TURKISH HOLIDAY

Explore the ancient landscapes and turquoise coast of Türkiye.

Join me on an enchanting journey through Türkiye, from the mystical landscape of Cappadocia to the sun-kissed coast of the Datça Peninsula, each place steeped in its own kind of wonder. Türkiye—formerly known as Turkey—sits at the junction of Southeast Europe and West Asia, offering vibrant culture, breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine, and famed hospitality.

CAPPADOCIA

Our adventure began on the Anatolian plains in central Türkiye, home to Cappadocia, one of the few places where life has persisted uninterruptedly for almost 11 million years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was sculpted by millions of years of volcanic activity and erosion and is renowned for its surreal fairy chimney rock formations, ancient cave dwellings, and sprawling underground cities that once served as refuge for early Christians escaping Roman persecution.

Our destination, the Argos in Cappadocia, is a boutique hotel at the foot of Uçhisar Castle. Carved directly into the cliffs, this ancient monastery has been transformed into a luxurious retreat and, with its labyrinthin stone pathways and intricate dwellings, is an architectural marvel. Each of the 71 unique rooms features locally crafted furniture, Anatolian rugs, and hand-selected antiques, reflecting Cappadocia’s deep cultural heritage. My two-floor suite was an elegant stone enclave where a flight of stone stairs took me to the warm, underground sanctuary that was my bedroom.

The mesmerizing adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, resonates across the valley five times a day, which only adds to the resort’s ethereal atmosphere.

DINING AND IMBIBING
Argos offers a selection of dining venues with panoramic valley views. Nahita, meaning “Good Place,” is an open terrace restaurant where I enjoyed sunrise breakfasts while watching hot air balloons drift over the valley. Here, Anatolian-inspired dishes highlight locally sourced ingredients nurtured in the area’s rich volcanic soil. For breakfast, Nahita offers an amazing array of local dishes. For dinner, I savored Anatolian specialties like yağlama, a layered lavash with minced meat and yogurt, and Nevşehirtava, a tender beef tenderloin dish enhanced with allspice, cumin, garlic, and kapia pepper.

Seki is another on-site favorite for its breathtaking view of a giant fairy chimney that once served as a fortress occupied by castle guards. The restaurant is named for Cappadocia’s terraced landscapes and serves fresh produce from the hotel’s organic gardens. Try the garden salad with mint and pomegranate seeds and the lamb chops marinated in wild thyme—absolutely delicious!

Beneath Seki is the Argos Cellar, one of Türkiye’s largest natural underground cellars, holding 22,000 bottles covered in a thin layer of volcanic dust. I enjoyed wine tastings here, sampling varietals rooted in a winemaking tradition dating back to the Hittites, the ancient Indo-European people who established a kingdom in Anatolia around 1600 B.C.

Another wine tasting was held at Bezirhane, a 2,000-year-old space that was once a monastery and later a caravansaryor an inn for travelers. The walls of this beautiful, cavernous room reveal ancient water troughs for thirsty animals and carved niches where handlers once tied their animals’ leads. After savoring several varieties of Turkish wines, I discovered my favorite was Nahita Dokya’s Kalecik Karasi, which carries wonderful notes of dried fruit and pairs perfectly with traditional kebabs!

On our final night, we had dinner in the Chapel—one of Türkiye’s most celebrated venues. Here we dined on testi kebab, a traditional blend of meat and vegetables stewed in a sealed clay pot. Once the dish was finished, the chef encouraged us to crack the pot with a small hammer to release its delicious contents; while I didn’t master that skill, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

ACTIVITIES
Venturing beyond Argos, we visited the Göreme Open Air Museum. This UNESCO site is the crown jewel of Cappadocian Christianity and contains the region’s best cave churches and monasteries, all of which were built around the 11th century. The most impressive churches are the Dark (Karanlik), Sandal (Carikli), and Apple (Elmali)—all adorned with Byzantine frescoes. We also learned about the region’s agricultural past during Ottoman times. Pigeon droppings, an excellent fertilizer because of the high concentration of nitrogen, were a vital part of Cappadocia’s economy. The birds’ former homes, squares carved into the cliffside, are still visible. After the impressive tour, we treated ourselves to a traditional Turkish dondurma, a chewy, stretchy ice cream that is served with a bit of theatrics.

A hot air balloon ride, which offers a bird’s-eye view of the moon-like landscape of Cappadocia’s Pigeon Valley, is a vacation must. If you use Instagram, you have no doubt seen the breathtaking images. The actual experience is 10,000 times better and is easily arranged through the concierge.

Back on the property, a guided tour through the Argos Gardens, where organic crops are grown for the hotel’s kitchens, was informative and entertaining. During our tour, we plucked carrots from the earth and marveled at the property’s sustainability practices. The excursion ended with a ride in the back of a John Deere tractor—it was an unexpected delight to drive through Argos’ streets in a giant green machine!

