Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Turkey – Cappadocia – Istanbul
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, snacks secured and excitement levels officially sky-high – today's the day you and the family are off to Turkey. Head to the airport, breeze through security and bundle the little ones onto the plane as you set off on your four-hour flight to Istanbul. From here you’ll connect onwards to Neveshir, which takes just over an hour. Cue the inevitable debate over the window seat, as Turkey’s lunar-like landscapes reveal themselves along the way.
When you touchdown in Nevsehir , pick up your rental car and buckle in for a 40-minute drive to Uchisar, keeping your eyes peeled for your first glimpses of Cappadocia’s famous fairy chimneys and its quirky architecture. You’ll soon arrive in the heart of the Goreme National Park, your home for the next three nights.
After a long day of travel, everyone will be more than ready to refuel this evening. Experience your first taste of hearty Turkish cuisine – think sizzling kebabs, comforting manti (meat-filled dumplings) and spicy lahmacun (crispy flatbread). Ask our local Concierge for their favourite spot in town – they always know where the sweetest baklava (pistachio pastry) is served.
Then it’s back to your hotel for an early night, ready for the adventure ahead.
Rise and shine – today you and your little explorers are diving straight into the wonders of Goreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With your private guide leading the way, explore a maze of ancient cave churches carved directly into the rock. Here you’ll discover hidden chambers, winding passageways and walls covered in early Christian art that has survived for over a thousand years. Keep your eyes peeled as you go – how many painted saints, animals or mysterious symbols can the youngsters spot? Consider it the first family game of the trip...
In the afternoon, take a short hike in the Gulludere Valley (also known as Rose Valley). At the top, reward aching legs with a well-earned picnic, where you can all sit back and take in the sweeping views across the pink-hued rock formations that glow in the afternoon light.
Make a stop in the nearby village of Urgup, known for its fresh produce and laid-back charm. Parents can enjoy a taste of the region’s wines, while the youngsters can sample some delicious locally grown fruits – a sweet little pick-me-up before heading back.
Are your little ones still raring to go? We can also saddle you up for a family ride through the valleys of Cappadocia. An experienced instructor will accompany you, sharing stories about the region’s history – and even the horses' personalities.
It’s time to get your hands dirty, in the best possible way. Cappadocia has a centuries-old pottery tradition and today you’ll head to the village of Avanos, right on the banks of the Kizilirmak River, where the famous red clay comes from. Meet a local craftsman and discover the tricks of the trade – from shaping clay on the spinning wheel to experimenting with textures and patterns.
Will it be a wobbly little pot, a quirky mug or a masterpiece only you could imagine? By the end of the session, everyone will have a one-of-a-kind keepsake and the perfect souvenir to remember the trip by.
Hit the road and visit the nearby Saruhan Caravanserai, a 13th-century trade hub that once welcomed merchants travelling along the Silk Road. This historic building, featuring a mosque and an inn, is a great place to imagine life in the time of sultans and silk merchants – a quick detour turned fascinating history lesson.
If you’re up for something truly magical, you can also watch a sema, the mesmerising Sufi whirling ceremony that has been performed in the region for centuries. It’s a calming tradition and a special way for the whole family to connect with the local culture and witness history in motion.
Then head back to the hotel for your final night in Cappadocia.
Today kickstarts the next chapter of your family adventure. After a traditional breakfast (think fresh bread and eggs, olives, cheeses and sweet honey), enjoy the views on the 40-minute drive to Nevsehir Airport, where you’ll return your rental car and catch a flight to Istanbul. The flight takes just over an hour, giving you and the family time to relax, play a game or plan what to see first in the big city.
When you arrive, a private transfer will whisk you through the lively streets to the Beyoglu District on the north bank of the Golden Horn. After settling in, the city is yours to explore. Why not start with a visit to a hammam, a traditional Turkish bath, where parents can unwind with a massage.
Even better, step outside and head to a nearby ice cream stand for a taste of dondurma, the stretchy Turkish ice cream. The vendors love to put on a show – flipping, stretching and teasing the dessert before handing it over, guaranteed to have your youngsters in fits of giggles before they’ve even had a taste of the sweet treat.
Another day, another adventure. Today, explore one of Istanbul’s most iconic sites: the Grand Bazaar. Expect a colourful labyrinth of shops, stalls and surprises around every corner. But this isn’t just any visit, the whole family is invited to join a treasure hunt and bargaining game, accompanied by a private guide who knows the ins and outs of the market.
Test your teamwork and haggling skills as you try to collect as many items on your shopping list as possible for the least amount of Turkish lira. Along the way, you’ll be fully immersed in local life – play a quick game of chess with some friendly traders, marvel at the architecture and discover secret vantage points tucked into the passageways.
Even better, your youngsters get a crash course in money smarts and negotiation – who said family holidays can’t have a clever learning curve? By the end, you’ll see who the shrewdest haggler in the family is, and who might have overpaid for a shiny trinket or two...
Enjoy some downtime back at the hotel this afternoon, before heading out for another delicious meal this evening.
Unleash your inner artist today at a mosaic workshop. Try your hand at making the region’s mosaic lamps, a craft with centuries of history in Turkey, learning the techniques and skills before diving in to create your own. With an expert guiding you, you’ll learn how to lay the template on the glass, arrange the tiles and beads, and voila – your design has come to life. Your little ones can even pick colours to perfectly match their bedroom, creating a keepsake they’ll treasure.
Take your time to perfect your masterpiece, enjoying plenty of tea, freshly baked biscuits and Turkish delights. By the end you’ll leave with a handmade lamp to show off proudly.
Spend the rest of the day ticking off any final Istanbul spots from your wish list, and ask our Concierge for suggestions on where to go for your final Turkish dinner this evening.
A common Turkish goodbye phrase is gule gule, which means ‘go smiling’ and your family certainly will be after these seven wonderful days in Turkey. Today, take a private transfer to the airport and board your four-hour flight back to the UK.
On the journey back, there’s plenty of time to start plotting your next adventure…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
