Customized guided Turkey tours Gobekli Tepe World’s First Temple
We are going to visit Gobekli Tepe in our customized guided Turkey tours. Klaus Schmidt, a German archaeologist who had worked there more than a decade, was sure it’s the site of the world’s oldest temple. Predating Stonehenge by 6,000 years, Turkey’s stunning Gobekli Tepe upends the conventional view of the rise of civilization. It is only fifteen km from Urfa, an ancient city in south-eastern Turkey. Schmidt has made one of the most startling archaeological discoveries of our time: massive carved stones about 11,000 years old, crafted and arranged by prehistoric people who had not yet developed metal tools or even pottery. The megaliths predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. Compared to Gobekli tepe, Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, is a little bit younger. Despite the age gap between these two titans, Istanbul, previously Constantinople, has a lot to show as well. private tour Istanbul.
Day 1 Istanbul – Gaziantep – Urfa (lunch, dinner)
We will get the domestic flight from Istanbul to Gaziantep. To announce the beginning of our tour, we will pay a visit to one of the biggest mosaic museums in the world, in which the mosaics from Zeugma are exhibited. We will enjoy a lunch with lahmacun and baklava at a local restaurant. Drive to Urfa.
Early departure for Harran – one of the earliest scientific centres. On the way back to Urfa we will visit the oldest temple of the world – Gobekli tepe. (Talking about this impressive archaeological site, I cannot but mention the foundation of a city which centuries later will become Bulgaria’s capital city. Sofia dates back to almost the same time as Gobekli tepe. Sightseeing tour Sofia can give you another perspective of life in a not so distant place.)
After having lunch at a local restaurant, we will see the cave where Prophet Abraham was born.
Day 1 Istanbul – Kayseri - Cappadocia (lunch, dinner)
Sightseeing Turkey Tours - Take the flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Kayseri. Arrival and meeting...
Day1 Turkey Customized Sightseeing Istanbul - Kayseri - Cappadocia (lunch, dinner)
Turkey customized sightseeing with tour guide Turkey startswith a flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport...
Day 1 Istanbul – Kayseri – Cappadocia (lunch, dinner)
Sightseeing Turkey Tours – Take the flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport to Kayseri. Arrival and meeting at Kayseri airport just outside the arrival’s gate with a sign bearing your name and drive to Cappadocia then tour to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the most interesting underground settlements in Cappadocia.
Soganli Valley, an Open Air Museum in a wild natural setting near a typical Cappadocian village with its different style rock-cut churches and frescoes. Villages in the valleys, surrounded by the “table top” mountains, are spectacular. Lunch and then we will visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia (10th – 13th century). We will pay a visit to Pasabag fairychimneys where the voice of wind mixes with the songs of fairies.
The journey continues to Konya, the famous old capital city of the Seljuk Turks. There we will visit the 13th century Sultanhani Caravanserai, a hotel for ancient traders and travellers. After lunch, we will drive on to the Central Anatolia region, where you’ll find one of the most fantastic and indescribably beautiful landscapes in the world.
Back to hotel, dinner and overnight.
Day 3 Konya – Pamukkale (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
After breakfast we will start our tour with Mevlana, the whirling dervishes – a scholar, teaching peace, love and tolerance. One of the most important Muslim philosophers. Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi introduced whirling as a method to achieve divine harmony. Following a lunch in a local restaurant in Konya. Then, we will head for Pamukkale. After dinner in the hotel in Pamukkale, you may like to relax at Thermal bath and probably start planning your next trip, customized tours Balkan.
After breakfast, we will visit the extensive ruins of Hierapolis – an ancient Roman city, well-known for its thermal baths and health centre. Cotton Castle or Pamukkale – magical and unique terraces and castles created by deposits of white limestone from thermal springs. This spectacular natural wonder is also in the World Heritage protection list of UNESCO. Then, drive to Selcuk where we will explore Ephesus – probably one of the largest and most outstanding archaeological sites in existence. Some outstanding structures include the Library of Celsius, The Grand Theatre, Hadrian Temple, Marble Street, Agora etc. It is also one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The House of Virgin Mary – according to legend, Virgin Mary and St. John came to Ephesus and died there. Transfer to hotel. (we offer Balkan tours as well as tours in Bulgaria; Sofia daily tours might be of interest to you as Sofia is an ancient city, too)
Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5 Kusadasi – Izmir – Istanbul (breakfast)
After breakfast transfer to airport to take the flight from Izmir to Istanbul. For more details, please contact us.
Customized guided Turkey tours Gobekli Tepe World’s First Temple
We are going to visit Gobekli Tepe in our customized guided Turkey tours. Klaus Schmidt, a...
Day1 Turkey Customized Sightseeing Istanbul - Kayseri - Cappadocia (lunch, dinner)
Turkey customized sightseeing with tour guide Turkey startswith a flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport...
