Cappadocia & Istanbul

In this Issue: This is a SPECIAL EDITION newsletter on Turkey that is focused on two specific areas -- Istanbul & Cappadocia. It includes property highlights as well as the best activities, sights, and excursions. Everything included are things we experienced first-hand just a few weeks ago.

If you are planning on taking a cruise that includes an arrival to or departure from Istanbul, or maybe you plan to visit the ancient city of Ephesus, or possibly just planning a bucket list trip to Cappadocia like us, here are some things you may want to consider. Enjoy!

We did a lot over 5 days, but I would be amiss to not mention my Top 3 experiences of the trip, right off the bat. Those three are:

Video: Watch the hot air balloon lift off at sunrise in the video below, gently "kissing" nearby balloons as brides, honking convertibles, and fairy chimneys decorate the ground below.

This was my third trip to Istanbul and first time to Cappadocia (USA pronunciation: cap-uh-DOUGH-shuh). Istanbul is still a mesmerizing, enchanting, bustling city with deep history and plenty to see and do. Their are many first-class accommodations and restaurants with Michelin-star chefs. The city is European on one side of the Bosphorous River and considered Asia on the other.

As for Capadoccia, you are making a mistake if you go to Turkey and don't carve out a couple days for Cappadocia too. A spectacular landscape, entirely sculpted by erosion, its surroundings contain dwellings and underground towns dating back to the 4th century. The density of its rock-hewn cells, churches, troglodyte villages and subterranean cities within the rock formations make it one of the world's most striking and largest cave-dwelling complexes. Learn more about this Unesco site.

Situated in the middle of the Sultanahmet district, the Blue Mosque stands on the site of the former Byzantine Hippodrome, a historic site in the city's center where in AD 532, six days of riots and revolts are rumored to have killed more than 30,000 people. According to estimates, the Blue Mosque receives around 4.5 million visitors annually.

The Blue Mosque was built in 7 years (1606-1609 AD) with the order of Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. From the courtyard, see the striking view of the cascading domes and semidomes. Once inside, you will see the colorful blue Iznik tiles that adorn the interior, made at the peak of Iznik tile production in the early 17th Century, and the numerous stained-glass windows.

Visit Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia), the Church of Divine Wisdom and a testament to the sophistication of the 6th Century. The vast edifice was built over two earlier churches and inaugurated by Emperor Justinian in 537. The immense dome is an architectural marvel, as it seems to hover overhead. In addition to admiring the architecture, there are wonderful mosaics in the upper galleries.

Turkish marbling, known as Ebru art, has been around for centuries and flourished during the Ottoman Empire. Water is mixed with cattle bile and tragacanth (a sap-like material) and then dipped in different soils to create bright paints that are used to decorate glass, cloth, notebooks and various other items. Learn from master Ebru painters who will teach you about their art form before you get involved and paint some items on your own.

Visit the Grand Bazaar, the largest and oldest covered Bazaar in Turkey, with more than 4,000 shops -- the biggest souk in the world. A variety of handicrafts, carpets, jewels and souvenirs all sold in small shops next to each other. The merchants are selling everything from antiques, home wares, books, copper ware, ceramics, gold and inexpensive souvenirs. Streets are named according to the trades and the most oriental atmosphere in Istanbul is found in the bazaar. The big question is, will you come home with a Turkish Rug?

I especially liked watching the very-popular door-to-door Turkish Tea peddlers carrying trays of hot tea in tulip-shaped glasses to nearby merchants (think of being at a concert or pro football game and someone walking up and down the aisles selling beer or cotton candy). There is also a popular FUSE peach iced tea (owned by Coca Cola) that is delicious. It's in a can and widely available in Turkey but sells for $15/can in the US because there are no distributors. Bring a few back in your checked luggage if you have kids that love sweet tea or pick up some of the Turkish tea (tulip) cups.

Visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace Museum and gain a fascinating insight into this grandiose complex of buildings that formed the residence of the Sultans and the women of the Harem for 400 years. There are four main courtyards which contain extensive gardens, pavilions, fountains, royal gates, divans, kitchens, library, mosques and the Harem. Visit the Treasury which houses a glittering collection of jewels, arms and armor, ceramics, imperial costumes and miniatures. It is in the Treasury you will find the famous Spoonmakers Diamond and Topkapi Dagger.

Built in 1664, this old stone building includes a large number of shops (and a restaurant on the second floor that has long held a venerable place in the life of the city). Since its construction, the Egyptian Spice Market has specialized in the sale of exotic spices. Today, these lovely small shops continue to sell spices and now also sell dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and other edibles. Some of the shops are gradually being transformed into shops featuring jewelry and other high margin items. Don't miss a scoop of ice cream outside the entrance, as well as fresh roasted chestnuts and corn.

