Turkey Family Holiday with teenagers

Welcome to Turkey. This adventure kicks off in the coastal city of Fethiye. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until a Welcome Meeting at 5 pm today – see reception for more details. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand.

If you arrive early, get out and explore the town – with Lycian rock tombs carved into cliffs, a beautiful coastline and a renowned market, Fethiye is a laidback, friendly town full of wonderful Turkish cuisine and culture.

We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability) should you wish to arrive early!

This morning after breakfast, drive for approximately 30 minutes to Saklikent Gorge. You’ll spend the whole morning here, and the gorge is a spectacular place where steep sculpted walls soar high above. The whole canyon is around 18 kilometres long, with four kilometres accessible, and the vertical walls can reach up to 300 metres in height. In the summer, its shaded areas and water pools are a great way to cool off from the heat.

You can make your way along a suspended walkway through shaded cliffs, scramble over rocks as you explore the area, splash about in the water that’s travelled down to the valley after the snow from the Taurus Mountains has melted, and cool your feet near a waterfall. There are cafes and restaurants set up on pontoons over the water, and it’s a lovely place to enjoy a meal. After lunch, head back to Fethiye in the afternoon to explore the town or relax by the pool. Perhaps race each other up the steps to the ancient Lycian stone temples, carved into the rock.

Packing: it is recommended that you bring a waterproof bag and water shoes (or shoes that you don't mind getting wet) for the gorge.

This morning we head off to the town of Kayakoy where we will try our hands at making a local treat of gozleme in a local restaurant. What you make will be for lunch! After lunch we check out the ghost villages before reading to Fethiye, where you will have some free time as a family to sit back and enjoy the town.

After breakfast we will visit the food section of the Fethiye Market. The large open-air market attracts a huge number of buyers and sellers from all over the region. Your leader will take you on a walk of the market to try some fruits and spices, discover Turkish coffee and sample local sweets. There will be ample time to wander the market at your leisure before a free afternoon – consider heading to the Water Park in nearby Oludeniz to cool off.

Today's adventure takes us to the seaside town of Kas. It’s a 2 hour drive along winding coastal roads with lovely views to the picturesque village, where whitewashed buildings covered in bougainvillea line cobbled streets. Check in, take a guided orientation walk and then explore at your leisure. The best places in town to swim are the waterfront restaurants that have private water access. The price of a drink will get you a deckchair, umbrella and unbeatable views. In the evening watch the sun set over the ocean from the ancient amphitheatre, then perhaps explore the handicraft markets, where beautiful handmade wares with a distinctly Turkish flavour are on offer.

Drive to Kekova this morning and board a local boat for a relaxing cruise through a series of peaceful and picturesque islands, all with distinctive rock formations. Keep an eye out for an other-worldly sight – ancient ruins submerged in the crystal-clear water. Sail from large bays to beautiful protected inlets, where there is the chance to take a refreshing dip off the boat. Enjoy a homemade Turkish meal on board and later alight at the quaint village of Ucagiz, a township of stone houses drenched in colourful flowers. Return to Kas for the evening, where you will have free time to explore further or relax.

It's a full and exciting day today. After a hearty breakfast, depart early and drive (approximately 1 hour) to one of the greatest and most spectacular ancient spots in Lycian history – Xanthos. The city dates back to the 8th century BC and includes a pretty horrible (but interesting) history of murder and suicide. The city was the centre of culture and commerce for the Lycians, but as it sat on the lines between Europe and the Eastern World it was regularly in the path of conquerors – the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, and the Romans all took over the city. There's a great amphitheatre, as well as a necropolis, many mosaic floors and temples to explore.

Afterwards, head the short distance to Patara Beach, rightly considered one of the best beaches in Turkey. This protected natural area is home to a long stretch of soft sand, shallow blue water and gentle waves ideal for a bit of body-surfing. After a swim and an included picnic lunch here, stop in at Letoon – the sacred cult centre of Lycia. Here there was a temple dedicated to the goddess Leto and her children, Artemis and Apollo, and the inscriptions found there were key to deciphering the Lycian language. Head back to Fethiye for a final night.

Your adventure comes to an end today. For those with additional time contact your booking agent to add some additional nights onto your tour.