The Turkish Triangle

TurkeySpecial Interest Holidays & Escorted Tours

  • 11-night holiday
  • Dates and Prices:
    22 May to 2 June 2024: £2785 per person (Single Supplement £795)
  • Minimum/Maximum Group Size: 6-8 people

We are often asked to arrange tailor-made itineraries taking in Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Coast, but unless you have a lot of time to spare and are prepared to drive long distances yourself, to combine all three locations is not easily done in a self-drive holiday.

For those who wish to explore Istanbul in addition to some of Turkey’s other highlights we have organised a holiday that starts with three nights in charming hotel converted from one of the original Ottoman houses in the historic Sultanahmet district of the city, perfectly situated to allow you to independently explore the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, St Sofia and the Grand Bazaar on foot.

From Istanbul, you will fly to Kayseri in the hauntingly beautiful Cappadocia region where you will spend four nights in a comfortable hotel cleverly created from some of the original cave dwellings. This allows you time to do justice to exploring the unique landscapes, villages and architecture and perhaps even take a dawn balloon flight (payable locally).

We break the minibus journey from Cappadocia to the Turquoise Coast with sightseeing stops in Sultanhani and Konya, before continuing via the Lake District to the rual hamlet of Faralya, where you can enjoy the final four nights relaxing in the luxurious surroundings of the Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotel and perhaps independently exploring the nearby beach and lagoon at Oludeniz, the atmospheric Kaya Valley or the port town of Fethiye. .

There will be a farewell group dinner on the final night before leaving on the following morning for your flight home from Dalaman via Istanbul.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Istanbul and transfer by taxi to your hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district of the city.

Days 2 & 3: A chance to independently explore the Blue Mosque, St Sophia and the Grand Bazaar in addition to all the other attractions of this vibrant city.

Day 4: Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri and transfer to your 'cave' hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 5: A tour of the fantasy landscape of Cappadocia and some of the underground cities and churches carved from the soft volcanic rock and a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum, set in a steep-sided valley and home to one of the earliest monastic settlements.

Day 6: An opportunity to take a dawn balloon flight (payable locally and subject to weather conditions) over the 'fairy chimneys' before continuing the exploration of the rural communities and breathtaking landscapes, perhaps stopping to visit a local handicraft centre producing hand-woven kilims and decorated pottery.

Day 7: The final day in Cappadocia starts with a visit to Mustafa Pasa, the former Greek trading settlement of Sinassos, to admire the fine architecture of the merchants' houses and then an opportunity to merely relax and enjoy the spectacular landscapes.

Day 8: Drive via Sultanhani, where we visit a Kervansaray, and Konya, the home of the 'Whirling Dervishes', to Faralya on the Turquoise Coast. Settle in to Mandarin Boutique Hotel for the remainder of your stay.

Days 9, 10 & 11: Time to relax and enjoy Mandarin's facilities, or optionally explore some of the many historical sites of ancient Lycia. Farewell dinner on the final evening.

Day 12: Transfer to Dalaman for your flight home via Istanbul.

Price includes:

  • Scheduled return flights from Heathrow or Gatwick to Istanbul and domestic flights as specified (flights from Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh at a supplement).
  • All accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
  • Farewell dinner
  • All transfers by taxi or air-conditioned minibus as per the above itinerary