Turkey Hotels & Resorts

Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world for a hot-air balloon flight. With its soaring boulders, pigeon houses, deep canyons and fairy chimneys, there’s nowhere else like it. During this magical experience, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia as you float above its lunar-like landscape.

Your adventure begins with a light breakfast while you watch the crew inflate the balloon. Then you’ll climb into the basket for a gentle take-off before reaching full height – at times, the excellent flying conditions mean you’ll even drift between the fairy chimneys. Fly through impressive valleys, each with distinctive rock formations and colours, and then float up over rippled ravines. Back on the ground, a Champagne celebration and your flight certificate await. This is an unforgettable experience for couples and honeymooners – it’s also a fantastic way for groups of family and friends to make memories together.

• Duration: half day
• Departing daily from Cappadocia
• Departs year round
• Group experience

The best way to get to know a destination is to immerse yourself in it, and this full-day sightseeing tour with an expert guide will give you a deeper understanding of this otherworldly region. Your experience begins with a visit to the fascinating underground city of Kaymaklı – one of the deepest underground cities in Cappadocia, where a maze of tunnels and rooms are carved eight levels deep. Next, walk around the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Göreme Open Air Museum, home to some of the most remarkable rock-cut churches from the 10th-12th centuries. The frescoes here are particularly beautiful. Your guide will take you on to Pigeon Valley, which gets its name from the pigeon houses that have been carved into the landscape. Pigeons have always been important to the Cappadocian people, providing food and fertiliser for the poor soil. In Devrent Valley, you’ll have fun trying to work out the animal-shaped rocks (the most famous one is shaped like a camel!). Visit Monks Valley (Paşabağları), where the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys with twin and triple rock caps are unique even for Cappadocia. The final stop is Avanos, known for its pottery. The Red River has supplied many generations of craftspeople with the red clay used to create their art, and pottery has been produced here as far back as around 2000 BC.

• Duration: full day
• Time: 10am to 6pm
• Departing daily from Cappadocia
• Operates year round
• Private experience

Experience the Grand Bazaar from a unique birds-eye view on this extraordinary James Bond-esque tour. Guided by a local expert, you’ll hop from rooftop to rooftop as you soak up stunning skyline vistas and feel the pulsating energy from the lively alleys below. When you’re not busy taking holiday snaps, you’ll learn of the rich history of one of the world’s most iconic bazaars. Once your feet are firmly back on the ground, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore the bazaar’s bustling backstreets, where Ottoman traditions and the modern day intertwine. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere, getting lost in winding lanes as souvenir-filled shops lure you in.

A rich tapestry of flavours, Istanbul’s culinary scene is bursting with mouth-watering delights – and you can experience it for yourself on this gastronomic adventure through Istanbul. Led by a local, you’ll follow in the footsteps of chef, writer and explorer, Anthony Bourdain, on a private indulgent food tour. Hop from traditional restaurants and up-and-coming eateries as you sample authentic delicacies, from sweet baklavas to flavour-filled dürüms. Not forgetting Turkey’s traditional tipple, raki.

Whether you’re looking for an exciting introduction to Turkey’s culinary scene or just fancy a fun-filled afternoon, this hands-on cooking class makes a sumptuous addition to your itinerary. And with it being just half a day, it’s easy to squeeze it in. Grab an apron, roll up your sleeves and get ready to show off your skills as you prepare three authentic Turkish recipes. After you’ve done the hard work, it’s time to indulge. Sit back and relax as you savour traditional dishes bursting with spicy aromas and fiery flavours, all whilst sipping on a crisp glass of local wine.

Embark on a spiritual journey as you experience the Sema ceremony, a mesmerising ritual of the whirling dervishes said to achieve perfection through mind and love. Beginning at 7pm every evening, this extraordinary tour offers a glimpse into Turkey’s rich and fascinating culture. Have your camera ready as the music and moves of the ceremony leave you in awe. After that you’ll get to browse the exhibition, where you can delve even deeper into the dervish world. Spot objects used in the ceremony, admire intricate dervish statues and look out for the video shows offering a unique perspective of the ceremony.

Experience the essence of Cappadocia as you explore its extraordinary valleys, ancient cave dwellings and remarkable rock-cut churches, ending with sweeping views over this otherworldly region.

Your introduction into Cappadocia's otherworldly scenery begins in the Devrent Valley, with its striking rock formations. You'll then continue to the Zelve Open Air Museum, which gives a remarkable glimpse into the past with its ancient troglodyte dwellings – one of Cappadocia's earliest inhabited and last-abandoned monastic communities.

Next up, you'll explore Pasabag, home of the iconic "fairy chimneys" where the wind seems to whisper through the unforgettable roc spires. From here, head to Avanos to watch a traditional pottery demonstration. After lunch in Avanos, you'll visit the renowned Goreme Open Air Museum, where beautifully preserved rock-cut churches display exquisite Byzantine fescoes dating back to the 10th Century. End the day at Uchisar Rock Castle, admiring its sweeping panoramic views over Cappadocia's valleys.

