Ephesus Standard Tours &amp; Trips

none

3.7/5 Great

Self-Guided / Independent Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, Kusadasi

Highlights

Visit the Acropolis, the astonishing ancient architectural masterpiece built during the Golden Age of Athens Tour the Acropolis Museum, a striking modern building where many of the original statues from the Acropolis are now displayed Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Tour the Minoan palace of Knossos, with its awe-inspiring Throne Room and beautiful frescoes †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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7 days From$1,919

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15 Day Highlights of Turkey & Greece with 3 Day Iconic Aegean Cruise

none

3.7/5 Great

Group Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Meteora , Thessaloniki

Highlights

Visit Topkapi Palace, the residence of the Ottoman Sultans, including the Harem section Discover Istanbul's sights including St. Sophia, the Hippodrome, Turkish & Islamic Art Museum and Grand Bazaar Embark on a cruise along the Bosphorus, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia Explore Edirne, an important gateway between Europe and the East with its iconic Selimiye Mosque Tour the archaeological site of Philippi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Take a walking food tour, where you discover Thessaloniki's distinct local flavors View the Royal Tomb of King Philip and the famous "Vergina Treasures" Visit Meteora with its mystical Eastern Orthodox monasteries perched in mid-air Explore the Acropolis, an ancient architectural masterpiece and visit the Acropolis Museum Tour the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Visit the Minoan palace of Knossos, with its magnificent Throne Room and beautiful frescoes †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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15 days From$4,219

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8 Day Athens with 4 Day Iconic Aegean Cruise

none

3.7/5 Great

Self-Guided / Independent Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Rhodes

Highlights

Visit the Acropolis, the astonishing ancient architectural masterpiece built during the Golden Age of Athens Tour the Acropolis Museum, a striking modern building where many of the original statues from the Acropolis are now displayed Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Tour the traditional settlement of Lindos and the medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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8 days From$1,959

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10 Day Essential Greece with 3 Day Iconic Aegean Cruise

none

3.7/5 Great

Group Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Corinth, Crete, Delphi, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Olympia

Highlights

Visit the Acropolis Museum, a modern museum housing ancient relics from the Acropolis Visit Olympia, birthplace of the first Olympic Games Tour the archaeological sites of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Tour the Minoan palace of Knossos, with its awe-inspiring Throne Room and beautiful frescoes †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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10 days From$2,679

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10 Day Essential Greece with 3 Day Iconic Discovery Cruise

none

3.7/5 Great

Group Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Olympia, Santorini

Highlights

Visit the Acropolis Museum, a modern museum housing ancient relics from the Acropolis Visit Olympia, birthplace of the first Olympic Games Tour the archaeological sites of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Tour the Minoan palace of Knossos, with its awe-inspiring Throne Room and beautiful frescoes †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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10 days From$3,589

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11 Day Essential Greece with 4 Day Iconic Discovery Cruise

none

3.7/5 Great

Group Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Corinth, Delphi, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Olympia, Rhodes

Highlights

Visit the Acropolis Museum, a modern museum housing ancient relics from the Acropolis Visit Olympia, birthplace of the first Olympic Games Tour the archaeological sites of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Tour the traditional settlement of Lindos and the medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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11 days From$2,459

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8 Day Athens with 4 Day Iconic Aegean Cruise

none

3.7/5 Great

Self-Guided / Independent Tour

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Moderate

Trip pace

Balanced schedule

Visits

Acropolis, Athens, Crete, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Rhodes

Highlights

Visit the Acropolis, the astonishing ancient architectural masterpiece built during the Golden Age of Athens Tour the Acropolis Museum, a striking modern building where many of the original statues from the Acropolis are now displayed Explore the archaeological site of Ancient Ephesus and the colorful town of Kusadasi Tour the traditional settlement of Lindos and the medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

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8 days From$1,959

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Highlights of Turkey

By Expat Explore

none

4/5 Great

21 reviews

Operator does not provide

Lodging level

Standard - 3 star

Physical level

Easy

Visits

Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul, Pergamum, Troy

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a very eventful itinerary that allowed us to see 8 countries in two weeks. The tour was very fast paced in order to accomplish the advertised program and it felt rushed. In order to travel to 8 different European countries, you have to expect that there will be a lot of coach seat/drive time. Our tour guide Jemma and coach driver Gabriel were very professional and focused on meeting Expat Explore’s tour destination requirements. Jemma always provided interesting information and tips about the cities and sites that we were visiting. Our driver Gabriel always got us to our destinations on time and safely. The included and optional excursions were conducted at a moderate to swift walking speed, at some places there was no time to take pictures. Some of us found it difficult to keep up with the group, and once caught up to the group, who were at a stopping/rest point, it was time to resume the walking tour which did not allow some of us to catch our breath. You have to keep in mind that this tour is a “budget” tour. With that in mind, some hotels were sub-standard. The Paris hotel had mold in the shower. As expected, some hotels did not have air-conditioning, and other hotels which did have air conditioning were not adequately able to cool the room. The included tour dinners and lunches were very average. We had better dining experiences when we were left on our own when we used our free time. Overall, we were pleased to see all European countries/cities/sites included in the tour. This review was submitted to Expat Explore to be posted. I believe that Expat Explore only posts 4 and 5 stars reviews on their website which gives a misleading impression of the services they provide."