What to do in Turkey

One of the most unique experiences you can have in Turkey is to soak in the milky, mineral-rich waters at Pamukkale. In this other-worldly like place, the water that drips from the springs has created stunning terraced pools that are contrasted against chalky, snow-white travertine formations. In the same way that stalactites form in caves, the deposits grow along the steep slopes and gradually fan out to form the natural terraces. The name Pamukkale translates to “cotton castle” and as it comes into view, it truly looks as if it’s a bizarrely beautiful fortress. After an unforgettable soak, you can climb to the top to explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, a city established in the late 2nd-century BC, which includes temples, baths, monuments, and the remains of a collonaded street running parallel to the travertines below. Thanks to the natural thermal springs, it became an important spa center for the Romans.

While a bird’s-eye view of Cappadocia’s landscape is really a must, seeing the towering phallic-like rock formations up close is something you’ll definitely want to do. Asiklar Vadisi, which translates to the “Valley of Love” is arguably the best hike you can embark on to marvel at them from the ground and it’s within walking distance from Goreme. One can easily explore them within a couple of hours at most as they’re clustered together about 10 minutes on foot from the edge of the valley. When in need of a little shade and a refreshing drink there’s a small café in the middle, the perfect spot to escape the searing sun and sip an icy cold Efes (Turkish beer). For a longer trek, extend it by continuing through to Uchisar Castle, a centuries-old citadel set on a volcanic rock outcrop at the highest point in Cappadocia, delivering awe-inspiring views from the top.

Ephesus was a major trade center in the ancient world, with its history dating all the way back to the 10th-century BC. In 2015, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its “exceptional testimony to Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and early Christian periods.” The cultural traditions from those eras can be seen among the impressive ruins of Hadrian’s Gate, the Temple of Hadrian, and Celsus Library, built in 117 AD to store some 12,000 scrolls as one of the largest at the time. There are statues, aqueducts, and remarkable terrace homes. The homes contain gorgeous frescoes and mosaics, where you’ll be able to see the painstaking work it took for archaeologists to put the broken tiles back together. One could easily wander for hours, walking around the excavated and reconstructed structures that make it easy to imagine how people lived their lives during these ancient times.

Istanbul offers many attractions, but two of the most iconic are the Spice Bazaar and Suleymaniye Mosque, the city’s most important mosque, considered one of the greatest masterpieces created by imperial architect Mimar Sinan. The Grand Bazaar is no tourist trap, it’s a place where many locals come to shop on a daily basis. Turkish residents tend to be much better at bargaining, so you’ll want to get your game on before exploring the world’s largest covered bazaar with some 60 streets that are lined with dozens of restaurants, thousands of shops, and 12 mosques. Taking it all in, the sights, sounds, the tastes of the local cuisine, haggling for those famous intricately patterned carpets, leather, hand-painted ceramics, Byzantine jewellery, and more, is all part of the experience. The mosque, constructed in the 16th-century, crowns one of the city’s seven hills, dominating the Golden Horn, stunningly beautiful inside and out.

Built in the 7th Century AD, Keslik Monastery is located in the southern part of Cappadocia, and like many of the buildings here, it was carved right out of the rock. It’s an extensive complex with churches, living and sleeping quarters, kitchens, and magnificent frescoes that depict bible scenes. One of the highlights is the Archangel Michael Church with its ceiling that includes the Ascension scene, with angels lifting Jesus to heaven. The entrance arch features Jesus healing the Paralytic, emphasizing the lame man on a mat. All the images in the nave are beautifully painted and remarkably well-preserved.  Cappadocia is also known for its underground cities, with Derinkuyu the deepest of them all in Turkey, extending nearly 300 feet underground. Just a short distance from the monastery, it’s large enough to have provided shelter to as many as 20,000, offering the chance to stroll through structures with a network of rooms spread over multiple levels.