Envision yourself in a landscape dotted with majestic stone pillars as far as the eye can see. Pulsing with pastel shades, the sky fills with scores of colourful hot air balloons, soaring high over the tiny towns below. This scene has all the hallmarks of a mythical wonderland. And it’s not a fever dream.
In May, we ran a competition on our Instagram inviting Point Hacks readers to submit their best destination suggestions for our Experiences trips. Known for its vivid hot air balloons, otherworldly landscape and captivating scenery, the region of Cappadocia in central Türkiye came out on top.
So, I harnessed the power of frequent flyer points and set off to explore Cappadocia, spending a few days in Istanbul en route. Oh, did I mention I flew Business Class there, with all of my flights still costing less than the price of an Economy return ticket?
That’s right – for 186,000 Velocity Points + $947 in fees and taxes, I flew from Melbourne to Istanbul via Abu Dhabi in Etihad Airways Business Class, and Economy in the opposite direction. Had we paid cash, we’d be looking at over $8,000 for the same flights! Tacking on an internal return flight to the Cappadocia region, plus eight nights twin share accommodation, our total trip came to $2,527 per person with points. Not bad for a holiday during summer in the northern hemisphere!
In this article, I’ll take you through my favourite bits of Istanbul, the gateway to Türkiye, and my time in dreamy Cappadocia. But first, check out the video below for my trip highlights.
And don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging. Here’s a nifty PDF you can download and share with your friends. It outlines my itinerary, including the exact flights I booked so that you can replicate this trip yourself!
Flying to Türkiye from Australia
It’s a bustling evening in Melbourne Airport as I check in for my flights – a 14-hour leg to Abu Dhabi, then a swift four hours to Istanbul. In most cases, I’d grimace at the thought of such a long trip. But instead, I’m excited about the journey – it’s Business Class all the way for me!
My overnight flight to Abu Dhabi is on Etihad’s older Boeing 777, which you’ll find on some flights out of Melbourne and Sydney. Equipped with a comfy set of Etihad pyjamas, I take the opportunity for a lengthy snooze on the flatbed after my three-course dinner. By the time we land, I’ve barely even noticed all the time that’s elapsed. A solid sleep on a plane does that to you.
With a few hours to spare in Abu Dhabi, I drop into Etihad’s flagship Business Class Lounge in Terminal A for a shower and a quick bite. This lounge spans three levels, so there’s no shortage of quiet pockets for some R&R. It’s an ideal stopover point to break up my journey.
But it’s my next flight which I’m looking forward to the most. On certain flights between Abu Dhabi and Istanbul, you’ll find Etihad’s stylish Business Class suite onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. And let me tell you, this is one experience absolutely worth seeking out.
Settling into my window suite at the back of the cabin, I feel absolutely tiny. There’s no sliding door, but the walls tower above me to provide plenty of privacy. My feet don’t rest comfortably on the footwell because there’s that much space that my little legs can’t reach. Not to worry – I recline my seat to reveal the footrest and flick the massage function on while I sip my espresso. It’s a tough morning.
Well-fed, well-rested and fueled by Champagne and caffeine, I touch down in Istanbul ready to match the city’s lively energy.
Immersed in Istanbul
I’m mesmerised by Türkiye’s largest city from the get-go. The big-city bustle meets the calmness of the Bosphorus strait, uniting Istanbul’s European side on the west, and Asian side on the east. Imposing mosques, sprawling palaces, and distinct architectural styles pulse through the city. It’s a harmonious collision of cultures and colours. And for me, it’s love at first sight.
Speaking of sites, I make my best effort to explore all the major ones within my few days here. Staying in the Fatih district, I’m a short walk away from the magnificent Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and bazaars. The convenient (and super cheap) tram network connects me to other parts of the city so I can soak up 360-degree views from Galata Tower, ride the historic red tram to Taksim Square, and shop ’til I drop on Istikal Street. I’m only scratching the surface of what Istanbul has to offer!
Breakfast in Europe, lunch in Asia, dinner in the stars
Straddling two continents, Istanbul dishes up a unique gastronomic journey with influence from Europe and Asia. I’d always thought I had a good grasp on Turkish cuisine – but boy, was I wrong. On a full-day food tour in Istanbul, I indulge in a traditional Turkish breakfast (read: eat my weight in cheese and bread) on the European side, before rolling sailing across to the Asian side for lunch. Here, I enthusiastically dig into lamb intestines, visit the birthplace of the Iskender kebab and tuck into stuffed mussels on the side of a road.
Istanbul also boasts a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants, including the one-star Mikla. Its panoramic city views lure me to the rooftop on a balmy evening. I savour three courses of fresh Mediterranean fare, washing them down with a glass of chilled Turkish rosé as sunset hues dance across the sky. Bliss.
My sweet tooth ecstatically guides me to some of Istanbul’s top dessert haunts. Beyond my newfound appreciation of Turkish delight and pistachio baklava, I discover the humble and oh-so-crispy künefe. There’s even a spot known for serving up the viral creamy San Sebastian cheesecake. Could it be that I’ve found a new favourite city in the world to fuel my dessert addiction? It’s a resounding yes.
I’ve dropped some of my food recommendations below, but my top tip for Istanbul: arrive with an empty stomach!
The magic of Cappadocia
It’s barely 3 am as I awaken inside my cave suite. Shuffling to the window overlooking my private terrace, I can see the first sign of dawn approaching the horizon. Nestled among whimsical rock formations, the stone buildings that make up the small village of Göreme glitter with lights.
But I’m up early to witness an even more spectacular scene. Come sunrise, dozens of hot air balloons ascend into the pastel sky, floating delicately over the rugged plains of the Cappadocia region. Like something out of a fantasy, it feels surreal to be gazing at it with my own eyes.
