18 Apr

"Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, Turkey" has long been at the top of my bucket list. I'd imagined gliding over the moon-like landscape at sunrise, taking in scenes of fairy chimneys and rose-colored valleys, then returning to my hotel room, built into the side of a cave.

It was a scene I had dreamt about so many times that when my husband and I booked the trip, I was scared the real thing wouldn't live up to my enormous expectations. Spoiler alert: It did.

Here's a look at our three days in Anatolian paradise, with some tips along the way.