Our Istanbul old city tours (and our Bulgaria tours for Bulgaria) include all the major classic sites of Istanbul. These are a visit to the Hagia Sophia Museum (Aya Sofya, St.Sophia or simply the Church of Holy Wisdom). It is the place where religions meet, where Islamic art and Christian architecture blend blissfully. It is famous for its massive dome, impressive icons and mosaics. After that comes the Blue Mosque which is one of the architectural marvels of the world. Built with the idea to rival and even surpass in grandeur and beauty Hagia Sophia, it immediately attracts attention with its stained-glass windows, the huge central space for praying and Iznik tiles, that feature flowers, trees and abstract patterns. (allow me to mention another Sofia here. The Sofia, capital city of Bulgaria; you can join our daily Sofia tours)
Topkapi Palace
Another museum we will visit was a palace in the past. It was and still is a fine example of Ottoman architecture. There you can see an exhibition of a large collection of porcelain, robes, weapons, shields, armour. Also, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and murals. A display of Ottoman treasures and jewellery as well. Everything I mentioned is Topkapi Palace.
A site of importance, we will also visit, is the imperial lodge of Ottoman Sultans. In addition, it was the administrative centre of the Empire for approximately 400 years. We are not going to miss the Harem, where many stories of numerous concubines are locked. There you will be amazed with the beauty of the Iznik tiles. Our tour also visits the Hippodrome monuments of Constantine’s Column – a Roman monumental column. Emperor Constantine the Great ordered its construction to commemorate the declaration of Byzantium as the new capital city of the Roman Empire. Serpent Column and Egyptian Obelisk are on the list of Istanbul old city tours as well as a part of guided round tours Turkey.
Grand Bazaar
We will finish our Istanbul old city tours by visiting the first shopping mall of the history. It was built in 1464, at the command of Mehmet the Conqueror. The Grand Bazaar contains of around 4400 shops, 2195 workshops, 497 stalls and 18 fountains. The bazaar is not just a covered market. It is, with all the mosques, banks, police stations, restaurants and workshops, a covered city of its own.
Customized guided Turkey tours
Customized Istanbul Tours will start with a visit to Istanbul Modern Art Gallery where you can see really interesting art pieces....
A nice break from the rush of Istanbul, city tours Istanbul
Private tours Istanbul and the famously beautiful stretch of water, the Bosphorus, offer a...
Customized Istanbul Tours will start with a visit to Istanbul Modern Art Gallery where you can see really interesting art pieces. Then we will wander down the Istiklal Street and spice our day up with Turkish coffee.
In Turkish we use the word “kahvaltı” for breakfast. It is a made up word – made out of kahve, “coffee” and “alti” – underneath. It means the food you have should be before you have your coffee. We won’t simply have coffee. It will be accompanied with fortune telling. You cannot imagine how many things can be seen in that little cup. For example, a trip to Bulgaria, Bulgaria private tours Kazanlak – a small town in the Rose Valley. Why not?!
Istiklal Street
If you like to wander down the Istiklal Street, which is the busiest street of Istanbul, with us please contact us so we can discuss the details. While there, we will visit the St. Antuan (Catholic) Church.
One of our stops will be the fish market. In olden days people used to hold fish auctions where fishermen would bring their fish and try to sell it for the best price. In those days you could easily understand who was interested in which fish because if they wanted to buy that fish, they would never look at it straight 🙂 Auctions are no longer held but still you can do some bargaining and you can easily ask a restaurant to cook the fish for you. Of course you have to pay money for it.
It is about the time for lunch. We will have our lunch in a local restaurant.
After we try some delicious Turkish food (which we will enjoy every time we are on), for dessert we will go to Moda where they serve the best ice-cream in the world. You need knife and fork to eat it.
Being the busiest street of Istanbul, Istiklal Street also has lots of shopping options.
We will finish customized Istanbul tours by visiting a modern shopping centre. (And why not start planning our next trip to another big city, Sofia, Bulgaria. Although it is on one continent only, Europe, Sofia will surely surprise you with its history, culture, sightseeing. Sofia walking tour)
Back to Istanbul and Istiklal Street. If you like to carry on until night on Istiklal Street, you are more than welcome. If not, we will take you back to your hotel.
A nice break from the rush of Istanbul, city tours Istanbul
Private tours Istanbul and the famously beautiful stretch of water, the Bosphorus, offer a...
Turkey sightseeing - how many people live in Turkey
It's always interesting to know facts about a country. These are, usually, official language, culture, population....
Day1 Turkey Customized Sightseeing Istanbul - Kayseri - Cappadocia (lunch, dinner)
Turkey customized sightseeing with tour guide Turkey startswith a flight from Istanbul Ataturk airport...
