Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Turkey - Istanbul - Cappadocia
100% customisable for you
Transfer and three-night stay between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Your hotel is made up of several Turkish-style houses around a courtyard planted with lush vegetation. The interior design varies from room to room, but all share the common theme of traditional craftsmanship. Embroidered bed covers, cabinets, walls, earthenware and ironwork are stylishly and traditionally combined. Rooms are also fully-equipped with all the services and modern conveniences to offer a comfortable stay. The atmosphere is sophisticated and relaxed, nostalgic and contemporary. From the terrace, soak up the enchanting views of the picturesque surroundings. On sunny days, breakfast is served in the courtyard and you can enjoy coffee there in the afternoon. The surrounding area offers plenty of places to enjoy traditional Istanbul culinary delights.
Already included in the itinerary - Istanbul tour. Rather than a traditional guided tour, enjoy a more relaxed and impromptu meeting with a local and the city. Our guides are passionate about the city's cuisine, culture, art and geopolitics. They are knowledgeable representatives of the new Istanbul, this old city, which over the last half century, has embraced the age of globalisation without sacrificing its character. Nothing is planned in advance. Meet, talk about your interests and questions, then adapt to the pace of Istanbul residents. Your guide knows how to combine the most authentic Istanbul experience with your interests and curiosities. In their company, the contrasts, paradoxes and changes of one of the world's most intriguing cities are clearly explained and you feel like a local among locals. It's also a great opportunity to get valuable tips for your own explorations.
The hotel is next to the ruins of a medieval Turkish bath. The city's iconic landmarks – The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum – are all within walking distance. After this brilliant introduction, venture into a city that is a little less confusing yet always surprising. Along the way, wander market stalls and enjoy tea, spicy kebabs, fish, hazelnuts, raisins, olives and moreish Turkish delight. There are inns and restaurants everywhere. Istanbul has been very cosmopolitan for years, its gastronomic repertoire is astonishingly varied and colourful. And then there are the 'hammams' (steam rooms), music – Ottoman classical, Turkish folk music, Sufi ceremonies – bazaars and much more. Istanbul is truly a delight for all the senses.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Kayseri. Collect your hire car and drive to Uchisar, on the edge of the Goreme park. Tuff (rock formed from volcanic ash) is soft, easy to work with and also provides good thermal regulation. Everything else is a matter of care and taste in how things are restored. This ancient building has been restored with meticulous attention to detail. And the white stone, semi-circular arches and generous spaces provide a soft and soothing atmosphere. Courtyards and terraces are perfect for relaxation; the garden has a deliciously lazy feel, lush with vegetation. From here, admire breathtaking Pigeon Valley with its fairy chimneys. This all nearly eclipses the quality of the meal in the hotel's restaurant... but not quite.
The valley of Goreme, protected by a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is emblematic of Cappadocia's volcanic tuff and what people have been able to do with it. The erosion of this rocky wonderland has resulted in a spectacular landscape littered with peaks, cones, fairy chimneys, needles, table mountains and rock-hewn valleys and canyons. Their pale hues reflect the light beautifully and offer an amazingly colourful sight at dawn and sunset. As the rock is easier to cut than granite, communities, religious and otherwise, settled here long ago and excavated the surroundings to suit their needs... To the point of completely shaping certain cliffs and hills. The churches, which here represented heaven on Earth, have preserved the rich palette of the Byzantine fresco and its theological references. In Cappadocia, the notion of cultural landscape takes on its full and impressive meaning.
Already included in the itinerary - The treasures of Goreme. Enjoy a captivating tour with a guide and visit some of the most beautiful churches in the valley. Tokali (Buckle) church, dates back to the tenth century and covers two periods of Palaeo-Christian art; the oldest part inspired by the Gospel of James, which presents a narrative of the birth and upbringing of the Virgin Mary. Snake church, named after St. George and Theodore Stratelates, who both battled dragon-snakes, dates back to the ninth century and is also worth a visit. The first development of the Zelve Valley troglodytic site also dates back to the ninth century and was inhabited up until the 1950s. Galleries and rooms dug into the rock make up a completely disorientating, upside down world. In the afternoon, enjoy a small hike in the valley of Gulludere (Rose Valley), admiring the beautifully decorated churches. On the way back, stop for a refreshing break in a cellar in the wine village of Urgup.
Drive to Kayseri and return the car to the airport. Return flight, via Istanbul.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
