The Delights of Turkey

Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be greeted by our representative and taken via private transfer to the chic 10 Karakoy Hotel.

Spend the rest of the day and evening at leisure in blissful surroundings, preparing for the first full day of your luxury Turkey family holiday.

Wake up on Istanbul time this morning and enjoy a full breakfast at your hotel before an action-packed day in Turkey’s capital.

You’ll be collected from your hotel by an experienced guide who will show you the city on foot, covering historic, iconic landmarks such as Topkapi Palace, the Underground Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, Blue Mosque & Grand Bazaar. During your private tour, there will be plenty of chances to ask questions as you get to know the old town of Istanbul.

Afterwards, return to your hotel for a relaxing evening or we can make dinner reservations should you wish to dine out.

Today you’ll explore Istanbul’s culinary scene with an experienced foodie guide leading you through the sprawling stalls and spices of the city’s markets. You’ll discover how Turkish cuisine is one of the richest in the world, offering plenty of variety due to its geographical and cultural diversity.

We have handpicked this private foodie tour since it provides a way of exploring the city’s history, neighbourhood life, traditions, and culture through food. This is not just a culinary walking tour to taste different delicacies, but an insight into how the mixing of several cultures from different continents has influenced everyday life here.

Afterwards, return to your hotel for some leisure time and a delicious evening meal.

Today you can opt to have the day to yourself, exploring Istanbul at your own pace.

Alternatively, we can arrange other activities, beginning with a visit to Miniaturk, home to mini replicas of popular monuments in Turkey and Rahmi Koç Museum the first and only industrial museum in Turkey. Next, it’ll be onto the colourful neighbourhood of Balat and its historical bakery, before continuing onto Beyoglu. Here you can sample traditional Turkish meatballs, almond paste and other sweet treats.

For younger children, there’s also the option of Turkish art and craft workshops including Turkish Marbling, Ottoman Ceramic tiling, Calligraphy Lessons, and Watercolor Painting.

Afterwards, head back to your hotel and enjoy your last evening in the city.

Enjoy a full breakfast at your hotel before leaving Istanbul behind as you head to the airport via private transfer for your flight to Kayseri.

The short flight takes just over an hour and once you arrive, you’ll be met by your guide who will immediately immerse you into the history of the region. As you make your way to Cappadocia, you’ll stop to visit the breathtaking Devrent Valley and the town of Pasabag where you’ll stop for a delicious traditional lunch.

Following a final stop for ice cream at Maras, you’ll arrive at your hotel for the next three nights. Set in Cappadocia’s landscape of fairy chimneys, Yunak Evleri is a unique cave hotel carved into a mountain cliff. It offers rooms dating back to the 5th century and a 19th-century Greek mansion certain suites even include a balcony or a terrace where you can admire the views of Urgup. Enjoy an evening at leisure in this blissful setting.

Today you’ll continue your exploration of this fascinating region. We have carefully handpicked attractions that are away from the typical tourist trail to give you an authentic insight into this part of Turkey beginning with the Red Valley, Pigeon Valley, and Naturel Castle of Ortahisar. Here, enjoy fabulous volcanic rock formations in the heart of Cappadocia well away from the mainstream tourist haunts.

Continue to the ‘underground city’ at Kaymakli, where you’ll explore the maze of tunnels, storages, dining halls and living quarters of early Christians who fled from persecution.

In the late afternoon, you’ll head to a local home where you’ll take part in an authentic Turkish cooking class. Enjoy your freshly prepared dishes for dinner, before heading back to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

It’s an early start this morning around 5 am for your pick-up transfer from your hotel lobby to the take-off zone for your hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocian landscape. This experience is an optional extra, yet one we highly recommend, indeed many travellers report this to be an experience of a lifetime. Take in the panoramic views during this gentle flight and once back on land, head back to your hotel for breakfast and a day at leisure.

Should you wish to remain active, then we have options for private picnics in the Wish Valley, along with horse-riding (not available for children under 10 years old), and local wine tasting.

Leave Cappadocia behind today as you head to Kayseri Airport for your direct flight to Izmir. It’s another short flight, taking just 1 hour and 20 minutes, and upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our representative and guide, who will begin your private tour of Ephesus.

An ancient port city, Ephesus was once considered the most important Greek city and the most important trading centre in the Mediterranean region. Throughout history, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors, as you’ll hear as you navigate around this spectacular site.

After the tour, you’ll continue to your Izmir hotel, where you’ll spend the evening at leisure.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be met by your private guide for today’s culinary walking tour. Meander through the streets of this coastal metropolis, sampling local delicacies, freshly caught fish dishes, and plenty of traditional Turkish plates.

Spend the afternoon at leisure by the coast, before heading back to your hotel for your final evening in Izmir.

Today your journey will take you to the Aegean jewel of Bodrum, but not before you visit the charming fishing village of Urla. Since it takes around an hour to reach Urla from Izmir, it makes for the perfect lunch stop where you’ll fresh fish in a restaurant loved by locals.

Then you’ll continue onto Bodrum via your private transfer, a journey that takes around 3.5 hours from Urla. Upon arrival, you’ll check into the blissful Marmara, where you’ll spend the afternoon and evening at leisure. It’s worth noting the Marmara Hotel does not accept children under 13 and so we can happily make other arrangements should you be travelling with younger children.

After a relaxing morning at your Bodrum hotel, lounging around one of the pools or by the private beach, you’ll be collected by your private guide for a coastal cooking class. Led by a local chef, you’ll discover more about food in this part of Turkey before enjoying your freshly cooked dishes for lunch.

In the afternoon, head back to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Enjoy a full day at leisure today, swimming in the crystal-clear waters and dining at the hotel’s many eateries. Alternatively, opt tour of Bodrum by foot or by boat arranged for an additional fee by our partners.

After breakfast and check-out procedures, you’ll be transferred to Bodrum Airport for your onward flight home.