Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Cappadocia: Bucket list Item

As a couple that loves to travel in style, we've been to some pretty amazing places, but Cappadocia, Turkey, took things to a whole new level—literally! If you’re looking for a travel destination that feels like stepping onto another planet (without the cost of a space shuttle ticket), then pack your bags, because Cappadocia is calling.

A Quick (But Not Boring) History Lesson

Let’s kick things off with a bit of history—don’t worry, we’ll keep it short and sweet. Cappadocia’s story goes back to ancient times, around 3,000 BC, when it was home to civilizations like the Hittites and Persians. Then, the early Christians moved in and started turning this place into a giant underground hide-and-seek playground to escape Roman persecution. We’re talking about entire cities, churches, and living spaces carved right into the soft volcanic rock! If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a cave without actually giving up WiFi, Cappadocia is your dream come true.

Why Is Cappadocia So Extra?

Okay, so let’s get to the good stuff—what makes Cappadocia such a unique place that we’d happily return again and again? Here’s the scoop:

• Fairy Chimneys: Imagine giant rock formations that look like something straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. These “fairy chimneys” were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, and nature has been sculpting them into these magical shapes ever since. They come in all sizes, and walking among them feels like you’re in a different world.

  
  

• Cave Hotels: We stayed in one of these cave hotels, and let us tell you—it’s the only time we’ve woken up in a cave and still felt like royalty. The rooms are cool (literally), cozy, and unbelievably unique. If your idea of "roughing it" is a five-star hotel, this will be right up your alley but with a bit more rock involved.

• Our Stay at Sultan Cave Suites 

  
  

  We have to rave a bit about our stay at the Sultan Cave Suites—this place is the real deal! Perched on top of the village, the hotel offers a panoramic view of the entire valley, and every morning, you can head to the rooftop around 5:30 AM to watch the balloons rise. It’s like living in a postcard, except better because you can order coffee while you’re at it.

  Every room in this hotel has its own unique character, but we were feeling a bit extra, so we splurged on two of the best suites they offer: the Sultan Suite and the Pacha Suite.

  
  

• The Sultan Suite: This room is pure luxury with a jacuzzi tub perfectly

  
  

positioned for those iconic balloon-rise moments. Picture this: you’re soaking in a warm bath with your favorite drink in hand, and outside the window, hot air balloons are floating by in the early morning light. If that doesn’t make you feel like royalty, we don’t know what will. This room truly lives up to its name—pure luxury fit for a king or queen. And there’s a reason it’s called the "Sultan Suite." In the Ottoman Empire, a Sultan was the ruler, the ultimate authority, living a life of grandeur and indulgence. So naturally, the best room in the house carries this prestigious title because it offers an experience that's nothing short of royal.

• The Pacha Suite: Now, this room took things up a notch with a gorgeous copper tub that feels straight out of a travel magazine —a real showstopper!

  
  

And yes, we spent a ridiculous amount of time lounging in it, snapping photos as the hot air balloons drifted across the sky. But that’s not all. The suite also has a cozy fireplace that added the perfect touch of warmth and romance to our mornings and evenings. Imagine sipping your morning coffee or a glass of champaign by the fire while soaking up the views absolute perfection!

The suite also comes with a private terrace, where we could step out and feel like we had the entire Cappadocian valley to ourselves.

And the walls? They’re not just ordinary walls; they’re carved from the natural stone and feature beautiful curved-in stone art that made us feel like we were living in a piece of history.

Every detail of the Pacha Suite made us feel like we’d stepped into another era, but with all the modern luxuries we love. It was honestly hard to tell what was more photogenic—the view, the copper tub, or us pretending we were in a luxury ad campaign.

So, if you’re heading to Cappadocia, do yourself a favor and stay at Sultan Cave Suites. You’ll get to experience the magic of Cappadocia from the comfort of your own private cave, and trust us, there’s nothing quite like waking up to a sky full of hot air balloons right outside your window. It’s travel goals, leveled up.

Hot Air Balloons: A Cappadocia Must-Do

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show: the hot air balloons. We have to admit, the thought of waking up at 4:30 AM was not exactly our idea of romance, but trust us, it’s worth it. As you floated up into the sky with dozens of other balloons, you cant help but feel like you are part of a magical sunrise parade.

Fun Fact: Hot air ballooning isn’t just a modern-day Insta-trend in Cappadocia. The first hot air balloon flight ever happened back in 1783 in France (blame the French for this one too!). Today, Cappadocia is one of the best places in the world to experience it, thanks to its unique landscape.

The hot air balloon rides here became the stuff of travel legend around the mid-2010s, thanks to—you guessed it—Instagram. The photos of colorful balloons floating over the fairy chimneys went viral, and suddenly, everyone from influencers to honeymooners started flocking to Cappadocia to take that iconic shot. If you didn’t get the balloon pic, did you even go to Cappadocia?

Pro Tip: There are a lot of companies offering balloon rides, but make sure to book with a reputable one! And yes, it’s pricey, but when else are you going to get the chance to feel like you’re starring in your own Disney movie?

What to do to capture your Cappadocia experience

We decided to go all out and booked a personal photographer and videographer Murat Koksal Art to capture our Cappadocia adventure in the most epic way possible. They were with us every step of the way, and we did photos and videos in some incredible settings. We started with shots inside the hot air balloon while it was being blown up with hot air—honestly, we felt like we were on the set of a travel documentary.

Then, we moved to the terrace at sunrise, capturing those magical moments with the hot air balloons rising in the background. It was absolutely breathtaking.

We even ventured into the caves for some dramatic, ancient vibes and walked through the valley as wild horses ran around us. (Yes, it was just as cinematic as it sounds.) The photographer brought different dresses for my wife, and she looked absolutely stunning in every single shot. The whole experience was definitely a splurge, but the memories we captured will last a lifetime, and the photos and videos turned out to be out of this world—worth every penny for the perfect travel keepsake.

Why Everyone and Their Mother Is Heading to Cappadocia

• Instagram Gold: Let’s be real—you’re not just going to Cappadocia for the history. You’re going for that epic shot of you and your partner gazing out from a hot air balloon, with the landscape looking like something out of a fantasy novel. And trust us, it’s even better in person.

• Outdoor Adventures: If you’re into hiking (or pretending to be into hiking just for the photo ops), the valleys in Cappadocia are out-of-this-world beautiful. You can explore the Rose Valley, Love Valley (yes, that’s a thing), or Pigeon Valley and feel like you’re starring in a travel documentary.

• Underground Cities: Now, we didn’t go full hobbit, but we did explore Derinkuyu, an underground city that goes down 18 stories! Imagine living in a place where you could pop up like a mole from different exits—perfect for avoiding awkward small talk with your neighbors.

Our Final Thoughts (And a Little Tip)

Cappadocia is more than just a pretty face—it’s a travel experience that’s full of history, adventure, and a whole lot of magic. Whether you’re floating over the fairy chimneys in a hot air balloon or exploring ancient caves, there’s always something to make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

And if you’re planning a trip, take it from us: splurge on a good photographer that follows you entire day to capture unforgettable moment. You only live once, and the view of the sun rising over Cappadocia’s dreamy landscape is worth every penny. Besides, you’ll have bragging rights for life, and isn’t that what travel is all about?

Happy travels, and don’t forget to tag us when you get that perfect balloon shot!