My Unforgettable Journey Through Turkey

While there are many destinations across the globe each with its distinctive attractions, one place that always remains the top choice is Turkey. With a rich history, an abundance of natural sights, and the most famous Turkish food, Turkey welcomes the tourists openheartedly. Owing to the great number of attractions here, each year a lot of tourists book their Turkey holiday packages to enjoy unforgettable experiences here.

Same like others, I am also a great fan of Turkey and have heard a lot of this amazing tourist site. Before I made my mind to visit it, I made sure to search it on Google and check out Insta reels to find out if my trip will be actually worth it or not, and I was not at all surprised to find out some really good reviews of those who planned their Turkey holidays. Throughout my time here, I felt a great sense of connection and cultural diversity.

Keep reading to know how my stay in Turkey went and what I liked about it.

My First Stop – Istanbul

If I would ever sum up my trip to Istanbul in just a single word, that would be “purely nostalgic!”

The very first place I landed in Turkey was Istanbul and I had already heard a lot of this place, with the World’s second largest railway as well as iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The overall vibe here that I felt was pretty nostalgic, with a mix of modernity. When I got to explore these sites, one thing I must admire is the cool and calm interior of the place despite the massive crowds.

The mosque was truly a perfect depiction of elegance and sophistication and gave me much insights into the deep history of Istanbul. I was so amazed to know that this mosque used to be a church first and later got transformed into what currently it is famous for. Another amazing thing I have in my memories from here is the Bosphorus Cruise and I got a chance to see many palaces and cultural and natural landmarks on the way.

The Grand Bazaar here was actually so grand that I felt like spending my life here (not an exaggeration, I am a shopaholic). I bought as much stuff as my heart and pockets could carry and spent a great time at the Istiklal street. The overall rich colors around and the lively vibe got me hooked up like forever. Also, the Galata Street here helped me get panoramic views of the surroundings, and I got to see different small cafes and bookstores here. At the end, I still managed to grab a bag full of spices, different handwoven local stuff, mugs for Turkish coffee which I had learned to make recently, and some cute little gifts to bring back for my loved ones.

Cappadocia- A Time Full of Exploration

My next stop was Cappadocia and the world already associates it with hot air balloons. I had already seen this majestic destination in countless magazines and these pictures straight felt like coming out of a magazine. I was amazed to see the fairy chimneys, deep valleys of cultural significance, and caves that were carved into the cliffs. Just to be a bit different, I chose a cave hotel for staying, named Goreme.

I totally got overwhelmed to see the rooms carved into stone and all brimming with top-notch amenities. During my stay at Cappadocia, I woke up before dawn to experience the all-time famous hot air balloon ride here and this was surely one of the best things I liked about Turkey. The cone=shaped rocks just won my heart and made me feel like I was living a magic.

Moreover, the accommodation I got was actually great, in terms of peace, comfort, and convenience. When the early light fell on the hot air balloons, I remember how the overall landscape began to glow with colours. This is one of my most associated memories of this trip, and if I ever get a chance again, I would love to revisit Cappadocia for sure.

A Chance to Explore the History at Pamukkale and Ephesus

Next, I decided to get some insights into the history, and the top destinations to fulfil this quest that come to my mind were Pamukkale and Ephesus. The white terraces formed by the thermal waters simply amazed me and if you take a look at it from a distance, you will see it as something like snow-covered hills. The warm waters here possess healing properties and are overall therapeutic in nature. And if you manage to reach the top of these terraces, you may find the ancient Roman city named Hierapolis that boasts an antique pool and provides you a chance to travel among the submerged columns.

Once I was done with my exploration part here, the next destination that I chose for the historical exploration was Ephesus that was located near to Selcuk. When I took a leisurely walk from here, I felt like stepping into a history book and from here, I got to explore famous landmarks like the Great Theatre, and the Liberty of Celsius, both of which made me appreciate the civilizations that lived before and how their legacy continued to evolve across generations.

A Take into the Waters at Antalya

Your trip to Turkey is still incomplete if you haven’t visited Antalya yet, which is the largest city in Turkey, most famous for its coastal areas and tropical nature. You are going to find a great deal of nature here, and can get ample chances to relax in blue waters amidst the covered hills. Whether you want to explore the narrow streets or charming boutique hotels, you will find many places to relax here, that are totally away from the hustle of cities. And if you are in Turkey, then how come you stay away from its beautiful coastline. I realized its charm myself when I travelled to the southern part of Antalya where everything was perfectly in harmony and the serenity here just won my heart. Visting the Konyaalti beach was an experience in itself for me and I got the perfect vintage vibes that I was looking forward to, as well as got ample chances to relax and sunbath at the most serene spots here. During my stay here, I didn’t waste a single moment, took boat rides to the nearby areas, and also got a chance to explore cities like Phaselis and Termessos.

One of the best things to my knowledge here was the sight of the Duden Waterfalls that offered me perfect views of the water flowing into the Mediterranean and an overall treat for eyes. Watching the water flow into the sea was overall a refreshing view for me. Next, I headed to the local markets here to explore what they had to offer me, and ended up buying the irresistible handmade jewelry, leather goods, and fresh fruit (later treated myself to them by sitting at my roof terrae and consuming them with a perfect sunset view.

My Overall Observation of the Place

Though I got to see a great abundance of nature at this majestic country, one thing that blew my senses was the food culture here, that perfectly reflected the distinctive flavours here, that are adored worldwide. I took Turkish Kahvalti as the very first meal and the taste of cheese, fresh veggies, and honey cream with a Turkish Kehwa in a tulip-shaped mug was the main highlight of my trip. I still miss its taste and feel like going back to it. There were many exciting lunch and breakfast options that I tried during my Turkey holidays, including kebabs, doners, manti, and other great Turkish cuisines.

Overall, I loved the concept of hospitality here, as the locals were much considerate towards the foreigners and even, I was also offered help twice from the locals. In Istanbul, I had a great chitchat session with a salesman and all we talked about was of the latest football match.

As I had to board my flight back home, I tool a last glance at the beautiful skyline of Turkey and my journey here was much more than what I had expected. One thing I am certain about is, I will return to this place somewhat later on in my life! And if you want the same experience as me, then without any second thought, book your Turkey holiday packages with Virikson Holidays for the best and unforgettable memories.