Private tours Istanbul, Istanbul the endless story. A story because when told to you or you lived it yourself, you are ready to hear it again and again. Why an endless!? Istanbul is endless culturally, historically, spiritually. Endless with its places of interest, its entertainment, nightlife. Being old and carrying the burdens of great empires, Istanbul is full of unusual stories. You cannot feel bored there. Always something to do in Istanbul during the day or at night. All you need is the spirit of an adventurer, good mood and good energy. The rest is the cosmopolitan city.
Most of you, surely, have visited Istanbul during the day. Not only once, I know. Of course, I am not surprised. The city is not a place that reveals itself for a day or two. It takes more than that. Just like Bosphorus Istanbul, despite the disrespect people sometimes show to it, the city doesn’t stop being intriguing, charming and exciting. Jump into that endless source of information and entertainment called Istanbul and live it to the fullest. It’s definitely worth trying getting to know Istanbul better and better.
Nightlife in Istanbul
Our night private tour Istanbul will start from Kumkapi (in Turkish it means ‘sand gate’). It is a quarter famous for the fish restaurants and it is full with local people especially at weekends. As an attraction centre for locals, it also attracts tourists who like to see the real Turkey. Kumkapi is centered on a small square where six streets meet.
Firstly, we will start our night with an early fish dinner in Kumkapi for two reasons: first, it gets so crowded and second, we have more places to see after the dinner.
Of course, as we are the company that makes tailor-made private tours, if you wish, we can arrange a night for you only in Kumkapi. You can see how interesting Turkish entertainment can be. Also, if you are interested in Turkey in general, Turkey sightseeing, please contact us.
Secondly, we will stop at Beyoglu, “Pera” in our private tour Istanbul. Pera means ‘the other side’ in Greek. When Istanbul was Constantinople, non-Christians were living in Pera. When Constantinople became Istanbul, it became a non-Muslim area. In Ottoman times, without speaking French, you couldn’t communicate in Pera. In short, it had always been an entertainment centre as it is now. We will wander down the Istiklal Street and visit a couple of bars and cafes. We are not mentioning the names of the places because we always pop in different places. A walk on Istiklal Street means time spent nicely. No doubt about it! Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the heart of Beyoglu, the more modern district of Istanbul built during the 19th century.
The street is the most popular strolling, shopping and snacking one. It is now reserved for pedestrians, lined with boutiques, cafes, consulates, restaurants, galleries, cinemas and banks. When 19th-century travellers spoke of Constantinople (Istanbul) as the Paris of the East, they were thinking of the Grande Rue de Pera (Istiklal Caddesi). Also, of its half-European, half-Asian culture. Do you already feel tempted to feel the spirit of the avenue?
Although I’m talking about Istiklal street in our Nightlife Istanbul tour, that doesn’t mean we are not walking on it and enjoying it during our daily tours. This is a place you cannot simply pass by. It is always busy with both locals and visitors to Istanbul. Then we add the vintage tram that traverses the length of the street and brings nostalgy. We get the perfect reason to show Istanbul the deserved respect.
Bosphorus and Sortie Club
The final stop of private tour Istanbul will be Sortie Club, the most sophisticated night club of Turkey. It is settled on the Bosphorus. While you are enjoying the music and the drinks, you can also enjoy the magnificent view of Bosphorus and Asia. The famous night club is in the neighbourhood of Kurucesme. The name Kurucesme means ‘dried fountain’. It is very close to an interesting neighbourhood called Ortakoy. Ortakoy means “middle village”. It was in the middle of all different religions and nations – Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox and other Christian ranking. Turks, Greeks, Armenians and Jews all lived there nicely and in harmony. For the daytime it is nice to have a Turkish coffee on one of the rooftop cafes with the breeze from the Bosphorus. Night time Ortakoy is the place of baked potatoes, nice beer and a tequila shot in Sortie Club. As Sortie Club is such a popular night club you can never know how many famous Turkish people you can see there.
Be ready for interesting encounters. Endless stories to tell friends. Stories not only from Sortie, the night club. These can be tales of people you made friends with. Tales of places that tickled your imagination. Smells and flavours which kept you awake bringing images of people, sites… Bringing memories back. Istanbul has the power of being captivating, challenging, recharging.
Trust Istanbul with its good and bad sides. Visit it. Contact us and we will be there for you to make you experience all I am writing about.
Customized guided Turkey tours
Customized Istanbul Tours will start with a visit to Istanbul Modern Art Gallery where you can see really interesting art pieces....
Private tours Istanbul and the famously beautiful stretch of water, the Bosphorus, offer a different kind of tour. Are Istanbulians lucky to have that stretch? To have a place where locals can escape the noise of the big city? For the locals, crossing the Bosphorus to go from one side to the other, from Europe to Asia or the opposite, it is the time when they can be with their own thoughts…
Regardless of the fact that Bosphorus can be dangerous, it is widely liked and adored. For people who live in Istanbul, the Bosphorus means a great view. One that stays the same – continuous traffic, a cruise ship or a battle ship, ferryboats, fishing boats.
