Nat Geo Day Tour: Women of Antalya, Past to Present

Nat Geo Day Tour: Women of Antalya, Past to Present

Nearly two millennia ago, Plancia Magna blazed a trail by making an impressive impact on the city of Perge despite the usual passive role of women at that time. She was born into a wealthy, powerful family, but instead of an easy life, she used her privilege to benefit her city. Her courage, independence and character was celebrated long after her time, and inspired women through the ages to seek influential roles in society. Your National Geographic-trained guide will reveal the ancient city of Perge with a focus on the life and legacy of Plancia Magna, an inspirational figure even today. Perhaps Plancia was a source of inspiration for Hatice Adıgüzel, whose workshop you will visit next. Discover the skills and artistry involved in creating lamps and garden ornaments from gourds, and learn from Hatice herself what sets her business apart - her leadership in a male-dominated workforce, her commitment to empowering local women and her choice of sustainable materials. During a hands-on workshop, you will have the opportunity to create your own decorative gourd and learn more about Hatice's work with the local women's community. She pays her success forward by employing women to grow and decorate the gourds from their own homes for the business. They also make the snacks you'll enjoy during the workshop. Hatice's aim is to help women who are unable to work in regular employment due to childcare commitments or similar restrictions by giving them a convenient way to earn.

Antalya airport Elite lounge and fast track service from Side area

A more relaxed way to round off your holiday. Booking the VIP airport service and lounge ensures that you'll be greeted at the airport and then fast-tracked through check-in, hand luggage security and passport control.

Manavgat Market & Waterfall Tour with Riverboat Cruise

Sightseeing and a relaxing river cruise – there's something for everyone on this full day tour, exploring Manavgat bazaar and the beautiful surrounding area. Visit Manavgat Falls and enjoy a riverboat cruise.Everything begins at the Manavgat Falls on the River Manavgat. They're known as the ‘Little Falls' as their fast-flowing waters crash down a ridge into a bubbly, foaming fresh-water pool. Next, you can grab a bargain at a multi-brand outlet store, before heading inland for Manavgat's open air bazaar for more retail therapy. You'll hop onboard a riverboat cruise along the Manavgat next. Sit back and relax in the sunshine as you sail past reed beds and sandy beaches. After lunch on board, you'll moor at a beach, where the sea and the river meet. A perfect swimming opportunity ends this jam-packed day out.

Köprülü Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Away from the coast, this part of Turkey is something of an adventure playground – created by Mother Nature herself. We're talking craggy peaks, forests and river canyons. And it's the latter that this trip focuses on, a whitewater rafting trip in the Köprülü canyon.

Ancient Perge and Aspendos Tour

You'll travel back in time to the days of togas and chariots with this half-day excursion to the ancient sites of Perge and Aspendos. Among the attractions you'll discover is perhaps the best-preserved Roman theatre of all.

Köprülü Monster Truck, Jet Boat & Rafting

If there's ever a trip out that combines all the thrills and spills you'd want, then this is it. You'll ride through a nature park in a monster truck, whizz over Köprülü Canyon in a jet boat and supercharge the afternoon with some white water rafting.Calling all adrenaline junkies, this Antalya tour comes with a twist. You'll travel off-road to the base camp from where the unrelenting action is about to be released. Climb into a monster truck and set off on a sightseeing safari – but not quite as you know it. You'll experience nature, but this time bumping over the land in a thrilling experience.Before lunch, there's the small matter of getting over the Köprülü Canyon, so a jet boat comes to your rescue. Glide past amazing rock formations and enter the canyon in this supercharged machine. Your last adventure will be white water rafting, when you'll get to freshen up in the midst of the gentle rapids.

Alanya evening 4x4 tour with cable car and Turkish dinner

For a taste of Turkish-style high life, it's hard to beat this blockbuster evening excursion. It's a greatest hits of Alanya's best bits. A cable car ride to Alanya Castle to catch the sunset, a dinner of regional dishes and a little off-road adventure are all on the menu tonight. Elif, one of our expert local guides, says "the views from the cable car open up across the red-tiled rooftops and winding streets of the old town and beyond. Look out for the 13th century Red Tower, which was built as a lookout on the harbour."You'll get straight into the action by hopping onto the Alanya Castle cable car. Once at the top, take in the scenery from this vantage point 250 metres above the Med. It's the perfect spot to watch the sun go down. After this, we'll zip down to Meazza gourmet restaurant by way of Alanya harbour. See the chefs at work as they prepare kuymak, a tasty cornmeal and melted cheese dish from the Black Sea coast, usually made with local laz or tulum cheese.The chefs will also demonstrate how to make irmik, a sweet and creamy dessert often flavoured with orange blossom water, rose water or vanilla. Elif says "the aroma of semolina cooking in melted butter takes me straight back to my childhood, when my mother used to make irmik for special occasions." After dinner, we'll go off-road, heading to the Alanya View Terrace up above the city for a glass of wine. Drink in the views of the city lights shimmering below – a great way to end an amazing evening.

Aqua Fun Park with buggy safari, rafting and paddle-boarding

Dive into adventure on this full-day water-themed tour. After a quick safety briefing, it's time to make a splash. First up is a 13-kilometre rafting route, followed by the wild waters of the Koprucay River. Then, you'll enjoy stand-up paddle-boarding on the final stretch. Back on land, you'll hit forest trails on a buggy safari before cooling off at an inflatable river waterpark. Afterwards, it's time to fish for your lunch. You'll end your adventure soaring over the river on a 300-metre-long zip-line.

Adults-only sunset gulet cruise with dinner from Side

Set sail on this luxurious adults-only cruise for a laid-back evening as the sun sinks below the horizon. Departing from Side Harbour, you'll hop aboard a traditional Turkish gulet boat and head out into the Mediterranean, before gliding along the scenic Manavgat River.With plenty of space on deck and your own guaranteed sunbed, you're free to unwind, visit the bar for a drink and soak up the coastal scenery surrounding you. The captain will also make a couple of swim stops along the way, so you can enjoy a cooling dip beneath the setting sun.With the sky painted gold, a freshly prepared dinner will be served onboard by the professional crew as you sail. After dinner, there's more time to kick back, sip a chilled drink and relax under the evening sky – the perfect way to wrap up a memorable night at sea before returning to port.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis day trip from Antalya-Kemer with meals

Book your day trip from Antalya and visit two of Turkey's most stunning sites, Pamukkale and Hierapolis, in a single day.