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Published: October 27th 2016
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This is not the best year for Turkey. Just few weeks before getting into the country, there is a solid failed attempt military coup. Bombs have also blown in few places all over the country, including in Istanbul over the last few months....and the airport of Istanbul has just suffered from a major massive blow, just weeks before we arrived in Istanbul.
So people will tell me, why go now? Simple answer....less tourists, nicer welcome....better experience! Ok, I like to play it fun...visited Angkor a week after a coup in 1997...had Angkor to myself at 3pm....was in Cairo 5 days after Mubarak went down, and did Syria...3 months before the mess started...so let's say...I love uncrowded and slightly unstable places...after all, I was in Kinshasa during the recent troubles in September. The point is always the same...make sure you stay well informed...all the time! Being aware of the news...and having local contacts, is important too!
So do come to Turkey, it's pretty safe, and as you will see over the next three entries, you'll have the place to yourself!
For now, I'm giving you one of those entry I love...let's call it
full blow romance...and yes, pictures were self-censored to please a travel blog! I met Tanya in Istanbul airport for 54 hours of fun! You may ask, how do you meet like this for 54 hours in the middle of...whatever...answer is simple, because we plan, or shall I say, because we can.
I've been on the road for the last few weeks...in some nice places, and some nicer ones....but being reunited with my love for 2 days is always a little special! This time, we are meeting in the Turkish Airlines lounge of the domestic terminal in Istanbul. No bubbles here....we are flying to Nevsehir, which is just a short one hour flight....and I'm driving after this! (Little disclaimer...I'm writing this in Dubai airport, with a glass of 2006 Moet by my computer...smile!).
There are a lot of good deals right now all over Turkey. But once you hit at the best hotel in Cappadocia...which is also a Relais & Chateaux member,getting a good deal is more challenging. I tried my luck for a good deal...not a huge success. Than Tanya tried her own cards...and got us something better than what I could get. It's
called couple power in full blow!
So here we are, for two nights at the Museum hotel. They have some 25 rooms and suites...all different, most of them gorgeous. As expected, occupancy is running low, not more than 30%. The plan is to change room every night....for a different experience each time. If we had stay here 7 nights....we would have discovered 7 different beds! Some suite have better views, some better bathroom, some nicer terraces...but they are all different, and all super romantic!
The place being a Relais & Chateau member, they also have a decent restaurant....but it's not the main point here...let's say that even their weak spot. The region being seriously touristic....I have to admit, you will not find the best authentic food around here....and for sure not at the best prices!
We spent a lot of time on the ground of the hotel, and as you can guess...in our suites. Having a suite called Harem simply tells you what kind of experience you can hope for here....if you are with the right person! Yes, this is a honeymoon spot too!
You cannot come to
Cappadocia without experiencing the balloon ride. I'm sure in normal times, this is even more of an impressive experience. On our morning ride, there was only 40 balloons. You could expect three times this in normal time. Whatever, this season attracts discounts here too....and not the small ones. We woke up before 5am....and were back for breakfast at the hotel by 8am. The one hour ride is simply stunning. We had to limit ourselves with the amount of pictures we took!
We spent also time driving around and discovering the troglodyte sites. Best way to do it is by far with your own car. You drive a little, you stop a little and you can get lost as much as you want. Cappadocia tourists spots are not that numerous...and not far away from each other. We could have seen much more...but enjoying our own time at the Museum Hotel was one of our high priorities.
We still spent some time in the and around the different sites, the main one being the Goreme Open Air Museum. Uchisar Castle at sunset is clearly the next highlight!
Sadly, it was already time for
me to drop Tanya at Nevsehir Airport....she was making her way to Astana, few weeks after me...but this was a business trip! Smile! For me, I had few hours to kill in Urgup before my two night buses ride, to the next highlight of Turkey....coming soon on the next blog...
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Dancing Dave
David Hooper
No tourists?
Sounds like the perfect time to visit Turkey as you say Peter. The essential is to be well informed so you can assess the risk. That's how we did Mali when it was a "Do not Travel." The Travel Camel often does it this way as well. And to have Cappadocia virtually to yourselves...nice. If you check out my Bolivia...Following the Dakar Rally blogs we did not see another tourist for 5 days! Perfect time or what!!! Thanks for letting us know Turkey is safe.