Turkey Holidays from Dubai
Turkey works well as a two- or three-centre trip. Istanbul carries layers of Byzantine and Ottoman history within a short walk of each other, and the Bosphorus divides the city between Europe and Asia.
An hour’s flight inland, Cappadocia’s volcanic rock has been carved into cave dwellings, churches and underground cities, and the valleys are best seen at sunrise from a balloon. If you have longer, the southern coast around Antalya adds beaches and Lycian ruins.
Highlights
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace in Istanbul
- The Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar
- A Bosphorus cruise between the European and Asian shores
- Sunrise hot air balloons over the Cappadocian valleys, weather permitting
- Göreme Open Air Museum and the underground cities of Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu
- The Mediterranean coast and Lycian ruins around Antalya
Sample itinerary
A sample only — every itinerary is adjusted to your dates, your pace and how long you have.
Day 1 — Arrival in Istanbul and an evening in Sultanahmet.
Day 2 — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Day 3 — Bosphorus cruise, the Spice Bazaar and the Asian side at Kadıköy.
Day 4 — Fly to Cappadocia; Göreme Open Air Museum and Uçhisar at sunset.
Day 5 — Optional sunrise balloon flight, then the valleys and an underground city.
Day 6 — Return to Istanbul for departure, or continue to Antalya.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October are ideal in both Istanbul and Cappadocia. Summer is hot inland and busy on the coast. Winter in Cappadocia can be beautiful under snow, but balloon flights are cancelled more often in poor weather, in any season.
Built around your dates, not a fixed departure
We do not sell off-the-shelf group departures. Each Turkey itinerary is quoted for your party alone, and you decide how much of it is guided.
Flights and transfers
Routed to suit your dates, with airport transfers at both ends
Hand-picked hotels
Chosen for location and comfort, at the level you ask for
Guided days
Local English-speaking guides on the days you want them
One point of contact
The same Dubai team from planning through to your return
Photographs from Turkey
Replace each slot below with your own photography. Suggested subjects are noted under each image.
Ready to plan Turkey?
Send us your dates and group size and we will come back with an itinerary and a full costing.