Bodrum Tours

This Bodrum tour delivers a great mix of sights and activities. Highlights include the Gumbet Windmills, Myndos Gate, the ancient theatre – and even leaves time for a gold centre visit and a while to explore the old town at your own pace.Start things off with a visit to the stately Gumbet windmills, which overlook the bay, before heading on to the Myndos Gate – which dates back to the 4th century BC. The ruins of the gate are all that remains of a wall that once encircled ancient Halicarnassus, as Bodrum was known in ancient times. Next, you'll swing by a jewellery centre for the chance to barter your way to a great deal on gold, silver and more. When the expert jewellers dazzle you with theie items, be sure to haggle for the best price. Or if you'd prefer not to buy, just let them know.Then you'll have a guided visit to Bodrum's theatre, which is a wonderfully preserved example of an ancient Greek public arena architecture. The rest of this Bodrum city excursion is dedicated to retail therapy, as you hunt for bargains at local leather and Turkish delight shops, before enjoying some free time to explore the city and browse the shops on your own.

Winding river cruises, mud baths, ancient tombs and the chance to catch a glimpse of loggerhead turtles – this exclusive Dalyan tour is a nature-lover's delight. Sailing on an eco-friendly boat, you'll explore the classical tomb-lined River Dalyan. You might even spy turtles as you drift by the sandbank nicknamed ‘Turtle Beach'.

Ephesus is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites from the classical era. Highlights include the Celsus Library and the Great Theatre. You'll also discover the House of the Virgin Mary and stop by Sirince for a spot of lunch. Gökhan, one of our local guides, says, ‘During the time of Emperor Tiberius, Ephesus was the most important city in Europe apart from Rome. It was wealthy due to its flourishing commercial activity, home to 250,000 people and culturally very advanced. The site is truly impressive – so much detail remains.'Let your expert your guide transport you back in time, learning about the living past of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the Celsus Library, built with double walls to protect its scrolls from the heat. Peek into houses still decorated with frescoes, and nose around the public baths, brothel and shops. Walk down Marble Street to see the Great Theatre, a spectacular 24,000-seater dug into the hillside, which once rang with the cries of gladiators and the sermons of St Paul.Next, we'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic and Muslim shrine. There's a wishing wall, where you can leave written prayers, and a fountain whose waters are believed by some to have miraculous powers. We'll round off the day in Sirince – a little less ancient but still with a sense of yesteryear. Here, you'll have lunch at a family-run restaurant before tasting the local fruit wine and enjoying free time to stroll along the town's cobbled streets.

Pamukkale is spectacular seen from the ground – but even better with bird's eye views. See one of Turkey's top natural treasures from above with this hot air balloon experience. You'll need to rise and shine well before sunrise, but it's all worth it. Soar over the cotton-white calcium terraces before touching down to visit the Roman ruins of Hierapolis, too.

Walk in the footsteps of the ancients during this private tour of Ephesus and Sirince. The classical Greek city of Ephesus was the location of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Temple of Artemis. While time seems to have stood still in the pretty mountain village of Sirince. Gökhan, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The Library of Celsus was built as a mausoleum to Tiberius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, pro-consul of Asia Minor, and could hold 12,000 scrolls. Austrian archaeologists restored it in the 1970s to its current state.'After stopping at a ceramics workshop to see the artisans showing off their skills, you'll venture into sun-soaked hills to discover one of the most extensive and complete archaeological sites in the world. On arrival at Ephesus, you'll follow marble-paved streets to gaze at mosaics in ancient Roman houses and admire epoch-defining buildings such as the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Grand Theatre. With your own guide to explain the historical context, you'll get more from your private tour.Next, we'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic and Muslim shrine. There's a wishing wall, where you can leave written prayers, and a fountain whose waters are believed by some to have miraculous powers. It's a little less ancient, but a sense of yesteryear permeates in Sirince. Here, you'll have lunch at a typical restaurant before enjoying some free time to stroll along its cobbled streets or taste local wines.

Istanbul is where Europe and Asia collide, and where the past and present meet. You'll catch an early-morning flight to Turkey's largest city and spend a day exploring its rich heritage. Among the sights you'll have the opportunity to visit are the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Egyptian Bazaar and Galata Bridge.On arrival in Istanbul, you'll enjoy a guided tour of the old town before heading to the Blue Mosque – so called because of the blue tiles that adorn its vast prayer hall. Next up is the Hippodrome – the site of ancient chariot races – where you'll see the German Fountain, Serpent Column and more. You'll then have free time for lunch.The afternoon is spent sightseeing as you please - the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sofia, Basilica Cistern are all in the same area so take your pick. The Topkapi Palace is a favourite, a ‘forbidden city' where the Ottoman sultans lived, packed with jewels and lavishly decor. After free time to rummage around the Egyptian Bazaar, there's the option of a cruise on the Bosporus and dinner by the Galata Bridge before heading back to the airport.