Soulful Journey in Turkey

Turkey is a journey that will take you on a ride, a ride that is more of a travel in time. Live a story that unfolds in front of your eyes as you tour one place after another.

ISTANBUL

The city is an intricate tapestry with old threads carefully woven by its ancestors, merging with the new design by their successors but still making an awe-inspiring picture for its viewers as a whole. The former capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires is a veritable country in itself, a formidable force that can outshine a dozen small countries. Exploring the world-famous sights alone takes a couple of days: the Byzantine grandeur of the Aya Sofya, with its seemingly floating dome; the adjoining Blue Mosque’s voluptuous domes and six minarets; the labyrinthine Harem and glittering Treasury in the Topkapı Palace; and the winding lanes of the Grand Bazaar. Spare enough time to cruise along the Bosphorus; this cruise will enable you to think from all those imperial powers points of view on why they decided to put down their roots here.

ANKARA

If you come to Ankara after visiting Istanbul, it is quite difficult to believe that actually Ankara is the capital of Turkey. In 1923 Ataturk made this shift after establishing the country as a sovereign nation.

At the outset, Ankara seems sedate and a star child of parents with diplomatic lineage. Far from the glitz and glamour of Istanbul, situated in the central part of Turkey, this city strategically connects to the east, south and west region for travel. Primed with embassies, administrative offices and industries, Ankara is the resting ground for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkey's founding father.

A magnificent mausoleum Anıtkabir in Kemal Ataturk’s honour attracts a lot of crowds throughout the day. Ankara does not have an overload of attractions but enough to engage anyone in historical conversations. A visit to Ankara castle for a 360-degree view of the city will take you up the winding lanes with hawkers and small shops lined up on both sides selling souvenirs and local handicrafts. 

One sees the part of Turkey that is not overridden by the tourism vibe. Ankara has space and a sense of stability in its quiet, unassuming streets and clear sky. Here you get a real insight into the Turkish people's daily lives and have experiences sans the continuous churning of tourism, which overwrites the natural feel of the place.

For art and history connoisseurs, Turkey is a playground, so while you are in Ankara, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations will take you back to the 7th millennium BC, don’t miss it.  

CAPPADOCIA

What you see here is the legacy of a volcano, the legacy that stands quite majestically even with continuous erosion over the periods of millions of years. With the characteristic “fairy chimneys,” tall, cone-shaped rock formations clustered in Monks Valley - Göreme is a dream for geologists and archaeologists. 

Cappadocia is a stark contradiction from the rest of the vibrant and colourful Turkey. It yet unabashedly commands the attention of people all around the world to come and marvel at its moonscape like structures. These rocks, with their bizarre look, have sheltered countless humble dwellers, Muslims and Christians both. You will notice a honeycomb-like design on the rocks because of its soft porous property. Kaymakli, the underground cave, is a testament to the people's tenacity back then to overcome all adversities. This cave is a small city in itself, compact but well thought out design with ventilation, privacy, storage, a stable and burial place. The labyrinth of tunnels joined all 8 floors for its inhabitants, who live here for months at times when raids and battles were happening above.

An uncanny place to explore: all with its unique rock formations and the variety of visages it puts on display for spectators in different seasons, Cappadocia also hosts many breath-taking activities, which adds to the lure of the place. Hot Air Balloon over Goreme is best to be done early morning at first light, and everything around you is silent, and slowly you float over the expanse of the rock formations. If you do not want to go up in the air, get up in the morning nevertheless and see all the big balloons rising at dawn and filling the sky like colourful specks.

Due to its barren region, horseback riding has thrived amongst tourists who want to explore the region more intimately. A couple of days are well spent visiting Goreme Open Air Museum for cave churches with frescoes, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar Castle for  Roman rock-cut castle, Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley, the deepest gorge of Anatolia, Devrent; to see animal-shaped fairy chimneys, imagination valley and much more. 

Your stay will be the most memorable here, with cave-like rooms adding up to the authentic feel of an arid, rocky region, albeit with ample luxury.

PAMUKKALE

Near Denizli, there is a pristine site known as the “Cotton Palace”, a renowned Hellenistic thermal spa town for the ancient Greco-Roman civilization from 2nd century B.C. It catered to not only the denizens of Hierapolis: which is atop the calcite-laden waterfall, but also to people from far and beyond who frequented the hot spring for its therapeutic properties. 

At first sight, you will see a whitewashed hilltop about 200 meters high. Looking closer, you will see a series of multi-sized waterfalls basins, stalactites and pools cascading down with step-like terraces as outstanding natural formations have developed because of deposits of calcium carbonate. With a massive number of tourists pouring in every day at this spectacular site, it has taken a toll on the water's free-flowing. Once, it used to gush down easily till it reached villages nearby, but today many of these white terraces are often restricted, and efforts are being taken to strike a balance between tourism and restoring the natural wonder.

Once you reach the top and find a quiet place, take a look at the villages, expanse of the fields, open sky and the lovely clouds gazing back at you. A deep sense of preservation prevails amongst all those connected to their inner self, understanding how precious these gifts are and how precious everything is that you see around you. 

This surreal Cotton Palace is a photographer’s delight, dazzling white in the sun, mirror-like travertines with blue water. If you want to capture the morning light and some solitude for yourself, come here early morning when the site is about to open.

