Turkey Local Immersion & Homestays Tours & Packages Tours & Trips

Highlights

• Discover the ancient and modern lives within Turkey as you explore thousands of years of history in the remarkable ruins of Ephesus, discover a WWI battlefield in Gallipoli, and immerse yourself in the vibrant vibe of the university town Eskesihir.
• Take in the dizzying diversity of this epic landscape with a visit to the stunning natural hot springs of Pamukkale, a cruise along the picture-perfect Turkish coast over Sunken Cities, and an optional hot-air balloon ride over the fairy-tale land of Cappadocia.
• Get to know the friendly locals over a home-cooked dinner in Cappadocia, then get treated to a Turkish BBQ feast by your local hosts in Kayakoy
• Pull on your walking shoes and set out on a half-day trek along a section of rugged coastline, following part of the ancient walking trail of the Lycian Way and exploring the exotic landscape of Cappadocia on a short hike in the valley.
• Get among local life, from taking local buses and trains to enjoying a traditional gulet (boat) trip and staying in one of the cave hotels that Cappadocia is famed for.

Highlights

• Spend three nights staying in the incredible region of Cappadocia, explore the caves, chimneys and the honeycombed terrain of this fascinating place.
• Discover the iconic sites of Gallipoli, Ephesus and Pamukkale with your locally-based leader by your side to teach you all about the history and culture intertwined here.
• Be welcomed into a local cave home and treated to a special home-cooked lunch prepared by your host. Tuck into delicious food and friendly conversations and top off your meal with a bite of traditional Turkish delight.
• Rub shoulders with friendly locals during a relaxing boat cruise through a series of picturesque islands and enjoy another homemade Turkish lunch with your hosts on board.
• Marvel at Istanbul's most revered sites during a guided walk where you'll discover the 17th century Blue Mosque, and head to the ancient Hippodrome to see intriguing monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II.

Highlights

• Learn about the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest – the capital of Romania that’s often underrated by travellers!
• Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery.
• Indulge in local Bulgarian cheese and wines with a local chef in Veliko Tarnovo, at their family-owned spot in the Old Town.
• Take a trip on the last operational narrow-gauge line in Bulgaria, from Bansko to Plovdiv. Grab a window seat if you can, the scenery is worth it!
• Breathe the crisp mountain air on a short hike in the Pirin Mountains in Bulgaria, stopping at a small blue lake surrounded by towering peaks.

Highlights

• Rich in history, art, architecture, cuisine and nightlife, Budapest is a hot European destination. The Museum of Fine Arts offers free English tours that reveal the famous artwork of Monet, Manet and Goya, just to name a few
• A homestay with a family in the Saxon village of Viscri in Romania offers insight into local life and the chance to sample some delicious home-cooked food
• This trip takes you to a mix of exciting capital cities and quaint mountain villages through Eastern Europe all the way to the transcontinental Istanbul.
• Transylvania is drenched in history and myth. Discover the medieval city of Sighisoara, the birthplace of one of Romania's most infamous figures, Vlad the Impaler - better known as the inspiration for Count Dracula
• Journey deep into the forested valley of Rila to find the Monastery of Saint Ivan. Over 1,000 years old, this spectacular building is one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments

Highlights

• Discover both the traditional and modern wonders of Turkey through the lives of the women who live here including your female leader, and female driver; Turkey’s first female ambulance driver and now proud founder of her own transport company.
• Meet a local mother and daughter in their home in Istanbul and try homemade borek. Sip on Turkish Coffee and learn about the traditionally female art of fortune-telling, which was passed down between generations in Anatolian culture.
• Enjoy a traditional meal in a Cappadocian cave home, cooked by a local woman who is changing the face of tourism in Turkey.
• Wander through the Soganli Valley on a gentle hiking trip, taking in the arid surrounds and towering vistas, then learn how to make a popular Cappadocian souvenir, a ‘kitre.’ Local women have been making these dolls for many years now to earn a living.
• Stay in a female owned and operated hotel in Istanbul, and visit a social enterprise which supports the economic empowerment of low-income women through handicrafts.