Also, for tourists on private tours Istanbul, Bosphorus is an attraction on both sides. Beautiful houses, palaces, mosques attract the eyes of the ones who are eager to explore the beauty of Istanbul, the Bosphorus.
A tour on the Bosphorus
We start our private tours Istanbul from Eminonu at around 10 am. According to sources, Eminonu is one of the places where Byzantium was first established. The Eminonu coast was ultimately a harbour during the Byzantine period. Today, it is usually crowded with tourists. If there in the evening and the weather is good, one can enjoy a sunset view of the Golden Horn, and a good, cheap dinner – balik ekmek (‘balik’- fish and ‘ekmek’- bread). The attractive couple, Fish and Bread, just like Bosphorus, is another symbol of Istanbul. For a century, maybe, fishermen brought their catch from the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul’s Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn for sale. Local people know the ‘balik ekmek’ very well and whenever they have the chance, they just have it. For tourists or visitors to the city, this is something they must try, although they might find it a bit fish at first.
The tour
Back to our tour. After we leave Eminonu, the European side, we head to the north. Firstly, we see the Dolmabahce Palace which is a late Ottoman palace built in the middle of the 19th century. The palace is a great place to offer a more modern yet historic view of Turkey. Dolmabahce Palace is simply beautiful. It is very European and grand. Sultan Abdulmecid II spared no expense in creating a house to rival the most opulent palaces of France. The result is a magnificent building consisting of 285 rooms, four grand salons, six galleries. Also, five main staircases, six hamams and 43 toilets. The palace can easily be a favourite destination in private tours Istanbul as well as private Turkey tours. Dolmabahce Palace can also be in your top list for Istanbul sightseeing tours. Next will be Ortakoy, Bebek and Yenikoy. These are all neighbourhoods in Istanbul, each one of them with their story.
Peace and beauty
Our peaceful journey on the Bosphorus takes us past Rumeli Fortress, which Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror built just before the great attack for Constantinopolis. It was built in less than 5 months and looked from above it depicts the name of Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror in Arabic. The fortress was built in order to manage the passing ships in the Boshorus. Also, as a military-financial control point as well as a strong resistance base to prevent attacks from the north of the Bosphorus.
The Bosphorus view
At Anadolu Fortress we will have a break for lunch. Later, on the way back to the Asian side, we will see the Kuleli Army High School, Beylerbeyi Palace and the Maiden Tower. Make sure you remember the beautiful story of the Maiden Tower. It has rich history and the architectural style responds to the era around 340 BCE. The tower served many different purposes throughout the centuries. It used to be tax collection centre, a defense tower, and a lighthouse. As every place of importance, the Maiden’s Tower is a subject of several legends. One of the legends tells about a young girl named Hero and a boy, Leandros who fell in love. Every night Leandros swam to the islet guided by the fire Hero used to build for him. Unfortunately, one night a storm put the fire out and Leandros lost his way. In her devastation and grief, Hero committed a suicide.
Contact us if you want me top help you live the wonder called Istanbul and Bosphorus.
Customized guided Turkey tours
Customized Istanbul Tours will start with a visit to Istanbul Modern Art Gallery where you can see really interesting art pieces....
Walking Tours Istanbul – A relaxing day on Princes’ Islands
Walking Tours Istanbul and Turkey tour guides – In the morning we will leave Kabatas with the boat. Our journey will last about 2 hours during which time we will enjoy the great view of Istanbul. The continent of Europe greets you from your right while Asia waves at you from your left. It is a chance for you to escape the modern life and enjoy the serenity and tranquillity of Buyukada island. It is in the sea of Marmara and is the biggest in the Princes’ Islands group. ‘These Isles of the Princes lie in sight of Stamboul and its splendours, and of the mountains of Asia, dominated by the Mysean Olympus. They are glorious in physical loveliness…’, Samuel Sullivan Cox – an American Congressman who was Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1885.
Phaeton
Make sure you get some simit (it is a circular bread with sesame seeds) so you can feed the seagulls while on the boat. (also, try to always have a guide with you so you can get the best, possible, tour; please, read about Sofia tour guides in Bulgaria) Depending on how hungry they are, they can even try to get it from your hand. Just like on the other islands there is no car traffic on Buyukada. To prevent the islands from becoming polluted, the only motorized vehicles allowed are the ones of service (fire, rubbish, police, ambulance). Transportation is in fact, traditional horse-drawn phaetons. Also, the design of the roads on the island is suitable for walking and cycling.
