Going underground in Turkey these days has political implications, but for intrepid travelers it’s likely they’ll spend the night in one of 37 Cappadocia Cave Suites in Göreme, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These spacious cave-inspired accommodations are the the brainchild of Bora Ozkok, a 37-year veteran in the travel business specializing in Turkey Bora’s hideaway. Ozkok has racked up more awards than one would expect for one of the most off-the-beaten-path hotels in the world.
This idiosyncratic hotel surpasses the imagination with private Jacuzzis and mesmerizing views of Cappadocia; credit goes to Ozkok, trained as an architect who turned to tourism and has specialized in travel for decades.
I received a brochure from this enterprising tour operator announcing 2015 as his last year of “leading group tours.” He created the Cappadocia Cave Suites Hotel in an ancient site (the history reaches back over 2,000 years) while updating it with today’s tourism essentials, from Turkish-inspired fabrics and décor to lavish bathrooms. He says that the hotel “serves travelers from over 110 countries.” He plans to include a three-night stay here on his “Farewell Tours,” including the exclusive 28-day (April 13-May 12) “Bora’s Silk Road Tour.” Not for the faint of heart, the itinerary takes travelers through Central Asia with China and Cyprus along the route. These ancient trade routes brought Europe and Asia together. The itinerary also includes an overnight stay in a yurt, stops in Kashgar’s Sunday Bazaar and horse games at Lake Issyk-Kul, located in the Tien Shan mountains. The return flight from Istanbul departs on May 11. All tours include breakfast and dinner daily, and many open buffets.
Ozkok concludes the tour in Cappadocia. “A well-deserved R & R,” he says. In addition to group tours there are “personal tours” during his final season that include upgrades to five-star hotels, as he reports, and “the best rooms at the Cappadocia Cave Suites.” This style of tour is ideal for small groups with friends and family. Complimentary pick-up in Istanbul and airport transfers are true time-savers. The final cost depends on your itinerary. An important component of these tours is the fleet of new mini Mercedes Benz busses, which seat up to 16 passengers. Now that’s the way to travel in style.
For further information call 800.935.8897 or visit www.culturalfollktours.com.
Pamela Price is the co author of three editions of the travel guide, “100 Best Spas of the World.”
