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 At
the cross-road of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a
fascinating mix of the ancient and the modern,
the exotic and the familiar, the frenetic and
the luxurious. As such, this delightful
country has much to offer couples seeking a far
from ordinary honeymoon experience, and this
itinerary is meant to appeal to those who thrive on unique
settings, rich culture, and pampered relaxation.
 Arriving in Istanbul, you’ll take a short
connecting flight to Bodrum on the Aegean Sea,
where your home for the first few days is the
eclectic yet artistically significant Casa
dell’Arte. This boutique hotel is located on
the waterfront in Torba Bay, 6 km from Bodrum
proper, and features only 12 suites, each
individually decorated in a contemporary style
with original works of art from the owner’s
private collection. An intimate property, you
can enjoy the cozy atmosphere at the pool, relax
at their private (though small) beach, or lounge
around on the chic pier. After a day or two,
you’ll have the option to charter your own
traditional Turkish “gulet” for a day of
exploring the Bodrum coast.
 Or, pop into the
center of Bodrum for some great night life, or
dine at any number of excellent restaurants.
With one of your hotel’s antique automobiles,
take a day trip to the old town to wander its
back streets and visit its many shops, explore the
famous Bodrum Castle, or have a drink on the
seaside promenade as you watch people and boats
come and go.
 In
the spirit of adventure and discovery of unique
places, one of the more distinct locations in
Turkey is Cappadocia, in the very center of the
country, in ancient Anatolia. From Bodrum,
you’ll fly to Kayseri, the entrée to the
region. Cappadocia, in an ancient Persian
tongue, means “Land of Beautiful Horses.” Its
landscape is filled with canyons, valleys,
cliffs and other-worldly rock formations that
are vaguely reminiscent of chimneys, but have a
fairy-tale quality to them. The many cultures
who have inhabited this mysterious land also
built their dwellings into the earth and rock,
creating caves which have in many cases been
converted into one-of-a-kind accommodations.
 Yours is one of the best - the Museum Hotel,
lovingly restored to its current luxe status.
While here, we recommend an early-morning hot
air balloon flight to experience the best of the
landscape from the air, and an afternoon
excursion on horseback for an on-the-ground
perspective. Wind down the day with a glass of
wine on the Museum Hotel’s gorgeous terrace,
overlooking the entire panorama.
 And now, for the grande finale to your Turkish
honeymoon, it’s on to Istanbul, which is
emergent on the world stage as a must-visit
destination. At the new Four Seasons Hotel at
the Bosphorus, you’ll have the best of all
Istanbul’s worlds: fantastic views of the
water, a great location on the hip “European
side”, and a top-class hotel to look forward to
each evening. Your room, one of their best, is
in the historic Palace building, facing the
water, featuring contemporary lines and Ottoman
décor. In addition to its extraordinary comfort
and myriad amenities, the Four
Seasons offers a regular water taxi service,
making it
easy to reach other parts of the city by
eliminating long commutes via road and bridge.
 While here, take a day to enjoy the Sultanahmet
district, the oldest part of the city, where
you'll find the Byzantine hippodrome and
temples, and the Hagia Sofia church-mosque-museum,
one of the architectural wonders of the world.
Make it a point to take a ferry or charter a
boat for a trip along the Bosphorus – the
scenery is fantastic including islands, mosques,
and waterside seafood restaurants. No trip to
Istanbul is complete without a visit to the
bazaars – the shopping is out of this world!
Dive in and tackle the required haggling on your
own, or a guide can be arranged to smooth the
way and take you in search of those treasures
you most desire. Dining in Istanbul is another
highlight, from avant-garde hip cuisine to local
teahouses, you’ll have some great meals here.
Sights, exotic culture, history, scenery,
coastline, amazing food, hot nightlife…it’s a
mélange that any city-lover will not want to
miss!
No doubt your stay in Turkey will seem too
short, but this exciting and beautiful country
has certainly shared its best and most memorable
aspects with you on your honeymoon.
Who
will enjoy this trip:
Lovers
of culture, urban excitement, archaeology, good
food, luxury, and pampering. Those who value
fine and unique details in their
accommodations. Couples looking to experience
new things. Those who enjoy just a bit of
relaxation at the beach and lots of
opportunities to explore.
Who
should avoid this trip:
Travelers who value remote countryside retreats
or quieter waterfront accommodations. Travelers
with less of a sense of adventure.
Couples who would prefer less time in Turkey may
consider combining their stay with Greece as
outlined in MoonRings' other itineraries.
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