Turkey For First Timers: A 10-Day Odyssey Through Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Turquoise Coast

Embark on a transformative journey through Turkey's rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural wonders with our curated 10-day itinerary.

As first-time visitors to Turkey, we sought to immerse ourselves in its diverse offerings and uncover its hidden gems. Spanning three captivating destinations, this itinerary guarantees an unforgettable adventure through Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Turquoise Coast. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

DAY 1-3: Start the trip in Istanbul, unveiling the essence of this vibrant city

Stepping foot in Istanbul is like stepping into a world where adventure lurks around every corner, and the air is thick with the essence of multiple cultures converging. We were tired after a long flight and taxi ride, but upon arrival, our first instinct was to immerse ourselves in the city's vibrant energy, and what better way to start than by witnessing the mesmerizing hues of the sunset?

A ferry ride became our gateway to this magical experience. No need for elaborate tour bookings; a simple hop onto the ferry from Galata Kulesi to the old town, where majestic mosques stand tall, was all it took. The cost was negligible, payable only in cash, yet the experience was priceless. However, if boats are not your jam, a stroll across the bridge also offered glimpses of locals engaging in the age-old tradition of fishing for miniature shrimp in the Bosphorus waters.

For an authentic Istanbul experience, we recommend a stay of at least 2 to 3 nights in the Karakoy/Beyoglu area. Despite its touristy nature, this district pulsates with life and offers just the right blend of upscale charm. Indulge in a delightful dinner at Aheste, followed by drinks and dancing at Kiki. And for a truly surreal experience, visit Hagia Sophia around 3am when serenity reigns, and the absence of crowds allows for an intimate exploration of this architectural marvel.

Karakoy also boasts a thriving cocktail scene, alongside great local designers and vintage shop treasures. Among our finds were second-hand Ganni pieces and a stunning denim top from 313.

If time permits only one touristy endeavour, let it be a walking tour culminating in a visit to the awe-inspiring Basilica Cistern (and get online tickets to avoid queues on the day!).

DAY 3-6: Journey into the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia

From the bustling streets of Istanbul, we embarked on a short flight to Cappadocia, a land where dreams take flight amidst otherworldly landscapes. While more eco-friendly routes exist, our time constraints led us to opt for a swift plane journey of less than 3 hours. It will certainly be more expensive than a bus ride, but it has its advantages.

In Cappadocia, our senses were overwhelmed by the sight of towering rock formations and the opportunity to partake in unforgettable experiences. If this is what you are after for your Turkey trip, then read more here and here.

Whilst for us doing the Hot Air Balloons was magical, you can still have an incredible and unique time in Cappadocia without doing this experience. Visiting the Goreme Open Air Museum or hiking the Love Valley, Pasabag or the Rose Valley is breakthtaking and definitely worth your time there. We also took this time to experience the Turkish Hamam at Kelebek, which was delightful.

DAYS 6-8: Touring the Turquoise Coast, where Land meets Sea

After our sojourn amidst Cappadocia's rocky vistas, we craved the warmth of the coast, and so we flew to Antalya. The distances in Turkey are huge, and when you are tight for time, this is your only resort.

Antalya's allure extended beyond its pristine beaches. It’s a warm city with lots to offer! We found great coffee and aperitivo time at he Palmen Haus, and savored the freshest seafood at Ayar Mayhanesi, beneath the open sky.

We only had a day at Antalya, and I wish we had more. I think it could be a place where, given the time, you could stay for a few nights. We didn’t have such pleasure, and took our rental car on our way to Kas. Diving enthusiasts like myself will find Kas to be a haven for underwater adventures. I seized the opportunity to obtain my PADI Advanced Open Water certification, exploring sunken treasures beneath the waves. Kas is a small village but it is perfect to relax and unwind in the most beautiful and blue turquoise waters.

In Kas, our culinary escapades led us to Helios for sumptuous Turkish breakfasts, Biiist for a perfect cup of coffee, L'Apero for evening aperitifs, and Demeti Kas for delectable grilled delights. Additionally, a memorable day excursion involved chartering a private boat, complete with a barbecue, to secluded turquoise coves—a true epitome of luxury on a budget.

For history buffs, a visit to Myra Antik Kenti offered insights into ancient civilizations amidst breathtaking ruins.

DAY 8-9: A Visit to Pammukkale, nature’s masterpiece unveiled

You don’t really need more than a day in Pammukkale, but it is certainly worth the stop. The surreal beauty of the naturally formed salt pools juxtaposed against the remnants of an ancient Roman village left an indelible impression. Despite the scorching temperatures, wandering amidst these ethereal landscapes felt like traversing a realm suspended between fantasy and reality. This is your picture perfect postcard!

DAY 10: Goodbye Istanbul

Our journey culminated in Istanbul, where we savored our final moments with a spa visit and a sumptuous dinner at Lokanta 1741, marking the end of an unforgettable exploration through the heart of Turkey.

There’s so much more to explore, we can’t wait to be back.

TCB xx

Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons

In the heart of the enchanting land of Cappadocia, a dream was about to take flight. It was a dream woven with equal parts anticipation and hesitation, and it all began with a price tag that seemed to dangle between the realms of extravagant and invaluable.

The idea of drifting across the skies in a hot air balloon had come to me from the pages of travel magazines and the stories of fellow adventurers. It looked magical, and I wanted to experience it too.

It was a dance of contemplation, a tug-of-war between the part of you that yearned for the extraordinary and the part that held tightly onto financial sensibility. Could this experience truly be worth the sum that it demanded? We mulled over this question for days, weighing the scales of experience against the weight of our wallet. And finally, with a leap of faith, we answered with a YES – sometimes, dreams are worth every penny. We weren’t wrong.