On the other side of the island we will have a long break that we can walk up to the hill to visit St. Yorgi Church, which lies on the island’s highest peak. Every year on 23 April thousands of pilgrims of all faiths journey from Turkey, Greece, the Balkans and even Russia. (visit Bulgaria) Please, make sure that you wear comfortable shoes for that walk.
After the visit we will go back to the centre with the Phaeton. Before we leave the island, we will have our lunch and free time. Again on the way back we will travel with the great scenery of Istanbul .
Update…
Unfortunately, for us and the tourists, but not for the horses, all the traditional horse-drawn phaetons have been banned with the order of the municipality of Istanbul on 14 June 2020. After a deadly illness among the horses, all of them have been bought by the municipality and retired. Phaetons have been replaced with electric cars.
A nice break from the rush of Istanbul, city tours Istanbul
Private tours Istanbul and the famously beautiful stretch of water, the Bosphorus, offer a...
Customized guided Turkey tours
Customized Istanbul Tours will start with a visit to Istanbul Modern Art Gallery where you can see really interesting art pieces....
Feeling ready to try the best food on both sides of Istanbul? And then whole Turkey? Or Turkey before Istanbul? Whatever you recognise as your first option, you will be pleased. Turkey is the symbol of not only history but delicious food as well. You shouldn’t miss out on one day at least, dedicated to enjoying lovely dishes. Istanbul has always been appealing to people from all over Turkey with its opportunities for work. Slowly and surely, this huge city became the soul of the country. As such a cultural capital and because of all the migrants, Istanbul developed its own unique cuisine – a complexity of dishes from the different regions of Turkey.
Take the Eastern Black Sea region, for example with its corn flour based dishes. It’s due to the heavy rainfall which hinders the growth of wheat in that area. The Aegean region where olives found the best conditions to grow. The region is famous for its olive production and olive oil vegetable dishes. Then, the abundant livestock in the Southeastern Anatolian region is the reason for the meat rich dishes and kebabs, while Thrace is proud with its pastries.
Now imagine all the people going to Istanbul from all around Turkey, in search of work. Each one of them brings their own knowledge for food and dishes. Each one of them takes their culture of eating to Istanbul. So, here we have a city colourful with the different people and their cuisines. There is Turkey as well which has one of world’s top cuisines, rich and savoury. A cuisine that has countless different influences and tastes. The rich history these lands have influenced the cuisıne. Lands that hosted first the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empires.
Private tour Istanbul usually introduces Culinary Istanbul tour to its tourists. As I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy looking at, eating and cooking food, I think you are no different.
City tours Istanbul – nourishing and tasty
Note that our city tours Istanbul starts with a nourishing breakfast at ‘Pando Kaymak’ also known as ‘Bulgarian’s Place’. It is located at Besiktas market. So, Kaymakci Pando, as the name suggests, makes and serves the best kaymak. This is clotted snow-white cream made by skimming buffalo milk that have been simmered for a couple of hours. As for that family-run restaurant, it makes you witness the rituals in the kitchen. You can enjoy the hosts who like to feed their guests with the tastiest food.
Then, with our ‘batteries’ charged, we continue to the Barbaros Tomb. The famous Ottoman architect Sinan built the tomb between the years 1541 and 1542 in Besiktas. Also, there is a monument erected at the side of the tomb. In 1944, people used 6900 kg of bronze material to make it. It resembles the bow of the ship at 11,5 m in height.
Food and history, city tours Istanbul
Next stop in city tours Istanbul, will be the National Maritime Museum – the first naval museum of Turkey. Its collection consists of approximately 20,000 objects.
After the museum, we will get on the ferry from Besiktas to Uskudar. In short time we will step on another continent – Asia.
For Istanbul is a city of endless beauty and takes your energy away, just like your breath, our delicious breakfast will be long gone. Therefore, one of the oldest restaurants in Istanbul serving traditional Turkish / Ottoman cuisine, ‘Kanaat’ diners will host us for a lovely lunch.
When lunch is over, we will go back on the ferry from Uskudar to Haskoy where we will visit the Koc Museum. The museum was opened in 1994 and dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications.
At 5 pm a suitable, lovely end of our city tours Istanbul will be the dinner at Sadrazam Mahmut Restaurant. Because this is a different meat restaurant that offers delicious specialties like Uykuluk (sweetbread), Grand Vizier Rice, grilled meat… Also, the place is interesting with its history. In the past it used to be a stable which turned into an eating house over the years… The rest you can read in the menu right before you choose your tasty dinner.
A nice break from the rush of Istanbul, city tours Istanbul
Private tours Istanbul and the famously beautiful stretch of water, the Bosphorus, offer a...
Private tour Istanbul - Night Istanbul
Private tours Istanbul, Istanbul the endless story. A story because when told to you or you lived it yourself,...
