If your dream Mediterranean Summer holiday caps at royal blue seas and poolside rosé, meet Cappadocia, Turkey.
This ultimate destination for the whimsical, curiosity-driven traveler, is known for its straight-out-of-a-folk-tale landscape with pinkish valleys and soft rock caves that could be inhabited by families of fairies (but apparently are not). The Cappadocia experience is riding hot air balloons at dawn, eating an assortment of white cheese and soft sesame seed puff pastries for breakfast, then exploring artisanal ceramic shops in Gorëme at dusk.
The Sacred House, a renovated Greek Mansion, is listed on the Michelin Guide as a stand-out high-end boutique hotel. Architect, Turan Gülcüoğlu, restored the near-ruin 250-year old structure with a classical and neo-classical design approach and spiritual mission.
By breathing life and “divine character” into this structure, Turan sought out to make a safe-house away from the clashing goods and bads away of the world. The hotel’s gothic and brooding atmosphere– amplified by bare stone walls, antique decor, and medieval reliefs– make for a luxurious, immersive and spiritual experience.
For a homely and charming stay, check out the Sarnich Cave Suites. The estate has been in the same family since 1850, currently run by Mustafa Demirci and his son, Bayrham Maden. They greet you with a cup of hot chai, then lead you through a picturesque lawn with little wooden reading chairs into your quaint cave suite. After your post-travel snooze, you wander up a rooftop patio for a breakfast of bread, cheeses, olives, honey, cream, yogurt, and dried fruits.
The quiet, clean rooms are built with rustic thick, irregular stone walls that curve into arched ceilings, with beds anchored into the architecture. The bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers, smooth stone basins, and, in some suites, deep soaking tubs carved into alcoves. Picturesque views outside the stone carved windows see hot air balloons float across the horizon and fade into deep red sunsets.
To experience UNESCO-listed historic neighborhoods and explore a boutique hotel, dine at Revithia Restaurant. Revithia is a tasting-menu restaurant offering carefully composed five and eight course menus. Their wine programme is curated with the region’s volcanic terroir, pairing unconventional combinations of flavors and textures with local Cappadocian wines grown in mineral-rich soil.
Whether they're serving aubergine with an airy dip or tender veal tail with plum compote, Revithia offers a seasonally changing menu that ensures no two visits are ever the same.
Ready to trade the oceanside Mykonos holiday for a hot air balloon ride over volcanic formations? If so, say hello to Mustafa and the fairies for us.
