The third and final stop of our European vacation was Turkey. When my kids, Gabbie and Paolo, and I were planning our trip, I told them I wanted to visit Istanbul and Cappadocia. Many of my friends had shared how much they enjoyed their time in this fascinating country that bridges Asia and Europe.
We flew into Istanbul from Santorini and stayed for one night before catching an early morning flight to Cappadocia, a semi-arid region famous for its unique cone-shaped rock formations and charming cave hotels. The journey included a one-hour flight followed by another hour by taxi from the airport to our hotel.
We checked in at the Agarta Cave Hotel and were delighted with our accommodation: two bedrooms — a very spacious bathroom — and a private terrace. Since the weather was too hot for sightseeing, we turned our stay into a relaxing staycation. We dined at nearby restaurants and went to bed early in preparation for the next day’s adventure: a hot air balloon ride with a 3 a.m. pick-up!
We booked our ride with Discovery Balloons, which included hotel pick-up and a light breakfast at their reception office. From there, we were driven to the launch site, where we watched the balloons being prepared for takeoff. By 5 a.m., we were airborne, just in time to catch the 5:20 a.m. sunrise.
Each balloon has eight compartments and can carry up to 28 passengers. Our magical 60-minute ride took us up to 2,200 feet, according to our pilot, Yuksel. We floated over the Göreme National Park and marveled at the stunning Cappadocian valleys below. Yuksel mentioned that about 150 balloons ascend together each morning, and seeing them clustered in the colorful sky was truly breathtaking. It was the highlight of my trip, and I’m so grateful I got to share the experience with my kids, who felt the same way.
The next day, we returned to Istanbul for the final stretch of our vacation. We had three nights left and stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the six major tourist sites: the Grand Bazaar, Spice Market, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and the Bosphorus Strait. We divided our visits to these iconic landmarks over two mornings, leaving our afternoons free to explore other parts of the city.
The Grand Bazaar was like a maze of colorful stalls, full of textiles, rugs, jewelry, ceramics and nonstop haggling. Just around the corner, the Spice Market hit us with amazing smells — saffron, sumac, dried rose petals — all mixing in the air while vendors handed out samples of Turkish delight and dried fruit.
Then there was the majestic Hagia Sophia with its massive dome and layers of history you could almost feel. Right across from it, the Blue Mosque greeted us with its six minarets and intricate tilework that glowed in the morning light. Then there was the morning we descended into the depths of the Basilica Cistern, its columns rising dream-like from the water, their reflections dancing in the dim light.
We also wandered to the edge of the Bosphorus Strait, where the city’s silhouette shimmered on the water, the dividing line between continents feeling more like a meeting point than a separation.
One afternoon, Gabbie and I indulged in traditional Turkish tea, baklava and Turkish Delight at Hafiz Mustafa 1864, a spot highly recommended by our hotel concierge. Being typical Pinoys, we of course left the shop with 14 tin cans of roasted pistachio Turkish Delight as pasalubong!
On another afternoon, Paolo wanted to visit Istinye Park Mall, home to the Nusr-Et restaurant of Salt Bae — an internet-famous Turkish chef known for his flamboyant seasoning techniques. Paolo is a fan and watches his videos regularly, so we took an Uber for the 40-minute ride from our hotel. It was well worth the trip.
While Paolo enjoyed his cheeseburger at Nusr-Et, Gabbie and I headed to the food court and eagerly ordered Asian comfort food: sweet and sour chicken, beef with mushrooms, chow mein and fried rice. After two weeks of continental and Mediterranean cuisine, that familiar taste of Asian food was incredibly comforting — a small but satisfying reminder of home.
As our trip wound down, we found ourselves reflecting on the wonderful experiences we had — from floating above the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia at sunrise to wandering the vibrant streets of Istanbul steeped in history and culture.
Traveling with Gabbie and Paolo, sharing these unforgettable moments together made everything even more meaningful. Turkey was not just the final stop of our European vacation — it was the highlight. The memories we made there are a gift that will stay with us for a lifetime.