Welcome to Van
More urban, more casual and less rigorous, Van is very different in spirit from the rest of southeastern Anatolia. Young couples walk hand in hand on the main drag, live bands knock out Kurdish tunes in pubs, and a resilient population coping with the impact of recent earthquakes inspire a satisfying urban buzz.
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Van activities
Private Tour Fátima - Nazaré - Batalha - Óbidos (10h)
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima, Fatima, Santarem District, Central PortugalThe Shrine of Fatima, is a Marian shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, located at the place of Cova da Iria, in the city of Fatima, Portugal.The Sanctuary of Fátima is, par excellence, a place of Christian pilgrimage and Catholic devotion, preserving the memory of the events that led to its foundation, namely the apparitions of Our Lady to the three little shepherds - Lúcia dos Santos, Francisco and Jacinta Marto - in 1917 It is also one of the most important Marian shrines in the world belonging to the Catholic Church and the largest international religious tourism destination, receiving around six million visitors a year. He was distinguished with three papal gold roses and visited by Popes Paul VI (1967), John Paul II (1982, 1991 and 2000), Benedict XVI (2010) and Francisco (2017).Its construction began in 1919 with the construction of the Chapel of the Apparitions.Duration: 4 hoursStop At: Batalha Monastery, Batalha, Leiria District, Central PortugalThe Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória (better known as the Monastery of Batalha was built in 1386 by King João I of Portugal as a thank you to the Virgin Mary for the victory against the Castilian rivals in the battle of Aljubarrota.This monastery of the Order of St. Dominic was built over two centuries until about 1563 during the reign of seven Portuguese kings, although from 1388 the first Dominican friars lived there. An example of Gothic architecture, or Manueline style, is considered world heritage by UNESCO.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Nazaret, Nazare, Leiria District, Central PortugalThe Monastery of Santa Maria da Vitória (better known as the Monastery of Batalha was built in 1386 by King João I of Portugal as a thank you to the Virgin Mary for the victory against the Castilian rivals in the battle of Aljubarrota.This monastery of the Order of St. Dominic was built over two centuries until about 1563 during the reign of seven Portuguese kings, although from 1388 the first Dominican friars lived there. An example of Gothic architecture, or Manueline style, is considered world heritage by UNESCO.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Obidos Village, Obidos, Leiria District, Central PortugalÓbidos the Medieval Village - Whoever comes to Óbidos has to drink a Ginjinha (from Cherry) in a chocolate cup, which is a delight.It was taken to the Moors in 1148 and received the first charter in 1195 under the reign of D. Sancho I. Obidos was part of the dowry of countless queens of Portugal, namely D. Urraca of Castile (wife of D. Afonso II), Queen Santa Isabel (wife of D. Dinis), D. Filipa de Lencastre (wife of D. João I), D. Leonor de Aragão (wife of D. Duarte), D. Leonor de Avis D. João II), among others.In 1527, there were 161 inhabitants in the village.Duration: 2 hours
Private Tour Arrábida Park and Wine Tasting
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei, Almada, Setubal District, AlentejoThe statue of Christ the Redeemer, existing in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, inspired, in 1934, during a visit to that city.The monument to Christ the King was also built in fulfillment of a vow formulated by the Portuguese episcopate assembled at Fatima on April 20, 1940, asking God to free Portugal from participating in World War II. Prime Minister Salazar did not want to violate the old friendship with the United Kingdom, which dates from the 14th century, and preferred to remain neutral, and Portugal did not participate in the war.The first stone of the monument's construction was launched on December 18, 1949, after the end of the war. It was inaugurated on May 17, 1959Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Parque Natural da Arrabida, Setubal, Setubal District, AlentejoThe Arrábida Natural Park located in the peninsula of Setúbal, with the altitude of 501 meters.The fauna and flora is quite diverse, although it has undergone great changes since the 19th century. Until the beginning of the 20th century it was still possible to observe wolves and deer. The natural park of Arrábida is an almost magical and special place, where there are unique species of flora and fauna, such as the only Candidula arrabidensis in the world and that is only in a very special part of the park, it is also possible to observe fireflies one of the endangered species.About 1,400 plant species are concentrated in this territory, accounting for 40% of Portuguese flora and less than 1% of the country's plant area. It is also the "House" of a very special plant Euphorbia pedroi (the sparvis-do-espichel).Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Mercado do Livramento, Setubal, Setubal District, AlentejoThe fish market of Setubal was considered one of the world's most famous fish markets Top 10 In World. The sardine is the star and the wall tiles also did not escape to USA Today.Fish markets still exist, but they are not always the first choice when we want to buy sea bass or horse mackerel for dinner. Thinking about the sea, this "precious food source," and the places that keep the tradition of selling what it gives us, USA Today has listed the world's most famous fish markets. Among them is the Livramento market of Setúbal.The décor of Livramento, the only prominent Portuguese market, also did not escape USA Today. They refer to the walls, covered by the so-called tiles, which depict scenes from everyday life, "like fishing or farming." In the award-winning market are 5700 pieces of tiles.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Bacalhoa Palace and Estate, Vila Nogueira de Azeitao, Setubal District, AlentejoA Quinta da Bacalhoa é uma antiga propriedade da Casa Real Portuguesa. É considerada a mais formosa quinta da primeira metade do século XVI, ainda existente em PortugalNo século XV pertenceu, como quinta de recreio, a João, Infante de Portugal, filho do rei D. João I. Em 1936, o Palácio da Bacalhoa foi comprado e restaurado por uma norte-americana, Orlena Scoville, cujo neto se incumbiu da missão de tornar a quinta num dos maiores produtores de vinho de Portugal. Mais tarde o Palácio e a Quinta da Bacalhôa pertenceu a Josè Antonio Borges.Actualmente a Quinta da Bacalhoa pertence à Fundação Berardo, liderada pela família Berardo, a nona mais rica de Portugal, cujo patriarca é o madeirense Joe Berardo. Foi classificada Monumento Nacional em 1996. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Bacalhoa Portuguese Wines, Vila Nogueira de Azeitao, Setubal District, AlentejoWine tasting 3 diferent Wines, Red, White and MoscatelDuration: 1 hour
Private Tour Sintra and Cascais Full Day
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Centro Historico de Sintra, Sintra, Sintra Municipality, Lisbon District, Central PortugalSintra is a tourist town at the foot of the Sintra mountain range, in Portugal, near the capital, Lisbon. For a long time a royal shrine, its wooded grounds are studded with pastel palaces and palaces. The National Palace of Sintra, in Moorish and Manueline style, is distinguished by two striking identical chimneys and elaborate tiles. The 19th century National Palace of Pena, at the top of the hill, is known for its extravagant design and breathtaking views.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Park and National Palace of Pena, Sintra, Sintra Municipality, Lisbon District, Central PortugalConsidered the most Romantic Palace in Europe.Address of the Last King of PortugalThe Pena National Palace, popularly referred to only as Palácio da Pena or Castelo da Pena, is located in the village of Sintra, parish of São Pedro de Penaferrim, It represents one of the main expressions of nineteenth-century architectural Romanticism in the world, being the first palace of its kind in Europe, erected about 30 years before the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria.On July 7, 2007 he was elected as one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal.Pena Palace was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Sintra Municipality, Lisbon District, Central PortugalWriter J. K. Rowling was inspired here to write the Books (Cinema) Harry PotterThe Regaleira Palace is the main building and the most common name of the Quinta da Regaleira palace. It is also called Monteiro dos Millões Palace, denomination associated with the nickname of its first owner was António Augusto who was distinguished by King Dom Carlos I on August 16, 1904 as Baron de Almeida.Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995António Augusto, by the trait of the Italian architect Luigi Manini, gives the palace of 4 hectares, the palace, surrounded by luxuriant gardens, lakes, caves and enigmatic constructions, places that conceal alchemical meanings, such as those evoked by Freemasonry, Templars and Rosa- cross. Models the space in mixed traces, evoking the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline architectureDuration: 2 hoursStop At: Farol do cabo da Roca, Sintra, Sintra Municipality, Lisbon District, Central PortugalCabo da Roca is the westernmost point of mainland Portugal, as well as continental Europe.Luís Vaz de Camões described it as the place "Where the earth ends and the sea begins" (in Os Lusíadas, Canto III). A stone pattern with a tombstone mark this geographical feature to all who visit this place. Its flora is diverse and, in many cases, has unique species, being the object of several studies that also extend to geomorphology, among others.In the zone there is a lighthouse (Lighthouse of Cabo da Roca)Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Cascais Marina, Cascais, Lisbon District, Central PortugalCascais is a seaside resort in Portugal, just west of Lisbon. It is known for its sandy beaches and the bustling marina. The historic center houses the medieval Fortress of Our Lady of Light and the Citadel Palace, a former royal retreat. Nearby is the whitewashed church of Our Lady of the Assumption, with glazed tiles.By many considered the Monaco of PortugalDuration: 1 hour
Private Tour Évora City - Wine Tasting - Beautiful Village of Monsaraz
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Templo Romano de Evora (Templo de Diana), Evora, Evora District, AlentejoThe Roman temple of Évora, known as the Temple of Diana, is located in the city of Évora, is part of the historical center of the city, which was classified as a World Heritage by UNESCO. Ranked as National Monument. It is one of the most famous landmarks of the city and one of the most significant symbols of the Roman presence in Portuguese territory.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Igreja de Sao Francisco, Evora, Evora District, AlentejoThe Church of St. Francis in Evora is a church of Gothic-Manueline architecture. Built between 1480 and 1510 by masters of Pedraria Martim Lourenço and Pero de Trilho and decorated by the royal painters Francisco Henriques, Jorge Afonso and Garcia Fernandes, it is closely linked to the historical events that marked the period of maritime expansion of Portugal. This is evident in the symbols of the monumental nave of the vaulting vault: the cross of the Order of Christ and the emblems of the founding kings, D. João II and D. Manuel I.According to tradition, Gil Vicente was buried in this church in 1536.Duration: 20 minutesStop At: Capela dos Ossos, Evora, Evora District, AlentejoThe Bones Chapel is one of the most famous monuments in Évora. It was built in the 17th century on the initiative of three Franciscan monks who, in the spirit of the time (religious counterrevolution, according to the norms of the Council of Trent), intended to convey the message of the transience of life, as can be seen from the famous warning at the entrance: "We bones here we are waiting for you." Besides the spiritual question, there was also a physical question, which is; there were in the region of Évora forty-two monastic cemeteries that were occupying too much space and strategic places that many intended to use for other purposes. So they decided to remove the skeletons from the earth and use them to build and decorate the chapel.Its walls and eight pillars are "decorated" with bones and skulls connected by brown cement. The vaults are of brick plastered to white, painted with allegorical motifs to death. It is a monument of a penitential architecture of ornate arches with rows of skulls, cornices and white ships. It has been calculated around five thousand bones, including skulls, vertebrae, femurs and others, coming from cemeteries, located in churches and convents of the city, and which were connected with brown cement and are arranged by the walls, ceiling, columns and even outside . There are still two whole skeletons hanging by chains on one of the walls, one of which is that of a child.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Adega Ervideira, Monsaraz, Evora District, AlentejoGuide Visit the Wine Cellars and tasting 10 Wines The estates of Monte da Ribeira and Herdadinha both belong to the Leal da Costa family, which can be traced back to the Count of Ervideira, a successful farmer who lived between 19th and 20th centuries. The Count, who received his nobel title from king Carlos I in recognition for his social work in the region, began producing wine in 1880, as one can see in the bottles the company proudly exhibits in its wine tasting room. With 160 ha of vineyards, divided between the Vidigueira and Reguengos estates, Ervideira’s administration is held by the family matriarch D. Maria Isabel and her six children, being Duarte Leal da Costa the executive director. The oenological direction is under direction of Nelson Rolo. