Top Places to Visit in Turkey 🇹🇷

1) GALATA TOWER

This striking medieval tower provides an excellent bird's-eye view of the whole city!

P.S- Don't miss taking a night shot at Galata, for it somehow looks even more beautiful at night ✨

2) LUXURIATE IN A BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Soak in the luxury and uber hospitality of Istanbul's boutique hotels, that are decorated with an eye for detail and finish!

3) UMBRELLA STREET, KARAKOY

Make sure to stop by the umbrella street, for this vibrant shower of color over the cobblestone floor, looks absolutely majestic 🌈

4) CICEK PASAJI

Unwind and make conversations with the locals over a glass of wine & cold appetizers, while watching the street musicians perform sporadically!

5) HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE 🎈

You know what's surreal? It's flying in a hot air balloon and watching more than 100 colorful hot air balloons fly over the alien world landscape! It's something else to witness the sun emerging from the horizon and accentuating the colors of these otherworldly rocks 💫

6) ANTALYA

Thalassophiles, history buffs who dream of bygone times, adrenaline junkies, or a person who loves the smell of nature- Antalya should totally be on your bucket-list, no matter what arouses your interest!

7) TOPKAPI PALACE

With a lovely setting overlooking the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, Topkapi Palace was the royal residence for about 400 years until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1920s.

It used to be the political center of the Ottoman Empire. It was built on top of a hill in a small peninsula, dominating the Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara, and the Bosphorus. The palace was open to the public as a museum by Ataturk. It contains many sections and you would need a good half day to tour it properly!

8) GRAND BAZAAR

"Welcome, my friend! How are you today?", is what comes to our mind when we think of the Grand Bazaar, for this is something you will hear from every shopkeeper as you walk around the Bazaar!

We really feel that no trip to Istanbul would be complete without experiencing the ancient bustling marketplaces of Grand Bazaar in the old city. Housing over 4000 shops, for more than five centuries, merchants and craftsmen have showcased their best fares here, in an enchanting labyrinth full of shimmering sights and captivating smells.

9) HAGIA SOPHIA

First built as a Greek orthodox christian patriarchal Cathedral, later an Ottoman imperial Mosque, and now a Museum, it has undergone a major renovation in recent years that brings out the best of the Byzanite mosaics and architecture inside.

That, my friend, is Hagia Sophia, in a nutshell!

10) BLUE MOSQUE 🕌

What may be the most beautiful building in one of the most architecturally rich cities in the world, the Blue Mosque is regarded as the pinnacle of the Ottoman's civilization.

Picturesque on the interior and exterior, and set in intricate arabesques ans iznik tiles, it towers over the Old City in all of it's grandeur

Named after the traditional blue iznik tiles that were used in it's decoration, the Blue Mosque totally lives up to it's hype!

11) TAKE A BOSPHORUS CRUISE TOUR

The Bosphorus is one of the most geopolitically significant water body in the world, for it separates Europe from Asia, and linksThe Bosphorus is one of the most geopolitically significant water body in the world, for it separates Europe from Asia, and links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. It is what truly defines Istanbul. Do take a one or two hour cruise to have a great view of amazing architecture, mosques, palaces, forts, and summer homes on both sides, and of course the Galata bridge! It is a must-visit for all you history buffs out there!

12) ISTIKLAL STREET

This long cobblestone street is flooded with wave after wave of people walking in either direction, as if some 'powerful people magnets' are installed at every corner on this street. Yes, it's the very famous Istiklal Street we are talking about! It seemed like some European city high street, but with the old world charm of Istanbul!

13) LOVE VALLEY

"Valley of the permanently Erect"

Yes, you read it right! Why it's called Love valley is plainly obvious once you are there. Phallic..! [only smaller ;) ]

If you are living in Goreme, we would suggest ditching the tours and hike to this valley by yourself. It's a relatively easy hike of 5 kms that takes around 40 to 45 minutes. As you reach the Love valley, you can visit the view point from above for a bird's-eye view or you can trek right down to the base of those rock formations. Gosh! It's a different feeling walking down among the rocks sprouting out of the earth like Phallic mushrooms. Absolute solitude! It's difficult to shake off that feeling like you are the only one on the planet. A strong connection that leaves you feeling calm and positive!

14) RED ROSE VALLEY

"A perfect sunset viewpoint"

If you have the time and stamina, continue the hike towards the Rose valley and see yourself surrounded by innumerable cones that seemed to have mushroomed everywhere around you.

It is around 3.5 kms from the Love valley. Try and reach there by evening to view the change in color and hue of the rocks as the sun is about to dip. Therefore, making it the best spot for sunset. Believe us, the view is so majestic that you will need a hour or so to take it all in!