My initial reaction is if you’re reluctant to get herded around in a tour group, then don’t do it…..Go to Turkey on your own.

Transportation: Intercity busses are typically new Mercedes busses. They’re clean, fast and cheap. Turkey also has a excellent network of low cost airlines, so flying is definitely an option. You’ll find a list of the low cost airlines on the website…Turkey Travel Planner. It’s written by the guy who writes the guidebook for Lonely Planet.

Cost: $3,300 is no bargain. The Turkish lire is now over 180 to the dollar. It’s a bargain destination. You can do Turkey for a lot less money on your own.

Timing: March will be cold…..especially in Cappadocia. Sorry…March will be very cold in Cappadocia. Travelling that time of year will be marginally cheaper, but why not wait until May/June when it will be pleasant along the Turkish coast.

Turkey has some terrific beaches in places like Alanya and Patara. And from mid-May onward, the weather will be warm, especially along the Mediterranean coast. You could also ferry to Cyprus or the Greek islands from the Turkish coast.