10-Day Authentic Homestay Adventure in Turkey

Points of Interest : Mustafapaşa

Upon arrival, you are greeted and transferred into the heart of Cappadocia. As you approach Mustafapaşa, the surreal rocky landscapes and sculpted valleys unfold around you. You settle into a friendly family-run guesthouse where you can already feel the warmth of Turkish hospitality. Take time to rest, stroll through the village streets and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of this historic former Greek settlement.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Family guesthouse in Mustafapaşa or surrounding Cappadocia village

Points of Interest : Göreme National Park and rock sites of Cappadocia, Çavuşin, Zelve

In the morning you set off on foot towards Çavuşin, once an important early Christian centre. Your French-speaking guide leads you along trails that wind between tuff rock formations and cultivated fields. You then discover Zelve, with its forest of fairy chimneys and rock-cut dwellings. In the afternoon, you visit the UNESCO-listed open-air museum of Göreme, famous for its rock-hewn churches adorned with exceptional Byzantine frescoes. Return to your family guesthouse for a relaxing evening.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Family guesthouse in Cappadocia

Points of Interest : Mustafapaşa

Today’s hike takes you through orchards of apricot trees and a maze of eroded rock formations on the way to Damsa Lake. Along the way you discover Golgoli and the village of Mustafa Pasha (Mustafapaşa), an old Greek settlement with beautifully carved stone façades. You then visit the archaeological site of Sobessos, which evokes the history of the Silk Road routes that once crossed the region. In the late afternoon you arrive at your hosts’ home, where you help prepare dinner and share a convivial evening with the family.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Homestay in a Cappadocia village

Points of Interest : Derinkuyu, Konya

You collect your rental car and drive to Derinkuyu, a striking underground city carved into volcanic rock, where whole communities once took refuge. After exploring its tunnels and chambers, you continue to the caravanserai of Sultanhani, a remarkable stone fortress that sheltered Silk Road caravans. The road then leads you to Konya, spiritual city of the poet Rumi and the whirling dervishes. Stroll through the old bazaar and feel the city’s mystical atmosphere before spending the night in a charming hotel.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Charming hotel in Konya

Points of Interest : Ormana, Selge

You drive towards the Taurus Mountains, passing through the village of Ormana with its traditional wooden-and-stone houses. The road climbs into wilder scenery as you approach Selge. You explore a canyon near a Roman bridge and can enjoy a refreshing swim in the river surrounded by cliffs and forest. In the evening you are welcomed into a local home, sharing a homemade family meal and learning more about mountain village life.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Homestay in or near Selge village

Points of Interest : Selge

In the morning you walk through a cypress forest and visit the impressive Greco-Roman theatre of Selge, perched high in the mountains. Then you descend towards the Mediterranean coast, stopping at the ancient city of Perge to discover its colonnaded streets, stadium and temples. You continue on to Antalya and settle into accommodation in the old town, close to the marina and a small picturesque beach, ideal for an evening stroll by the sea.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel in Antalya old town

Points of Interest : Arsaköy

You drive up into the hills to reach Arsaköy, a small village set at about 800 m altitude. A couple of winegrowers welcomes you to their farm and vineyard. The day is devoted to immersion in rural life: you can observe or take part in the activities of the estate according to the season, from work in the vines to tasks around the farm. It is an opportunity to share daily life with your hosts and better understand traditional agriculture in the region. You spend the night with the family.

• Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation : Homestay on a wine farm in Arsaköy

Points of Interest : Saklıkent National Park, Dalyan

Today you head to Saklikent Canyon, a natural gem with narrow, towering gorges. You walk along suspended walkways and, depending on the water level, can venture further into the canyon and enjoy a refreshing dip. Later you continue to Dalyan, a charming riverside town known for its Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs and the long sandy Iztuzu Beach, a protected nesting site for sea turtles. Evening at leisure and overnight in Dalyan.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel or guesthouse in Dalyan

Points of Interest : Dalyan

You embark on a boat trip along the river through reeds and lagoons towards Iztuzu Beach, where you can relax by the Mediterranean Sea. On the way or nearby, you visit the ancient site of Kaunos and admire its rock-cut tombs overlooking the water. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Dalyan’s peaceful village atmosphere, its cafés and riverside walkways. Overnight in Dalyan.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Accommodation : Hotel or guesthouse in Dalyan

Points of Interest : Dalaman Airport

After your final breakfast, you drive back towards Dalaman. At the airport you return your rental car and prepare for your onward or return flight. Your journey through Cappadocia, the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean coast comes to an end, full of memories of encounters, landscapes and traditions.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Drive to Dalaman and return of the rental car at the airport