Turkish Delights: A Short Trip Itinerary

Instanbul

A one-day visit to Istanbul was a great time to exploration of this city where East meets West. We had only one day because we really wanted to spend more time in Cappadocia. We stayed in Celal Sultan Hotel Special Class at the center of the old city.

We started early morning to avoid crowds from historic Sultanahmet Square and visited Sultanahmet Mosque – Blue Mosque, officially known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is one of the most iconic landmarks in Istanbul.The mosque can accommodate thousands of worshippers and visitors and you should dress modestly and be respectful of those who have come to pray. They also offer to rent scarfs/clothes to enter mosque.

We did Hagia Sophia before 6pm, what was a great choice with short line and moving faster than in the morning. They are closing at 6pm, so make sure you are not later than 5:30pm.

In meantime we took a stroll through the gardens of Topkapi Palace, a magnificent historical complex that served as the primary residence of Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. You can explore the Harem, Treasury, and various exhibition halls, which house an extensive collection of artifacts, including precious jewels, manuscripts, and relics from the Ottoman era.

If you are not vegetarian you can find lot of places for lunch, and try kebabs. For us we wanted to try baklava, Turkish tea and coffee.

In the afternoon, we went to Grand Bazaar, an ancient marketplace filled with unique treasures, from carpets to ceramics.

We went also on the other side of river to Galata Tower which stands as a symbol of the city’s rich history and remarkable skyline. This medieval stone tower, originally built in the 14th century by the Genoese.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is famous for its surreal rock formations, chimney-like rock spires, and cave dwellings that have been carved into the soft volcanic rock over centuries. The region is also dotted with ancient underground cities, like Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, where early Christians sought refuge during times of persecution.

The Göreme Open-Air Museum is a UNESCO World Heritage site, housing rock-cut churches and chapels adorned with astonishing Byzantine-era frescoes. Additionally, the towns of Göreme and Uçhisar offer unique cave hotels, allowing guests to experience the charm of staying in a cave-like room while enjoying modern comforts. We stayed in Dervish Cave House and it was amazing place.