• Full day

• Private experience

Experience the essence of Cappadocia as you explore its extraordinary valleys, ancient cave dwellings and remarkable rock-cut churches, ending with sweeping views over this otherworldly region.

Your day begins with a journey underground to the fascinating city of Kaymakli, one of Cappadocia's largest and deepest subterranean settlements. Continue on to the dramatic Ihlara Valley, where you'll embark on a scenic 4km walk along the canyon floor leading to Belisirma (once known as ancient Peristrema) via the Steps of Anatolia. Set beside the tranquil Melendiz River, this enchanting gorge, often called the "Valley of the Sky", is home to rock-cut churches adorned with remarkably well-preserved early Christian paintings.

Take a break for some lunch in Belisirma at a local riverside restaurant before travelling onto the beautiful village of Selime. The final stop of the day is the impressive Agzikarahan Caravanserai, an outstanding example of Seljuk architecture built in the early 13th century along Silk Road to shelter travelling merchants and their camels.

• Full day

• Private experience

Discover a more untouched and soulful Cappadocia as you explore secluded valleys, historic rock-cut sanctuaries and authentic rural life.

Start off the day in Soganli Valley, an open-air museum surrounded by wild natural scenery and a traditional Cappadocian village. Here, distinctive rock-cut churches decorated with ancient frescoes offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's early monastic life.

Continue through untouched rural landscapes towards Mustafapasa, travelling past villages framed by Cappadocia's striking "table-top" mountains. En route, stop at Keslik Monastery near Cemil Village, where centuries-old frescoes lie hidden beneath a fine layer of smoke, visible only by torchlight.

Lunch is served in Mustafapasa at a charming Old Greek house, warmly hosted by a local family. The afternoon takes you into the heart of Cappadocia for a 5km hike through the magnificent Red Valley, one of the region's most breathtaking landscapes. Its dramatic volcanic formations and secluded location away from the main tourist trails creates a sense of serenity, enhanced by the tiny hermit chapels carved into the valley walls which add a quiet spiritual aura into this extraordinary setting.

• Full day

• Private experience

Experience an authentic taste of local life as you meet a Cappadocian family and delve into the heart of traditional Turkish cuisine. The day begins with a visit to a local market or spice shop, where vibrant colours and aromas set the scene for what's to come.

You'll then head to a village home, where local women warmly welcome you into their kitchen to teah you how to prepare three beloved dishes from Cappadocia and Anatolia. Learn to make gozleme, a delicate sheet of dough filled with cheese and cooked to perfection; yaprak sarma, tender vine leaves wrapped around a savoury filling; and manti, a small flavourful meat-filled dumplings. After cooking, enjoy a delicious lunch shared with the family, offering you a genuine glimpse into local hospitality.

In the afternoon, you'll set off on a gentle 4km walk through the enchanting Red Valley. Known for its dramatic volcanic formations and peaceful atmosphere far from the crowds, this valley feels both mysterious and serene. Rock-cut hermit churches, decorated with ancient frescoes, add a spiritual stillness to the landscape – a fitting end to a day rich in culture, flavour and natural beauty.

• Full day

• Private experience

Discover the quieter beauty of Cappadocia on a scenic journey through valleys rich in colour, history and unforgettable panoramic views.

Enjoy a scenic 4km walk through the stunning Red Valley, one of Cappadocia's most captivating landscapes. Its dramatic volcanic formations create a colourful backdrop far from the usual crowds. Scattered along the valley walls, ancient rock-cut hermit churches decorated with timeless frescoes add a quiet, spiritual beauty to the surroundings.

After lunch or a picnic, continue with another picturesque walk, this time from Uchisar to Goreme. Beginning at Uchisar's panoramic viewpoint, the trail gently descends into a serene valley famed for its beautifully carved pigeon houses – among the best preserved and most impressive in the region. The harmony of the valley's shifting rock colours and its deep, restorative silence creates a wonderfully calming experience. The walk ends in the heart of Goreme, where you can capture unique and memorable images of Cappadocia's extraordinary landscapes.​

• Full day

• Private experience

There’s nothing quite like a day of discovery, and this action-packed adventure is here to amaze with an equal billing of historic landmarks and epic natural wonders.

If you’re keen to channel your inner historian, the ancient cities of Perge and Aspendos play home to architectural marvels that date all the way back to the Roman era. For nature lovers, the main draw has to be the mighty thunder and crash of the Kursunlu waterfalls, where a backdrop of flowing foliage and jagged cliff edges create the most majestic panorama.

• Duration: Full-day
• Departs: Mondays and Wednesday
• Operates: Year-round
• Group experience

Good to know

Entrance fees and lunch are both included in the cost of the trip.