Turkey
Highlights of Turkey
Starting in one of Europe’s most exotic cities, this journey across Turkey will give your family a real insight into the highlights of this intriguing country. The alluring city of Istanbul, with its imposing mosques, chaotic bazaars and historical sites is your introduction to Europe-meets-Asia.
A short flight brings you to the fascinating ‘other-worldly’ landscape of Cappadocia with its fairy-tale chimneys and weird rock formations. There are plenty of activities here before you head for the lush coastal scenery of the Mediterranean, along the Turquoise Coast. Enjoy blissful Mediterranean swims to round off an all-encompassing Turkish family holiday.
Highlights
Souvenir hunt in the Grand Bazaar
Hike the valleys of Cappadocia
Sleep in a cave hotel!
Trek the Lycian Way
Swim the blue lagoon of Oludeniz
Canoe sunken ruins from Kekova
Explore the ‘ghost town’ of Kayakoy
15 days from £3,000 pp
Plus international flights from £250
A two-week holiday in Turkey for a family of four usually costs from £12,000 to £15,000 plus flights, depending on type of accommodation, and if you self-drive for a section.
Highlights of Turkey day-to-day itinerary
Day 1, Istanbul
Welcome to one of the world’s most magical cities, with its iconic skyline of mosques and minarets, straddling both Europe and Asia. The sights and sounds of the city will fascinate children – who can forget the first time you hear the haunting sound of the muezzin (call to prayer)…
You will be met and transferred to your hotel with free time this evening to indulge in the first of many mouth-watering Turkish meals. We find that kids love the wonderful variety of meze, kofte meatballs and doner kebabs and of course no meal is complete without the traditional finale of sweet baklava.
Day 2, Istanbul
Your guide today will take you on an unforgettable walking tour to all the major sights of the Sultanahmet quarter of this great city. Head to the Topkapi Palace, which was the opulent residence of the Ottoman Sultans. The guide will keep children fascinated with stories from history so they can really feel the atmosphere of past centuries – what was it like to be a sultan, how many jewels can you count in the Treasury and just what is a harem?! There are also plenty of open courtyards and gardens for kids to let off steam.
After a break for lunch you will walk through a lovely alleyway full of Ottoman Houses to Hagia Sophia, once one of the largest and finest buildings in the world. When you are inside, you will appreciate the ability of the architects and their vision, even back in the 6th century when this was the largest church in all of Christendom.
From here you will continue to the iconic Sultanahmet Mosque where you’ll be surrounded by magnificent blue tiles and understand why they call this grey building, the ‘Blue’ Mosque. End the day with some shopping at the famous Grand Bazaar. Children will be wide-eyed at all the goods on sale – barter away the pocket money buying that perfect holiday souvenir.
Day 3, Istanbul Istanbul – Cappadocia
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri/Nevsehir. Your guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of this beautiful landscape. Later, why not ‘indulge’ in a traditional Turkish Hammam? Relaxing? Perhaps not, as you are pummelled and cleansed from head to foot – it’s certainly quite an experience!
Day 4, Cappadocia
Time to explore the most famous sites of Cappadocia. Both overground and underground, the weird and wonderful whimsical rock formations of Cappadocia have been shaped by wind, water and volcanoes over the centuries. Both natural sights and man-made rock-hewn churches and even entire underground cities, have to be seen to be believed! Stretch your legs hiking through Pigeon Valley, enjoying an ever-changing vista of cave dwellings, ancient rock paintings and impressive rock formations. You will then visit Pasabag, with its triple headed fairy chimneys, and Zelve Valley.
The stunning Goreme Open Air Museum boasts the finest collection of rock-hewn churches from the Byzantine era. Head below ground at Kaymakli Underground City, the largest of the 36 underground cities they have discovered – so far…. Used initially as storage for animals and crops during the winter, they were developed as safe shelters during times of war and persecution. This evening it is time for a further traditional Turkish experience with a choice of either a Folklore or Whirling Dervish show, which will leave your head spinning.
Day 5, Cappadocia
This morning you have the option to rise early – and rise into the skies on a hot air balloon trip (minimum age 6yrs). No place on earth compares to Cappadocia when it comes to ballooning. The unique terrain allows experienced pilots to navigate through small valleys and ascend to dizzying heights. An unforgettable experience.
