We visited Turkey for 10 days. We had the pleasure of spending our time in Istanbul and Cappadocia.
In Istanbul we stayed at the Conrad and Ritz-Carlton. Both hotels were very comfortable and had available taxi service, which was very convenient. At the Conrad, the taxi service was a little bit limited. In both hotels they spoke English, although at the Ritz, the communication went better. Both hotels had restaurants with breakfast available. At the Ritz, my favorite place to eat was Vakko L’Atelier. Their Parmesan risotto was delicious and they had a range variety of bakery items.
We flew Turkish Airlines from Boston directly to Istanbul. We landed in Istanbul on a 16th and stayed there until the 18th. On the 19th we flew to Kayseri using Pegasus Airlines where we then took a transfer to Göreme. The shuttle takes around 1 hour give or take. We returned to Istanbul on the 22nd in the morning and we then stayed there until the 26th. My guide starts with Cappadocia and then I speak about Istanbul.
In Cappadocia, we stayed at the Sultan Cave Suites. We wanted to live the experience of staying in cave rooms. The experience was amazing! The terraces allowed us to see the Hot Air Balloons in the early mornings (~5-6 am) and to watch the sunrise and sunsets. Having a Turkish breakfast with a view was the perfect way to start the day.
Being in Cappadocia, we could not miss the opportunity to ride the famous Hot Air Balloons. We booked Royal Balloon and the experience was amazing. They picked us up from the Hotel around 4:15 am. I know what you are thinking: “That Early?” yes! We were taken to their site where we were given a light breakfast, while the pilot chose the best take-off site and waited for the aviation authority to give permission to fly. We witness how the crew and the pilot unloaded, assembled and inflated the balloon at the take-off site.
We witnessed a panoramic and marvelous view while drifting above the valleys and between rock formations. It was mind blowing!
Upon landing, we were treated to a champagne ceremony and were give a memento Gold Medal. After the ceremony, a mini bus took us back to the hotel. The total tour was about 90 minutes.
We did not want to miss the opportunity to have some professional photos taken during our stay in Cappadocia; therefore, we hired a photographer that our hotel recommended. We had photos taken in one of the Hot Air Balloons take-off sites as they took off. The views of the sunrise with balloons in the background are breathtaking.
Among the different activities available in Cappadocia, we decided to book a Sunset ATV tour. We booked it through Viator. The tour was approximately 3 hours. We were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. We drove the ATV through different valleys. We made a stop to have freshly squeezed orange juice (delicious)! We then continued to the aşk vadisi salıncak cafe (Love Valley Swing Cafe) where the famous evil eye tree is located.
We spent the majority of our time in Istanbul as there is so much to see. We chose one of the days to visit Topkapi Palace and The Blue Mosque. To make sure we could get the most of our experience, we decided to book a guided tour as we like a local guide who can teach us about local customs, an itinerary packed full of cultural experiences, and even a pre-booked lunch at a local restaurant. It was a long day, tiring and a bit rushed I would say, but overall, our experience was wonderful and we got to walk and see a lot of Istanbul. The tour guide gave us tips about bargaining at the grand bazaar and recommended local restaurants.
Among other things we did during our time in Istanbul was visiting The Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops. Trying different teas and smelling Turkish Oils & Essences was my favorite part. The Bazaar is also full of beautiful ceramics, lamps, and rugs. Could not resit and ended up bringing some to decorate our home. Not going to lie, they do weight, so I recommend you leave extra space when packing for your souvenirs.
Balat is a charming and historic neighborhood that’s filled with colorful streets, rich cultural heritage, vibrant art. We could not miss the opportunity to visit it.
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is a 5 start luxury hotel that has a fine dining restaurant with a view of the Bosphorus. We had dinner at Tuğra restaurant to celebrate my mother’s 50th birthday. The atmosphere and service were luxurious and worth every dime. Food was exquisite and the view was magnificent. After dining, you can walk outside and take the opportunity to photograph the Bosphorus. A wedding had just taken place that day and the flower decorations were still intact.
We also booked a Bosphorus Sunset Dinner Cruise which included a welcoming cocktail and live entertainment. Along the Bosphorus Strait we admired the views of Ottoman palaces and two transcontinental bridges. Our cruise had available themed photoshoots for extra cost, which was so fun and great for memories.
On the days we did not have guided tours or wanted to have a slow day, we went to the Bazaar, visited the mall (Istinye Park), Taksim Square. Taksim Square is one of the city’s main tourist attractions and cosmopolitan hubs. It’s a busy nightlife, shopping, and dining area.
Other Restaurants
Istanbul
Rooftop restaurant, bar and club, packed with atmosphere and amazing 360° views over Istanbul. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time as it is a very solicited restaurant.
Mikla was a fine dining restaurant with contemporary styling & rooftop terrace, offering a tasting menu. The views were splendid. It is actually voted as one of the best restaurants in Istanbul. I also recommend you book a reservation with time.
Cappadocia
We mostly ate at the restaurant in our Hotel; however, the town of Göreme was walking distance from the hotel, going down the hill, and the town has a variety of restaurants.
In conclusion, Turkey was a wonderful trip. There is so much to see! Even though we only went for ten days, we were able to explore a lot. If you only have a short period of time, I absolutely recommend you spend your time between Istanbul and Cappadocia. In Cappadocia, three days is good. You can take an early flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia which would allow you to walk the town or do a tour like the ATV.
Hope this guide was helpful and if you have any questions, I am happy to help you.
