Istanbul & Aegean Fly-Drive

Few trips pack in as much as this one. You get Istanbul — one of the world's great cities — and then the freedom of a self-drive through Turkey's stunning Aegean coast. It's a brilliant combination: history, culture, incredible food, turquoise water, and ancient ruins, all in one go.

Istanbul is where the trip begins, and it earns every minute you give it. The Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia — these are places you've probably seen in photos, but standing in front of them is something else entirely. Wander the backstreets, drink tea on a rooftop, and take a cruise on the Bosphorus to really get a feel for this city straddling two continents. Then you pick up your hire car and head south into the Aegean region. The pace slows, the landscape opens up, and the whole trip shifts into a different gear.

Along the Aegean coast you're in control. Stop at Ephesus to walk one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Linger over fresh seafood in a harbour village. Explore the surreal white terraces of Pamukkale or the hilltop ruins of Pergamon. This is Turkey at its most rewarding — and because you're driving yourself, you can take it all at your own pace.