Turkey

Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, and you feel it everywhere. Istanbul is one of the world's great cities, built on two continents either side of the Bosphorus. In the historic Sultanahmet district, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace stand within a few minutes' walk of each other, while the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar spill over with lamps, carpets, tea and Turkish delight. A cruise on the Bosphorus shows the palaces and wooden mansions along the water.

Our trip gives Istanbul four nights to do it properly, then flies to central Anatolia for two nights in Cappadocia. This is a landscape of fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches and soft volcanic valleys, and it is best seen from a hot-air balloon at dawn, when dozens of balloons rise together over Göreme. Staying in a cave hotel is part of the experience. On the ground you visit the frescoed churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum, the pottery town of Avanos and an underground city carved deep into the rock.

For Indian travellers, Turkey offers a lot in a week, with a mix of history, food and shopping. Visa rules depend on what other visas you hold, so check before booking. Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather for both Istanbul and Cappadocia, and balloon flights are most reliable in calm, dry conditions. Istanbul also has a growing number of Indian and vegetarian-friendly restaurants, and its trams, ferries and metro make it simple to explore on your own between guided days. Shoppers should leave room in their bags for ceramics, lamps and spices.