100% customisable travel idea
Istanbul & Cappadocia From the Blue Mosque to rock-hewn churches
Turkey - Istanbul - Cappadocia
100% customisable travel idea
Turkey - Istanbul - Cappadocia
100% customisable for you
Private transfer and three-night stay in the vibrant heart of Galata. Your hotel is made up of two different properties. One of them is imbued with a neoclassical style inherited from the Camondo family, a renowned Jewish family from Istanbul. Your room, designed to reflect the richness of this building dating back to the late 19th century, skilfully blends contemporary luxury with delightfully retro charm. Two restaurants, nestled on a panoramic terrace overlooking the sea, along with a wine cellar, complete the distinctly local experience.
Scheduled - Istanbul in the footsteps of a local. Rather than a guided tour, this is a meeting with a person and a city. Here is a young man in his thirties, passionate about cooking, art and geopolitics. A cultivated representative of the new face of Istanbul, this ancient city that the last half-century has brought into the era of globalisation without losing its essence. Nothing is planned in advance; you agree on a meeting time and location, have a conversation about interests and questions, then fall into step with the rhythm of the people of Istanbul. Your local friend knows how to combine the most authentic Istanbul experience with your interests, curiosities and desires. In his company, contrasts, paradoxes and changes become clearer, and you feel a little adopted. It's also a great opportunity to pick up valuable tips for your solo explorations
. Optional - Meal with a local.
Your hotel is at the heart of the action. The city’s iconic attractions - the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace - are all within walking distance. Once you're settled in, you set out to explore a city that’s a little less disorienting but still surprising. While strolling, you never miss the chance to have tea, nibble a perfectly spiced skewer, savour some fish, a pinch of hazelnuts or raisins, some olives or Turkish delight. There are inns and restaurants everywhere. Well-established cosmopolitanism has given Istanbul’s culinary repertoire remarkable variety and vibrancy. Its status as a capital has added refinement and an eye for meticulous presentation. And then there are the hammams, the music (Ottoman classical, Türk halk müzigi, Sufi semâ), the bazaars, and more. Istanbul awakens all the senses.
Transfer to the airport and flight to Kayseri. Pick up the rental car and head to Cappadocia. Three-night stay in the heart of Ürgüp. Perched on the hillside, on one of its best-preserved streets, overlooking the bustle of the old town below, your accommodation brings a contemporary touch to the region’s traditional architectural style. A stone-carved cocoon, radiating a profound serenity — the perfect place for the mind to drift and unwind.
A small troglodyte town with origins dating back to Roman times, Ürgüp developed under the influence of Turkey’s Greek community between the 19th and 20th centuries. Even though it has willingly adapted to the contours of the modern world, the splendour of Cappadocia’s traditional architectural style - embodied in particular by its Byzantine rock-hewn churches - remains tangible. Urgüp embodies a living tapestry, where centuries merge. The soul of the region is also expressed by its famous Cappadocian wine - a true treasure of the local terroir.
Optional - Hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia; horse riding; Anatolian cooking class.
Already scheduled - Off the beaten path in Cappadocia. Cappadocia's heritage is shaped by mineral fortresses, underground towns and rock-hewn chapels. This diversity is also reflected in landscapes that shift between lunar landscapes and breathtaking panoramas. The day begins in the small town of Mustafapasa (formerly Sinasos), where you wander among Greek Orthodox churches, mosques and typical stone houses - symbols of the blending of Balkan and Anatolian cultures. The itinerary continues with a visit to Keslik Monastery, about 10 km (6 miles) from there, built - or rather carved into the rock - in the 13th century. Beneath a centuries-old patina, preserved frescoes emerge, illuminated by the flicker of torchlight. From there, the journey continues to the Soganli Valley, renowned for its hundreds of rock-cut churches and whimsical fairy chimneys. The day reaches its peak (paradoxically) with the exploration of the monumental underground city of Derinkuyu, buried 85 metres (279 feet) below the earth’s surface. Spanning eighteen levels, this ancient city, which seems straight out of Tolkien’s tales, was built to shelter a population of 20,000. Here, the word “monumental” truly comes to life.
Drive to Kayseri and return the car at the airport. Return flight via Istanbul.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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