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Exploring Turkey by Car
Turkey
Our tailor-made itineraries are
designed to offer complete
independence but take care of all the
planning and practical arrangements, leaving you
the time and freedom to pursue your own
particular interests. To the uninitiated, the idea of
touring off the beaten track in Turkey may seem
like a daring adventure, but as any regular visitor
would attest, the Turkish people are extremely
hospitable and take great pride and pleasure in
helping visitors to discover the charms of their
country. Touring the parts of Turkey that few
tourists ever reach can be an immensely
rewarding and stimulating experience, especially
when you travel safe in the knowledge that your
clean and comfortable accommodation has
already been arranged for you at your next port
of call. The hotels we have selected are chosen
not for their star ratings (although some are in
fact four-star), but for their situation, ambience,
hospitality and service. Although most have
restaurants on site, the arrangements are all on
a bed & breakfast basis to give you complete
flexibility.
We offer two distinct types of itinerary: Our
"Ultimate Discoveries" cover the width and
breadth of the country, utilising scheduled flights
with connections via Istanbul to enable you to fly
into the nearest airport both at the start and
end of your holiday and thus avoiding driving
unnecessary distances.
For those who wish to explore the
treasures of south-west Turkey but prefer the
convenience of direct flights, our "Essential
Discoveries" are based around our regular
Monday charter services to and from Dalaman.
With ten different "Ultimate Discoveries" and
ten "Essential Discoveries" to choose from, we believe we
offer a comprehensive selection to cater for
most tastes, from the curious first-time visitor to
the most seasoned explorer. However, if you
have particular interests that are not sufficiently
addressed in any of our itineraries, please
contact us and we can prepare a programme
especially for you.
Ultimate Discoveries
Low-season prices apply for travel from 01 March to 24 June, and from 21 September to 31 October.
High-season prices apply for travel from 25 June to 20 September.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 1 - Istanbul and the Western Coast
14 nights (Istanbul 4, Canakkale 1, Dikili 2, Selcuk 2, Gulluk 2, Dalyan 3)
£1315 low season, £1395 high season
Airports: Istanbul / Dalaman
Spend the first few days in Istanbul in a quiet hotel in the heart of the old
city from where you can explore Saint Sophia, the Topkapi Museum,
Sultanahmet, the Kapali Carsi (grand bazaar), the underground cisterns and
many more churches and museums on foot. On the fifth morning take the
ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Bandirma where your car is delivered
and then drive on to Canakkale where you overnight. The following
morning drive via the Troad and Assos to Dikili, a quiet seaside town near
Pergamum. Continue down the coast and spend two nights in Selcuk
(Ephesus). From here cross the wide Meander plain to Gulluk, another
quiet coastal resort, visiting Priene, Miletus and the Oracle of Apollo en
route. Spend the last three days at Dalyan enjoying the river, mud baths,
rock tombs and beach.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 2 - The Turquoise Coast and Cappadocia
14 nights (Oludeniz 3, Kalkan 3, Egirdir 2, Konya 1, Cappadocia 5)
£1210 low season, £1290 high season
Airports: Dalaman / Kayseri
A popular itinerary giving a week on the coast and a week on the Anatolian
plateau, starting with three nights in Oludeniz where you can relax by the
sea or explore the many local Lycian sites. Travel eastwards along the coast
and spend the next three nights in Kalkan, a picturesque little port within
easy reach of Xanthos and Patara. Turn inland and spend two nights in the
Turkish Lake District before continuing to Konya, the capital of the Selcuk
Empire and the centre for the Mevlevi (whirling) Dervishes. From here you
can explore Catalhoyuk, Kilystra, Lystra and Derbe. Spend the last five
nights in the heart of Cappadocia exploring this unique area.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 3 - Central and Southern Turkey
14 nights (Ankara 1, Yozgat 2, Cappadocia 4, Konya 2, Silifke 4, Adana 1)
£1390 low season, £1485 high season
Airports: Ankara / Adana
Spend the first night in Ankara, the capital, and
visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
before driving to Yozgat in the Camlik National
Park where you spend the next two nights.