Once inside the spice market, consider bringing home some gifts: Saffron packaged in small glass jars, roasted pistachios, fresh honeycomb with mountain honey, dried mangos, or some Turkish bebir spice that is hard to find in the US. Shop owners will package and vacuum seal/shrink wrap anything for traveling, if desired. And, all of the shops we visited took credit card and USD -- no need to change your money.

Be Local, Eat Local.

The Basilica is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. It is supported by 336 columns (12 rows of 28 columns that are around 30 feet tall) and was built in the 6th century. It's unclear whether the cistern provided water to the public or only to the nearby palace grounds. The majority of the columns in the cistern appear to have been recycled from the ruins of older buildings.

A massive restoration project happened from 1985-87 where more than 50,000 tons of silt were removed from the reservoir, uncovering the Medusa-head column bases, and wooden walkways were introduced. If you are a James Bond fan, you may remember seeing this cistern in the 1963 film From Russia with Love.

If you are a James Bond fan, you may know that several films feature scenes on the Bosphorus, including From Russia with Love (1963), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Skyfall (2012). From Russia with Love prominently features Istanbul and the strait. The World Is Not Enough uses Maiden's Tower on the Bosphorus as a key location, and Skyfall includes a major chase sequence in Istanbul that involves various parts of the city.

In Skyfall's opening sequence in Istanbul, Bond and Moneypenny are in pursuit of a mercenary who has stolen a hard drive containing a list of undercover NATO agents. The chase scenes are set in and around Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, the Eminönü district, and on top of a train. These sequences showcase the city's bustling streets, rooftops, and other distinct areas.

Watch the video below:

Learn more about the filming locations of Skyfall in Turkey and behind-the-scenes footage.

Embark your yacht from a local pier (or your hotel) to enjoy a private cruise on the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water separating the Asian and European continents and the life blood of Istanbul. Passing along the shores of the Bosphorus, there are magnificent palaces, restored Ottoman villas, impressive fortresses, and the waterside residences of Istanbul’s elite. Pop some champagne, kick your feet up, and enjoy the view!

Situated in the heart of the city and only a few steps from the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the underground cistern, this boutique hotel is a very calm presence compared to the life going on outside the hotel walls. The Four Seasons Sultanahmet has beautiful gardens and you would never know that it used to be a former prison. With the iconic Hagia Sofia as a backdrop, the rooftop hotel terrace is the ultimate place to mingle with friends, savor a cocktail or glass of wine, and just enjoy the moment.

Who should stay here? This is the place to stay if you want to be in the heart of this historic city and enjoy exploring by foot. And also the place if you prefer a small, boutique hotel. I will always remember the first-time I stayed here and was awoken by the call to prayer emitting from the Blue Mosque and gently filtering through the city -- something I had never heard of until that moment.

Çırağan Palace Kempinski (pronounced JUR-uh-gun) is a lavish hotel encompassing a magnificently restored, opulent sultan's palace (1872) and a modern six-story wing. I absolutely loved staying here with a balcony room overlooking the Bosphorous. There was a beautiful view of the bridge, the palace courtyards, and all the activity on the water. I woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to take a peek outside to just get one more glimpse of the beauty and soak it all in. The breakfast was INCREDIBLE and one of the most, if not the most, impressive HUGE spreads I have experienced. From a honeycomb "wall" presentation to sushi to countless fresh baked breads, pastries, and baklava, and all of the traditional items as well as local specialties, this is totally worth the early rise. Breakfast is included in the property rates.

Who should stay here? If you like larger, grand hotels (317 rooms), a massive outdoor pool with a breathtaking view, and a Michelin-recommended restaurant, this is the only Ottoman imperial palace hotel on the Bosphorus. Çırağan Palace offers historic ambience, luxurious facilities, and impeccable service. Don't miss Le Fumoir in the courtyard, included in the 2025 Star Bars list by Forbes Travel Guide. This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon only 58 hotel bars across 19 countries, conducted through secret inspections worldwide. Grab a specialty cocktail or try out the ultra-sophisticated hookah smoking lounge.

Virtuoso Benefits in 2025:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• $100 USD equivalent Hotel credit to be utilized during stay, applicable towards Food & Beverage and SPA treatments
• Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Set on the iconic shores of the Bosphorus strait, The Peninsula is home to 177 opulent guestrooms and suites, multiple dining venues, plus lush gardens, indoor & outdoor swimming pools, and a full-service spa complete with hammam steam baths. Guests can also take advantage of the onsite shopping arcade, an 8,000-square-foot retail space.

Who should stay here? This is a very tech-savvy hotel with unexpected electronic bells and whistles. From hidden compartments, accessed by you inside the room and from housekeeping outside the room, to place your laundry and room service trays to a nail dryer for freshly-painted nails in the dressing area, it has a forward-thinking feel with things not seen previously in a hotel. The grounds also felt cozy, set in a comfortable yet nestled-in lush garden. And, if you are a spa person, The Peninsula spa was off-the-charts impressive.

