Singinalot's 2023 Land Trip to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Florence

[Guest]

August 8!

 

I had set the alarm for sunrise which was to be 6:15 today, but at 5:30 we were quickly awakened by what sounded like drilling right outside our window. I reached back and pulled the curtain aside, blinking in surprise. A hot air balloon was right outside and the noise I had heard was the pilot pulling on the fire nozzles.

 

We quickly threw some clothes on and ran out the door.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

[Guest]

What did we do next? We went back to sleep. LOL. We knew we needed a day of relaxing (because we had a busy few days ahead!) 

 

We eventually got up and followed the sound of our grumbling stomachs to lunch in town.

 

I just loved how the exterior areas of our hotel were decorated

 

 

 

I knew where i wanted to eat our final lunch in cappadocia.

 

sites along the way:

 

 

 

[Guest]

 

they brought us an amazing mezze. Delicious!!!

 

 

surprised to see our entree choices? lol Nate shook things up and added cheese to his chicken casserole

 

the rice pudding in Turkey is next level 🤤 

[Guest]

While we were eating and people watching, I worked on a compilation of my drone footage

 

[Guest]

Our bellies once again full, we headed back to the hotel. Time to take advantage of that beautiful pool!

 

The water was COLD. I don’t know how they kept it so cold in that heat, but it was wonderful.

 

I don’t remember how much I’ve talked about this, but we rarely came across other Americans while in Turkey. Today, we’d sit at the pool, listening to all of the different dialects around us: Russian, Turkish, and Spanish! 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Nate had bought this linen shirt in town. I want to say it was about $20USD. I just love it on him and now he has a memento of the trip.

 

I was so sunburnt but not painfully so.

 

 

 

I wanted to eat at the rooftop terrace restaurant, Seten, for our final night.

 

 

 

[Guest]

dinner was amazing! The view, the food, the company.

Nate changed it up and got their local gnocchi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got the pumpkin dessert and Nate the rice pudding

 

 

 

[Guest]

A final Cappadocia sunset did not disappoint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

[bobmacliberty]

18 hours ago, singinalot said:

did someone say drone footage?

 

🙋‍♂️  Stunning footage.

 

14 hours ago, singinalot said:

we both said this was our best trip yet! 

 

That's saying something given your past Greece trips.

 

13 hours ago, singinalot said:

 

 

They look like...mmmm...like lighthouses. 😉

 

11 hours ago, singinalot said:

I did not take pictures of dinner that night, but I bet you can guess what we each got!

 

Was chicken very popular, or was it the least "risky"?  I know you guys are somewhat adventurous eaters.

[jmh2006]

@singinalot Crystal today's pictures you posted of the hot air balloons took my breath away!  Especially the pictures with the sunrise behind the balloons.  What an amazing place you stayed at!  Thanks so much for sharing!

Jennifer

[h20skibum]

3 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

They look like...mmmm...like lighthouses. 😉

Perhaps, only readers of Dani’s thread will get that reference.  That was my thought also. 🤣

[maggieq]

10 hours ago, singinalot said:

 

they brought us an amazing mezze. Delicious!!!

 

 

surprised to see our entree choices? lol Nate shook things up and added cheese to his chicken casserole

 

the rice pudding in Turkey is next level 🤤 

Was that treacle on the top of rice pudding?

[PurpleTraveller]

11 hours ago, singinalot said:

August 8!

 

I had set the alarm for sunrise which was to be 6:15 today, but at 5:30 we were quickly awakened by what sounded like drilling right outside our window. I reached back and pulled the curtain aside, blinking in surprise. A hot air balloon was right outside and the noise I had heard was the pilot pulling on the fire nozzles.

 

We quickly threw some clothes on and ran out the door.

 

IMG_1258.mov 44.08 MB · 1 download  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, just wow! What an amazing sight! Your photos are wonderful and I'm loving your trip report. Thank you.

[HBE4]

22 hours ago, singinalot said:

 

I did not take pictures of dinner that night, but I bet you can guess what we each got!

 

I fallen a bit behind but I'm guessing wine & some kind of kebab

[BonTexasNY]

1 hour ago, HBE4 said:

 

I fallen a bit behind but I'm guessing wine & some kind of kebab

Chicken casserole for Nate!

[#55worktoplay]

What an amazing trip you had. Your pictures and videos are great. 
 

Thanks!

[Ozark_Kid]

13 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

They look like...mmmm...like lighthouses. 😉

 

9 hours ago, h20skibum said:

Perhaps, only readers of Dani’s thread will get that reference.  That was my thought also. 🤣

So many times I started to mention lighthouses!  🤣

[Ozark_Kid]

@singinalot That had to be so cool to wake up to those air balloons!  I love the pics and videos of them.  A friend of mine has an air balloon.  It's fun to be able to fly in one rather than just go up and down.  For a new cave woman you are doing a great job!

[aussielozzie18]

On 8/26/2023 at 10:42 PM, bobmacliberty said:

 

YES!  Drone shots!!

 

That place looks incredible.  For some reason, one of my first thoughts was that it would make a great chase scene in a James Bond or Jason Bourne movie.

Agree 💯 also Star Wars…

[aussielozzie18]

4 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said:

 

Wow, just wow! What an amazing sight! Your photos are wonderful and I'm loving your trip report. Thank you.

+ 1 @singinalot

[Guest]

On 8/27/2023 at 8:10 AM, bobmacliberty said:

 

🙋‍♂️  Stunning footage.

 

 

That's saying something given your past Greece trips.

 

 

They look like...mmmm...like lighthouses. 😉

 

 

Was chicken very popular, or was it the least "risky"?  I know you guys are somewhat adventurous eaters.

 

right? I’d say the 2021 Greek island hopping trip is a close second, but this trip still takes first. We found the menus to all be pretty much the same wherever we went. chicken beef or lamb and some type of vegetarian dish. I tend to stay away from lamb so it really limited the options 🤣

 

23 hours ago, jmh2006 said:

@singinalot Crystal today's pictures you posted of the hot air balloons took my breath away!  Especially the pictures with the sunrise behind the balloons.  What an amazing place you stayed at!  Thanks so much for sharing!

Jennifer

 

thank you! i will never forget that sunrise 

15 hours ago, maggieq said:

Was that treacle on the top of rice pudding?

 

yes, i believe so! whatever it was was delicious

14 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

I fallen a bit behind but I'm guessing wine & some kind of kebab

 

12 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Chicken casserole for Nate!

 

both correct! LOL

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for all of the lovely comments!!! Next we have our final morning in cappadocia before we travel on to Italy 🥰

[sherrihall128]

What a stunning and unique location! Adding Cappadocia to my bucket list now!