Blue Mosque
Turkey’s greatest gift to us was the transformation we went through which was to shun the bias/preconceived notions and judgement we had built up on the country or its countrymen based on media reports. We were welcomed not with terror but delicious Turkish delights! Our fears were replaced by fearlessness with amazing adventure sports offered here! Neither their minds nor their roads were narrow, it was our mind and its perceptions inspired by some irresponsible media. If you thought language would be a problem, you will pleasantly uncover that how little a language is needed for human communication. Gestures, body language and most importantly the warmth in the heart are very powerful tools of communication!
People here are like anywhere else…loving, warm, hospitable, willing to help, open minded, humble and respectful. The land of Magic carpets did glide us through some mesmerizing landscapes, marvelous archaeological sites , mind blowing underground cities and chimneys that were home to first men, mouthwatering Turkish delights and masterpiece arts that was all hand-made.
A travel that had transformed us! After all isn’t that what life is all about! It is not what you get but who you become!
Practical details in planning a trip to Turkey
- Visa : eVisa option is available for those with US/UK or Schengen visa. Else apply through VFS
- This itinerary is about 17 days. Give a good 3 weeks to explore this beautiful country. But if you have to cut short, have a bare minimum of 9 days covering 3 days in Istanbul, 3 days in Cappadocia, 1 day in Pamukkale, 1 day in Kusadasi and 1 day in Olu deniz. Cutting short on time means, flying from one city to another to save time.
- Turkey domestic flights are economical and makes sense to take flights to save time driving or using public transport from one place to another. Use a mix of domestic flights and rental car.
- Istabul to Cappadocia –> Fly
- Cappadocia to Izmir –> Fly
- Rent a car from Izmir and drive to Kusadasi, Pamukkale and Oludeniz.
- Return the rental car in Dalaman Airport near Olu Deniz and Fly back to Istanbul for your connecting international flight.
- Use www.rentalcars.com to rent your car. We picked up a car from Avec. Got a free upgrade, excellent service. Hassle free.
- This blog takes you through Turkey as a Photo Story. Day wise itinerary abstract is highlighted and every picture is a iconic spot suggested to visit.
- Except for Hot Air Ballon ride, there really wasn’t a need to make prior booking for any attraction. Hot Air ballon rides are mostly overbooked and thousands of people are waitlisted all the time. So better to make prior booking.
Magical Must Dos in Turkey
A land of magic carpets and when in such a magical place there are some must dos that you should never miss.
- Lunch at Old Istanbul Cuisine . Have Vegetable Caserole. It is quite a show how it is prepared and served.
- Have a dessert meal at Hafiz Mustafa. Yes, not joking. Guilt free, go and feast a seven course dessert lunch at Hafiz Mustafa at Istanbul. There are many around Istanbul, pick the nearest and feast on Baclava, Turkish delights and keep ordering from the menu until your mind and body finally abides by Law of diminishing returns and says STOP! Experience the true Empowerment to a dessert meal.
- Go and Paraglide in Oludeniz. It is the highest in the world and most scenic, gliding over the Blue Lagoon. The pilots are highly skilled and go live out the adventure of your lifetime!
- Shop! shop! shop! Istanbul will redefine World Shopping for you! Such exclusive hand made products. Everything you wear, everything you use and would want is available handmade from artthe amazing artisans of Turkey. For a special experience, visit Sirince Village just off Kusadasi. Sirince is a small village self sustained by villagers who sell hand made products for living. Everything available here is handmade. Do not forget to taste their house wine and coffee that is made and served in the quintessential Turkish style and hospitality.
- Indulge in Turkish bath…Yes You Men too…! Spa is not just for women …not in Turkey!
- Go for the epic Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia. Yes its pricey but this experience is worth every penny! Sometimes money can buy you happiness and this is one such! Let your money buy you this piece of happiness.
- Buy loads and loads of Jewelry here. Istanbul, Cappadocia and Sirince Village in this itinerary are great places to shop for Jewelry. The price is not even comparable to what you would pay to buy something so exclusive when you go back home. Semi precious/precious stones hand made jewelry are a true masterpiece and out of the world!
- Water therapy …Swim in the thermal pools at Pamukkale. Swim in the Blue Lagoon at Olu Deniz. Water here is therapeutic!
Day 1 Land in Istanbul
Sunrise and sunset in Istanbul. A warm welcome! View from our Airbnb apartment. Choose a airbnb or a hotel closer to Blue Mosque / Hagia Sofia for access to all key attractions.
Day 2 Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Basillica Cistern, Topkapi Palace
Day 3 Bosphorus Cruise, Hafiz Mustafa
A dessert lunch at Hafiz Mustafa
Day 4 Galata Tower, Grand and Spice Bazaar
Spice Bazaar in Istanbul
Day 5 Cappadocia – Swirling Dervishes
Recommended stay @ Cappadocia Cave Suites . All the needed bookings in Cappadocia(including Hot Air Ballon ride) is arranged by hotel.
Day 6 Cappadocia – Blue Tour
Underground cities in Cappadocia
Day 7 Cappadocia – Red Tour
Day 8 Cappadocia – Hot Air Balloon ride, Land in Izmir
Day 9 Kusadasi beaches
We stayed at this beautiful Airbnb apartment with breathtaking views of Kusadasi facing the sea
Day 10 Euphesus, Sirince Village
Day 11 Pamukkale Travertines
Recommended stay Venus Suite hotel
Day 12 Oludeniz – Turkish Bath
Recommended stay Becekiz Beach Club which is right on the beach with amazing views. Walkable distance to Blue Lagoon. Great Turkish bath facilities and also the paragliding companies are just at the gate of hotel. The landing after the glide is also right in front of the hotel.
Day 13 Oludeniz – Paragliding
Day 14 Oludeniz – Blue Lagoon
Day 15 Back to Istanbul – Taksim Square
Day 16 Shopping in Istanbul
On our return to Istanbul for shopping, we stayed closer to Taksim square at The Parma Hotel and Spa
beautiful pics and very well penned down plan with “Must TODO list” , totally loved it.
Thanks Urvi