11 alternative trips for you

Tour groups are notoriously uncool. Picture a herd of seniors swarming over the Great Wall, fanny packs over stomachs and cameras in hand. Next stop: the souvenir outlet, followed by the buffet. No thanks.

Here are 11 unique Asia excursions that even the most worldly traveler may not have yet tried.

1. See Asia on a unicycle

Asia bicycle tours are popular, so why not raise the bar and get on a unicycle? Every year, Grasshopper Adventures leads up to 12 people on a week-long scenic trip. They’ve rolled through Vietnam, India and Laos; this August, don’t be surprised to see one-wheelers in Mongolia. (US$1,850 a person, including food and equipment.)

2. Marvel at Khmer architecture

Khmer Architecture Tours takes you off the tourist-beaten path to Phnom Penh’s most dazzling structures, such as 1960s villas in Toul Kork. You can even design your own walking tour, led by an English-speaking local architect or student. (US$1 for Cambodians; US$5-8 for foreigners.)

3. Be a Mumbai Slumdog

"Slumdog Millionaire" fans, this trip’s for you. Reality Tours and Travel brings visitors to Mumbai’s vast slum district, Dharavi, where the film was set. Eighty percent of the revenues fund a non-profit to promote education in India’s poorest areas. (US$10-130 per person.)

4. Take a gay-friendly vacation in Southeast Asia

“Pimping is not part of our concept,” emphasizes Purple Dragon, Asia’s largest gay tour operator. The company works with LGBT-friendly hotels and discreet guides so that customers never feel uncomfortable. Purple Dragon offers custom private tours to every part of Southeast Asia; prices vary.

5. Blaze through Japan’s pop culture

Forget about kabuki and tea ceremonies: Pop Japan Travel throws you into J-pop central. Shop for electronics in Akihabara, meet the designers of Lolita brand Angelic Pretty, or draw big-eyed girls in manga school. (Around US $2,000 for a week-long experience.)

6. Be a ninja or a sumo wrestler for a day

When “cultural activities” involve beating up other members of the tour group... sign me up! Japan’s H.I.S Experience lets you re-create your favorite fight scenes with samurai swords, ninja weapons and a school of sumo wrestlers. (Around US$160 a person.)

7. Soul-search in a Korean Buddhist temple

What better way to recharge your spiritual batteries than by living in a Korean temple, surrounded by Buddhist monks? Templestay makes arrangements for you to chant and meditate with the pros. (Around US$40-80 a night.)

8. Get a nip and tuck in Singapore

It’s no surprise that Singapore is a hub for patients seeking safe, cost-effective surgical procedures: the World Health Organization ranked its health care system best in Asia and sixth best in the world. SingaporeMedicine, a government-partnered site to promote medical tourism, has a list of approved agencies.

9. Learn how to cook in Bali

When Farah Remtulla vacationed in Bali with two friends, they signed up for a day class at Bumbu Bali cooking school. The group bought fresh ingredients at the market and whipped up a spicy feast. Remtulla says, “I informed the school that it was my friend’s birthday, so at lunch time the staff put a large, covered platter in front of her… and when she opened her present, there was a live chicken inside!” (US$75-80 per person.)

10. Dig through Silk Road relics

If you ever wanted to trade places with Indiana Jones, this is your chance. The scholars of Archaeological Tours guide you through remarkable Asian ruins. Most intriguing is the Silk Road journey, which weaves through China’s ancient caves and citadels. (Prices vary; most trips are around US$2,000 per person.)

11. Get trashed in Phuket and Singapore

As its name implies, Thirsty Swagman organizes the world’s biggest pub crawls. This April, the “Asia Annihilator” tour stumbled through Singapore’s bars, then raised a toast in Phuket for Thai New Year. (Starts at US$990.) Keep an eye out for next year's event or more Asia related mayhem.

Read more: 11 alternative tours for the unconventional tourist | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/none/11-alternative-tours-avoid-tourist-cliches-005172#ixzz0p8WdlRIC

Istanbul, Agva

Ağva... a pretty little town located at the Blacksea Coast, north of Istanbul... A wonderful weekend away from the city...

Ağva is a heaven in this world with its all natural beauties. Black Sea coast on one side, forrest is on the other side. The name of the town comes from the word 'Aqua' because it is surrounded by two rivers.

You can find a lot of boutique hotels and motels in this town with a reasonable price. And most of those hotels are in the coast of Göksu river. Basically, a peaceful vacation is waiting for you in Ağva, during four seasons.

If you like seafood, you will find a variety of them in this little town. Also, you can go and chat with the fishermans in their boats. Even, you can go fishing with them.

You can of course swim in the refreshing Black Sea. But if you’re looking for a well maintained beach by the Black Sea with plenty of facilities, Şile is a better choice. Ağva is better suited for a relaxing holiday in one of the hotel gardens by the rivers. Nature is the keyword.

