Istanbul and Cappadocia FAM Trip 2024

On Day 1, we flew from Manchester to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, receiving a warm welcome from the g2o team when we landed. After a quick transfer, we arrived at the stunning Çırağan Palace Kempinski, where we could unwind in luxurious surroundings. The Çırağan Palace Kempinski boasts 317 Ottoman-inspired luxury bedrooms and 17 meeting and event spaces, including 4 ballrooms that can cater for over 1,000 delegates. A guided tour brought the palace’s rich history to life, and dinner at the Tuğra Restaurant was a perfect introduction to Ottoman cuisine, traditional dishes from the era of the Ottoman Empire, complemented by gorgeous views over the Bosphorus.

Day 2 kicked off with breakfast at Akdeniz Restaurant before we set out to explore some of Istanbul’s most famous sights. We visited the famous Grand Bazaar, a maze of colourful shops and great shopping! We even got to enjoy a view over the city from the rooftop of the Grand Bazaar —just like James Bond! This was such a unique experience which would be a special touch for groups as it has an exclusive feel.

Next, we visited the Underground Cistern and the iconic Hagia Sophia. A private Bosphorus cruise gave us an amazing view of the city from the water whilst also serving as our taxi to lunch. We enjoyed a seafood lunch at Uskumru Restaurant with beautiful river views. Later, we toured the beautiful Macar Feyzullah Villa, known for its classic Ottoman interiors. This private home can be used for small group dinners for a truly unique experience. The day wrapped up with dinner at Ulus 29, where traditional and modern Turkish dishes came together for a delicious meal with stunning views over the city.

On Day 3, we headed to Cappadocia, known for its surreal landscapes. We checked into the Sacred House Hotel, which seamlessly blends historic charm with modern luxury. Sacred House is a small boutique hotel featuring 23 striking rooms, each unique in design. The entire venue can even be hired for concept events and special occasions. That evening, dinner at the hotels’ Virtus Restaurant offered a cozy chef’s table experience, with local ingredients at the heart of every course.

Day 4 started early at 5 am with a breath taking hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique rock formations— a bucket list experience I’ll never forget!

We then toured Cappadocia’s Underground City, filled with ancient tunnels that showcase the genius of past civilizations. For lunch, we enjoyed wonderful hospitality with a local Cappadocian family for a cooking class of traditional Turkish dishes in their family home. This authentic, hands-on experience was a unique and wholesome touch to the itinerary. Later, we visited Ortahisar and its rock fortress, where groups can hold incredible outdoor events. We then had a site visit at the Argos in Cappadocia Hotel, a series of cave rooms which have been brought together to create a ‘village’ hotel and enjoyed a wine tasting in its historic chapel. The final stop of the day was for a site visit at the Museum Hotel and dinner at their Lila Restaurant. This was such a wonderful way to round off the trip with delicious Turkish food and wine whilst discussing our highlights from the last 4 days.