Why Choose Turkey?
Why Visit Turkey Now?
Turkey, a country straddling Europe and Asia, is a captivating destination. While Istanbul is well-known in Europe, attracting many visitors, it might be less familiar for those in Asia. This unique location, with the majority of its land in Asia and a portion in Europe, offers a fascinating blend of cultures.
Turkey's history and culture have deep roots, with influences from both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. You might associate ancient history and the Mediterranean with Greece, but Turkey presents an equally rich historical tapestry. And rest assured, current flight paths avoid any conflict zones.
Our 11-Day Journey: Istanbul - Mediterranean Coast (Mugla/Antalya) - Cappadocia
We explored Istanbul, the Mediterranean coastline, and Cappadocia. Here's a glimpse of our highlights:
- Turkey is a fantastic destination for history, culture, and relaxation, all rolled into one incredible experience.
- The weather in late September was perfect, avoiding the peak heat and crowds.
- Be prepared for significant inflation in Istanbul, so choose your dining and activities wisely.
- The Mediterranean coast in Turkey is beautiful and less crowded. Consider Turkey as an alternative to the French Riviera or Spain; celebrities often visit Bodrum and Mugla.
- Cappadocia is packed with exciting activities and was a major highlight of our trip.
Food and Transportation
The food has a distinctive Turkish flavor. You will find many olive trees, so try the olives for healthy skin and hair.
Istanbul: This bustling city can be congested, so staying in the central area is convenient. We stayed near Taksim Square, close to ferry terminals and Istiklal Street. We were surprised by Istanbul's high prices, particularly for attractions and dining in tourist areas. Entrance fees can be quite high (around 1200TL per attraction).
- Domahbahce Palace (around 1200TL, beautiful but no photos allowed), Galata Tower, and Istiklal Street are worth visiting.
- We skipped Hagia Sophia and Topaki but took photos from the outside because of the high entrance fees. Take a Bosphorus cruise for views along the river.
Dining in Istanbul:
- Seven Hills is expensive (from around 800TL per dish) but offers views of Hagia Sophia.
- Egon cafe has delicious cheesecake with views from Galata Tower, which is worth it.
- Here are some other restaurants to consider: Sirkeci lokantasi 1912, Mivan restaurant cafe, My terrace cafe & restaurant, Cukurcuma antiques & cafe, Deraliye Terrace, Nova santiye cf, cafe di dolce.
Mugla: This coastal province in southwestern Turkey, bordering the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, is home to Bodrum, a popular destination for international stars like Lewis Hamilton. We spent two days in Fethiye, including a boat trip to Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon), with its clear, turquoise waters and fewer crowds.
- Things to do: One day boat trip, Lycian way, KAYAKOY GHOST TOWN.
- It's a relaxing place, but the nightlife can be limited. We noticed many Russian tourists in the area.
Dining in Mugla:
- Trattoria di kukina serves Italian cuisine with ocean views, offering good food at reasonable prices compared to Istanbul.
Antalya: We spent a day in Side, Antalya, visiting Side Antik Kenti, the Temple of Apollo, Byzantine church ruins, and the Roman Theater. It is currently closed for renovation. The area combines historical sites with restaurants, providing Mediterranean vibes. I would recommend staying in Side for a longer stay because it's more developed.
Cappadocia: This was the highlight of the trip. You will find more Asian tourists, especially from China and Korea. Cappadocia is famous for its hot air balloon rides.
- We photographed from our hotel, Caftan Cave Suite, which has a balcony for unobstructed views of the hot air balloons.
- We did red tour (you can choose to do it or not; it wasn't as special as the other activities), air balloon, ATV riding, and horse riding at sunset in the Love Valley.
- Sultanhamet red carpet photos (choose the sultan carpet with the magic lamp for great photos, 15 euros).
Dining in Cappadocia:
- We ate primarily in central Goreme. Here are some restaurants to consider: Cappadocia Cuisine res (delicious), Turkist Raviloli res, Cf brew&co.
All the photos were taken by us!
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