Turkey Holidays

Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world for a hot-air balloon flight. With its soaring boulders, pigeon houses, deep canyons and fairy chimneys, there’s nowhere else like it. During this magical experience, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia as you float above its lunar-like landscape. Your adventure begins with a light breakfast while you watch the crew inflate the balloon. Then you’ll climb into the basket for a gentle take-off before reaching full height – at times, the excellent flying conditions mean you’ll even drift between the fairy chimneys. Fly through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations and colours, and then float up over rippled ravines. Back on the ground, a Champagne celebration and your flight certificate await. This is an unforgettable experience for couples and honeymooners – it’s also a fantastic way for groups of family and friends to make memories together.

• Duration: half day
• Departing daily from Cappadocia
• Departs year round
• Group experience

The best way to get to know a destination is to immerse yourself in it, and this full-day sightseeing tour with an expert guide will give you a deeper understanding of this otherworldly region. Your experience begins with a visit to the fascinating underground city of Kaymaklı – one of the deepest underground cities in Cappadocia, where a maze of tunnels and rooms are carved eight levels deep. Next, walk around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Göreme Open Air Museum, home to some of the most remarkable rock-cut churches from the 10th-12th centuries. The frescoes here are particularly beautiful. Your guide will take you on to Pigeon Valley, which gets its name from the pigeon houses that have been carved into the landscape. Pigeons have always been important to the Cappadocian people, providing food and fertiliser for the poor soil. In Devrent Valley, you’ll have fun trying to work out the animal-shaped rocks (the most famous one is shaped like a camel!). Visit Monks Valley (Paşabağları), where the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys with twin and triple rock caps are unique even for Cappadocia. The final stop is Avanos, known for its pottery. The Red River has supplied many generations of craftspeople with the red clay used to create their art, and pottery has been produced here as far back as around 2000 BC.

• Duration: full day
• Time: 10am to 6pm
• Departing daily from Cappadocia
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Explore Cappadocia in style, travelling in a classic car with your own private driver/guide. You’ll have the freedom to discover the region at your leisure. If you have a list of must-see attractions, you can simply let your driver-guide know where you’d like to go or if you're not sure where best to go, then your driver-guide will be happy to make recommendations based on your interests. This is the ultimate way to get around for families, couples, and honeymooners looking for independent exploration and a more private sightseeing experience of Cappadocia.

• Duration: 2 hours
• Departing daily from Cappadocia
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Feel Istanbul’s past come to vivid life as you discover the sights, sounds and smells of Sultanahmet with an expert guide. Your day in the city’s oldest district starts at Sultanahmet Meydanı, a vast square on the site of the Roman hippodrome in which horse and chariot races were once held. From here, you’ll head to the iconic Blue Mosque, with its six slender minarets, graceful cascade of domes and beautiful blue-tiled interior. The next stop is the breathtaking Hagia Sophia, built as a church in the sixth century, before being converted to a mosque and then a museum, and recently reinstated as a mosque. There will be time to see some of the most interesting sections of the labyrinthine Topkapı Palace, where generations of Ottoman sultans once lived in eye-watering splendour. The final destination is the richly decorated and atmospheric Grand Bazaar, home to more than 4,000 small shops selling everything from handmade rugs and ceramics to hammam soaps and local sweetmeats.

• Duration: full day
• Time: 9am to 6pm
• Departs Wednesday to Monday
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
There’s no tour on Tuesdays as Topkapı Palace is closed on that day.

Step back in time to the 1890s with dinner in the evocative setting of one of Istanbul’s most historic railway stations. Sirkeci Gar, designed by a Prussian architect and opened in 1888, was originally the terminus for the luxurious Orient Express from Paris - not so much a train journey as a five-star hotel on rails. Over a relaxed four-course meal of Turkish favourites in the Orient Express Restaurant, you’ll have time to take in the Orientalist-style architecture, admire the old black-and-white photos on the wall and soak up the unique atmosphere. Before or afterwards, take the time to stroll through the station picturing the scene a hundred years ago, with eminent passengers just arrived from Europe with their mountains of luggage and, perhaps, Agatha Christie’s fictional creation Hercule Poirot among them ready to solve his latest case.

• Duration: evening
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
Transfers are included. Drinks are extra. Vegetarian option available on request.

Hammams are a key element of Turkish culture and a visit to one of the city’s finest is an indulgent way to spend a few hours in Istanbul. The boutique Çukurcuma Hamamı, which dates from the 1830s, reopened in 2018 after a decade of careful and sensitive restoration and offers mixed sessions in magnificent surroundings, something that couples will certainly appreciate. You’ll have plenty of time to relax in the marble-lined hot, warm and cold zones, enjoy a traditional body scrub and a bubble-wash ritual on a heated marble platform, and be offered the option of adding other treatments at extra cost. To complete the relaxing experience, you’ll finish with herb tea and dried fruits in the chic and airy lounge area.

• Duration: half day
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know Hammam towel, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, scrub mitt and slippers will be provided. If you forget to bring your bikini or shorts, single-use ones are available.

