9 Magical Days in Türkiye
Türkiye has been on my bucket list for years.
So, when one of my favorite travel companies announced a nine-day group trip to some of my most-saved cities, I was one of the first to sign up. Türkiye has always felt like a destination too magical to be real, but as this group trip led us through three magical cities (Istanbul, Antalya, and my favorite, Cappadocia), it confirmed it—this country is something special.
Before we dive in, I first have to give big credit to the group travel company I booked this trip with, The Window Seat Club! While I paid for and attended this trip on my own, all credit goes to them for planning and organizing all of the meals, logistics, and activities throughout this unforgettable adventure! I couldn’t recommend them enough.
So now let's dive into my 9-day journey across Türkiye—a land of hospitality, breathtaking landscapes, and magical moments.
My Trip Overview:
Dates of Travel: June 2024
Trip Duration: 9 Days
Carry-On: Tropicfeel Lift Convertible Carry-On
Personal Item: Golf Supags 14” Backpack
Day 1
Eating our way through Istanbul
While I actually arrived in Istanbul the evening before, I quickly fell into a jet-lag induced slumber soon after checking into my hotel at the DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Moda.
My real first day in Istanbul began the next day when I woke up, met up with all the girls who were a part of our group trip, and kicked things off in one of my favorite ways to get to know a city—a walking food tour!
Our guide took us through the Kadikoy area to enjoy some classic Turkish foods, including Muhlama and Pide. What I love the most about walking food tours is the chance to immerse yourself in the local neighborhood. Kadikoy had lots of cute shops, a busy local market, and delicious eats on every corner. Some of the stops on our tour included:
Cay Tarlasi & Cafe
Pide Sun
Viktor Levi
Eta Bal
My favorite stop of all of them was this gorgeous outdoor wine garden called Viktor Levi, which served us wine and Turkish coffee. Afterwards, while our coffee grounds were steeping and gathering at the bottom of our cups, our tour guide taught us about the art of reading your coffee grounds to tell your fortune.
She had us flip our coffee cups over on top of our saucer and sit for a few minutes before we picked up the entire saucer, moved it in a counter-clockwise circle three times, and then flipped it back over to see where our grounds settled. From there, we took a picture of our cups and uploaded it to an app called Faladdin to see what was in store for our futures! Apparently, spiritual maturity and a new car are heading my way… I’ll take it!
Once our food tour ended, we headed back to our hotel to get ready and then we headed to Sahane Caddebostan that evening—a local hotspot for dancing, singing, and having a great time! The vibes were immaculate, with everyone singing along to the DJ and dancing around their tables. They even had dancers that came through the restaurants and really brought everyone out of their seats. It was such a fun night.
Day 2
Exploring Istanbul’s Cultural Gems
The next morning, we woke up bright and early to head over to the European side of Istanbul. Fun fact: I didn’t realize until researching this trip that Istanbul is the only city in the world split between two continents—Asia and Europe. We were staying on the Asia side, so we hopped on a ferry and cruised over to explore some of the city’s most iconic cultural sites.
One thing to note
If you are visiting the cultural and religious sites in Istanbul—It’s important to follow a modest dress code out of respect for local customs. Women are required to cover their chest, shoulders, knees, and hair when entering these sacred spaces. This typically means wearing long skirts or pants, a long-sleeved top, and a headscarf, which many mosques will provide at the entrance if needed. Men should also dress modestly, with long pants and sleeves, to enter these sites.
Our first stop was the famous Blue Mosque, and let me tell you, it was absolutely breathtaking. Built in the early 1600s, this mosque is known for its stunning blue İznik tiles that cover the interior walls. Between the intricate tile work and the stunning paintings on the ceiling, I was seriously left in awe.
Next up was the Hagia Sophia, another must-see with its rich history and stunning architecture. Originally built as a cathedral in 537 AD, it served as the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years before being converted into a mosque in the 15th century, and it’s now a museum. It honestly felt surreal to stand in a building with that much history—you can still see some of the original mosaics peaking through from back when the building was a cathedral.