From here you can visit the main sites of the
Hittite kingdom, Hattusas, Yazilikaya and
Alacahoyuk. Continue south to Cappadocia,
staying at the delightful Ukabeyn Hotel. Spend
the time here exploring the cave dwellings,
monastic settlements, the fantastic landscape
and perhaps walk the valleys before continuing
to Konya, home of the Dervishes, where you
spend the next two nights. Here you can visit
the local Selcuk buildings, Mevlana, Catalhoyuk
and even Kilystra. Drive down to the south
coast on a very scenic route via the Alahan
Monastery and Mut to Silifke where you spend
four nights in a four star hotel on its own beach
and explore the early Christian coastal sites.
Your last night is spent in Adana, Turkey's fourth
largest city.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 4 - Coast to Coast - from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean
14 nights (Trabzon 2, Artvin 3, Erzurum 1, Malatya 1, Adiyaman 2, Urfa 2, Antakya 2, Adana 1)
£1460 low season, £1665 high season
Airports: Trabzon / Adana
The most interesting of routes covering over a
thousand miles in fourteen days, only to be
considered if you enjoy driving. The route starts
at Trabzon and the Monastery of Sumela and
continues to Artvin, the mythical site of the
Garden of Eden. From here you drive through a
mountainous landscape past old Georgian
churches and rushing streams to Erzurum, one
of the Selcuk Empire's capitals set on a plateau
at 1800 metres. After one night here you
continue via Erzincan with its waterfalls, lakes
and fine Caravansaray and on to Malatya, most
famous for its apricot orchards. Spend two
nights in Adiyaman to visit the famous funerary
monument of King Antiochus on Mount
Nemrut. Continue via Urfa, ancient Edessa, to
Antakya to visit the grotto church of St Peter
and the Mosaics of Daphne. The final night is
spent in Adana.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 5 - From Ankara to the Turquoise Coast via Cappadocia & Pamukkale
14 nights (Ankara 2, Yozgat 2, Aksaray 2, Egirdir 3, Pamukkale 2, Antalya 3)
£1475 low season, £1545 high season
Airports: Ankara / Antalya
Trace the various civilisations who settled on
the Anatolian plateau over the last ten thousand
years. The first two nights are spent in the
capital, Ankara, where you can prepare for your
journey and visit the Museum of Anatolian
Civilisations before driving to Yozgat, the centre
of the Hittite kingdom. Two nights are spent
here in the National Park before moving on to
Aksaray in Capadoccia where you spend a
further two nights exploring the fabulous
landscape and underground cities. From here
you move on to Egirdir, the centre of the Turkish
Lake District for a three night stay. The next stop
is Pamukkale, famous for its fairytale chalky
terraces and the remains of the ancient city of
Hieropolis. After two nights here the final
destination is Antalya where you spend the last
three nights in a charmingly restored period
hotel in the old port area and can relax by the
sea or explore Termessos, Perge and Aspendos.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 6 - The Turquoise Coast
7 nights (Antalya 2, Kalkan 3, Dalyan 2) - £1060 low season, £1180 high season
or 14 nights (Antalya 3, Kalkan 3, Black Tree 2, Oludeniz 3, Dalyan 3) - £1475 low season, £1545 high season
Airports: Antalya / Dalaman
The ideal itinerary if you wish to stay by the sea
yet have a change of surroundings and a wide
choice of sites to visit. You start your tour in
Antalya in a lovely period hotel in the old port
area where you can investigate the sites and
beaches of Pamphylia before continuing via
Phaselis, Olympos, Limyra and Kekova to the
attractive port of Kalkan. Here you stay in a
comfortable hotel by the sea and can explore
Patara, Xanthos and Letoon. For the seven night
itinerary the final stop is Dalyan to enjoy the
rock tombs, mud baths, ancient Caunos, the
river delta and the amazing beach. Those
staying for a further week climb up into the
Cragus Mountains to stay at Black Tree before
driving down to the beachside village of
Oludeniz, famous for its stunning lagoon, before
continuing to their final stop at Dalyan.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 7 - From Van to Trabzon
14 nights (Van 3, Dogubeyazit 1, Kars 2,Artvin 3, Camlihemsin 3, Trabzon 2)
£1490 low season, £1690 high season
Airports: Van / Trabzon
An itinerary of great contrasts beginning in the
Kingdom of Urartu and passing through the
heart of Turkish Georgia to the Euxine coast.