Another highlight of the property is Museum Hall—a painstakingly restored former linseed factory that is now an underground museum and venue space. You’ll see the ancient “machinery” including tools used for production and storage and experience underground tunnels used by people for centuries to avoid detection. Claustrophobics beware.

Whenever I had a spare moment, I headed directly to the pool—a masterpiece of tranquility. I spent hours soaking up the sun, reveling in the memories of my day. When the sun grew too hot, I’d pop into the pool and swim over to a stone pool bar capped by a trio of rattan chandeliers for a cool libation.

SPA
The Argos Spa, the world’s largest cave spa at more than 17,000 square feet, is one of the most beautiful I have ever visited. A labyrinth of hallways leads to an underground pool, dressing rooms with saunas and steam spas, and vaulted treatment rooms offering treatments inspired by Cappadocia’s rich cultural heritage. The lavender-scented massage is outstanding.

D MARIS BAY

Leaving Cappadocia’s ancient landscapes, we journeyed to the southwestern coast and checked into D Maris Bay, a secluded oasis on the Datça Peninsula. This exquisite retreat overlooks pine-covered hills, islands, and brilliant blue bays dotted with yachts and offers opulent touches like the Christian Dior-clad loungers circling the infinity pool, high-end boutiques reminis- cent of New York’s Fifth Avenue, and rooms adorned with plush fabrics, leather pulls, and marble baths—seamlessly blending natural beauty with luxury. Elevating the experience, all doors in the main building automatically open as you approach—adding a touch of majesty to your day.

Guests are encouraged to embrace the resort’s “baydreaming” philosophy, which invites relaxation at every turn. Like Argos, D Maris Bay is part of the Doğuş Hospitality & Retail Group, which is dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences in Türkiye. Goal accomplished!

DINING
Each morning started with a lavish breakfast at The Terrace, where stunning bay views (a feast for the eyes) accompanied an impressive buffet spread. My favorite of the traditional offerings was the gözleme, a Turkish &atbread stuffed with savory herbs and tender meat. At day’s end, we hurried to Green Hill for aperitifs and a gasp-inducing sunset enjoyed alongside the friendly guinea- fowl holding court on the hill.

Dinner at the hip and sexy Zuma was a highlight. Perched cliffside, the restaurant features exceptional cocktails—the Spicy Passionfruit Margarita was a fave—and world-class contemporary Japanese dishes like Spicy Beef and Black Cod.

Should you be in the mood for tender steaks served with a touch of theater, try the beachside Nusr-Et. Chef and internet sensation Nusret Gökçe (aka Salt Bae) has curated a meat-lovers’ menu that pairs perfectly with Turkish wines.

Feeling festive? La Guérite Beach offers Mediterranean cuisine with a lively beach club atmosphere. This acclaimed hot spot has sister properties in Cannes and St. Barts—with 360-degree views of the bay, it’s the place to “sea” and be seen.

The popular Manos, a Greek-style taverna, promises an evening filled with &aming cheese, fresh seafood, and the traditional smashing of plates. Opa!

ACTIVITIES

D Maris Bay caters to every whim. From water sports like hydrofoiling (harder than it looks) and catamaran sailing to relaxing on one of the private beaches, each day brought new adventures. To reach the waterfront, you can walk but taking the funicular or a Dior-clad buggy is just more fun. When you arrive beachside, you will !nd a darling ice cream and sweets shop serving traditional Turkish ice cream flavors like pistachio baklava and local sweets. I highly recommend the flour halva, a pudding-like treat.

Each of the five private beaches offers a different atmosphere. Conveniently located near the sweet shop, Bay Beach is the fami- ly-friendly beach. For those who want to unplug, Silence Beach is a great choice. Prefer bopping to tropical house music from a canopied daybed? La Guérite Beach is the ticket. One of my favorites was Maris Beach with its tangerine-orange loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas. We often found ourselves visiting several beaches each day—our whims changing with the wind. Transfers are a breeze—just stand at the end of the dock and a luxury motorboat appears to whisk you away.

One memorable excursion was a day trip aboard the Alia Open Sea, the resort’s custom-built yacht. We saw nearby islands (including Olive Island—home to the ruins of a 900-year-old Orthodox church) and spotted sea turtles swimming in thermal heated waters. After anchoring, we took a dip, and I partook in the tradition of leaping off the yacht’s roof into the clear salty waters where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Glorious!

MYTHA SPA

D Maris’ spa features a gym I visited daily and a gorgeous indoor pool. Book the Hammam experience—it incorporates traditional Turkish elements to relax, cleanse, and detoxify.

FAREWELL TO TÜRKIYE

From the mystical landscapes of Cappadocia to the serene coastal beauty of the Datça Peninsula, Türkiye captivates. This itinerary celebrates Türkiye’s cultural richness and envelopes you in the country’s fabled hospitality. Follow it for memories that will last a lifetime. Serefe to adventure!

For more information, visit argosincappadocia.com and dmarisbay.com.