9 days • 8 nights • Turkey
Nine days for newlyweds: romantic Istanbul on the Bosphorus, two nights in a cave hotel in Cappadocia with a balloon option, and two nights in a private bungalow in Sapanca.
The Turkey Honeymoon Program, 9 Days brings together three very different experiences in one trip: Istanbul with its Bosphorus evenings and bazaars, Cappadocia with its cave hotels and sunrise balloons over the valleys, and Sapanca with its quiet bungalows between the forests and the lake. For each stop we chose a setting that suits newlyweds, with enough time to rest and no rushing.
The domestic flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia are included, and all transfers are by private car with a driver, so there is no need for buses or group tours. You can upgrade the trip by adding the balloon flight, a private yacht dinner on the Bosphorus, or a suite with a view, and we arrange it with the hotels in advance. If you prefer Turkey's Black Sea region, you can replace Cappadocia with Uzungöl and Trabzon. The best times for this program are spring and autumn, when the weather is mild in all three places, but it is enjoyable in every season, just with a different atmosphere: snow in Cappadocia in winter and lush greenery in Sapanca in summer. Send us your wedding date and travel dates, and we will design the right offer for you.
The driver meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) and takes you to the hotel, and we ask the hotel to add a newlywed welcome touch, as far as it can offer. The evening is free to rest, or for an optional seafood dinner on the Bosphorus or on a private yacht. We hand you your SIM card and go over the program with you.
We start with the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Basilica Cistern, then Topkapı Palace and its gardens overlooking the sea. In the afternoon we tour the Grand Bazaar, with its gold, silver and carpet shops, then cross Galata Bridge to the Galata district and climb Galata Tower to see the city at sunset. You can end the day with a Turkish coffee in one of the Galata cafés.
We start at Dolmabahçe Palace, then Ortaköy and Bebek, and take a boat on a Bosphorus cruise between the palaces and fortresses. In the afternoon we cross to Üsküdar and take a short boat ride to Maiden's Tower in the middle of the water, then climb Çamlıca Hill and its mosque to watch the sunset over the city. The evening is free for dinner.
A domestic flight from Istanbul to Nevşehir Airport (NAV) or Kayseri (ASR) takes about an hour and a quarter, followed by about an hour by car to the cave hotel. In the afternoon we visit Uçhisar Castle and Pigeon Valley, and watch the sunset from the Red and Rose Valley viewpoint. The evening is at the hotel or at a restaurant set in the caves.
Before dawn, an optional balloon flight of about an hour over the valleys, or watch the balloons from the hotel terrace. After breakfast we visit Göreme Open-Air Museum with its rock-cut churches, then Paşabağ Valley and Devrent (Imagination) Valley, and finish in Avanos at a pottery workshop on the riverbank. In the evening you can attend the Turkish Night.
In the morning, a photo session in Love Valley and at the Göreme viewpoint, or an optional quad-bike ride. Then we head to the airport for the domestic flight to Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul, where the driver meets you and takes you to Sapanca in about an hour and a half. You arrive at the bungalow in the evening to rest.
A quiet morning at the bungalow, then we visit Maşukiye village with its waterfalls and restaurants among the trees, and ride the Kartepe cable car to see the forests from above. In the afternoon, a walk along Lake Sapanca and a boat ride at sunset, then a private evening at the bungalow with the jacuzzi. If you want some adventure, you can try horse riding or quad biking.
We leave Sapanca in the morning for Istanbul, about two hours away. After check-in there is time to shop at Istinye Park, Nişantaşı Street or the Grand Bazaar for gifts. In the evening we suggest a farewell dinner on the Bosphorus or at one of the Bebek restaurants overlooking the water.
A free morning, depending on your flight time. The driver picks you up at the hotel and takes you to the airport about three hours before departure. We wish you a happy life together and a safe journey home.
| City | Nights | Suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | 4 | A 4- or 5-star hotel in Taksim, Nişantaşı or on the Bosphorus, with the option of a sea-view room (3 nights at the start and 1 night before departure). |
| Cappadocia | 2 | A cave hotel in Göreme or Uçhisar, with the option of a suite with a jacuzzi or a terrace overlooking the morning balloons. |
| Sapanca | 2 | A wooden bungalow with an indoor jacuzzi or a villa with a private pool, in a quiet setting among the forests. |
Book this program
Add your arrival date, the number of travelers and the hotel level, and you will receive a written offer with the final price via WhatsApp.
Questions & answers
Istanbul for the romantic atmosphere on the Bosphorus, Cappadocia for cave hotels and balloons, Sapanca and Uzungöl for quiet bungalows in nature, and Antalya and Bodrum if you prefer the sea. This program combines the first three.
It cannot be guaranteed: each morning the flight is decided based on the wind and clearance from the authorities. If the flight is canceled, we try to move it to the next morning if seats are available, or the amount is refunded according to the balloon company's policy.
Yes, you can add a private yacht dinner of two hours or more, or a dinner cruise with entertainment. The price varies with the size of the yacht, the duration and the season, and we include it in your quote.
Yes, days 4 to 6 can be spent in Uzungöl and Trabzon instead of Cappadocia, with the domestic flight to Trabzon Airport, and the rest of the program stays the same.
From the OYA guide
A guide for couples choosing a honeymoon destination in Turkey by season and taste, with a comparison table, a suggested 9-day itinerary and romantic touches that make the difference.
Turkey has varied climates, so what suits Istanbul may not suit Antalya or Uzungöl in the same month. A month-by-month guide helps you choose the timing and the destination together.
Instead of generic numbers that don't fit your trip, we explain the components of travel costs in Turkey and what raises and lowers them, with a simple way to calculate a one-week budget and practical saving tips.
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Personal service from start to finish
We design a custom program for you, with the number of days, cities and hotels you want — just tell us.