For the rest of the day we can arrange horse-riding, biking or further trekking through the many picturesque valleys.
Read More Day 6, Cappadocia – Antalya – Cirali (Turquoise Coast) Day 7, Cirali Day 8, Cirali Day 9, Cirali – Kas Day 10, Kekova Canoeing – Kas At the end of the day, return to Kas for the night. Day 11, Day trip to Kastellorizo Island Day 12, Kas – Kayakoy Day 13, Oludeniz – Kayakoy This beach, with its curving white sand divides the turquoise sea with the lush, pine-forested hills. This kaleidoscope of colours has made Oludeniz one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey and it is often listed as one of the top beaches in the world. Oludeniz translates to ‘Blue Lagoon’ and it is also known as the Dead Sea due to its calm, protected location. After some time to relax, you can either head back along the same trail, or take a taxi back to your accommodation. Day 14, Dalyan Day 15, Dalaman
This morning you will take a short flight to Antalya, on the Turquoise coast, known as the jewel of the Turkish Mediterranean. You will then continue on to the delightful seaside resort of Cirali, situated at the end of a quiet valley that gently winds its way to the sea. Swap dusty walking shoes for flip-flops and dive into the crystal-clear aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean.
A free day to relax and start enjoying the delights of the Turquoise Coast. One option is just to enjoy the beach – hey, it’s 3.5km long so there will no fighting for space. There are plenty of wooden, beachfront cafes to enjoy the views out over the Mediterranean and with a backdrop of peaceful forest and orange groves this is the ideal place to relax.
A further free day. For those looking beyond the beach, a really fun half-day adventure is the gentle walk along the coast to the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos, picturesquely nestled deep in the forested hills. From here you can form a great little loop heading back to Cirali via the mysterious Chimaera site where flames from underground gases spew into the sky. Best viewed at sunset, these fires have literally been burning for thousands of years. Kids will love hearing ancient historical tales regaling this as a mythological beast!
Today you will drive along the coast to Kas. On the way you might like to visit Myra and the Church of St Nicholas. Kas is one of the Turquoise Coast’s most popular seaside resorts and well known for diving, snorkelling, ancient ruins and rock tombs. It has a lively atmosphere and there are endless dining opportunities at the many harbour front tavernas.
This morning head off on an exciting canoeing adventure in Kekova, famous for its offshore sunken underwater ruins. Enjoy paddling the gorgeous tranquil turquoise waters with its sheltered bays and pristine scenery. The ruined city of Dolikhiste lies just beneath the water off Kekova Island and is best viewed up close from your canoe. Swimming is not permitted near the ruins but there will be other opportunities to enjoy these crystal clear waters.
Today we recommend you take the ferry from Kas to the stunning Greek island of Kastellorizo for a day trip. The island’s pastel buildings, seaside restaurants and crystal-clear waters make for a picture-perfect setting. Explore the charming harbor, spot turtles, or dive into fresh seafood. For a bit of adventure, hike to a church or climb up to the castle with great views and a small museum.
Head to the ghost village of Kayakoy, which used to be a thriving town but was deserted during the mass population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. Children will love wandering the deserted streets, where they will be able to experience a traditional Turkish town in a somewhat eerie location. Despite its quiet, rural vibe, the village has a delightful mix of boutique hotels, charming restaurants and artisan shops.
Time to don your hiking boots for a walk along one of the most scenic parts of the Lycian Way, following the rugged coastline to the famed beach of Oludeniz (approx. 3miles/2 hours). The undulating path climbs steep hillsides and makes its way through thick, shaded forest. Lunch (as well as some stunning views) will be enjoyed en route. There is then a final descent to Oludeniz.
Today you will head to nearby Dalyan where you can soak in the mud baths, explore the ancient ruins of Kaunos and cruise the Dalyan River past the Lycian rock tombs. This is a great spot for some souvenir shopping!
Drive to Dalaman (45mins) for your flight home (or Antalya 4hrs). There are also options to extend your journey with a drive to the natural wonders of Pamukkale (3hrs), a series of dazzling calcified limestone terraces. Or on to the ancient city of Ephesus.
Turkey in pictures
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