It has some waterfalls ending in the Black Sea and coves that can only be reached via the sea. So taking a boat tour on the sea is an option as well as a boat trip on the rivers. Places of interest are the Kilim Cove (Kilim Koyu), Kadirga Cove (Kadırga Koyu), the Bride Rock (Gelin Kayası) and the Hidden Lake (Saklı Göl).
Some hotels have their own canoes to get to the sea and back. You can also find canoes for rent and boat tours along the Göksu river.

Since almost all kinds of fish are available thanks to the diversity of the Black Sea and the fresh water of the rivers, you can even go fishing with the local fishermen.

Ağva used to be only a summer holiday destination. Because it is close to Istanbul, recently it has become popular for any season escapade. Some go especially in winter for hunting quail, woodcock, duck, gazelle, jackal and boar.

Istanbul, Topkapi Palace

On a finger of land, at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara stands, the Topkapi Palace, the maze of buildings that was the focal point of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings the sultans and their court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded garden fills the outer, or first, court.

In the second court, on the right, shaded by cypress and plane trees, stand the palace kitchens, which now serve as galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain. To the left is the Harem, the secluded quarters of the wives, concubines, and children of the sultan, charming visitors with echoes of centuries of intrigue. Today the third court holds the Hall of Audience, the Library of Ahmet III, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. In the center of this innermost sanctuary, the Pavilion of the Holy Mantle enshrines the relics of the Prophet Muhammed brought to Istanbul when the Ottomans assumed the caliphate of Islam.

When the construction for Topkapi Palace started is still unknown. According to some resources, the foundation dates back to 1460.

Topkapi Palace was not constructed based on a definite plan, was expanded in time and underwent several changes. This change was due to necessity of adding of new buildings or the reconstruction in place of the original buildings destroyed by fire or other causes.

Apart from the mansions for residence of sultans and harem section, Topkapi Palace also features many structures such as wards for palace guards, a very spacious kitchen for use of palace residents, dormitories for palace servants, Kubbealtı where Divan meetings were held, Hirka-i Saadet section where belongings of Hz. Mohammed and the Caliphs are kept, Gülhane Hospital, Sultan Ahmed the 3rd Library, Palace School, Treasury Office, a stable for the horses of sultan, and St. Irini Church which was used as a weapon storage for some time.

Topkapi Palace was abandoned in the middle of 19th century and lost its significance as the state center. Indeed, part of a railroad was built on the outdoor garden of Topkapi Palace which was is a desolate state in the following years. Most recently in 1924 Topkapi Palace was turned into a museum and opened for exhibition.

Address: Saray içi, Sultanahmet – Istanbul
Phone: +90 212 512 04 08
Open every day except Tuesday.

*inistanbul.com

Turkey, Side

Side is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey about 45 minutes from the Antalya Intl. airport. It is situated on a small peninsula and surrounded on 3 sides by the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean.

This popular seaside town has a unique atmosphere as ancient ruins and quaint cottages stand side by side.

Side offers something for everyone. The magnificent and well preserved ancient theater dates from the the 2nd C AD. It is one of the largest in Turkey and seats over 14,000 people.

Side has a number of beaches and while some offer a variety of water sports others are quieter and provide an ideal getaway. The town's winding alleyways and harbor offer a wide selection of restaurants, bars and small shops packed with beautiful souvenirs.

Turkey, Alanya

Alanya is a modern resort situated on Turkey's Mediterranean coast about one and a half hour from the Antalya Int. Airport. It is set between two wonderful beaches and against the spectacular backdrop of the Taurus Mountains.

Alanya played an important role during the 11th and 12th C as a primary port and naval base of the Seljuk Turks. Several well preserved and fascinating buildings remain. The Red Tower, Fortress and themedieval shipyards are well worth a visit.

Today, Alanya has a great deal to offer any visitor, beaches and water sports, history and culture, restaurants, bars and shopping.

Turkey, Kuşadası

Kusadasi is a popular holiday resort town in Turkey. It is located 90 km south of Izmir on the northern Aegean coastline and about an hour 10 minutes drive from Izmir International Airport.

Kusadasi has an international harbor for cruise liners. The world famousancient city of Ephesus is very close to Kusadasi and every year thousands of tourists stop over to visit this magnificent city. In the old quarter of Kusadasi, you can stroll on cobbled streets and see interesting houses built in the Ottoman architectural style.

Kusadasi offers its visitors beautiful beaches such as Ladies Beach, Kustur Beach and National Park. There is a great variety of shops and a bustling weekly market, extensive dining options including pubs, bars and cafes.

Turkey, Kemer

Kemer has a magnificent setting in a crecent bay and set against a backdrop of the pine forested Taurus Mountains. It is located on Turkey's Mediterranean coast and has become a popular holiday destination in recent years. It is about 40 mins drive from Antalya Intl. Airport.

Kemer is an excellent base for exploring the ancient city of Olympus. Although very little of the city remains it is well-known for its "eternal flame" where burning methane gas escapes from deep underground. In ancient times this natural phenomenon gave rise to the Greek legend of the Chimaera, a fire- breathing creature said to live in the area.

Today, Kemer is a well organized and modern resort and offers a great value holiday.