If you go ...
ACCOMMODATION
CAPPADOCIA: Staying in a four-star cave hotel is more luxurious than staying in a cave in, say, the Drakensberg. The Yunak Evleri is built into a cliff. My room combined a rock wall with modern comforts, while a colleague was underground with an en-suite bathroom and lit-up en-suite pool.
See yunak.com
ISTANBUL: The Stay Nisantasi is a four-star boutique hotel with a spectacular rooftop bar. The Italian chef there makes gourmet meals and the bar serves original cocktails. This is one of the partner hotels for the free layovers on Turkish Airlines (see below). thestay.com.tr
MORE MEMORABLE MEALS CAPPADOCIA
At Kosebasi, the meze platters were so good we struggled to fit in its famed kebabs, but could not resist the baklava. At Lil’a, the food was outstanding, as was the setting in the Museum Hotel, which has ancient artefacts. To taste Turkish wines, stop at Turasan Winery. Turkish delight is also on offer at Zeferan. The Kayseri Radisson Blu rooftop bar gives a 360° view over Kayseri, the biggest city in central Anatolia.
ISTANBUL
The ambience in the Sarnic, formerly an underground cistern, matches its dishes. The Galeyan has outdoor tables for an immersive street experience.
DOUBLE DELIGHT
International travellers on Turkish Airlines who have a layover in Istanbul of between six and 24 hours can choose a great perk: free city tours, including meals and a guide, through the Touristanbul programme or, for a layover longer than 20 hours, free accommodation at a partner hotel through their Stopover in Istanbul programme. Find out more at turkishairlines.com.
Turkish Airlines flies daily to Istanbul from Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Visas are free for South African passport holders and quick to get online.