Suggested Touring Itineraries

For those keen to discover more of Turkey, we are happy to help with arranging bespoke touring itineraries, including car hire and pre-booked accommodation in carefully chosen hotels in some of the country's most interesting spots, such as Istanbul, Ephesus and Cappadocia. These self-drive itineraries can be booked for any dates of your choosing and can be adapted to suit your individual preferences.

For those who prefer not to drive themselves, we also offer a partially escorted holiday, "The Turkish Triangle". Scheduled to run in late September, this allows you to explore Istanbul and Cappadocia in a small group before settling into Mandarin for a few days of pure relaxation.

The Turkish Triangle - 18 September to 29 September or 26 September to 7 October 2012

Itinerary:

Days 1, 2, 3: Three nights accommodation in a special-category hotel in the historic Sultanahmet area of Istanbul, with the 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: Transfer to Konya, the home of the 'Whirling Dervishes', to visit the Mevlana Mausoleum. Overnight in Konya.
Day 9: Transfer from Konya to Faralya and settle in to Mandarin for the remainder of your stay.
Days 10, 11: Time to relax and enjoy Mandarin's facilities with a farewell dinner on the final evening.
Day 12: Transfer to Dalaman Airport (or extend your stay at Mandarin if you wish).

Price: €1820 per person based on two people sharing a double room; Single supplement €300. Price includes:

• Domestic flight from Istanbul to Kayseri
• All accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis
• Farewell dinner
• All transfers by taxi or air-conditioned minibus as per the above itinerary

Suggested Self-Drive Itineraries:

The following itineraries are designed to take in some of Turkey's most popular sights, and can be reversed, shortened or extended according to your personal plans. Please contact us for a quote, or to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Istanbul to Faralya along the Aegean Coast (11 nights):
After 3 days in Istanbul, cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry and collect your hire car at the port. Drive south along the west coast, stopping overnight in Canakkale, and take in historic sites such as Assos and Troy. Two nights in Selcuk allow you to explore nearby Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary, Priene, Miletus and Didyma, before continuing to Faralya, where you can spend 5 days discovering the varied attractions of the Turquoise Coast and relaxing in the unspoilt surroundings of Mandarin Boutique Hotel. Return your hire car to Dalaman Airport if departing by plane, or to the port in Fethiye should you wish to continue your holiday with a trip to the Greek Islands.

Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Turquoise Coast (14 nights):
Spend three days exploring the sights of Istanbul before flying to Kayseri Airport in Cappadocia. Collect a hire car at the airport and drive to your 'cave' hotel, where you will spend the next three days marvelling at the unique landscapes and cultural treasures of this fascinating region. Break your drive down to the Turquoise Coast with an overnight stop in Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes. A week at Mandarin will allow you plenty of time to relax in tranquil rural surroundings, to enjoy boat trips to Gocek and the 12 Islands or to the Butterfly Valley, Saint Nicholas Island and Gemiler Bay, and to explore nearby attractions such as Oludeniz, the deserted old Greek village of Kaya, the Gorge of Saklikent, the 16 Km long beach of Patara with its ruins, or the ancient sites of Xanthos, Letoon and Tlos, to name but a few. At the end of your stay, return your hire car to Dalaman Airport for your flight back to Istanbul, or take the ferry from Fethiye to Rhodes and enjoy some time exploring the Greek Islands.