Turkey Holiday Destination - Shearwater Travel

For many years Turkey has been a prime destination for beaches and summer sun. And in this it excels. Luxurious resorts, stunning villas and white sand beaches with aquamarine sea. But venture inland and you will find incredible landscapes, some of the best preserved historical ruins in the Mediterranean and fabulous Turkish hospitality and cuisine. Holidays to Turkey vary from fly and flop beach holidays to grand tours of all the sights. Perhaps our favourite is a week seeing some of the historical sights followed by a week’s relaxation on the beautiful coast. Highlights include:

The cosmopolitan capital of Istanbul with its bustling markets and grand bazaar, lavish palaces, traditional baths and the Blue Mosque.
The bizarre rock formations of Cappadocia known as fairy chimneys. View these at sunrise from a hot air balloon for a truly amazing experience.
Bathe in the warm waters of Pamukkale and visit the ruins of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Ephesus.
Take a gulet cruise at sunset.
Hike through sublime landscapes.
Visit the nesting turtles on Patara beach.
See the rock tombs and bathe in the mud baths at Dalyan.

Walking in Turkey

The most famous trail in Turkey is the Lycian Way which runs for over 500 km from Fethiye to Antalya. With spectacular scenery the whole way, the trail runs through pine and cedar forests, past ancient ruins and through traditional villages and along the turquoise coast. It is a great way to get a true taste of Turkish rural life and visit villages many tourists don’t get to see. The trail is waymarked with red flashes but it is advisable to download the excellent app before you set out. If you don’t fancy the whole trail, then by staying in the right resorts and booking taxis to drop you off or pick you up it is possible to do just small sections of the way as part of your holiday. There are many many other trails in Turkey and if you are interested in doing lots of walking we can organise this for you. In Cappadocia, land of the fairy chimneys you can stay in one of the many boutique cave hotels and take half or day walks in the valleys around Goreme and the Ihlara Valley. You will walk in a magical lunar landscape past a string of ancient rock cut churches. Mountain biking is also possible in this area.

Key Facts about Turkey

Turkey Photo Gallery

Click on an image to launch the slideshow.

From £3295

per person in low season

Turkey, Ephesus

Classical Tour

Turkey has played a major role in the history of the Mediterranean world. Due to its strategic location straddling two continents, it has been a crucial crossroads and staging post on the trade routes between east and west. This 9 day tour combines the country's many natural wonders and man-made marvels, including the striking architecture of Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the remarkable classical sites of Troy, Aphrodisias and Ephesus, and the ancient hot springs of Pamukkale.

From £2800

for a 4 bed villa in May per week

Turkey, Kaputas

Villa holiday in Kalkan

Kas, Kalkan and Islamlar sit at the foot of the Taurus Mountains; a hub for happy holidays where luxurious properties scatter down the hillsides amid rooftop terraces for wining and dining, and pretty harbour lights. The sizzling summertime sees temperatures up to 40 degrees - so choose a villa with a private pool. As an alternative, Islamlar is a former Greek mountain settlement, eight kilometres north of Kalkan and a few degrees cooler, providing a breath of fresh air during hot summer months.

From £2150

Per person including flights, luxury hotels, all transfers

Turkey, Capodoccia

Luxury Istanbul and Cappadocia

From the brilliant bustle of urban Istanbul to the extraordinary lunar landscape of Cappadocia, this 5 night itinerary combines the best of both holiday destinations in Turkey. You’ll be discovering Turkey’s rich history and natural beauty, whether you’re marvelling at the mosques in Istanbul’s old quarter, or gliding through the skies on a hot air balloon over Cappadocia’s otherworldly scenery.

Will I need a visa?

Yes. You will need to get an e-Visa online before you travel. Make sure you use the official website. There are many unauthorised websites charging additional fees. Check here to find the official site.

Will I need any jabs or injections?

Ensure your usual vaccinations are up to date and check here for latest advice.

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