Cappadocia in Turkey is Amazingly Beautiful

A guest post by Ash Boler

I came across a photo of hundreds of hot air balloons in the sky above a sunrise on Instagram. I knew I had to book a trip to Cappadocia in Turkey. What I didn’t know was that there is so much more to this destination than meets the eye in the photos of one of the most instagrammable hotspots for travel addicts. As a self-confessed Turkey lover, I have never been to a destination quite like this before.

Cappadocia In Turkey

After researching the best way to see Capadoccia, I started to piece our trip together. I booked a 3-night short break escorted tour. A local guide would meet us to show us around the area.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Kayseri (the airport that serves the Capadoccia region). The easiest way to get here was using Turkish Airlines via a stop in Istanbul. I will cover both of these topics later. We landed in Kayseri at about 10 pm and headed to our hotel which was about 1 hour in a private transfer from the airport. After checking in we decided to get our head down for the night after 2 flights and a day of being on the go.

Cappadocia in Turkey Day 1

Our local guide, Serdan, arrived to collect us around 10 am. We headed to the open-air UNESCO site, ancient settlements/churches built into the caves that are still here. These were formed over thousands of years to create a unique landscape from volcanic ash over time. After a traditional ottoman stew served in an urn (wow) we decided a great way to spend the evening would be to book a sunset quad safari. This was a personal highlight of mine from the whole trip. The 2 hours out on the safari take you to some fantastic viewpoints for photos. Take a pair of glasses to avoid the kicked-up dust getting in your eyes!

Cappadocia in Turkey Day 2

On our 2^nd full day, we visited Kaymakli underground city. A network of tunnels and cave dwellings from way back in time, metres below ground level. Following a Turkish lunch, we had the opportunity to attend a pottery class and then visit Kocabag, the only winery in Cappadocia in Turkey.

Cappadocia in Turkey Day 3

On our final morning in Cappadocia, before we headed to the airport for our flight to Istanbul for the 2nd leg of our trip. With a kind weather forecast, we set our alarms for 5 am and it was so worth it! A 100 metre or so walk from our hotel (Ciner Hotel), we saw what all of the fuss about Cappadocia in Turkey was all about. Tons of hot air balloons filled the sky. You have to be extra quick though as by 5.45/6 am. The balloons are then packed away for another morning of wonder. The photos you see don’t do this spectacular sight justice. Packed and off to Kayseri airport we headed for our 1-hour flight to Istanbul to start part 2 of our Turkish twin centre…

Istanbul

As we were flying via Istanbul to get to Cappadocia in Turkey, it only seemed right to spend a few nights here. I’ve been to a LOT of Turkey holiday resorts so I expected Istanbul to be busy, but I wasn’t prepared for how busy it is! We found between 8 am and 12 pm the best hours to get out and about in the city to do the touristy sightseeing. Everything is open but crowds are fewer.

We stayed in the Sirkeci district of the European side of the city and there were numerous places to sample the local culinary delights. An absolute favourite of ours was the Roof Mezze 360 restaurant. Aside from offering breathtaking views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus, this rooftop restaurant is rated one of the best by traveller review sites. I booked a table for the sunset and it didn’t disappoint. The food and service were incredible and very reasonably priced considering the quality. My Top tip is to book the day before as table availability gets booked up very quickly.

Hagia Sophia and Gulhane Park

Approx 10 minutes walk from our hotel stood the famous Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Amazing architecture and culture are another reason why millions of tourists visit Istanbul annually. Around these 2 beautiful buildings sit gardens and fountains. Away from the hustle and bustle but directly in the business is Gulhane Park. An ex-zoological garden now-turned public park, it’s a must-go if you want to relax for a few hours. One of the prettiest places I have ever been to. Well cared for, as there are hundreds of tulips lining the paths, and picnic spots are plentiful.

As the only city in the world that is split over 2 continents, Istanbul is worth a visit. Especially if you have a connecting flight via Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines

I’ll round up with a small piece on Turkish Airlines. I’d heard lots of positive things about Turkey’s national carrier before our trip. I can echo the great reviews. The staff are friendly, the in-flight food is tasty and the in-flight entertainment is a big hit! We even received a drink and cheese and tomato toastie on our internal flight between Istanbul and Kayseri both ways. That impressed us a lot. Although extremely big, the new hub airport for TK is very clean and well-signposted whether you are arriving or departing.

I already have my next Turkish trip booked!

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