You will explore the shores of Turkey’s largest
lake, pass through the foothills of Turkey’s
highest mountain and sample Turkey’s most
famous cheese. The first few nights are spent in
Van where you can visit Akdamar Island and the
sites along the lakeshore. The road north from
Van takes you via Ishak Pasa Saray, the Taj Mahal
of Turkey and skirts Mount Ararat before
reaching Kars from where you can visit Ani. You
explore the area around Artvin, considered by
some to be the original Garden of Eden, and
isolated 10th century Georgian churches in
fantastic settings. After three days here you
drive towards the Black Sea coast and spend a
couple of nights in the Pontic Mountains before
completing your journey in Trabzon to visit the
Sumela Monastery.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 8 - Pamphylia and Cilicia
14 nights (Antalya 5, Anamur 2, Silifke 4, Antakya 2, Adana 1)
£1320 low season, £1535 high season
Airports: Antalya / Adana
An exploration of the southern Turkish coast
and plains taking in classical sites, early Christian
settlements, medieval castles and the Mosaics of
Daphne. The first five nights are spent in Antalya
in a period hotel in the old port from where
you can visit Perge, Selge, Side and Aspendos,
white water raft or just relax by the sea. You
continue your exploration of the Pamphylian
plains and stay in the small seaside settlement of
Gazipasa. From here you continue along a
stunning, winding and precipitous road, not for
the fainthearted, to Silifke where you stay in a
lovely hotel on its own beach and visit the many
early Christian sites and shrines and the
Maiden's castle. From here you journey to
Antakya (ancient Antioch) with its famous
mosaics depicting the Roman lifestyle and the
Grotto Church of St Peter. Your journey through
this rich historical pageant ends in Adana.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 9 - The Black Sea Coast
14 nights (Istanbul 2, Bolu-Abant 2, Sanfranbolu 1, Amasra/Bartin 1, Sinop 2, Rize/Yayla 2, Camlihemsin 3, Trabzon 1)
£1475 low season, £1675 high season
Airports: Istanbul / Trabzon
A chance to explore a cooler coastline and
region less well-known by foreign visitors. Your
journey starts at a beach resort near Istanbul
before driving inland to the beautiful Lake
Abant. From here it is a short drive to
Safranbolu, 'the saffron city', with its beautiful
wooden Ottoman buildings. You then rejoin the
Black Sea at Amasra and continue to Samsun to
visit Turkey's most important wetlands, the
Kizilirmak Delta. East of here lies the teaplanting
region and you spend two nights at
Rize from where you can journey up to the
Yayla (summer pasture) of Ikizdere. You now
continue round the coast and climb inland again
to the most beautiful of yaylas, Camlihemsin,
where you can walk and relax for three days
before journeying to Trabzon, a small Byzantium,
the capital of the Comnene Dynasty is the last
port of call.
Ultimate Discoveries Itinerary 10 - Major sites at leisure
14 nights (Antalya 4, Pamukkale 3, Bodrum 3, Kusadasi 4)
£1845 low season, £2050 high season
Airports: Antalya / Izmir
An itinerary designed for those who wish to
linger and enjoy the ambience staying in the
best accommodation possible, rather than rush
from site to site. You will stay in Antalya,
Pamukkale, Bodrum and Kusadasi allowing you
to visit the two major sites of Ephesus and
Pamukkale as well as other classical sites such as
Perge, Aprhodisias, Nysa, Didyma and Miletus. The four hotels are selected
for their comfort, surroundings and service and we believe them to be the best
a private traveller can stay in at the chosen locations.
Essential Discoveries
Low-season prices apply for travel from 28 April to 08 June, and from 22 September to 29 October.
High-season prices apply for travel from 09 June to 13 July, and from 25 August to 21 September.