Customized guided Turkey tours
Customized Istanbul Tours will start with a visit to Istanbul Modern Art Gallery where you can see really interesting art pieces....
Sightseeing tour Turkey – Antalya Golf Club, the Pasha and PGA Sultan
Sightseeing tour Turkey – Antalya Golf Club, Belek, is one of the most popular golf clubs in Turkey, with two outstanding golf courses. Both the Pasha and PGA Sultan are regularly rated in the top 5 courses in Belek, with the PGA Sultan course often in the number one spot. It may be a surprise to hear that the Pasha is by no means a holiday course. Far from easy, the Pasha course presents a combination of challenges to test the high and low handicapper. We have an ambition to present our collection of tours, including different countries such as tour packages Bulgaria.
Umbrella pines
Tricky dog-legs, cleverly placed bunkers and undulating greens ensure that even the seasoned golfer must think over each shot carefully. However, it is a course which can be enjoyed whatever your handicap. This is possible because the shorter length and generous fairways are kind to any wayward shots. Towering umbrella pines, crystal clear lakes and the snow capped Taurus Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to the course as it winds its way through the forests of Belek.
Indeed only the call of the emblem of Antalya Golf Club, the Hoopoe birds, can interrupt these peaceful surroundings. PGA Sultan opened doors on September 1st 2003. Those golfers who like challenges will surely enjoy the design of the course. European Golf Design and David Jones spared nothing to maintain the competitive level of course. At the same time blending it seamlessly into the forest environment. The layout is extremely well thought out. The placement of tactical bunkers and water hazards strategically deliver a real test of golfing ability. The PGA Sultan presents a difficult but ultimately very rewarding challenge. A true yardstick by which to gauge skill.
A very popular course, the 27 Hole Nick Faldo Championship Golf Course in Belek opened doors on November 2006. Cornelia Golf Club is located on the eastern side of Belek in an excellent forest location. It has a modern stylish design and first class amenities for golfers. It has been designed in a natural environment amongst big pines and natural sand sub oil. A broad dune ridge runs right across the course and is a major part of several of the holes, with elevated tees and greens on many holes. Typical of the Faldo design, there are several holes which require very careful consideration.
This is definitely a thinking man’s course. Cornelia Faldo has already established itself as one of the must play courses in the area. The emphasis on course upkeep and management is obvious. The Faldo course is always in very good condition even in high season. And as it has 27 holes, at least 18 are always playable. The clubhouse features a David Leadbetter Academy with a driving range (both sides use); 3 putting greens, 2 chipping and pitching greens, and separate practice areas for groups. Golfers playing at the Cornelia Golf Club Nick Faldo course also receive one free range token each.
Gloria Golf Club was the first resort in Turkey featuring its own on-site golf course. The French golf course designer Michel Gayon and the Belgian golf project management company J.N.C International, with the cooperation of Turkish Consultants have carefully designed all the 45 holes of the Gloria Golf courses so that they suit the Mediterranean climate and impress even the most demanding golfer.
Gloria courses forest of Belek
The Gloria courses are amidst the pine forest of Belek, at the foot of Taurus mountains. You will find that on Gloria Old Course, each hole will pose an exciting challenge. Opened in September 1997, Michel Gayon’s specialty, the “deep” bunker, the 600 square metre greens and 7 lakes of which the largest is 30,000 square metres, are some of the features of the magnificent Gloria Old course. The Old course immediately became a favourite amongst golfers to Turkey, and indeed remains so.
The Gloria New golf course, officially opened in November 2005, consists of three rolling lines and features 4 big lakes and 67 bunkers. The Gloria New course is a superb test for every golfer, and was host to the European Senior Tours Classic in 2007. (Talking about European tours, we would like to present our Sofia city tour) The lake lined 18th hole promises a memorable finish. The designer of the challenging Gloria New golf course, which consists of three rolling lines, is again the famous architect Michel Gayon. Gloria Golf Club also boast a great 9 hole Academy course, the Verde.
The 9 hole Gloria Verde academy course is one of the best 9 hole academy courses in Europe, and open to players of all handicaps at selected times. It is possible to combine 9 holes on Verde with 9 holes on another Gloria course for a different 18 hole combination. Very often you can do this in high season when the course is busy. Gloria’s great practice facilities and 45 holes make it ideal for teaching groups. Gloria’s Club House’s decoration is superb and features a restaurant, bar and pro-shop.
Sightseeing tour Turkey – Kaya Eagles Belek is a themed course carrying the THA signature of internationally famous designer David Jones. This good solid course is not a walk over, and still requires a strong nerve. The Kaya Belek course has many interesting holes and features eucalyptus trees and a 750.000 m2 pine forest. A good holiday course and also ideal for those with lower handicaps to play. The clubhouse is smaller and more understated than many of the others in Belek, and is a refreshing change from some of the more opulent designs.
