Why Travel to Turkey?
There are many reasons as to why Turkey would be my dream vacation however; the most significant reason is my ancestral roots in Turkey. I was born in the southeastern part of Turkey in the Kurdish region known as Diyarbakir. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to grow up in Turkey as my family decided to immigrate to Canada in 1992. I have always wanted to travel back and see the wonderful and vibrant transformation of Turkey into becoming a wonderful eclectic mix of west meeting the east; from the castles to casinos, mosques to mountains, beaches to bazaars. There is over 10,000 years of history in Turkey and an immense heritage filled with lively folk lore, dance, music and food. I have a desire and want to explore the mysterious mountainous regions of the country which are characterized by many untold stories of the ancestral past I belong to. A visit back home would be a lasting memory.
Day 1: Welcome Home!
We have finally arrived in Istanbul Turkey J First order of business is to head over to
Easyterra Car rental and pick up the vehicle which will take us to our destinations.
Off to the hotel to freshen up before our first dinner. We will be staying at
the Mina Hotel which is located in the heart of old town Istanbul, in the world
famous Sultanahmet area; with a walking distance to: Grand Bazzar, Underground
Cistern, St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque and
Topkapy Museum. This luxurious hotel offers the authenticity and glamour of
antique Istanbul; exactly what we were looking for giving us the feeling of
being at home and not in a foreign land. We will be staying at this hotel for
two nights as our stay in Istanbul is three days. After freshening up and
settling into the rooms, we will have our very first Turkish dinner at the Asitane
restaurant which is known for its traditional cuisine of the Ottoman court. After
dinner it will be best to head back up to the hotel room and rest for the adventures
that await us on day two of the vacation.
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| Starting and Ending destination! |
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| The Sultanahmet area. |
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| View from atop the Mina Balcony |
Day 2: Early Morning----Exciting Adventures Ahead
Day two will begin early in the morning; it will be filled with a full day city tour. On the walking tour we will visit Topkapi Palace, St. Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazzar.
Topakapi Palace: The former Imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire ruled. It is a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very treasury of the royal family
After touring the Palace and being left in awe and amazement due to the vast historic artifacts, the next stop on the adventure will be St. Sophia.
St. Sophia: Is a magnificent Byzantine Church of all times one of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world.
After our visit at St. Sophia it would be the perfect time to grab some lunch which will allow the siblings and I to intake all the magnificent and amazing things we have just seen. This will be the perfect time for a lively conversation to reflect on both stops. After lunch there are two more locations which are a must see when in Turkey these include the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazzar.
Blue Mosque: One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul; also famous for its blue tiles and six minarets.
Grand Bazaar: In addition to its historical importance, the bazaar will tempt the non-shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery, leather and souvenirs. This will be the perfect time for me to purchase a souvenir, which I can look at bringing back memories of the visit.
These four locations depict the very foundation which Turkey was built upon; it allows one who has been away for such a long period of time to come back and cherish the immense history of the country and to be proud of ones cultural background.
Topakapi Palace: The former Imperial residence from where the Great Ottoman Empire ruled. It is a spectacular museum that has one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and the very treasury of the royal family
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| The home of great rulers and leaders! |
After our visit at St. Sophia it would be the perfect time to grab some lunch which will allow the siblings and I to intake all the magnificent and amazing things we have just seen. This will be the perfect time for a lively conversation to reflect on both stops. After lunch there are two more locations which are a must see when in Turkey these include the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazzar.
Blue Mosque: One of the biggest mosques of Istanbul from 17th century architecture is one of the principal adornments on the skyline of Istanbul; also famous for its blue tiles and six minarets.
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| An architectural wonder! |
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Back to Mina Hotel to freshen up and enjoy under wonderful Turkish dinner
Day 3: Exploring Two Continents
As the saying goes “the early bird gets the worm” there is no time for sleep when there is so much to see and do. Day three is yet another adventurous day. Another full day tour awaits us; the destinations include the Spice-Egyptian Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise by boat, and a visit to Dolmabache Palace.
Spice-Egyptian Bazaar: the bazaar is characterized by mystical smells of different aromas of various spices; as if one was travelling around the world and experiencing the smells of each country. The shops sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, and various other local produce which the locals rely on to cook authentic Turkish meals.
Bosphorus Cruise: From the bazaar our next activity will be the Bosphorus Cruise, which goes through the waterway separating the two continents, Europe, and Asia; this adventure will allow us to take photographs of marble palaces, ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides modern residential and luxurious apartments.
Dolmabache Palace: This is the last residence for Ottoman Sultans; Famous with the great collection of European antiquity, furniture and 4.5 tons chandelier.
