Destinations

Cave Hotels:

Elkep Evi, Cappadocia, Turkey: Ancient caves converted into a beautiful and unique hotel. The suites include private terraces that open to a spectacular view of the Goreme National Park.

Le Prince Noir, les Baux de Provence, France: This French Bed and Breakfast was Roman-area fortress carved out of mountainside. This exclusive lodging is located in one of the most fascinating villages in the south of France.

RainForest:

Safariland Treehouse Resort, India: This Resort consists of four three-houses built from local materials and bamboo all about five meters high. This resort is for the truly adventurous traveler looking for an eco-experience.

Canopy Tower Ecolodge, Panama City, Panama: Built to defend the Panama Canal by the US Air Force this tower is tucked away in the heart of the Soberan­a National Park. Find yourself looking above the tree canopy, great for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel, Manaus, Brazil: This hotel is made of four Kilometers of connecting walkways and lodges located deep the Amazon rainforest. Immerse yourself in the beauty of one of the most exceptional wildernesses of the world.

People are often surprised when I tell them that I’ve traveled to Turkey. “Turkey?” they say, “What is there to do in TURKEY?” As it turns out, my entire family (mom, dad, and brother) had an incredible time doing MANY things in the country–we explored underground cities, visited mosques, practiced our bargaining skills at the Grand Bazaar, and trekked through the Mars-like landscape of Cappadocia… and, after all of that, we chartered our own private yacht and sailed along the Aegean coastline for a week! Turkey is an enchanting country with an incredible history, excellent food, and friendly locals.

We began our journey in Istanbul, staying in the Sultanahmet area. I would strongly recommend this part of the city, especially if you are a first-time visitor. It is close to many of the major sites, and there are some wonderful boutique hotels and restaurants. We stayed at the Four Seasons, which (although pricey), definitely earns its reputation as one of the best hotels in the world. The rooftop areas of the hotel offer beautiful views of the Ayasofia and Blue Mosque. One of our favorite experiences was had while sitting atop the terrace at the hotel, listening to the Call to Prayer as it echoed through the city each afternoon. We were able to walk almost everywhere, and felt confident and safe enough to venture out on our own during the evenings to explore the surrounding areas.

After Istanbul, we traveled on to Cappadocia, where we stayed in a cave hotel and toured around the various villages, exploring the dwellings that the Christians once inhabited. Then we continued on to Kusadasi (a popular cruise stop) so that we could tour Ephesus. The only way that one should tour these areas is with a private guide — you’ll be able to visit all of the popular spots before the buses arrive!

The final week of our vacation we spent aboard a privately chartered yacht. As the boat was entirely our own, the captain consulted us each day regarding what we wanted to do–hiking around ruins, swimming, visiting villages, etc. The Aegean is beautiful (and great for swimming!), but don’t expect to see any sea life other than a few occasional fish. The waters are generally very calm, although there may be a few bumpy passages when the wind kicks up. My mom and I are very prone to seasickness and neither of us had a problem the entire trip! We had ample time to read, relax, enjoy Turkish coffee (which is not for the faint of heart) and marvel at the beautiful coastline.

If you’re planning a visit to Turkey, be forewarned–the summers are HOT! The peak season starts in May and ends around late October. I visited in September and the weather was perfect–sunny days with cooler evenings. June, July and August can be sweltering, especially in Cappadocia!