxation begins. You will have to face the difficult decisions each day:  deciding to swim, snorkel, sleep, read or sit around – All while the crew cooks, cleans and cares for you. Sleeping under the stars soothed by the soft rocking of the boat as you drift around the Mediterranean awaken to the stillness and quiet of the Med.  You may choose to swim before the crew serves a full breakfast each morning and then you have to decide – swim, snorkel, read, chat, sun bath, or just exist…. the only decision each day is – what cove to visit next. The boat will weigh anchor before moving to another quiet cove for lunch with options at each cove to wonder the trails on forested hill sides. Rahmi Bedri Cove is pleasant with a fresh water spring and bizarre but ecologically appropriate rock paintings. In the evening you’ll likely get a chance to snorkel the sunken ruins of Cleopatra’s baths. You can also opt for a 1 hour hike up and over the mountain that separates this much protected bay from the open Mediterranean Sea. A full meal under the stars and stillness await you. You’ll enjoy another wonderful dinner on the gulet and savor the pleasant sea breezes

The Best of Turkey tour is the ideal travel choice for those who wish to enjoy the main historic sites and major attractions of Turkey in a longer tour but without a lot of bus travel.  Instead we connect the major destination cities by short 1 hour flights.  We’ll explore Istanbul and it’s ancient structures, from the mosques to the Roman influenced architecture. Next, we’ll fly to Cappadocia and experience this amazing landscape.  While staying at luxurious cave hotels at night, we will explore the lunar like topography and cave mosaics during the day. A quick flight departing Cappadocia to Izmir will allow you to experience the unique Aegean culture.  With a visit to the wonderful village of Sirince.  The next day you'll tour the highlight site of Turkey - Ephesus - once a great Roman city it still has the glory as a must see site.  The next day will allow you to "meander" along the river of its name to the much sought after site of Pamukkale before continuing overland to Antlaya.  This journey will allow you to see some of the Anatolian landscapes and some impressive mountains along the way on our way to the beautiful, turquoise Mediterranean coast of Antalya.   There, we will enjoy a mix of touring and seaside lounging, where 8000 foot mountains rise from a backdrop of crystal clear waters.  3 nights here will allow you to see a mix of sites and enjoy the warm beaches.  You'll return for one last night to Istanbul before departing the final day on your international flight.  

The Highlights of Turkey tour is an ideal choice to see the main historic sites and major attractions of Turkey within 10 days. You’ll see the best of Istanbul and it’s ancient structures, from the mosques to the Roman influenced architecture. After a short flight to Cappadocia, you’ll experience this amazing landscape. While staying at luxurious cave hotels at night, travel and explore the lunar like topography and cave mosaics by day. With a one hour flight to Izmir, spend a few days exploring the classical sites of western Turkey, including the vast avenues of ancient Ephesus, a traveler’s delight.

The Best of Turkey tour is the ideal travel choice for those who wish to enjoy the main historic sites and major attractions of Turkey.  We’ll explore Istanbul and it’s ancient structures, from the mosques to the Roman influences architecture. Next, we’ll fly to Cappadocia and experience this amazing landscape.  While staying at luxurious cave hotels at night, we will explore the lunar like topography and cave mosaics during the day. This tour has less transition travel and more time to enjoy these two regions of Turkey.