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| The Vibrant colours of the Bazaar |
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| The friendly shop owners! |
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| Sunset Cruise |
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| A Palace fit for A Sultan! These locations illustrate the how the west is meeting the east; we will get to travel from and explore two continents of world. |
Day 4: On Our Own
Day four will be a “free day” an escape from the tour guides and the tour books. It will be day in which we have the opportunity as brothers to explore any part of Istanbul and to ponder over the beautiful sites we have seen thus far on our journey. This free day will also, allow us to take the time to speak with the locals and enjoy Turkish delights and tea; two of the very things that embody Turkish culture.
Day 5: Flight to Cappadocia, North Cappadocia Tour
We will be spending two days and one night in Cappadocia. During our stay we will be staying at the Alfina Hotel Cappadocia. The Alfina Cave Hotel Cappadocia is located in the heart of Cappadocia, Nevsehir district; catering to the sophisticated traveler. With its elegant decor and unique design, the Alfina Cave Hotel Cappadocia is the perfect combination of history and classic elegance.
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| Inside Look |
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The Alfina lighting up the night sky!
After arrival and checking into the hotel our first adventure begins, we will start with a visit to Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, and finish the tour by visiting Uchisar Castle.
Devrent Valley: Devrent Valley, which is also known as Imaginary Valley and also as Pink Valley does not have cave churches like the other valleys of Cappadocia. There are no Roman castles or Roman tombs in Devrent Valley, either. Actually it was never inhabited. So what makes it so famous? The lunar landscape!
This visit will allow one to just sit in peace and ponder in amazement over the landscape. This location is perfect for one who enjoys meditation, being surrounded by wonderful scenery it allows one to escape the busy streets and shops of Istanbul.
Monks Valley: Formerly known as the "Monks' Valley" (Rahipler Vadisi), Pasabagi is situated about 1km from the Goreme - Avanos road. Many fairy chimneys with multiple stems and caps some housing chapels and living areas can be found here, this style being unique to this area.
Uchisar Castle: Uchisar is situated at the highest point in Cappadocia, on the Nevsehir-Goreme road, just 5 km from Goreme. The top of the Uchisar Castle, provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area with Mount Erciyes in the distance
These landscapes are dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles, and the palaces of great empires. These are the lands the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world. This is why it is a must that my brothers and I travel to these destinations and explore their mysterious beauty.
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Day 6: Exploring the Rest of Cappadocia
Today will consist of yet another memorable experience as we will be exploring the rest of Cappadocia, specifically South Cappadocia. Today’s sites include Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley and Selime.
Derinkuyu Underground City: These troglodyte cave-cities were excavated as early as Hittite times, and expanded over the centuries as various marauding armies traversed Central Anatolia in search of captives and plunder. There are 36 underground cities in Cappadocia and the deepest one is Derinkuyu underground city.
Personally, this is one of the most fascinating places in Turkey, the extensive networks of passages, tunnels, stepped pits and inclined corridors which link the family rooms to communal spaces. The architectural integrity of this city leaves one in a mesmerized state. It is hard to fathom that people actually inhabited this area and it called it home.
Ihlara Valley: Ihlara Valley near Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz (two of the three volcanoes of Cappadocia) is a canyon with a depth of approximately 100m and was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village after making 26 bends along 14 kilometers. It is believed that the valley housed more than four thousand dwellings and a hundred cave churches decorated with frescoes. Around eighty thousand people once lived in Ihlara Valley.
Selime: Selime is a town that was established at the end of the Ihlara Valley. Like Ihlara, Yaprakhisar, Belisirma and Guzelyurt there are rock cut churches here of which the most important is known as a Selime cathedral. The Cathedral has been hollowed out of the rocks on a rather elevated site. Inside there are two rows of rock columns. These columns divide the cathedral into three sections. The figurative frescoes of the largest religious edifice in Cappadocia, the 8th century
These three sites depict the natural beauties and cultural wealth of turkey. As they individual have their own uniqueness yet all located so close together. These are the landscapes that my brothers and I must visit as it truly allows us to trace our ancestral roots and realize where home is.
Ihlara Valley: Ihlara Valley near Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz (two of the three volcanoes of Cappadocia) is a canyon with a depth of approximately 100m and was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village after making 26 bends along 14 kilometers. It is believed that the valley housed more than four thousand dwellings and a hundred cave churches decorated with frescoes. Around eighty thousand people once lived in Ihlara Valley.
These three sites depict the natural beauties and cultural wealth of turkey. As they individual have their own uniqueness yet all located so close together. These are the landscapes that my brothers and I must visit as it truly allows us to trace our ancestral roots and realize where home is.
After this full day tour of South Cappadocia, we will be heading back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready for our flight back to Istanbul and essentially the end of the trip.
Day 7: Leaving the Motherland-----Canada here we come!
Sadly, today is our final day in Turkey, as well as our departure back to Canada. We will be making that 15min drive from Mina Hotel to Ataturk Airport were we will drop of the rental car and say our last goodbyes to a country that is rich with history and culture as we board our flight to Canada.
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| My Home Away From Home Thank You For Reading my blog!! |
note: pictures taken from: http://www.goreme.com/
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