Located between the Mediterranean on one side, lush green forests and the Taurus mountains on the other, Lykia World & Links Golf Antalya bring you with a beach of 2.5 km. Due to its location, it is the very first and the only links golf course on the shores of the Mediterranean. Since it is the first for Turkey and the southern Mediterranean, the idea behind the links course is to become one of the finest and for dedicated golf enthusiasts. It is an 18 hole championship links course set in the sand dunes by the sea and designed by celebrated golf architect Perry Dye.
All 18 holes on the Par 72 course have commanding views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding mountain peaks, where the prevailing winds will challenge golfers on the four holes on the coastline. Lykia Links Antalya covers 603,000 square metres of the golf complex. The course is a challenge for the accomplished golfer, requiring Scottish-style ‘punch and run’ shots. Quilted fairways are reminiscent of famous courses in Scotland and an assortment of pot bunkers guard the greens and require placement on the fairway.
Sightseeing tour Turkey – Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club
The Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course, Belek, is one of the most exciting new additions to golf in Europe. Everybody has already described it as one of the finest courses in the world. Having opened in September 2008, it has a natural wild feel. It is home to perhaps the best club house in Belek with a large terrace and a mouthwatering selection of cuisine on offer.
Complementing the 18 hole Montgomerie Course is a golf academy and fantastic, top of the range ‘Golden Swing’ training facilities. Set within 104 hectares of pine forest and ridges, the feel of the naturally sandy ground is maintained in order to develop this particular feature.
It is Colin Montgomerie’s first Mediterranean design and he now rates this design as one of his finest. Challenging and undulating, featuring 8 lakes and approximately 7 hectares of bunkers, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal is one of the toughest courses in Belek. The Montgomerie course is also one of the only courses in Belek to feature Bent grass rather than Bermuda.
The National Golf Course in Belek offers something special for all levels of golfer. Because of the sculpted fairways, glistening white bunkers and velvet greens, the National Golf Club was the first international standard golf complex on the Turkish Mediterranean coast when it opened in 1994. The National golf course remains one of the best designed courses in Belek. It’s an establishment that provides exclusive facilities for both members and visitors.
The 18 hole Championship Course, designed by Ryder Cup Player David Feherty, has played host to the PGA European Turkish Seniors Open in 1996 and 1997. National also have a superb 9 hole Academy Course which suits any standard of golfer; with its wide tree lined holes and water coming into play on several of the tee shots. It can also be an excellent warm-up before your round on the Championship Course. The club house is much more traditional than many of the modern facilities in Belek, and the food is really fantastic. There is a perfect view of the green on the 18th hole from the terrace of the golf club. So be prepared for a grandstand finish.
World famous architect Dave Thomas has masterfully created a great golfing experience at Robinson Nobilis Golf Resort Antalya, within the natural pine forest that borders the Acisu River in Belek on the south coast of Turkey.
Nobilis makes excellent use of the natural terrain; its winding style complimented with holes along the Acisu River; where water and greenside bunkers await anything other than an accurately hit shot. The Nobilis course consists of tight, tree lined fairways and large greens. Strategically placed water hazards and bunkers; and a number of dog legs make this a test for even the most experienced player. The beautiful Roman style clubhouse awaits you a short pitch away from the 18th green.
The two Sueno golf courses surround the Sueno Golf Hotel and are a unique combination in Belek – this is the only hotel where no shuttle is needed to the golf course. The easier of the two courses, the Sueno Dunes Course measures over 5600 metres.
However, it is by no means an easy course, and Dunes will punish poor play. Still employing the wild shaping of the links used on the Pines course; the Dunes course utilizes a more conventional resort bunker style thereby setting a resort style of challenge for the travelling golfer. The Sueno Golf academy offers individual golf instruction; group courses and team training for all strengths of golfers who visit Belek.
The two Sueno golf courses surround the Sueno Golf Hotel and are a unique combination in Belek – this is the only hotel where no shuttle is needed to the golf course. Both Sueno courses were designed by PGA Design Consulting and Bob Hunt and opened in 2007. Sueno Pines and Dunes golf courses are placed on a wonderful area of land with a total of 20 lakes and 128 bunkers between them. The combination of these two courses proves very popular with teaching groups; and Sueno also has excellent driving range and training areas to offer.
The tougher of the two courses, the Sueno Pines Course measures over 6,400 metres from the championship tees. Employing the wild shaping of the links courses and a natural bunker style, this course offers a rugged beauty as well as a tough but fair golfing test. Sueno Pines is regularly rated within the top 3 courses in Belek, with its challenging long and meandering fairways.
Sightseeing tour Turkey – Tat International Golf Club
Renovated and reopened at the end of Summer 2010, Tat Golf Club Belek has been specifically designed for the avid and demanding European golfer. Offers a choice of three championship 9 hole layouts giving you a variety of 18 hole combinations.