By midday, the summer heat was really kicking in, so we took a much-needed ice cream break. I’m not going to spoil the fun and secrets of the Turkish ice cream vendors, but if you know, you know. It was a really fun experience and a perfect way to cool off.
Our historical tour continued with a walk through the Basilica Cistern, which was not only beautiful but also a welcome escape from the scorching sun. This ancient underground water reservoir, built in the 6th century, was really cool and serene… and also a nice break from the heat!
To cap off the day, we headed to the Grand Bazaar for some shopping. This place is a treasure trove of souvenirs, from ceramics to jewelry. It’s actually one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, which is easy to believe as you get lost inside the maze of stalls. I couldn’t resist picking up a few goodies, including a gorgeous evil eye gold bracelet.
Thankfully, before I could overstuff my suitcase with any souvenirs, it was time to end our day by leaving Istanbul and heading off to my favorite stop of the trip, Cappadocia! We checked into our hotel, Anatolian Houses, and quickly hit the hay because the next morning we had a very early and exciting start.
Where We Stayed
Anatolian Houses
We stayed in one of Cappadocia’s iconic cave hotels called Anatolian Houses. These unique accommodations are carved directly into the region’s rocky landscape, giving you the surreal experience of sleeping in an actual cave. They also have unreal views of the hot air balloons that ascend each morning, giving you the picture-perfect spot for a rooftop balloon selfie.
Book This Hotel
Day 3
Hot Air Ballooning Over Cappadocia
The next morning started bright and early with a 3:30 AM wake-up call to catch something I’d been dreaming of for years—a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. As the sun began to rise, hundreds of balloons took flight, and the landscape below transformed into a scene straight out of a storybook. The view was honestly so breathtaking that it felt almost unreal. It was hands down one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
After an impressive landing (right onto a truck bed!), we celebrated with some champagne before heading back to the hotel for a well-deserved nap.
Later in the day, we visited a local Turkish rug store called Galerie Ikman, which felt more like an art gallery than a shop. The rugs were beautiful, with intricate designs and vibrant colors. I was so tempted to buy one and try and Tetris it into my carry-on, but I honestly couldn’t think of anywhere in my house to put it. Thankfully some of the girls in our group couldn’t resist, so I got to enjoy vicariously through them!
One cool thing about the Turkish rug shop that we visited was they actually had a professional photographer that worked there, so you could pay to get a few snaps of yourself or your group in the beautiful setting. I actually love how the photos turned out—I think it was so worth it.
Dinner that evening was back at the hotel, where I tried pottery kebab, a traditional Cappadocian dish cooked in a sealed clay pot that’s cracked open at your table. It was absolutely delicious and the perfect end to an already magical day.
Day 4
Discovering Cappadocia’s ancient wonders
The next morning, I had the craziest “woken up out of bed’ experience of my life. I was fast asleep about 5am and then I heard a really loud noise outside. When I looked out my window, I couldn’t believe it—it was a hot air balloon practically floating inside our hotel’s courtyard and it was the sound of the burner that woke me up. I ran outside and was greeted with the maybe the most magical view I’ve ever seen right outside my hotel. Safe to say it was hard to go back to sleep after that.
Later that morning, we headed out to explore the Goreme Open Air Museum. This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features ancient churches carved directly into the rocks. The frescoes inside date back to the 10th century and are still incredibly well-preserved.
We then made our way to the famous fairy chimneys—unique rock formations that have been shaped by thousands of years of erosion. These amazing chimneys are a true testament to the magic of Cappadocia.
Our next stop was a family-owned pottery shop where we watched artisans handcraft beautiful pieces, some of which take months to complete due to the intricate designs. I’m not going to lie… I did a lot of souvenir shopping here! They made perfect gifts for bringing back home.
