With a magnificent history, charming country folk and trend-setting urbanites, Turkey is the point where Eastern tradition meets Western modernity. Ankita Mamgain discovers the many faces of this unique destination.
Seldom portrayed well in the movies, Turkey is a land of intrigue and mystery.
What I little knew was how big, how diverse and how refined the culture, scenery and cuisine of this land actually are. The people, like its terrain, are beautiful, beaming under the temperate sunshine, and carry with them the rich legacy of a prosperous past.
English is not the most widely spoken language, but with a little help from Google Translate, you can get by just fine – well on most occasions. From strange to spectacular, Turkey delivers on all grounds.
Fairies and Fables
The arid terrain and sudden drop in temperature welcome you to Capadoccia, a land plucked from a fantasy and placed in central Anatolia. Open your eyes to the magical allure of its breathtaking landscape of blushing curvaceous valleys, rippling waves of rocks, endless expanse of fairy chimneys, ancient caves and relics. Camp in a cave-hotel in Göreme as it is centrally located and is close to most tourist sites. Trek across the Rose Valley, visit the open air museum and explore the underground cities. You absolutely must take a hot-air balloon ride to get a bird’s-eye view of this marvellous stretch of volcanic remains formed aeons ago.
About seven hours westward is the UNESCO heritage site of Pamukkale which literally translates to ‘Cotton Palace’. These thermal pools form a brilliant, white terrace, which hangs like the petrified cascade of a majestic waterfall.
In between Capadoccia and Pamukkale lies Konya, a charming town known for its dervish temples. Located right on the ancient Silk Road, it is the spiritual centre for the country and is home to the shrine of Rumi, the great Sufi poet. It’s the perfect place to see the whirling dervishes in their mystical meditative trance.
Azure Horizon
Bathed by four seas – Mediterranean to the south, Aegean to the west, Black Sea to the north and the Sea of Marmara between the European and Asian land masses – Turkey is blessed with a glorious coastline. Antalya on the southern coast is a must visit region. Make sure to reserve a day or two for Kaleiçi; its meandering streets just lead you to small surprises on every corner. Fantastic for walking, this place is a collection of historic buildings and its cobblestone alleys are full of vendors, coffee shops, romantic hotels, pubs and sea-side restaurants.
The western coast of the country attracts more tourists and can give any European beach town a run for its money. Izmir is one of the more popular destinations with its golden sands and multitude of entertainment options. Alaçati is a tiny village that revels in its Bohemian character. Lined with boutique shops, galleries and cafés, this enchanting space is indeed one of Turkey’s best kept secrets. A little further north, Bodrum attracts high -flying vacationers with its super yachts, luxury resorts and exciting party scene.
Urban Oasis
If there’s one place that encapsulates the spirit of the entire country and its people, then it’s Istanbul. Ankara is Turkey’s political capital but its financial, cultural and cosmopolitan hub is Istanbul, which is also its largest city. The mighty Bosphorus separates the city into its Asian and European parts.
One of the most popular landmarks of the city is Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque. It’s a great place to start your day trip as, with time, the queue to enter gets ever longer. Although there are cabs and buses available, the city is quite pedestrian friendly and after the mosque you can head to the Grand Bazaar or Basilica Cistern. There are a number of cafés in the area where you can take a break or even head to Taksim Square for some shopping or evening entertainment. A must-do activity is a cruise along the Bosphorus. If you didn’t get a chance to catch the whirling dervishes in Konya, you get plenty of opportunities to see them in Istanbul as well. A paradise for foodies, make sure to try out the saucy burger, the city’s famous Kumpir or jacket potatoes, and endless array of grills, traditional Ottoman cuisine and, of course, some raki.
