Turkey is one of those countries we’re itching to explore more of ourselves.
We’ve visited Türkiye by cruise, but our planned trip combining Istanbul and Cappadocia has now been cancelled more than once for various reasons. It remains firmly near the top of our own travel list.
And we can understand why our clients love it.
There’s Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia with an extraordinary history stretching back thousands of years. There are the almost otherworldly landscapes and famous hot-air balloons of Cappadocia. And then there’s mile after mile of coastline, with some excellent five-star resorts around Dalaman, Bodrum, Belek and Antalya.
Turkey has also become increasingly attractive when you want a high-quality family holiday or five-star all-inclusive resort at a competitive price point.
It can be a cultural journey, a city break or simply a week beside the sea.
Or, ideally, a little of each.
Our own experience of Turkey so far has been through cruising, giving us a taste of the country and leaving us wanting to explore much more.
We’ve repeatedly planned to return for a proper land-based journey through Istanbul and Cappadocia, but circumstances have somehow managed to get in the way each time.
We’ll get there!
In the meantime, we arrange Turkey regularly for our clients, particularly its coastal resorts, and Cappadocia remains a real favourite for those looking to add something memorable to a wider Turkish journey.
That distinction is important to us.
Where we’ve travelled ourselves, we’ll tell you. Where our knowledge comes from the experiences and feedback of our customers and the hotels and suppliers we work with, we’ll tell you that too.
And Turkey continues to generate plenty of reasons for us to finally get that return trip booked.
That gives us a practical starting point for discussing the possibilities while keeping our own visits distinct from the journeys we would like to make. We would use your interests and preferred pace to decide whether to focus on the coast, the cultural experiences or a comfortable combination of both.
What appeals to us is the possibility of combining experiences that feel quite different within one holiday. A few days exploring a city, time in an unusual landscape and a coastal stay can each have a clear purpose without competing for attention.
We also like the choice available when the hotel is central to the trip. Families may value facilities that give different ages some independence, while couples might prefer a quieter atmosphere and opportunities to head out for dinner. The right property depends on those details, rather than its size alone.
Food adds another reason to leave space in the plans. An unhurried meal can be as enjoyable as a major excursion, particularly when you have time to try something unfamiliar.
For us, Turkey is especially interesting when its variety has room to unfold. We would choose a few worthwhile stops and allow enough time to appreciate them, leaving quieter days between the bigger experiences.
Istanbul offers plenty for travellers drawn to history, with landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace providing different perspectives on the city. We would choose the visits around what interests you rather than try to include everything at once.
A knowledgeable guide can help connect the places and explain their context. Leave room between the main visits for the surrounding streets and a relaxed break, instead of filling every hour with another appointment.
A few nights allow you to appreciate more than the headline sights. The aim is to enjoy the city as a living place, with time for its neighbourhoods and food alongside the history.
Time on the Bosphorus can provide a different perspective on Istanbul after exploring its streets. The relationship between the water and the city is part of the experience, offering another way to appreciate its setting.
We would consider the style and length of the outing around your interests and the rest of the day's plans. A shorter trip may provide the contrast you want, while another traveller might prefer to give more time to the waterfront.
Keep the arrangements manageable, with room for lunch or a quiet afternoon afterwards. There is no need to add a long sequence of excursions when one well chosen outing can give the day its focus.
A balloon flight is one of the experiences our clients particularly remember from Cappadocia. Seeing the landscape from above can add something special, but it should sit within a stay that is rewarding on the ground as well.
We would allow several mornings where possible and discuss the arrangements before confirming the itinerary. Flights depend on suitable conditions, and extra time provides flexibility without guaranteeing that a flight will operate.
Leave room for a slower start afterwards rather than arrange a demanding programme immediately. The surrounding valleys, settlements and accommodation deserve attention too, giving the stay variety even when the weather changes your original plans or an outing needs to be rearranged.
Cappadocia's underground settlements reveal another side of the region beyond its familiar landscape. A visit can help you appreciate how people used the rock itself, adding historical context to the scenery you see above ground.
We would choose the outing around your interests and comfort with the surroundings. Some passages are narrow, so understanding what a visit involves helps decide whether it suits everyone travelling. A guide can explain the spaces and their purpose as you explore.
Keep the wider day balanced, with time for a meal and a less structured afternoon. One absorbing visit can be more enjoyable than trying to move quickly between several sites without a proper pause.
A coastal holiday can include more than days beside the hotel pool. A boat outing, a walk near the water or time exploring a nearby town can provide a change of scene without filling the whole week with plans.
We would choose the activities around the area where you stay and the conditions during your visit. The distance from the property matters when you want an easy outing rather than a long travel day.
Leave some days entirely free to enjoy the resort. The best balance is being able to explore when it appeals, then return to comfortable surroundings with time for a leisurely meal or a quieter evening together.
Trying different dishes can be one of the simplest ways to enjoy another side of Turkey. A relaxed meal gives you time to explore flavours and enjoy the surroundings, whether you are in a city or staying beside the coast.
We would leave room for dining outside the hotel when that suits your plans. Ask about the dishes that interest you and choose somewhere for its atmosphere as well as its menu.
There is no need for every meal to become a formal occasion. A leisurely lunch between visits or a quieter evening trying something new can add a great deal, while keeping the rest of the day straightforward and enjoyable.