Essential Discoveries are not available between 14 July and 24 August.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary N1/7
Dalyan (2 nights) - Ephesus (2 nights) - Pamukkale (1 night) -
Oludeniz (2 nights)
£810 low season, £880 high season
Designed for those who only have a week to spare but want to take in their fair share
of Western Turkey's most important attractions, this itinerary starts in the scenic
riverside village of Dalyan, renowned for its impressive rock tombs, famous mud baths,
the ancient site of Caunos and the protected beach of Iztuzu. From here, you
progress via Pamukkale - the unique 'cotton castle' that has graced countless postcards
and tourist board posters - to Ephesus, Turkey's most famous archaeological site and
one of the most impressive in the whole of the Mediterranean. The final two nights in
the stunningly situated resort of Oludeniz allow you to end your week on a relaxing
note, enjoying the beach and the famous lagoon.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary N2/7
Ephesus/Selcuk (3 nights) - Dalyan (4 nights)
£790 low season, £835 high season
A relaxed itinerary for those who do not wish to change accommodation too
often, but wish to have enough time to do Ephesus justice, as well as visiting some
of the other nearby sites, such as the Basilica of St John, the House of the Virgin
Mary, and the superbly preserved Greek village of Sirince. At Dalyan you can enjoy
the river delta, the mud baths, the ancient site of Caunos, the famous rock tombs
and the spectacular beach at Iztuzu.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary S1/7
Oludeniz (2 nights) - Antalya (2 nights) - Kalkan (2 nights) - Dalyan (1 night)
£855 low season, £915 high season
Taking in the ancient kingdoms of Lycia and Pamphylia, this tour features spectacular
coastal drives, an extraordinary wealth of archaeological sites and the opportunity to
enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the cosmopolitan port of Antalya. At Oludeniz, you
can enjoy the stunning beach and lagoon (or get a bird's eye view of it by paragliding
from nearby Mount Babadag!) and visit the hauntingly beautiful deserted Greek village
of Kaya. Antalya is a fascinating town in its own right, as well as an excellent base for
exploring Phaselis, Olympos, Side and Aspendos, and further archaeological sites -
including Xanthos, Pinara and Letoon - can be reached from the picturesque harbour
village of Kalkan, as can the splendid sandy beach of Patara. A night in the delightful
riverside village of Dalyan with its famous rock tombs rounds off this itinerary.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary S2/7
Kas (4 nights) - Dalyan (3 nights)
£865 low season, £940 high season
This appealingly unhurried itinerary combines the pleasantly bustling coastal town of
Kas with the beautifully situated riverside village of Dalyan. From Kas, you can visit
such diverse attractions as the seemingly endless sandy beach of Patara with its
partially excavated archaeological site, the Lycian excavations at Xanthos, Pinara and
Letoon, the eternal flames of Chimaera and the Olympos coast, the sunken city of
Kekova and the picturesque harbour village of Kalkan. Dalyan boasts a fabulous setting
on the delta of the eponymous river, Lycian rock tombs, the ancient site of Kaunos
and access to the vast beach at Iztuzu.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary S3/7
Kalkan (4 nights) - Oludeniz (3 nights)
£800 low season, £850 high season
This itinerary allows you to discover the treasures of Lycia without having to change
accommodation too often. The picturesque fishing village of Kalkan is well placed for
exploring the many impressive and beautifully situated archaelogical sites of Central
and Eastern Lycia, as well as visiting Kekova and Patara. Xanthos, Tlos and Letoon
can easily be reached from either centre, whilst Oludeniz is also perfectly situated
for visits to the old ghost town of Kaya and the bustling market town of Fethiye, or
for simply enjoying the famous beach and lagoon.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary N1/14
Dalyan (2 nights) - Pamukkale (2 nights) - Bergama (2 nights) -
Assos (2 nights) - Dikili (1 night) - Ephesus (2 nights) - Dalyan (3 nights)
£1080 low season, £1150 high season
For those with a serious interest in archaeology, this voyage along Turkey's west
coast will be an immensely rewarding experience. After two nights in Dalyan,
blessed with a gorgeous riverside setting, fascinating rock tombs, therapeutic mud
baths and the atmospheric site of Caunos, you head north and inland to Pamukkale.
