First of all for something completely different: a guided tour of Turkey's north-eastern neighbour, a country on the crossroads of Europe and Asia that remains largely undiscovered by international tourists.

I was fortunate enough to be asked to put together a tour of Georgia for a private group in 2023, and I became fascinated by the country's stunning landscapes, distinct sense of identity and remarkable wealth of historical sites. Georgia really is a country of contrasts, from the subtropical shores of the Black Sea to the ice-capped 5,000-metre high peaks of the Caucasus mountains, and from superbly preserved early-mediaeval churches and fortresses to striking examples of modern architecture in the capital Tbilisi and the bustling port of Batumi. Georgia's wine-making tradition is believed to be the oldest in the world, and bone fragments found at Dmanisi are considered to be the remnants of the earliest European hominids.

Our guided 10-day exploration of Georgia departs on 28 August, and is followed by a week's well-earned rest and relaxation at our exclusive Mandarin & Mango Boutique Hotel on Turkey's Turquoise Coast, but those with insufficient time can join the tour without the coastal extension, whilst those who also wish to spend some time exploring Istanbul can opt for a longer stop-over on the way out.

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I have been guiding our walking holidays in south-west Turkey for over 15 years now, and still never tire of sharing my passion for the beautiful countryside around Mandarin & Mango with like-minded walkers and nature-lovers. What makes each tour unique is not just the varied scenery along sections of the Lycian Way – from shaded woodland tracks and rugged mountain trails to coastal paths with panoramic views – but the small group size also allows us explore different aspects of Turkish customs and culture, depending on the group's interest. We may talk ancient history as we scramble over the archaeological remains at Cadyanda, discuss more recent conflicts that led to the abandonment of the atmospheric ghost village of Kayakoy or simply immerse ourselves in everyday rural life whilst visiting small mountain villages.

We have four different dates on offer for 2024: the first departure in April is already fully booked, but we have availability on 18 April, 16 May and 24 September.

For details, please click here.

With January almost behind us, now is the perfect time to plan your summer escape to Crete, Turkey, or the smaller Greek Islands of Chios, Samos, Ikaria, Fourni and Kythira. As always, our programme focuses on quieter, more authentic parts of our featured destinations, with a carefully chosen range of small and friendly hotels, villas and apartments, and our experienced team are on hand to tailor the complete holiday package to your needs, whether you plan to combine two or more locations in a single holiday or simply wish to find the most convenient travel arrangements to your chosen place in the sun. It is worth noting that airfares have been rising steadily in recent years, and tend to increase further as flights become more heavily booked, so planning ahead and booking early is highly advisable, especially as the smaller and more individualistic properties that we specialise in often get booked up in advance. So for the best chance of securing their preferred choice of holiday, contact us now.