With luck on my side, I’m graced with two picture-perfect mornings. On day one, I visit the launch site to watch the vibrant balloons take off around me. On day two, I embark on my own ride in a hot air balloon, taking to the sky for a breathtaking panoramic view of the unique terrain below. Up here, there’s nothing but silence and the periodic roar of the burner as I soar over Cappadocia.
Contrary to belief, Cappadocia isn’t a specific place. Rather, a collection of provinces make up this diverse region in central Türkiye – and it’s not just about the pretty hot air balloons!
I set aside two full days to explore the rich history of Cappadocia’s north and south. Deep underground lays the ancient city of Derinkuyu, once home to up to 6,000 people at a time. Above land, millions of years of volcanic activity have formed the region’s unique landscape. A stroll through Imagination Valley is enough to stimulate my creativity as I squint at the odd-shaped rocks. Is that a camel, or a bear on its back? The same amusement follows me to Uchisar Castle, a peculiar rock affectionately labelled ‘The Ugly Castle’. Sure, it’s not a conventional castle. But as I quickly discover during my time in Cappadocia, nothing here is conventional. And that’s what makes the region so extraordinary.
For me, travelling is about having new experiences. So there’s no better time to conquer my fear of horse riding than with a sunset ride through the fairy chimneys just outside of Göreme. My ‘automatic’ horse, Tatlim, gently guides me through the valley as dusk falls, creating an otherworldly ambience. I’m so awe-struck at the beauty that my fear seemingly dissipates.
Of course, as a coffee enthusiast, I can’t leave Türkiye without learning more about its deep-rooted coffee culture. I whip up my own Turkish coffee at a workshop in Cappadocia – hand grinding the beans and heating the cezve over sand to perfection. And, as it turns out, the remaining coffee grounds in your cup can be used to predict your future. I’m putting my faith in the coffee grounds that a trip back to Türkiye is on the cards for me.
Heading home
Here’s a not-so-secret tip to nabbing reward seats: be flexible. On my journey home, that looks like Economy flights from Istanbul to Melbourne, with an overnight stop in Abu Dhabi. The aim here is to fly from Europe to Australia for cheap during one of the busiest times of the year. Success – I pay a mere 65,000 Velocity Points + $234 in fees and taxes. You could amass enough points for this flight with just one credit card sign-up bonus!
It’s a long trip, but flying in Economy isn’t that bad. Let me explain.
My Economy ticket includes a 25kg baggage allowance, which would normally inhibit my excessive shopping. But Velocity Gold or Platinum status holders receive up to 20kg additional baggage allowance when flying with Etihad. Great – that’s more Turkish coffee I can lug home.
The Etihad Business Class Lounge I visited on my flight up in Business Class is also accessible to me on the way home when flying Economy with Velocity Gold status. Velocity Platinum members can instead access the lavish Etihad First Class Lounge. That’s a nibble and a rest break sorted before my flight to Melbourne.
As for the crucial part – the actual seats for 18 hours – I pay to select seats with extra legroom. From Istanbul to Abu Dhabi that sets me back $45, and the overnight stretch from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne is just $150. Premium Economy legroom without the premium price tag? Yes, please.
Jet to Türkiye from Australia with points
Pleasingly, it’s a simple process to redeem Velocity Points for flights with Etihad. Note that Etihad Business and First Class reward seats only become available to partner programs – like Velocity Frequent Flyer – from 30 days before departure. Here’s our total outlay for flights:
- Melbourne to Istanbul via Abu Dhabi in Etihad Business Class for 121,000 Velocity Points + $713 in fees and taxes.
- Istanbul to Melbourne via Abu Dhabi in Etihad Economy for 65,000 Velocity Points + $234 in fees and taxes.
- Istanbul to Nevsehir (Cappadocia) return in Turkish Airlines Economy for $279.
In total, our flights cost 186,000 Velocity Points + $1,226.
As for accommodation, we splurged a little. But there are certainly ways to save, including travelling outside of the peak summer period. Here’s what we paid when we travelled in July 2024 (all prices are per person based on twin share):
- Three nights at Sura Design Hotel & Suites, Istanbul for $438.
- Three nights at Caverna Hotel Premium Caves, Göreme in the highest room category for $771.
- Two nights transit accommodation in Istanbul and Abu Dhabi for $92.
All of the accommodation was booked during a Qantas Hotels triple points promotion, so I earned a whopping nine Qantas Points per $1 plus bonus points as a Qantas Points Club member, on top of points from my credit card spend, offsetting some of the costs of my trip.
So, for return flights from Melbourne to Istanbul (with one direction in Business Class), internal flights to Cappadocia and eight nights of accommodation, we spent a total of 186,000 Velocity Points + $2,527 per person on this lavish getaway. That’s a saving of over $7,000 of the list price!
Whether you need to top up your points balance or want to get started, there are lots of ways to earn Velocity Points from your everyday spending – you don’t even need to fly! A credit card that earns frequent flyer points – especially one with a generous sign-up bonus – can have you packing your bags for Cappadocia sooner.
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As practised point hackers, we know that booking flights using points can be tricky. Our Point Hacks Concierge service can help you find those elusive reward seats to make your dream trip a reality – whether it’s to Türkiye or elsewhere in the world.
On my final morning in Türkiye, I’m eagerly scrolling through my phone as I pick at the various cheeses on my breakfast spread. I’m not catching up on news, or posting aesthetic photos of my trip on social media. I’m hunting for reward seats so I can return to Türkiye – and I haven’t even left. Thanks to points, it won’t be too long before you’ll find me here again.
Photography by Victoria Kyriakopoulos unless otherwise stated. Victoria travelled and journeyed at Point Hacks’ expense.
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