Back at the hotel, we wrapped up the day with some local wine on tap, which was built right into the wall of our hotel. There’s something about enjoying wine in a cave hotel after a day of exploring that feels so fitting.
For dinner, we ventured into town, finding a cute little restaurant within walking distance called Kapadokya Seramik. It was the perfect way to end another magical day in Cappadocia.
Day Five
A final relaxing day in Cappadocia
On our last morning in Cappadocia, I woke up early to catch one final glimpse of the hot air balloons drifting over the landscape. This was hands-down one of my favorite parts of the entire trip. Even if you don’t want to go up in the hot air balloons, Cappadocia is worth visiting simply for the serene, magical mornings of watching hot air balloons lift off every morning with the sunrise as you sip on your coffee. It was bittersweet to pack up that morning.
After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we took some time to relax by the pool. The pool at our cave hotel was stunning, nestled into the rocky landscape and offering the perfect spot to soak in the last bit of Cappadocia’s magic. There’s something so serene about swimming in a place that feels both ancient and timeless.
Later that afternoon with our bags packed and memories made, it was time to say goodbye to our cave hotel and set off to the airport for Antalya, where sunshine and relaxation awaited us.
Antalya is a stunning coastal city along Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast, best known for its beautiful beaches and ancient ruins. After dropping off our bags at our hotel, Casa Sur Antalya, I headed straight to the hotel restaurant for a refreshing Hugo Spritz—my go-to vacation drink. I paired it with a delicious pulled steak burger and fries, which was honestly one of my favorite meals of the trip!
Where We Stayed
Casa Sur Antalya
Casa Sur Antalya is a charming boutique hotel that is just steps away from Kaleiçi, the Old Town. The rooms are beautiful and modern. Mine overlooked a quaint courtyard where live music played in the evenings, and it was just steps away from the hotel’s restaurant.
Book This Hotel
Day Six
Cruising the Turquoise Coast
The next day, we had a private boat tour booked for our group, which was easily one of the highlights of our time in Antalya. We had the entire spacious boat to ourselves, giving us plenty of room to lounge, dance, and enjoy the incredible views as we sailed along the coast. We stopped at four or five different beaches throughout the day to swim, bob on our floaties, and soak up the coast. The water was an unreal shade of blue—truly the stuff of dreams.
One of the coolest parts of the day was when the deckhands on our boat went out to catch fish for our lunch. They brought back a fresh catch and cooked up an amazing meal right on the boat. We spent the rest of the day hopping from beach to beach, swimming, and simply enjoying the sunshine.
Day Seven
Exploring Antalya’s Old Town
On our last full day in Antalya, we had some private time to stroll through the city’s Old Town, known as Kaleiçi. The cobblestone streets are lined with charming shops, cafes, and historical sites. I picked up a few more souvenirs because I simply couldn’t help myself, including some beautiful home decor items and a Turkish bathrobe.
We stopped for lunch at a picturesque restaurant overlooking the harbor called Marco Terrace. The hot pink and blue tile decor was literally my perfect coastal ambiance. Afterward, we continued to explore, but the afternoon heat was intense, so we took a break and found a shady spot to cool off.
Later that afternoon, it was time to catch our flight back to Istanbul where we spent one more evening together as a group before all going our separate ways the next morning to head off towards home.
Normally, I would be really sad to be departing a country I loved exploring this much, but I already know in my heart I will be back to Türkiye. The people and the atmosphere were truly incredible, and I’d love to come back again and do a whole coastal trip from Fethiye to Bodrum and beyond. So for now, it’s not goodbye to Türkiye. It’s see you soon!
Thank you so much for coming along with me on this incredible journey through Türkiye!
From sipping Turkish coffee under the sun to drifting over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, this trip was nothing short of unforgettable. I also want to give a huge shout out to The Window Seat Club for planning and organizing such an amazing adventure. They truly took care of every detail, making this trip one for the books. Want to book your own trip with The Window Seat Club? Use my promo code “RILEE50” for $50 off your trip!