Turkiye had been on my list for a while… and it did not disappoint.
It was meant to be a quick trip. A mix of work and a little bit of exploring. The kind where you try to squeeze everything in, see as much as possible and come back feeling like you’ve “done it properly”.
But somewhere between the quiet mornings in Cappadocia and the chaos of Istanbul… I found myself doing the opposite.
Slowing down. Letting things unfold. And actually enjoying where I was.
Getting There
I flew from Dubai into Istanbul, and then took a short domestic flight with AJet to Nevşehir to get to Cappadocia. The journey itself was pretty smooth, but you definitely feel the shift once you land.
Cappadocia doesn’t feel like anywhere else.
I stayed at Koza Cave Hotel and was unexpectedly upgraded which meant I had an entire terrace with a hot tub to myself. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that view. Watching the sky change colours in the morning, the stillness, the quiet… it felt surreal.
One thing I completely underestimated though… was the cold.
Cappadocia is actually freezing in the early mornings and at night. And after living in Dubai, I was very clearly not prepared. I stupidly forgot to bring a proper jacket, thinking I’d be fine – I was not.
Those sunrise moments? Beautiful, yes. But also very cold.
The hotel itself was about a 15-minute walk into town. Easy on the way down, but I won’t lie, the walk back up was steep. The kind that makes you question your life choices halfway through. But somehow, it added to the charm. There were always cats along the way, casually joining you on the walk like they’d done it a hundred times before.
I spent my time wandering through Love Valley, which is about a 25-minute walk from the hotel. No rush, no strict plans. Just walking, taking it in, and letting myself be present.
One of my favourite moments was meeting a restaurant owner near the hotel who offered to take photos for me, completely unprompted. He said he does it for a lot of travellers because he loves showing people how beautiful Cappadocia is. It was such a small gesture, but it stayed with me.
There’s also a carpet shop called Galerie Ikman that I visited; if you’ve seen photos of Cappadocia online, you’ve probably seen it. It’s even more beautiful in person.
Istanbul: A Complete Switch in Energy
After Cappadocia, I headed back to Istanbul for a work trip. And the contrast was immediate.
From stillness to noise. From slow mornings to busy streets.
Istanbul felt alive in a completely different way. It was fast, energetic, and full of movement. But because I had experienced Cappadocia first, I didn’t feel the need to rush through it.
I just took it for what it was.
I managed to explore a few key spots in between work.
The Basilica Cistern was one of my favourites. Dark, atmospheric, columns rising out of the water… it felt completely different to anything else.
Hagia Sophia was even more impressive. The scale, the history, the details… it’s one of those places where you just stand there and take it in.
And then the Grand Bazaar.
Busy, colourful, slightly overwhelming but in a good way.
Shops everywhere, people calling you in, lights, textures, energy.
Turkey honestly has a bit of everything.
Cappadocia gives you those quiet, surreal, almost unreal moments.
Istanbul brings the energy, culture and movement.
And together, it just works.
Turkiye surprised me.
Not because of how much there was to see, but because of how it made me feel.
It reminded me that not everything needs to be rushed. That there’s value in taking things as they come. And that sometimes, the best way to experience a place… is to simply be in it.
I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface especially when it comes to exploring the coastal and beach side of Turkiye.
But maybe that just means I have a reason to go back.
What I Learned
This trip taught me a lot more than I expected.
- You don’t need to do everything for a trip to feel meaningful
- Slowing down actually makes the experience richer
- The best moments are rarely planned
- It’s okay for a trip to be a mix of rest and exploration
- Preparation matters more than you think (especially when it comes to weather!)
How You Can Apply This
If you’re planning a trip (especially if you’re managing your energy or dealing with chronic illness) this is something I’ve learned the hard way:
- Don’t overpack your itinerary
- Leave space for rest and spontaneity
- Check the weather properly (and pack layers, always)
- Choose locations that allow you to slow down, not just see things
- Prioritise how you want to feel, not just what you want to do
You don’t need to come back exhausted for a trip to be worth it.
If You’re Planning to visit Turkiye…
I’ve put together my full Turkey itinerary including exactly where I stayed, how I planned the trip, what I packed (and what I wish I packed 😅), and what I’d do differently, all into a simple, easy-to-follow guide.
If you’re planning a trip to Cappadocia and Istanbul and want to experience it in a slower, more intentional way, you can download my travel guide here.