Virtuoso Benefits for 2025:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant
• $100 USD equivalent Resort or Hotel credit to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in / Late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

What is most interesting:

• Honeycomb in appearance, the carved out rocks where people lived, including numerous monasteries and churches, is a beautiful sight.
• The fairy chimneys and formations that remain in the valleys, a result of erosion over the years in a city that was once underwater and had numerous volcanic eruptions, is unlike anything you have seen before.
• The opportunity to see 150+ hot air balloons launch simultaneously at sunrise is magical. You can experience this on the balloon, from your hotel terrace, over a picnic breakfast with champagne in the valley, in numerous convertible cars, or riding horses as the balloons lift above you.
• Massive underground cities that were once hidden and invisible from invaders go down 6-10 floors. Their tunnels and rooms were carved by hand where settlers -- along with their cattle -- lived and traded underground.

More details are below, and feel free to contact us for more information about Cappadocia, as the information here barely skims the surface.

Largest Quantity of Simultaneous Hot-Air Balloon Lifts in the World

We were in Cappadocia for two nights. I would recommend three nights, if you have the time, especially if you want to participate in the hot-air balloon experience. The government decides if and when the hot-air balloons can depart each morning, and not every day is a go. We got super lucky as the day before we were scheduled and the day after we were scheduled did not go. Luck was with us, and every balloon in the city, all 157, departed at sunrise on our scheduled day of lift off (and the only day we could participate based on airline schedules).

The balloons are massive, with each balloon containing 4 baskets, and each basket holding 8 people (yes, you can arrange for smaller groups or private). You are designated a departure point and then load and lift around 6am after a brief safety training. I really didn't even notice or think about being in the air in a balloon because there was so much going on around me:

• convertibles on the ground with honking horns
• people in small groups on horses making their way through fields and dirt roads
• couples getting married (talk about a destination wedding or honeymoon location!)
• brides and models having professional photo shoots
• heat from the balloon gas warming your body and sending out a beautiful orange glow
• launch vehicles scurrying below, following their balloon for landing
• the sun peeking up from the horizon as you floated over the honeycombed rocks and fairy chimneys
• soft balloon kisses in the air where the balloons gently touched before separating
• moments where everyone wanted to get their own in-air Instagram photo with the most colorful balloons behind them

Kaymakli Underground City is simply INCREDIBLE. This is where five levels extend below ground and include living quarters, kitchens, wine presses, storage rooms, stables, burials, and ventilation shafts. Early Christians carved out these subterranean complexes to avoid invaders who swept across the plains of Anatolia from the 6th to the 9th century.

You can see the dugout areas high on the wall to hold the linseed oil, which was lit and used as lighting. You can also see holes used for ropes to secure cattle and troughs dug in for their feeding areas. If you are claustrophobic, like me, you can likely still go in the first couple rooms before the tunnels get narrower and shorter and become a heavily-traveled one-way traffic route.

Goreme Open Air Museum

A visit to Goreme valley holds the highest concentration of rock-cut chapels and monasteries in Cappadocia. View the churches with superb Byzantine frescoes depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments, the life of Christ, and deeds of the Saints. The kitchens typically had a black ceiling where they would sometimes purposely light on fire to harden and seal the ceiling to prevent the specks of dirt that would occasionally drop.

Monks Valley

Highly remarkable earth pillars can be seen here, in the middle of a vineyard, hence the name of the place which means: the Pacha's vineyard. Pacha means "General," the military rank, in Turkish and it is a very common nickname.

Photo below: A sophisticated dining room, with the long table and seating carved out of the rock, as well as the room itself. A fresco of the Lord's Supper is at the far end. This was one of numerous rooms in the monastery, all built on the face of the canyon, scattered from the ground to the top.

Devrent Valley

The small fairy chimneys in the Devrent Valley form a lunar landscape, or moonscape, by their unusual look. The valley also has many animal-shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made by nature. The camel one is very easily seen from the road.

Zelve Valley is where three canyons meet in the Valley of Monks. The rock face at Zelve is honeycombed with caves and churches, and much of the decoration inside the churches is symbolic.

Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel

Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel is a cave hotel located in Uchisar that overlooks terraces and gardens and is located 5 minutes away from the valley. Each room is unique and the view from the hotel is spectacular. My only disappointment was that the hot air balloons didn't lift off on my second andfinal morning at the hotel (due to weather). I desperately wanted one more glimpse of all the balloons in the sky at sunrise and was looking forward to a different vantage point -- this time from the ground!

This a a calm, peaceful, relaxing space. They also have a small private cave available for intimate dinners.

