3 nights in Cappadocia?

[Human]

A couple of years ago my wife and I had a 3-night stopover in Istanbul which we loved. While we were there, a number of locals recommended Cappadocia to us. We're planning another trip to Europe next year and once again are planning a stopover in Istanbul, and we're wondering whether we should include a 3-night (ish) stay in Cappadocia.

My thinking at this point is that we'll fly into Istanbul, spend 2-3 nights there, fly to one of the airports in Cappadocia, spend maybe 3 nights there, and then fly from there to western Europe via Istanbul (it looks like reward seats on Turkish Airlines are fairly easy to come by).

I know nothing about the area and I'm not inclined to DIY or hire a car. So preferably I'd like to go on a tour and/or use a travel agent for that part of the trip.

So ... does anyone have any recommendations? This is a very broad question, I know! I'm looking for advice about...

• Is a diversion to Cappadocia worth it at all? Is it as lovely a region and worth visiting as we've been led to believe?
• If so, could anyone recommend a 2-3 day guided tour (small group) and/or a knowledgeable inbound travel agency to get in contact with?
• Anything else? (I don't know what I don't know!). Feel free to put in your 2c worth if you don't think I'm on the right track...

Thanks in advance.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

A couple of years ago my wife and I had a 3-night stopover in Istanbul which we loved. While we were there, a number of locals recommended Cappadocia to us. We're planning another trip to Europe next year and once again are planning a stopover in Istanbul, and we're wondering whether we should include a 3-night (ish) stay in Cappadocia.

My thinking at this point is that we'll fly into Istanbul, spend 2-3 nights there, fly to one of the airports in Cappadocia, spend maybe 3 nights there, and then fly from there to western Europe via Istanbul (it looks like reward seats on Turkish Airlines are fairly easy to come by).

I know nothing about the area and I'm not inclined to DIY or hire a car. So preferably I'd like to go on a tour and/or use a travel agent for that part of the trip.

So ... does anyone have any recommendations? This is a very broad question, I know! I'm looking for advice about...

• Is a diversion to Cappadocia worth it at all? Is it as lovely a region and worth visiting as we've been led to believe?
• If so, could anyone recommend a 2-3 day guided tour (small group) and/or a knowledgeable inbound travel agency to get in contact with?
• Anything else? (I don't know what I don't know!). Feel free to put in your 2c worth if you don't think I'm on the right track...

Thanks in advance.

I spent a day there a number of years ago - beatiful landscapes, and a hot air balloon ride is a must. I would do some research on whether there's enough to occupy 3 days.

 

[RooFlyer]

Three nights would be good. Two major things to do - a balloon trip, and tour the old orthodox churches etc carved into the rock, which I think would appeal to you. Stay in an 'underground' hotel. The rock is very soft so there are very many underground dwellings etc.

I did a Trip Report, starting here at Cappadocia

Post in thread 'Historic Turkey (and 5 airports!), finishing in Muscat,Oman. QF, QR and WY J, TK whY'

Jul 7, 2016

Re: Historic Turkey (and 5 airports!), finishing in Muscat,Oman. QF, QR and WY J, TK

Here's my flight route.



A TK domestic service. Tthere were great views over Istanbul after departure, but as TK have a 'phone off' policy for take offs and landings, I only got the phone fired up to take this last glimpse. An OK snack for the 1hr 15 min trip.





Cappadocia is served by 2 airports - Nevsehir and Kayseri. My TA had problems finding the Nevsehir flights on the GDS - had to go through a Turkish tour supplier to get the booking IST-NAV. My inbound...

• RooFlyer

• 

Pics have been reduced to thumbnails - just click.

Choose your balloon company carefully!! Just trawl and trawl looking at people's experiences.

 

[sanne]

We did a 2 night stay there many years ago with a group of friends..12 of us..using a private tour guide that met us in Istanbul and travelled with us. Was a perfect way to do it as all the details were taken care of. We stayed in the Museum Hotel, a wonderful experience where we could see all the balloons at dawn.
All our friends did a balloon ride, my husbands back at the time was a bit problematic so we just watched from the hotel. They reported back what an amazing time they had. But I agree with RooFlyer, do your research on operators. Just prior to our being there 11 people were killed in a balloon accident and while we were on a cruise tour following Cappadocia we chatted to another couple whose balloon got caught in a huge gust and ended up way off course, landing with a thump and flipped onto its side in the snow! They were not amused!

 

[RooFlyer]

@Human Lonely Planet often gives names and contact details of good local tour people/companies, also hotels. I’ve used their recommendations on several trips to other places and they’ve always been pretty good.

 

[Human]

@Human Lonely Planet often gives names and contact details of good local tour people/companies, also hotels. I’ve used their recommendations on several trips to other places and they’ve always been pretty good.

Thanks for your recommendations and your trip report -- I think you've sold me! It looks fascinating, interesting and spectacular all at once.

 

[SuePa]

In regards to the balloon ride, I was there last year in September and went with www.Kapadokyaballoons.com and had a great ride. Pick up from and drop back to your hotel, with a little breakfast snack pack included and the traditional glass of Champagne at the end.
There is also a company that will take you out to watch the balloons take off at dawn. Unfortunately, I don't have the information for that, but the people on my tour who went got great photos.

 

[Human]

In regards to the balloon ride, I was there last year in September and went with www.Kapadokyaballoons.com and had a great ride. Pick up from and drop back to your hotel, with a little breakfast snack pack included and the traditional glass of Champagne at the end.
There is also a company that will take you out to watch the balloons take off at dawn. Unfortunately, I don't have the information for that, but the people on my tour who went got great photos.

Thanks @SuePa for the recommendation -- very much appreciated!