10-Day Honeymoon in Türkiye, Part 1: Cappadocia

Upon arriving at Nevşehir Airport, take transportation to your hotel. I recommend Uchisar as your base, where you can split your stay: spend two nights at Argos or Taskonaklar Hotel, offering splendid views of the Pigeon Valley and another two nights at the Museum Hotel, which overlooks the famous valleys where hot air balloons fly over every morning. If you opt for just one hotel, make sure to visit the other for a cocktail to enjoy both incredible vistas.

My journey started at Taskonaklar, allowing me to unwind in the afternoon and take a leisurely walk to explore the local surroundings. Then I watched the sunset overlooking the Pigeon Valley while enjoying a traditional Turkish dinner at the hotel’s restaurant. If you share my passion for food, don't miss the chance to start your Baklava tasting adventure here!

Start your day with an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's unique landscape (pre-booking is essential). This excursion starts very early in the morning, so once it concludes, you will be transported back to your hotel to enjoy your first Turkish Breakfast, known as "kahvaltı", a delightful and diverse spread of dishes that reflect the rich culinary culture of Turkey, composed of bread, cheeses, olives, tomatoes and cucumbers, jams and honey, pastries and more! Honestly, one of the main reasons I wanted to go back to Turkey since I visited for the first time 15 years ago.

Afterward, visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring rock-cut churches and monasteries. Explore the quaint town of Göreme and its charming shops and cafes.

For lunch, enjoy some Mantı, tiny dumplings filled with ground lamb, served with garlicky yogurt and spicy butter sauce. Off course, end your meal with traditional Turkish tea.

In the afternoon, join a horseback riding tour over the valleys to see the “Fairy Chimneys”, the valleys, until you reach the highest point from where you will see the sunset.

Begin your day with a visit to Red Valley and Rose Valley. You can hike or take a guided tour through these beautiful valleys with striking rock formations and cave churches. After the hike, stop at the Cavusin Village to explore its ancient cave dwellings.

Later in the day, get back to the hotel, and if you decide to switch hotels, this will be the perfect time to do it. I went to Museum Hotel, which was a 5-minute taxi drive from my initial hotel.

Once at Museum, I suggest you take a Turkish cooking class with the hotel’s chef but assisted by the hotel’s manager (because of the language barrier). It was super fun and the team was very accommodating with our food preferences.

Then we took a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the valley and enjoyed the food we had cooked.

Begin your day by rising early and heading to the hotel's pool area, where you can witness the world-renowned spectacle of hot air balloons floating over the valley. Afterwards, go and explore one of Cappadocia's underground cities, such as Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, to learn about the region's history.

Return to the hotel and enjoy time in one of the coolest hotel pools you’ll ever encounter. Later in the day, treat yourself to a delightful poolside snack. I highly recommend trying the Black Burger, a mouthwatering creation that combines three different meats, including succulent lamb!

On your final night in this magical place, secure a reservation at the hotel's restaurant, preferably pick to dine in the terrace. Indulge in more lamb dishes or explore the array of other amazing options, while enjoying a glass of Turkish wine.

For your last day in Cappadocia, start with Turkish breakfast and enjoy your last hours visiting the hotel’s Museum and grounds where you will see colorful and white peacocks.

Get ready to head to Istanbul! Turkey’s capital and a culturally rich city that connects East and West.