Spending a few hours in one of Istanbul’s hammams is an indulgent way to discover a slice of Turkish culture. The Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı was built in the 16th century for one of the wives of Suleiman the Magnificant, on the site of the ancient Roman baths, between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. After a checkered existence throughout the 20th century, when it was used as everything from an overflow prison to a carpet bazaar, it has since been immaculately restored to its former glory as a luxurious bathhouse with separate, mirror-image sections for men and women. You’ll have time to relax in the marble-lined hot, warm and cold zones, experience a traditional body scrub and a bubble-wash ritual and be offered the option of adding other treatments such as a massage at extra cost.

• Duration: half day
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
You’ll be provided with a personal care kit consisting of a bath mitt (kese), shampoo, hair conditioner and body lotion, natural olive oil soap, disposable anti-slip slippers and underwear.

Seeing Istanbul lit up in the evening is a magical experience and one you’ll have the opportunity to appreciate on a private dinner cruise on the Bosphorus. Setting off from Bebek, a trendy district on the European side of the Strait, you’ll motor past various waterfront districts, admiring historic villas, marble palaces and mosques - some illuminated to spectacular effect - and the humbler clusters of cottages belonging to the city’s fishermen. Along the way, you’ll be served a meal of Turkish specialities, accompanied by select drinks and onboard entertainment. The trip ends back at Bebek, whose buzzing bars will appeal to night owls.

• Duration: evening
• Daily departures
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Good to know
A vegetarian option is available. Please let your Personal Travel Expert know of your dietry requirements.

Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s rich history and culture as you explore some of the city’s highlights. The adventure begins at Hagia Sophia Mosque, an architectural masterpiece dating back to the 6th century. A sight to behold, you’ll get to marvel at its skyline-piercing dome and admire its mosaic-adorned interior. After that, you’ll venture to the Blue Mosque, the only imperial mosque with six minarets. Wander through the grand courtyard and glimpse inside at the mesmerising blue tiles from which it takes its name. From here you’ll head to the Hippodrome, the stadium of ancient Byzantine with its impressive architectural structures before exploring the bustling Grand Bazaar. Meander through maze-like streets where everything from colourful carpets to local ceramics fight for your attention.

Embark on an exciting offshore adventure as you sail the sights of the stunning Bosphorus, the strait that runs through Istanbul, separating Europe and Asia. The tour will begin with a brief stop at the aroma-packed Spice Bazaar before cruising the Golden Horn. Float along the glittering waters and soak up the strait’s shore-lined sights. Look out for majestic mosques, what was once the world’s longest bridge and Rumeli Hisari, an impressive fortress built by Mehmet the Conqueror as he prepared to capture Istanbul. Other highlights for your camera roll include 19th century Ottoman mansions, magnificent Sultan palaces and beautiful hunting lodges.

Experience the Grand Bazaar from a unique birds-eye view on this extraordinary James Bond-esque tour. Guided by a local expert, you’ll hop from rooftop to rooftop as you soak up stunning skyline vistas and feel the pulsating energy from the lively alleys below. When you’re not busy taking holiday snaps, you’ll learn of the rich history of one of the world’s most iconic bazaars. Once your feet are firmly back on the ground, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the bazaar’s bustling backstreets, where Ottoman traditions and the modern day intertwine. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, getting lost in winding lanes as souvenir-filled shops lure you in.

If you fancy embracing the local culture whilst indulging in a few hours’ relaxation, this authentic hammam experience is for you. Combining age-old rituals with rejuvenation, the Turkish tradition makes a great stop off between sights. With separate spaces for women and men, comfort and privacy are guaranteed throughout. Creating a tranquil atmosphere, the gentle flow of water is said to be at the heart of this indulgent experience. Once you’re relaxed and ready for some TLC, you’ll begin your journey with a skin-cleansing body wash before undergoing a muscle-soothing massage. Lie back in steamy surroundings and when you’ve completed the experience, leave the hammam feeling fully refreshed and rejuvenated.

A rich tapestry of flavours, Istanbul’s culinary scene is bursting with mouth-watering delights – and you can experience it for yourself on this gastronomic adventure through Istanbul. Led by a local, you’ll follow in the footsteps of chef, writer and explorer, Anthony Bourdain, on a private indulgent food tour. Hop from traditional restaurants and up-and-coming eateries as you sample authentic delicacies, from sweet baklavas to flavour-filled dürüms. Not forgetting Turkey’s traditional tipple, raki.

Whether you’re looking for an exciting introduction to Turkey’s culinary scene or just fancy a fun-filled afternoon, this hands-on cooking class makes a sumptuous addition to your itinerary. And with it being just half a day, it’s easy to squeeze it in. Grab an apron, roll up your sleeves and get ready to show off your skills as you prepare three authentic Turkish recipes. After you’ve done the hard work, it’s time to indulge. Sit back and relax as you savour traditional dishes bursting with spicy aromas and fiery flavours, all whilst sipping on a crisp glass of local wine.

Embark on a spiritual journey as you experience the Sema ceremony, a mesmerising ritual of the whirling dervishes said to achieve perfection through mind and love. Beginning at 7pm every evening, this extraordinary tour offers a glimpse into Turkey’s rich and fascinating culture. Have your camera ready as the music and moves of the ceremony leave you in awe. After that you’ll get to browse the exhibition, where you can delve even deeper into the dervish world. Spot objects used in the ceremony, admire intricate dervish statues and look out for the video shows offering a unique perspective of the ceremony.