A Guide to Places to Visit in Turkey

Turkey has many UNESCO World Heritage sites but Cappadocia might be its most unique. Cappadocia is famous for its geological formations. The country side around the area is made up of “fairy chimneys” and one of Turkey’s must do activities is Hot-Air Ballooning over Cappadocia. If you have ever dreamed of riding a hot air balloon and find yourself in Turkey, you need to make this dream a reality. Drifting over this other worldly landscape is like no other experience. I was amazed how quiet and peaceful the ride was, even a mile above the the earths surface.

I have visited numerous ruins on my travels but the ones that impress me the most are those that really transport you in time. Ephesus was just that for me. The area these ruins cover is massive. You can spend hours walking around this ancient city that dates back to Greek and Roman times. The ancient city of Ephesus offers some of the best preserved ruins anywhere along the Mediterranean. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and is not to be missed. If you are a history and religious buff you will be interested in that fact that this ancient city was where Saint Paul addressed one of his epistles and that nearby is the house that the Virgin Mary was said to have lived and died in.

Istanbul, Turkey is a city that bridges two continents. It is the definition of East meets West. This well-loved European city has all the first world perks but it also has an exotic culture that makes you feel very far removed from Europe. Istanbul is definitely one of the best places to visit in Turkey. There are so many things to do and see in Istanbul that a trip to Turkey just to explore the city would be a packed adventure. My favorite thing was shopping at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market. What can I say I am a sucker for lanterns and Hands of Fatima. You might not be getting local prices here but the banter of the haggle is half the fun. Also you can’t go to Istanbul and miss the Aya Sofya and the Blue Mosque. Both of these structures are simply gorgeous. I only had the energy to see them from the outside since I was there during prayer hours but I will go back just to take a peek inside.

Many of you know that I am a sunset junkie! I also love sunrises but let’s face it even though I am a morning person I rarely make it out of bed in time to see sunrise. Yet when I heard about Mt. Nemrut I knew I had to make this early morning journey. One of my favorite things to do on Maui is to watch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala so I had an idea of what a sunrise from the top of this mountain would look like. The thing that sets Nemrut Dagi apart from most other mountains in the world are the giant statues that sit at the top. Nemrut Dagi is one of the most stunning historical monuments in the country. The massive idols date back to the first century BC and have been watching the sunrise over Turkey ever since.

Pamukkale is famous for its hot springs with their milky water. This unique water is made from the limestone and calcium white stone that is in the region. The ground is like snake skin and even though the water is warm the stone themselves are very cold to the touch. I have never been anywhere else in the world which matches this. One of my favorite parts about the area is that it is visited by tons of locals. I always love when native appreciate their own country’s wonders.

Turkey’s southwestern coastline is noted for its fine beaches and stunning scenery. This region has been dubbed “the Turquoise Coast” after the hues of its horizons and the sea. This is a popular holiday destination for Europeans. I didn’t sail the coastline here when I was in Turkey because I had just spent almost 3 months on Santorini and I had enough of the beach and coastlines at the time.

This little town was one of my favorite stops in all of Turkey. Urfa, also known as Şanlıurfa, is a city that still has deep traditional roots. It is here that you will be looked at funny if you don’t follow cultural fashion guidelines. So cover your shoulders and knees but don’t let that shy you from wandering around. It was in the back alleys of this little town that I had one of my best afternoons in the entire country. The smiling faces of the locals and eating the best hummus of my life are memories that I will treasure forever.