From here, you continue to Bergama, site of the ancient city of Pergamon with its
stunning acropolis, the imposing second-century Red Basilica and its quirky old
quarter. Your next stop, Assos is a charmingly preserved village reputedly dating
back to the 13th century BC and is ideally situated for visiting ancient Troy,
immortalised in the writings of Homer. After a night in the seaside resort of Dikili,
which gives you the chance to take a day's well-earned rest on the long sandy
beach, you reach Ephesus, which requires no introduction. Then, it's back to Dalyan,
to take in any attractions you missed out at the beginning of your trip, or simply to
unwind and enjoy the splendid setting.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary N2/14
Oludeniz (4 nights) - Ephesus (2 nights) - Pamukkale (2 nights) -
Dalyan (6 nights)
£1110 low season, £1220 high season
The two-week itinerary is designed for those who wish to explore the highlights of
western Turkey at a fairly leisurely pace. The initial four nights in the beach resort
of Oludeniz allow you to acclimatise, either relaxing on the beach or visiting the
deserted Greek village of Kaya, the gorge at Saklikent and the bustling harbour of
Fethiye. Two nights at Ephesus allow you to do this most impressive of ancient sites
justice, whilst the same amount of time is allocated to one of Turkey's most
photographed sights - Pamukkale. With six nights in Dalyan, you will have plenty of
time to visit ancient Caunos, try out the mud baths, take a boat trip on the river
delta to Iztuzu beach and simply relax by the pool whilst marvelling at the
fascinating rock tombs.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary S1/14
Oludeniz (2 nights) - Antalya (2 nights) - Cappadocia (3 nights) - Konya (1
night) - Lake District (2 nights) - Dalyan (4 nights)
£1190 low season, £1240 high season
A comprehensive itinerary for those not averse to driving long distances, covering
both the charms of the Turquoise Coast and the wonders of the Anatolian Plateau.
From Oludeniz, you can explore a range of Lycian sites, as well as Kaya and Fethiye,
whilst the bustling and cosmopolitan port of Antalya allows you to discover the
remnants of the Pamphylian kingdom. The highlight of this itinerary is a 3-night stay in
the otherworldly, volcanic landscape of Cappadocia with its fairy chimneys, rock-cut
churches and vast networks of underground dwellings. After a night in Konya - the
capital of the Selcuk empire and the home of theWhirling Dervishes - and a couple
of nights in the Turkish Lake District, you end your journey in Dalyan, where rock
tombs, mud baths, a stunning river delta and the ancient site of Caunos await.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary S2/14
Kas (3 nights) - Antalya (2 nights) - Lake District (2 nights) -
Pamukkale (2 nights) - Ephesus (2 nights) - Dalyan (3 nights)
£1140 low season, £1190 high season
Covering two of Turkey's most important sights, as well as several lesser-known
attractions, this circular itinerary explores both the coast and the inland regions of
south-western Turkey. Starting in the bustling harbour town of Kas, which makes an
excellent base from which to explore ancient Lycian sites such as Xanthos and
Pinara as well as the sunken city of Kekova, the tour continues to the lively yet
unmistakably Turkish port town of Antalya, taking in some of the most scenic coastal
roads in the country. After visiting the Pamphylian sites around Antalya, head inland
for a relaxing two-night stay in the Lake District, before proceeding to Pamukkale,
famed for its unique travertine terraces. Your next stop, Ephesus, is one of the most
important archaeological excavations in the whole of the Mediterranean, and the
tour concludes with three nights in Dalyan, where you can visit ancient Caunos or
simply relax on the splendid, protected beach of Iztuzu.
Essential Discoveries Itinerary S3/14
Kalkan (4 nights) - Oludeniz (3 nights) - Ephesus/Selcuk (3 nights) -
Dalyan (4 nights)
£1150 low season, £1200 high season
This predominantly coastal journey covers the ancient kingdoms of Caria and Lycia
at an appealingly leisurely pace. Four nights in Kalkan give you enough time to
enjoy the delightful ambience of this pretty village and to relax on the nearby beach
of Patara as well as to explore some of the many Lycian sites that lie close by.
Further Lycian treasures can be visited from Oludeniz, or you may take the
opportunity to swim in the lagoon, paraglide from Mount Babadag or hunt for
bargains in the market at Fethiye. Selcuk is ideally placed for visiting Ephesus, the
House of the Virgin Mary and the Basilica of St John, whilst Dalyan, your final stop,
never fails to enchant with its fabulous riverside setting, its atmospheric rock tombs
and its proximity to one of Turkey's most glorious beaches.