More Turkey for your pound

Desperate times call for not so desperate measures – escape the increasingly gloomy European economic climate and get more for your pound.

Peregrine Adventures’ 15-day Treasures of Turkey tour, from cosmopolitan Istanbul to the ancient remnants of the Ottoman Empire and Greek, Roman and Seljuk civilisations, explores the natural and historical highlights of western Turkey – it won’t break the bank and there’s still availability.

Istanbul remains a favourite city amongst well-travelled visitors, absorbing incomers into its busy throngs without losing its identity as the gateway to Asia. From the shadow of Sultan Ahmet mosque, set out and discover the remains of the vast Ottoman Empire, Greek, Roman and Seljuk civilisations as well as exploring some of Turkey’s spectacularly surreal natural landscapes. Initially an overnight train takes travellers, via capital city Ankara, to the region of Cappadocia and Göreme’s Pasabaglar Valley with its characteristic ‘fairy chimneys’.

Later, there’s time to walk through Kýzýlçukur (Red Valley) to witness troglodyte dwellings and early Christian chapels cut in to the rock, before an opportunity to observe ‘Sema’ or Whirling Dervishes perform. Next day, travel to Konya and visit Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi’s mausoleum, founder of the mystic Sufi order that became known as Whirling Dervishes.

Further highlights include Cappadocia’s mineralised cascading rock pools, the ruins of King of Pergamon’s Hierapolis, Ephesus - arguably the greatest of all Greco-Roman sites - and famously impregnable Troy together with the remains of its ruined walls. More contemporary history is recalled amongst the sobering battlefields of Gallipoli. The tour concludes with a ferry journey from Bandirma to Istanbul – there’s no finer way to arrive in this unique city.

The tour costs £880 p/p including transfers, comfortable hotel accommodation with breakfast, overnight sleeper train, the expertise of a Peregrine tour leader and local guides.

For more information visit peregrineadventures.co.uk.