The Exclusive Escapes Service
'A TURKEY AND CEPHALONIA THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU'
We are delighted to introduce Exclusive Escapes. Our concept is to provide a distinct, personal and specialist service to a small number of guests and to present facets of Turkey – together with the exciting new addition of Cephalonia – that few realise exist.
We have significant and unique expertise in providing holidays in this culturally rich and genuinely welcoming part of the world – each and every member of our team having unparalleled first-hand knowledge of our entire portfolio. This small team has established a reputation for delivering an exceptionally high-quality holiday both in terms of style and level of service.
Each of our guests is provided with an experience which is carefully thought through from beginning to end – certainly a long way removed from any concept of a ‘package holiday’.
We have used our considerable experience to offer a small, exclusive portfolio of high calibre and unusual properties. This portfolio presents a Turkey and Cephalonia that may well surprise you. We believe that the dramatic locations and stunning scenery in each region, together with the high quality and individuality of our exclusive properties will combine to offer you a totally unforgettable experience. An experience to compare favourably with any to be found throughout the Mediterranean.
PEOPLE LIKE US
Our service is designed entirely for those who, like us, abhor the entire concept of a package holiday. We treat guests as individuals, and all our properties have been carefully selected using our extensive knowledge of the region, our relationships with local people and our deep appreciation of local culture and custom.
WHY TURKEY AND CEPHALONIA & WHY EXCLUSIVE ESCAPES?
Exclusive Escapes is born from a genuine love of Turkey and her people. Having travelled extensively and provided holidays to various parts of the world, we are yet to discover another nation that combines dramatic, glorious and disparate scenery with such fascinating historic culture.
Most remarkable of all are the people, who are by nature warm and hospitable. We say ‘remarkable’ as it is this hospitality, together with the stunning everchanging natural beauty of the country that guests comment on most frequently.
Cephalonia - and in particular the stunning scenery and uncommercial regions of the north of the island – is suited to our philosophy entirely.
The Exclusive Escapes ethos is to offer a style of holiday and quality of property that many would not associate with this part of the world, hence – ‘a Turkey and Cephalonia that will surprise you!’ All our properties and regions provide an unusual and perfect environment in which to completely unwind.
The Exclusive Escapes Team
The Exclusive Escapes team and portfolio will always remain small and with complete focus on providing holidays of the highest quality for the most discerning of travellers.
We have first-hand experience of every region and property in our programme. Our small, high-calibre team of specialists provides expert and knowledgeable advice suited to the requirements of each individual.
Our assumption is that guests wish to feel free and independent and our service is geared to this end. Our experienced overseas assistants therefore provide a discreet back-up service when required, rather than that of the more traditional holiday representative.
Exclusive Properties
Our portfolio includes a diverse selection of exclusive boutique hotels and luxury villas which are unusual in terms of both variety and location. Some of these properties are to be found on the tops of mountains, in forest clearings, overlooking picturesque harbours and, in one case, literally on the edge of a canyon!
Our properties always represent the very best in their range, available in that region. We hold the exclusive UK marketing rights to all our coastal properties and most of those featured in Istanbul and Cappadocia too, thus ensuring a select and ‘non-package’ ambience.
Exclusive Regions
None of our carefully selected regions are to be found in the pages of a mass market brochure. Indeed many are absolutely unique to us. All offer a fascinating insight into local culture as well as providing the perfect base for a holiday that can be both relaxing and invigorating.
The Lycian Coast - Hidden Turkey
Thankfully tourism came late to Turkey and, although there are admittedly several mass market resorts, there are also huge swathes of coastline that have been protected as conservation areas, the majority of which are to be found in south west Turkey on the Lycian Coast.
This region provides the most dramatic coastal scenery in Turkey together with a plethora of cultural sites dating back to the Lycian, Carian and Byzantine periods.
The beauty of many of these sites is that they are far removed from the tourist hordes and are available for the independent traveller to explore peacefully at their own pace.
The main tourist areas of coastal Turkey are concentrated around Izmir and Antalya airports. The Lycian region in between was initially ignored because the transport infrastructure made it difficult to visit, and by the time Dalaman airport was opened, the conservation areas on the Lycian Coast had been created. This ensured that, with only a couple of obvious exceptions such as Marmaris and Bodrum, the majority of the region is suited to visitors of a more discerning nature.
Hidden Cephalonia
As is the case with Turkey, Cephalonia has areas that are designated for tourism which are concentrated around the middle and the south of the island. It will be of little surprise for you to read that it is the rugged, unspoilt coastline of northern Cephalonia that we adore. This region is a long way removed from any concept of ‘package holidays. The dramatic coastal roads winds past sleepy fishing villages and pine-clad mountainsides with every bend revealing a breathtaking seascape.
It is these regions of Turkey and Cephalonia in particular that our team has many year’s experience. This knowledge, together with the strong friendships forged over that time, has enabled us to put together a portfolio of properties and regions that we believe to be without equal.
Culture
Turkey, and in particular the Lycian Coast, is the setting for a plethora of ancient sites dating back to Lycian, Byzantine, Roman times and beyond. Many of our regions are ideally located for exploration of sites either under your own steam or by joining one of our qualified and knowledgeable Exclusive Escapes Guides.
Cephalonia has many reminders of its strong Venetian influence and the more recent trials suffered during the Second World War and the earthquakes that followed.
Exclusive Guides & Personalised Excursions
We appreciate that guests may well be interested in exploring the local environment, but the idea of a typical ‘organized’ excursion does not fill them with enthusiasm.
In relevant regions of Turkey we employ a fully-qualified guide who is available to escort very small parties on carefully planned and personalised trips using a mixture of their own and our extensive knowledge of each region.
Detailed information on the programme available for each region is provided prior to your departure both online and in our Guide Book.
Private Guides are also available in Turkey and Cephalonia for guests who have an interest in visiting a specific area not included in our programme, or those who prefer to explore independently, no matter how small our groups may be.
Our guides and assistants are also very happy to help you plan your own exploration of the region. This is particularly relevant in Cephalonia where due to the size of the island and the quality of the road infrastructure we would encourage guests to explore by hire car. Please do feel free to utilise our local team’s knowledge and enthusiasm.
Sporting Activities & Luxurious Days at Sea
Our portfolio includes a variety of properties – some completely ‘off the beaten track’, others with a somewhat more cosmopolitan setting. No matter how remote, all provide access to a wide array of activities such as Water Sports, White Water Rafting, Canyoning, Paragliding, Sea Kayaking, Trekking, Horse Riding, Gulet Sailing and Deluxe Motor Cruising.
For confirmation on exactly what is available in each area, please refer to the ‘What To Do’ section for each region.
COMPLIMENTARY GUIDE BOOK & BEACH TOWEL
A well-researched Guide Book which provides detailed information relevant to Coastal Turkey and Cephalonia is provided with our compliments prior to your departure. In addition a complimentary beach towel is provided for all Exclusive Escapes guests visiting the Lycian Coast and Cephalonia. Small, but hopefully useful gifts, which you get to keep!
Should you have any queries whatsoever, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to being of service and welcoming you to these beautiful parts of our world.