Designed by Hawtree of England, Golf Course Architects; the intention was to keep the natural character of the area; and provide dunes, lakes and rivers as much as possible. The large and widespread area of 13 acres directly placed by the Mediterranean sea has been left as original as possible. Many tees are placed on the summits of the former dunes to give you the best look-out on the dunes; the Taurus range and the Mediterranean sea.
At Tat Golf club, the greens are built as visible to make it possible to avoid blind shots. Fair and unusually good conditions are even found after extreme heavy rain falls. The sandy ground of the former dunes allows the water to flow off very quickly and ensures the course remains playable. Emphasis was put on giving every 9 Hole Championship Course (The River, The Mediterranean and The Forest). Its own character and each hole has its own playing and landscape character to make this golf course unforgettable for you.
We pick you up from your hotel with a luxurious vehicle and we drive to Aspendos. It is only 20 km drive from Belek. If you like to try something local, we will stop for some gozleme, which is filo pastry stuffed either with cheese potatoes, mincemeat or spinach. We will see the Aspendos Bridge over Koprucay River.
Then, we will see one of the best well-preserved ancient Roman Theatre in the world. The theatre has been used as Kervansaray, which means “hotel for caravans”, during the Selcuk era. You will be amazed with the acoustic of the theatre and you don’t need to use speakers to make someone who sits on the top row to hear you.
Next, we will carry on to Aqueducts of the Aspendos city which Romans built to take water to the city.
After our visit to Aspendos, we will carry on to Manavgat (40 km) where we have one of the most famous waterfalls of Turkey.
We will stop in a shopping centre on the way back to your hotel.
Option two – Sightseeing tour Turkey
We pick you up from your hotel with a luxurious vehicle and drive to Antalya (45 km). Firstly, we will straight go to Kaleici, where the old settlement of Antalya is. We will have a nice walk there starting from Hadrian’s gate down to the harbour. On the way we will see lots of old houses and gift shops.
From the harbour we will get a boat to Kursunlu Waterfall.
After we have our lunch we will drive back to your hotel.
On the way back to the hotel, we will make a shopping stop.
For this tour and the other tours of ours, please contact us and get more information.
Customized private Turkey tours - Kemer Golf & Country Club, Istanbul
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Customized private Turkey tours – Kemer Golf & Country Club, Istanbul
Customized private Turkey tours – you like sport and you are adventurous enough to combine it with a place of great history. You’ve already tried our private Balkan tours and you are looking for something different. Then, sport and the city of Istanbul.
The Kemer Golf & Country Club is part of a huge sports complex offering elite membership to golfers, tennis players, equestrians and those interested in keeping fit in style.
Kemer Golf Club is a parkland style course which was designed to meet USGA standards. It hosts many national and international tournaments and the national Turkish team also train there. Located along the hills of the Belgrade forest, this course is challenging and beautiful.
Facilities also include a practice course, training facilities, a club house and onsite pro shop. The Kemer Golf & Country Club also boasts the largest indoor equestrian centre in the Balkans, and offers 24 hour horse care service at the highest standards. The superb tennis club has the largest number of indoor courts in Turkey, and the wellness and fitness centre has more than 5000 members.
Klassis Golf and Country Club, Istanbul, is an 18 hole, 73 par Championship Golf Course designed by one of the world’s top players, Tony Jacklin. The course is 6072 metres in length and is considered a tough course, particularly with its location in a rough landscape.
The beautifully kept Klassis Golf Course meets European standards. And has hosted many international tournaments, including the PGA European Challenge Tour, PGA Seniors Tour and European Club Cup Trophy. The course has four par 3, nine par 4 and five par 5 holes. Klassis features two lakes spreadover 35,184 sqm area in total. There is also a 9 hole Academy course, par 27 and 907 metres long. Also featured is a 225 metre driving range, 9 hole putting green, and a great on site pro shop.
Recomended tours for you or your family in the great city of Istanbul. Also, we like to offer you to visit another big city, Sofia. It is in Europe only, unlike Istanbul, on two continents Asia and Europe. Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria, Sofia old city tours.
Option One
We will pick you up from your hotel with a luxurious vehicle and you will enjoy a full day in historic Istanbul. There will be a visit to Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century. Then, the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue Iznik tiles. Also, the Hippodrome Square where ancient chariot races were held, and the aromas of the Egyptian Spice Market.
Option Two
We will pick you up from your hotel with a luxurious vehicle and we will drive to Grand Bazaar, the oldest and biggest shopping mall of the world. After we shop till we drop.. we will go on a boat tour on the Bosporus, viewing the picturesque beauty of the European and Asian shorelines on either side.
Contact us and let us provide you with all the details for the tours.
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