Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival in the quaint town of Göreme, you'll get settled into our accommodations at a cave hotel built into the rocks. After unpacking, you can unwind from your travels by taking in views from two gorgeous terraces. We will gather as a group for our first dinner together.

Day 2

After a traditional breakfast, we will have our first guided journal time. Alicia will share her expertise with us on how to make a beautiful travel journal. The basic materials you will need for your travel journal will be provided. We'll have a chance to learn about how to set up our journals, ideas to fill it, lettering, art suggestions, and much more. For lunch we will head down into Göreme where you'll also have a chance to shop. Later that day we will go on a horseback ride through some of the most picturesque valleys in Cappadocia. You'll have a chance to stop and enjoy the sunset (and maybe work on your journal!) overlooking landscape that will take your breath away.

Wake up early, if you want join us on the terrace for a view of a sky filled with hot air balloons. Balloon flights are always based on weather conditions, so it is never guaranteed. However during our stay, we are sure to be able to take in this stunning scene more than once. After breakfast, we will experience a full-day tour through the area with an array of activities. We will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, climb up to the Uchisar Castle, enjoy time at a family-run pottery shop in an underground cave, wander through unusual clusters of mushroom-shaped "fairy chimneys", and work on our art journals in "Imagination Valley".

Day 3

Our optional excursion will take place today. You can choose to participate or to stay back at the hotel and relax. If you decide to join the excursion, we will visit an ancient underground city and then a historic resting spot for merchants traveling the Silk Road. Lunch is included in this excursion. We will then drive out to Tuz Golu. This unique salt lake has no outlet, and hosts an algae that makes large portions of the lake look pink during certain times of the year. This unique lake also hosts nesting flamingos.

If you are up for a workout, join us after breakfast for hike down into "Love Valley". You'll see unbelievable rock formations that look like, well... just wait (or google if you're impatient like us!). After lunch we will have another guided journal session. You'll have free tree time after this. But rest up because we have a treat for dinner! We will be going to a Turkish show where you will enjoy drinks, mezes and dinner while experiencing traditional Turkish music and dance.

After breakfast, we will take a "photo walk". As your hosts both have a past in professional photography, we will walk along and give you tips as you take your smartphone, point & shoot, or DSLR camera out and about to get some special images for your travel journal. In the afternoon, we will visit the only historical bath house in the region for some pampering with traditional hamam treatments.

We will have our last Turkish breakfast together, perhaps one last look at the morning balloons, and then say goodbye as we head home with our travel journals to keep our memories alive!

While we do not have balloon rides as part of our itinerary, our accommodations can help you book a ride. Be aware that because of weather, up to 40% of balloon rides are canceled even last minute.

*Due to weather, this itinerary is subject to change. Activities may need to be done on different days or; in a worst case scenario, may even have to be swapped out for other more weather appropriate activities.

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Travel journal questions

WHAT IS A TRAVEL JOURNAL?
As travel enthusiasts, we believe that trips to different parts of world enrich our lives in so many ways. But for here, we'll just speak to the memories- you know those incredible things that don't go out of style or break down. A travel journal is a really beautiful way to slow down during your trip and enrich those memories. Then you have a tangible, incredible item to bring home and keep those memories burning bright.

WHAT IF I'M NOT THAT "ARTSY"?
If you don't consider yourself very artistic, then guess what? This trip is great for you! Alicia will be breaking down the different ways to create these memory holders. Not everyone's travel journal is going to include stunning drawings. Your journal can be more writing focus or a great place to store your photos or some cool lettering with notes or practice sketches. The wonderful thing is that it will look different for everyone. Alicia is going to help with step by steps and ideas and examples. If you're an artist to begin with, this will be a chance to grow and stretch yourself. When we say "all levels welcome," we actually mean it.

WHAT IS A TRAVEL JOURNAL?
As travel enthusiasts, we believe that trips to different parts of world enrich our lives in so many ways. But for here, we'll just speak to the memories- you know those incredible things that don't go out of style or break down. A travel journal is a really beautiful way to slow down during your trip and enrich those memories. Then you have a tangible, incredible item to bring home and keep those memories burning bright.

WHAT IF I'M NOT THAT "ARTSY"?
If you don't consider yourself very artistic, then guess what? This trip is great for you! Alicia will be breaking down the different ways to create these memory holders. Not everyone's travel journal is going to include stunning drawings. Your journal can be more writing focus or a great place to store your photos or some cool lettering with notes or practice sketches. The wonderful thing is that it will look different for everyone. Alicia is going to help with step-by-steps, ideas, and examples. If you're an artist to begin with, this will be a chance to grow and stretch yourself. When we say "all levels welcome," we actually mean it.