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Monsaraz Castle and Walls, Monsaraz, Evora District, Alentejo2377/5000The medieval castleAt the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the town was initially conquered by the forces under the command of the legendary Geraldo Sem Pavor (1167). After the defeat of D. Afonso Henriques (1112-1185) in Badajoz (1169) was recovered by the Almoado Caliphate under the command of Abu Iacube Iúçufe (1173), to be definitively conquered by D. Sancho II (1223-1248), with the aid of the Order of the Templars, in 1232, to whom it made the donation of these domains. From this time we were reminded of the Templar knight Gomes Martins Silvestre, settler of Monsaraz, whose tomb is currently in the Mother Church of Santa Maria da Lagoa.D. Afonso III (1248-1279), in order to increase his settlement and defense, granted him a Charter of Foral in 1276. In this period, the settlement action of Monsaraz is linked to the figure of the knight Martim Anes Zagallo, who is believed to have as the mayor of the town and his castle, having begun the construction of the new Alcáçova, at which time the primitive Mother Church of Santa Maria da Lagoa and other buildings began.Castle of Monsaraz.In the context of the crisis of 1383-1385, the village and its castle were attacked by English archers under the command of the Earl of Cambridge, supposedly allies of Portugal, falling in the early summer of 1385 under the rule of the King of Castile , when it invaded the Alentejo. Abandoned by the Castilian troops in march, they were recovered by the forces loyal to D. João I (1385-1433), under the command of the Constable D. Nuno Alvares Pereira, before the battle of Aljubarrota. In 1412, by donation of the Constable to his grandson D. Fernando, Monsaraz became part of the domains of the House of Braganza.Under the reign of D. Manuel I (1495-1521), the town and its castle are figured by Duarte de Armas (Book of Strengths, c.1509). In 1512, the sovereign granted the New Foral to the village.From the Restoration War to our daysIn the context of the Restoration War of Portuguese Independence, due to its proximity to the Guadiana river and the Spanish border, the Council of War of D. João IV (1640-1656) determined the modernization of its defenses, involving the village with adapted walls to the shots of the artillery of the time, receiving traces abaluartados in the style Vauban, with project of Nicholas of Langres and Jean Gillot: the Fort of San Bento de Monsaraz.Duration: 2 hours
3 hour Quad Safari in the Desert of Hurghada
Hurghada Quad Bike top offer it’s a real amazing trip through the desert.70 kilometre track, which takes about 2 to 3 hours.Including cold drinks.You are able to join this tour from 8.00, 11.00, 14.00.It is our pleasure to see you with us on this tour and to provide the best service. We will pick you by a Van which provides air condition and take you to the garage, where we will introduce the ATV to you with an following test drive.Important, children under the age of 16 are not allowed to drive a quad and must be accompanied by an adult.To be sure, that all visitors come home safe to their Hotels, it is more than important during the whole trip to ride behind the experienced Bedouins and to follow their instructions.Clothing: For visitors, who are located in Hurghada during the period from the middle of October until the end of April it is important for a tour in the evening time to take warm clothes because after sunset it can get extremely cold in the desert.On windy days it’s advisable to wear long clothes, as the sand can get very uncomfortable on your skin. PLEASE NOTE Customers outside of Hurghada extra 10,00 Euro per person for the private transfer.
North Carolina Winery Tour
As each tour is custom, the specifics of a winery tour are worked out with each client. This includes the pickup location, time, and wineries or region that will be visited on the tour. A representative from the Van in Black can suggest wineries if a client is unsure of which ones to visit. A typical tour starts with a pickup at 10am with the first winery being visited at 11am. Clients usually spend 60-90 minutes at each winery enjoying the scenery and a tasting or glass of wine.The Van in Black fee is for transportation only and does not include any fees charged by the wineries (e.g. tasting fees).