Istanbul & Cappadocia - Compass Roam

The Most Exciting Things to do in Cappadocia

If possible, I loved our itinerary for Cappadocia even more than Istanbul. Pelin, our guide from SRM Travel, not only showed us the “must see” things, but also personalized our trip based on our input and desire for a combination of history and adventure. She enriched each day by introducing us to local friends, giving…

Luxury Hotel Review: Four Seasons Sultanahmet

The Four Seasons owns two stunning properties in Istanbul — one resides in the old city Sultanahmet, and one sits directly on the Bosphorus. I opted for the old city Sultanahmet location, but have heard wonderful reviews of its sister hotel too. You can’t go wrong with either choice, and each has its advantages. Option…

The Ultimate Guide to Turkey: Istanbul and Cappadocia

Our vacation to Istanbul and Cappadocia was an intentional stretch into something more exotic. Istanbul has often been referred to as, “the crossroads of civilizations” for good reason – the culture is a blend of both European and Islamic influences, drawing from its rich history of Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman influences. This union is apparent…

The Best Istanbul Tours Led by Locals

Certain locations have that special ability to transport visitors back in time and Istanbul is one of those spots. Having spent 7 years as a high school Global history teacher, my husband is used to including a history tour or 2…or 5…on our trips. Since the Byzantine Empire was part of my curriculum, he prepared…

What to Know About Dining in Turkey

A Note About Food: Typically on vacation, I prefer to hold the reins, do copious amounts of research, and plan our foodie experiences well ahead of time. However, since our days in Turkey centered so much around historical sight-seeing, and action packed adventures (some way up high in hot air balloons, and others way down…

Luxury Hotel Review: Cappadocia Estates

A cave hotel should be on everyone’s travel bucket list! Not only does it make for a unique travel experience, but cave hotels incorporate the surrounding geography into the architecture, and create comfort in what was once a more…let’s call it “primitive accommodation offering” for mankind. A close friend put us in touch with Lale,…