The night before our adventure, excitement surged through like electricity. I felt like a kid during Christmas again.

The shuttle bus arrived punctually in the early hours of dawn. Like good Spaniards, we were slightly late, but they were kind enough to wait for us. 30 minutes later we were in location ready to go. A packed breakfast was provided as we waited for the balloons to be blown up with air. You’ll have some free time until you are ready to go, and this is your best opportunity to take some lovely pictures with the balloons in the background. Alternatively, you can also pay for a photoshoot, but note this will cost you as much as the balloon experience itself.

As the sun's first rays painted the horizon with hues of rose and gold, the hot air balloon was brought to life. The fabric unfurled like a giant's whisper, and the basket stood ready to cradle our dreams. The gentle hiss of propane ignited the flame within, and soon enough, we found ourselves ascending.

The feeling was surreal, as if you had become a character in a storybook, the pages of reality blending with the pages of your imagination. The landscape below unfolded like a patchwork quilt – the unique geological formations of Cappadocia, the fairy chimneys and ancient caves. All bathed in the soft light of dawn. Truly Maginal.

Time seemed to stand still as the balloon carried us higher and higher. And as you looked around, you realized that the cost, the contemplation, all of it had melted away into insignificance. The price tag could never quantify the beauty, the awe, and the sheer magic of this moment.

The balloon drifted gracefully, and the the sun climbed higher, casting its warm glow upon the land. The trip lasts around and hour and it goes quick, despite the balloon going at a very slow pace. When our balloon started to descent, it carried us not only memories but a newfound understanding of the value of chasing dreams, no matter the cost.

Descent was the trickiest most abrupt part, but also fun. And we were rewarded with Champagne! What else.

TCB xx

HOT AIR BALLOON PRACTICALITIES - Your Questions Answered

Which operator to go for the Hot Air Balloon Experience? we recommend Turquaz Balloons, Butterfly Balloons or Discovery. We also recommend the experience with 16 people or less, as otherwise you feel very tight in your basket. The less people the better, but obviously that comes with different price tags.

Pro-tip: whatever company you end up choosing, make sure it’s reliable. There is a lot of scam in the business and the most trusted operaors are those that are Turkish and possibly from Cappadocia. If you are unsure, your hotel will be glad to help you sort out this experience for you. It might be slightly more expensive but the difference is marginal.

How many nights should I stay in Cappadocia if I want to do the balloons? If the main reason to come to Cappadocia were the ballons, make sure you stay a few nights in the area, as weather is unpredictable and the balloons get cancelled often. We had two cancelled trips before we were able to go onto one, so this is worth taking into consideration in your planning.

Beware: if your trip gets cancelled, the tour company will look to book you for the next day……if they have availability. We had a bit of a nightmare with this - we were promised to be booked on the next day and then we weren’t and it was our last day and our last chance to go on the balloons. Thankfully our hotel helped us find another operator and we manage to go on the ballooons but definitely something to take into consideration - you need to be on top of things to make this happen as it’s not as easy as it seems.

Choosing The Right Hotel in Cappadocia

If you've decided to invest in a trip to Cappadocia for the unforgettable hot air balloon experience, two primary thoughts are likely going through your head at this this moment:

Firstly, selecting the optimal hotel to enjoy splendid views of the balloons (while indulging in a touch of luxury?)

Secondly, determining the most reputable company to entrust with your hot air balloon adventure.

Worry not! We have the answer to your queries.

In our humble opinion, the best hotel to go to is MITHRA CAVE HOTEL

There was a lot of back and forth around choosing our hotel in Cappadocia. We wanted to sleep in Goreme, as this was the quickest and easiest village to start from to go to all of the main attractions in Cappadocia. We also wanted to sleep in a traditional cave hotel, but we wanted to have a bit of luxury too. Having a good view of the balloons in the morning was an absolute must.

There are many hotels that made our short list, including Sultan Cave Suites, Koza Cave Suites, Kelebek Cave Suites and Cappadocia Cave Suites.

Considering the criteria abovementioned and a mid-range budget, Mithra came as the best alternative, and it did not disappoint. The rooms were spacious, they had a bath (a luxury other hotels like Koza or Sultan will not provide for the same price), and the views on the rooftop were breathtaking. There are several spots in the hotel where you can see the balloons from, providing enough privacy to take lovely photos as well. More over there are a few “living room” areas where to chill other than your room, and most rooms will also have an outdoor sofa to enjoy tea and games. A wide range of breakfast food was also complimentary.

The service was kind, friendly and overall excellent, providing us with many options for activities and dining in and out of Goreme. They can also help you booking your hot air balloon experience, though I recommend booking this before arriving. More on this experience here.

Cappadocia Cave Suites came very close to first position in our ranking. This hotel provides wine on tap!! But it has a catch: only until 6pm. Considering you’ll want to explore during the day, by the time you get home, free wine time will be over. Nevertheless, this is only of the few hotels that provides free access to a thermal spa and an indoor pool. If this is something of a necessity for you, then this hotel would be better suited.

Whilst we picked Mithra, we would still recommend visiting Sultan Cave Hotel’s restaurant (Seten Restaurant) for excellent sunset views and good food (something Mithra lacks of) and Kelebek for the traditional Turkish Bath & Spa experience. If you would prefer a super traditional, family-run and eco-friendly cave hotel, then Koza is your option.

Enjoy careless readers,

TCB xx