Another place of interest about 80 km. from Pamukkale is Aphrodisias, the temple of Aphrodite. Upon arrival, the first thing you will notice is huge marble statues and carved marble blocks. The heavy presence of marble here is because of its proximity to the marble quarries, and for this reason, Aphrodisias and its artisans had garnered tremendous recognition by the roman empire. The skills and deep knowledge of physiology are evident in all their small statues to larger than life-size sculptures. It is relatively a quiet place, and a leisure walk on the marble pathways gives you plenty of time to marvel at the artwork. Any ruin, no matter how spectacular it was in its glory days, has been reduced to bones today, and it is mostly left to a creative mind’s imagination to visualise how it must have been in the past. 

A visit to this creative archaeological site is strongly recommended. Here, you will see the well-preserved Roman Baths, amphitheatres, temples, forums and chariot racetrack. The museum also is close by, and without the tourist overkill, it is a delight to walk around the huge marble figures.

Turkish Riviera

The regions on the Mediterranean coastline.

Most interesting in the Turkish Riviera is the seaside stretch of regions from Antalya to Fethiye is called the Teke peninsula after the Teke tribe boasts of various historical landmarks and nature’s finest seascapes and landscapes that daily attract tourists from all over the world. Some out of curiosity, some for academic research and many for plain fun and good time.

Turkish Mediterranean coastline has an admirable topography. On one side, there is the Mediterranean Sea for fluidity, and on the other side, there are the tall, solid pine-covered Taurus Mountains with beautiful slopes and lush green valleys. Home to small fishing villages and hub of larger towns, this coastline has garnered a lot of fame for itself. It is ideal for sailing the crystal blue sea, island hopping, cave diving and open water scuba on the live reefs.

The Lycia who ruled this peninsular has left astounding ancient cities such as Xanthos, the Lycia capital, Letoon with 3 temples of Leto, Artemis and Apollo, the ruins of Tlos identified with its acropolis and temple-like rock-cut tombs. A plethora of ornate tombs carved into cliffs above the theatre Myra. Patara has one of the best beaches and also has one of the oldest ancient lighthouses. 

If you see Lycian sites' positioning in Pinara or Arykanda, it is very easy to grasp why these sites were selected. The stunning mountains around give a heavenly backdrop; the ancient olive trees, thyme-scented breezes, wildflowers, and the fragrant pines, makes for a splendid sight over the Xanthos valley. Luckily these sites have less traffic; therefore, these peaceful locations' sanctity is not completely lost.

Exploring Antalya consists of the old town Kaleiçi for its historical significance, old cobbled streets and Ottoman-era architecture. Hadrian's Gate, Roman Gate and the modern malls attract a lot of attention too. However, what sets the mood is an assortment of cosy restaurants in the shade of a palm-lined boulevard. Sitting outside in a vintage street with local food to binge on is a relaxing and gentle way to spend few hours. Antalya is an ideal place to pass the time satisfyingly. It is a city, alright, but unlike some overwhelming cities, this one is not invasive.

The Regions on the Aegean Coastline.

Izmir & Kusadasi both have spectacular views of the Aegean. Izmir, the 3rd largest city in Turkey, is more modern than its counterpart. Although it is not as touristy as Kusadasi, it still has many interesting spots to spend a couple of days.

Kuşadası meaning "bird island" in Turkish, is a waterfront resort town. Apart from the obvious beaches and many harbour villages, the hotels line up; the coast has countless restaurants serving multiple cuisines; of course, the focus is on Turkish Cuisine. Besides, there are many night clubs, cafeterias and pubs drawing hordes of young holiday-makers. Kuşadası also makes an ideal base for various sights and towns close by – the Roman ruins of Ephesus being the most popular one. Many cruises stopping at Kusadasi bring in flocks of tourists here, and at times the site is overcrowded. Although the town of Selçuk is a respite from the hectic tours, and there are fewer people around you. The town is very comfortable to walk around and observe the locals and their culture. The shop keepers also don’t go for a kill to make the sale; they let you be for the better part. 

BODRUM

A medieval castle that looks like it has risen from the sea to stand guard at the waterfront is a sight to behold. The town's allure is in its bohemian vibe, enticing a diverse population of travellers who saunter along its long palm-lined beachfront. There are more elegant yachts crowding the marina than the number of cars on the street. Many from the lot are big beautiful traditional wooden yachts, handcrafted in Bodrum even today. Visiting the maritime museum, an underwater archaeology museum in the Castle and walking the narrow streets lined with bougainvillaea and old houses during the day can be exhaustive. It deserves the evenings for sitting idly in one of the many cafés, feasting on fresh seafood and other Aegean delicacies. Bodrum has a very easy, relaxed mood, and such is noticeable in its ample nightlife.

But the star attraction is the well-known recreational tours on the yacht or sailboats coined as “Blue Voyages” around the Turkish Riviera. Blue Voyages is your getaway for a swim in the clear blue sea, sponge diving and check out the various reefs, rock formations and underwater caves. 

Exploring the beautiful turquoise Turkish coast beyond the crowd, jumping in the sea and floating to your heart's content, falling asleep under the starry sky and breathing the fresh air from the sea - no other moment you will feel as alive as this and no other place as blissful as this.