The Grand Turkish Circuit – 10 Days by Road & Plane

Ten days covering the span of Turkey, from Istanbul's mosques and markets to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, with the Aegean coast and Anatolian plains in between. It's a full circuit by road and plane, built around the country's big historical set pieces rather than one region in depth.

You start in Istanbul, where the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque sit close together and a Bosphorus cruise gives you the city from the water. From there the route runs south to Ephesus's ruins, the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, and on to Antalya's old town with its Roman harbour. Konya and its Sufi heritage add a quieter, more reflective stop before the trip ends in Cappadocia.

This is a guided group trip pitched as easy-paced and suited to families as well as couples or friends travelling together, with the historical and cultural landmarks doing the heavy lifting rather than any physical challenge.

What you'll do

• See the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque in Istanbul
• Cruise the Bosphorus
• Walk the ancient city of Ephesus
• Visit the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis
• Explore Antalya's old town and Roman harbour
• Learn about Sufi tradition in Konya before reaching Cappadocia