PRIVATE TOURS

PRIVATE TOURS

If you like your privacy and independence from groups and package itineraries, a custom-made private tour is the best option for you.  When you go on a private tour with your family, your friends, or alone, you can determine the date you want to travel and customize your own itinerary.  Just let us know what you want to do and see so we can customize the best vacation for your interests and budget.  As the Turkey Specialist, we can use our personal experience and knowledge to suggest hotels that will fit into every budget and comfort level.  

You can take a look at the sample itinerary with prices (click here) that we designed for our private travelers to have an idea or make your own itinerary.  Listed below, you can find some of the most popular places to visit in Turkey.

For more information and to get a quote, contact with us:

Al Avan

E-mail: Al@AvanTravelServices.com

Phone: 714.458.0715

ISTANBUL (CONSTANTINOPLE)

Because of its geographical position, Istanbul has always been the crossroads for travelers and trade routes.  Istanbul is the only city in the world that is situated on two continents; Asia and Europe connecting the east and west.  Many powerful empires in history wanted to control Istanbul and starting from the 7^th century B.C., it was ruled by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Latin Crusaders, and Ottomans and is now a part of the Turkish Republic today.  All these nations added something unique to the city and made it one of the most spectacular places to visit in the world.

We always suggest that our customers stay at least three days here.  There are so many great sights to see; St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Harem quarters, Archeology Museum, Hippodrome Square, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Chora Church, The Museum of Modern Art and Dolmabahce Palace just to name a few.  Of course a short cruise on the Bosphorus Strait that separates Asia from Europe shouldn’t be missed.

Depending on your interest you can add synagogues to learn more about Jewish history, more churches, or mosques to the itinerary. You can also take a look at our “shore excursions” page where you can find several daily tour options to make your own itinerary in Istanbul.

   
CAPPADOCIA

Cappadocia is a place like no other on this earth.  The awe-inspiring landscape of the volcanic rock formations will leave you breathless. This place is so extraordinary that it was used as a natural set for several science-fiction movies.  Two days are recommended here which would allow plenty of time for pictures and a hot air balloon ride at sunrise should not be missed.  Cave hotels which are very unique to Cappadocia are highly recommended for accommodations.

Cappadocia has a lot of fascinating history.  You can learn about how Christians survived raids from intruders throughout history and hid in the underground cities that could contain several thousand people at a time.  You will admire the frescoes in the cave churches in Goreme Open Air Museum and see hidden towns like Pasabagi or Cavusin.  You can hike through the valleys such as Soganli or Ihlara or watch the sunset in the Red Valley.  If you are more adventurous, you can take a bike tour and catch all the details of this surreal landscape or you can horseback ride to see why it is called Cappadocia (the land of the beautiful horses).

  

ANTALYA (ATTALEIA)

Antalya is a beautiful city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey.  In one full day you can cover most of the sights.  The Antalya Archeology Museum is one of the richest museums in the country.  The old city center when the city was called Attaleia can be seen on a pleasant walk down to the ancient harbor.  I would recommend at least one hour at the ancient city of Perge.  In Aspendus, you can see the best preserved Greco-Roman city in the world.

Some tourists like to add a few extra days here to have some free time to relax on the beach, or opt for more sightseeing.  You can visit the Karain Cave, Kursunlu Waterfalls, Phaselis ruins, or choose to cruise the Mediterranean on a gulet, which is a traditional Turkish cruise boat.  Besides the natural and historical beauties, Antalya also offers great golfing and you can take a kayak tour guided by a specialist on the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean around the sunken cities.

  
PAMUKKALE

Pamukkale is a very popular spot for both local and foreign tourists because of its thermal spas and rich ancient history.  Hierapolis is the most visited ancient city here as it is situated on the hills covered by white cascades that are formed by the calcium deposits from the thermal springs.  Depending on your interest, the ruins of Laodicea and Colossae can easily be added to the itinerary.

EPHESUS (KUSADASI)

The ancient city of Ephesus is located close to a resort town on the Aegean Sea called Kusadasi.   It is renowned for having some of the best preserved Greco-Roman ruins in the world with deep historical importance and biblical references.  Commonly visited places in the area are the ruins of Ephesus, the Virgin Mary’s House which is believed to be the last worldly residence of the Holy Mother and the Basilica of St. John that is the burial site of the apostle. 

We highly recommend extending your stay in Kusadasi to see some of the area’s other highlights.   The village of Sirince is a quaint small town which was founded by the late Ephesians after they abandoned the city, and has wonderful small shops, wine tastings, and a beautiful landscape.  We can arrange your stay in the village at some beautiful boutique hotels which are converted from old authentic village houses. 

Miletus is where you can see the theater with reliefs and as well as a very well preserved Roman bath.  The temple of Apollo in Didyma should not be missed as it is the second most popular prophecy center of antiquity after Delphi.  Another highlight of the area is Aphrodisias which was dedicated to the goddess of beauty.  Also, one of the best preserved Greco-Roman stadiums if the world can be seen here as well as the impressive temple of Aphrodite.  As one of the three marble cities of antiquity (Ephesus, Miletus, Aphrodisias) the city has a lot more to offer its visitors.

BODRUM (Halicarnassus)

Known as Halicarnassus in the ancient times, today’s Bodrum is the most popular resort town in Turkey.  For the majority, it is the most beautiful place to spend your summer vacation.  Numerous restaurants and night clubs located on the coastline give you the chance to have dinner or cocktails with an amazing sunset. The architecture is typical for a Mediterranean town; small two-story white houses covered in pink and purple flowers and the Crusader’s Castle off in the distance make the town look like a postcard.

Places of interest for sightseeing are the Crusader’s Castle which also contains the unique Museum of Underwater Archeology, and the mausoleum of King Mausolos which is considered one of the seven wonders of antiquity.  You can do it in one day but most of the time people prefer to extend their stay to take a daily boat trip to visit the surrounding islands made famous for their crystal clear waters and sandy beaches.

ANKARA (ANGORA)

Ankara is the capital city of Turkey.  It has the second largest population after Istanbul.   It is mostly a city of officials and students but is also often visited by tour groups because of two very important places.   The first is the wonderful Anatolian Civilizations Museum that houses some of the most important historical pieces in the world.  The second is the impressive Mausoleum of Ataturk and inside also contains the War of Independence Museum.  The complex is located on a large park-like setting.

From Ankara it is possible to take daily trips to see some historically important ruins such as Hattusa.  It was the capital of the Hittites in the 2^nd century B.C.  The city still has a mystic ambiance with its city walls and gates, and the shrine with the reliefs of their gods and kings with the remains of the buildings.  Another daily trip option is Gordion where you can see the tombs of the Phrygian Kings including King Midas who was a famous figure in ancient mythology with his golden touch.  The city was also famous for the Gordion Knot which was untied by Alexander the Great.

SPECIALTY TOURS

Cooking or belly dancing classes, fishing, bird watching, biking, trekking, horseback riding, kayaking, paragliding are just a part of a long list of specialty tours that we can arrange in Turkey for you.

GOLF

If you love playing golf and want new challenges, Turkey has many golfing options available. Both Istanbul and Antalya on the Mediterranean Coast have several golf resorts which attract millions of golf fans from Europe and beyond every year.  You can play your favorite game and spend the rest of the day relaxing on the beach or taking an excursion to see the historic and the natural beauties of the Mediterranean.