Ultimate Turkey: 12 days from £5480 pp

Feb. 27, 2015 - PRLog -- Turkey is something of an enigma as a tourist destination; whilst at the one extreme it is known for bargain basement coastal resort trips, at the other it offers the discerning traveller some of the most astonishing architectural ruins, exciting cities and accommodation in some of the best hotels in the whole of Europe.

Corinthian Travel has created a private, 12-day itinerary entitled ‘Ultimate Turkey’ that has been carefully crafted to ensure that plenty of time is built in to appreciate some of the best archaeological and historical sites that are often glossed over on group trips in this melting pot of a country where Europe meets Asia; accommodation throughout is at the best properties available.

The journey commences in ‘Istanbul’, the capital of three successive empires for more than fifteen centuries (Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Turkish); few cities possess such a rich palimpsest of history, heritage and culture, fewer still occupy a location as beautiful. It is little wonder that Istanbul came to be known as the ‘city of the world’s desire’.

Istanbul offers the visitor an unrivalled feast of grand, monumental architecture, glittering mosaics, towering minarets, and gourmet opportunities, and it is difficult to think of a better spot from where to enjoy the views of the Bosphorus than from the grand marble terrace of the five-star, Four Seasons Hotel – a former pasha’s palace – where four nights will be spent.

The extended stay in Istanbul is deliberately designed to allow plenty of time to enjoy all that the ancient city has to offer including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Yerebatan Saray, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, the Chora Museum, Spice Market and the Rustem Pasa Mosque.

Further to the east, Cappadocia is uniquely captivating;  its landscapes were formed over a period of 30 million years as thick volcanic ash was gradually eroded leaving the landscape of needle-like ‘fairy chimneys’ and the richly coloured valleys of today.

Here you will climb into the skies in a hot-air balloon, witness a mystical dervish ceremony, and discover a medieval underground city; three nights will be spent in a ‘cave room’ at the award winning Museum Hotel.

The itinerary continues on to the ruins of ancient Ephesus – a classical site that ranks amongst the finest in the Western World – rounding off the journey with four nights of self-indulgent luxury at the Mandarin Oriental, which overlooks the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

The holiday can be enjoyed any dates between April and October and costs from £5480 pp (two sharing).

This includes domestic flights (Istanbul-Kayseri, Kayseri-Izmir), 11 nights’ B&B (plus four lunches), sightseeing and entrances as per the itinerary with English speaking guide, chauffeur-driven transfers in air-conditioned vehicle (Mercedes Vito or similar), Turkish bath, private cruise on the Bosphorus and a hot-air balloon flight (shared) in Cappadocia.

International flights not included (bookable through Corinthian Travel on request).

Call 020 3583 6089 (www.corinthiantravel.co.uk).

Corinthian Travel offers recommended tours and tailor-made itineraries to holidays in Turkey, Egypt, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon, with dedicated expert guides, the finest hotels, and private sightseeing.