Avantgarde Refined Caves of Cappadocia

Avantgarde Refined feels modern and is located in a more bustling area. Situated in a large and spacious courtyard with firepits, spinning DJ, and an outdoor grill, our group settled in to this cozy yet hip spot very quickly and enjoyed some delicious grilled lamb and grilled meatballs, along with chicken wings, steak, and many other beautiful Turkish dishes and desserts.

Condé Nast Traveller has included Avantgarde Refined Caves of Cappadocia in its curated list of the best hotels in Cappadocia. They are recognized for their modern design philosophy that harmonizes with nature.

At the IST airport, not only can you check in at a kiosk, there are also baggage kiosks where you load, weigh, and tag your own luggage. This was genius, very efficient, and my first time to see this feature at an airport.

Once you clear security in the international concourse, you are in for a BIG surprise. You immediately enter a shopping mecca of luxury -- Armani, Gucci, Fendi, Chloe, Hermes, Louis Vuitton (their video wall is pictured above), Prada, Ferragamo, Bvlgari, Cartier, and more.

Even in the domestic terminals, there are arcades and gaming centers (as well as pharmacies) to kill time. It's no wonder that the readers of Condé Nast Traveler have once again voted İGA Istanbul Airport as the “Best Airport in the World.” If you are a shopper, build in extra time so you have time to visit these stores.

OHHHH -- and then there is the Turkish Air club lounge. I'm afraid my description will not even do it justice.

First, the entry process into the lounge is easy and not dreaded like it usually is in the US. There are no wait lists, lines piled up at the front desk for entry, or lack of seating in crammed spaces. The Turkish Air lounge is a wide open-air setting where you simply use your boarding pass to scan and go for entry and exit, much like you'd use at a subway, train station, or concert.

Once inside, there was a row of luggage lockers (see photo to the right), private suites, an ironing service, a sports club, numerous cafes, a coffee bar, dessert bar, salad bar, self-serve wine/soda/beer stations, pasta station, pizza oven, a grand piano, flight simulator -- the list goes on and on. It's very impressive and vast, so much so that my phone ran out of its last bit of juice trying to capture a video.

I usually fly Delta, but retuning home from Cappadocia can be long and require an early morning departure and/or a couple connections. Instead, I opted for Turkish Air which had an IST-ATL direct flight, the fastest route for me. Since Turkish Air is partners with United, I was able to keep my frequent flyer mileage with a US-based airline.

In the business class seats, some of the unique differentiators were:

• a storage area at the foot of the seat for easy-access to handbags, laptops, etc.
• clean bathrooms with plenty of room to move around (double the normal size), a full-length mirror, and Molton Brown amenities
• chefs that take and prepare your order and review any food allergies...and meals arrive with little flickering LED candles for ambiance; snack basket included Truffle Sea Salt and Caviar chips, along with a variety of dried nuts, fruits, and Turkish chocolate
• thoughtful, present, and quiet crew that I never heard clanging dishes or having internal conversations, even though I was seated beside the galley
• a ponytail holder in the amenity kit (yes, the little things) and a different amenity bag to/from
• a feather topper is added when the crew makes your "bed", along with a weighted blanket

Overall, it was an excellent experience.

These are just a few interesting tidbits noticed along the way -- mostly quick photos shot while walking around town. Nothing fancy!

Watch the Video Below:

Getting ice cream is a bit of a show. You have to work for your dessert!

This trip was made possible by many hosts and sponsors, but most importantly, from Vivian Chambers (photo below) and The Muse Collection -- one of our partners around the world who specialize in specific regions. They scout out and secure fantastic on-site, locally-based tour companies, such as Karavan Travel in Turkey whose guides were with us, literally, every step of the way from arrival at the IST airport until departure at Kayseri airport, making each day special, memorable, easy, and hiccup free.

Young Travel's partnerships with luxury DMCs is what builds our value with our customers. These connections are what allow us to place our clients with the right guides in the right countries at the right time and know that everything will be exceptional.

The Muse Collection represents the best Destination Management Companies dedicated to helping, plan, manage and execute enriching travel programs and experiences all over the world. Their team of hospitality professionals represents unique and luxury hotels, villas and DMC’s in some of the most beautiful places on the globe.

Karavan's "Unique Moments" experiences will immerse you in Turkey's local traditions and colorful culture with tours encompassing after-hours private visits to spectacular historical sites, visiting (or cooking in) local homes, dining in legendary locations like Ephesus, and experiencing the local life with on spot visits to schools and weddings in the local villages. We really got to know Berna and Rana well (pictured below), as well as the managing director Coşkun, and know our guests will be in great hands with them. Such a knowledgeable, personable, and fun team! And, they often surprised us with thoughtful and meaningful unexpected gifts from Turkish artisans.