The Bronze Age Hittites were Anatolia?s first superpower, but hardly anyone ever calls on them these days. Fly to Ankara and visit the excellent Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, then hire a car and drive east to Bogazkale, site of Hattusas ? the immense capital of the Hittites, where mighty walls, a palace and rock engravings are the highlights; Alaca Hoyuk, from the 4th millennium BC, is nearby and still under excavation.

Near Hattusas, stay at the Hotel Asikoglu (00 90-364 452 2004, www.hattusas.com) , which has a good restaurant with live Turkish music; ?32, B&B, for two sharing. Then drive up towards romantic riverside Amasya, where old Ottoman houses and historic mosques bask under cliffs carved with the tombs of kings of Pontus; they were great antagonists of the Romans until Caesar wiped them out in 47BC. Linger here in the pretty Melis Hotel (212 516 7553; doubles ?60, B&B), then fly back to Istanbul from Samsun.

Or put yourself in the hands of a Turkish travel agent.

The trips offered by the Istanbulbased SRM (216 386 7521, www.srmtravel.com) will take you way off the beaten track, none more so than their 11-day exploration into the remote areas of the eastern Black Sea region. It includes a flight from Istanbul to Trabzon, an overnight stay in an old caravanserai, a visit to a tea factory in Rize, a day in the remote villages of Yenice and Camlihemsin, and a tour of the Macahel mountain region, on the Georgian border, one of the ecological wonders of the world; from ?986pp, based on two sharing and including all domestic flights, transport, accommodation and most meals. Fly into Istanbul.

Also starting in Istanbul, see the best of Turkey in style with Journey Anatolia (020 8761 5605, www.journeyanatolia.com) ; its 15-night Turkey Explored tour, in a private vehicle with guide and driver, includes a walking tour of Istanbul, Assos, Bergama (ancient Pergamon), Pamukkale, Kas, the Salikent Gorge and Patara Beach, Olympos, Cappadocia, Konya and Safranbolu (a World Heritage Site for its splendid Ottoman architecture), with stays in boutique hotels and meals in gourmet restaurants; ?1,250pp, land-only.

-Travel to Turkey Go Packaged

Turkey?s first way marked long-distance trail, the 316-mile from Fethiye to Antalya, was laid out thanks to Kate Clow, a British resident in Turkey. Rated one of the most beautiful in the world, it?s full of high drama and requires a degree of fitness to explore ? but less so if someone else lugs your kit. KE Adventure Travel (01768 773966, www.keadventure.com) has guided tours through the best of the in 14 days. It provides tents for camping out (there are also a few hotel stays) and most meals; prices start at ?945pp.

If you get bored with sitting on a beach looking at the same scenery every day, paddle your way around it ? the Lycian Coast, with its crystal waters, quiet coves and beaches, is one of the most delightful in Europe for exploring by sea kayak, and at one point, in Kekova, you?ll paddle directly over a sunken ancient city. You need to be reasonably fit, but no previous experience is required. Exodus (0870 240 5550, www.exodus.co.uk) makes it easy with an eight-day tour for small groups (with four nights in a hotel and three camping on the remote beaches); it costs ?589pp, including flights and some meals.

Mount Ararat has the visual impact of a Fuji or Etna. Over the millenniums, it was considered the centre of the world by the people living around it, as well as the resting spot of Noah?s Ark. Off limits until 2003, the 16,946ft ascent is now possible again, and although it requires no mountaineering experience, you do need stamina. In June, July and August, Sherpa Expeditions (020 8577 2717, www.sherpa-walking-holidays.co.uk) offers a 16-day summit trek for ? 1,112pp, including flights, ground transport, tents, hotel stays and all meals at Erzurum, Van and Dogubayazit, as well as B&B accommodation in Istanbul.

*Please be advised that the prices stated above are only published for guideline purposes and subject to change depending the agents pricing and the market trend. myvillaturkey cannot be held responsible for the change in prices and the contents of the third party websites.

[ Back ]