Travel Journal

Istanbul to Konya

I had only been to Istanbul before, so I was excited to explore more of Turkey. Was everything I read about as amazing as it sounded? It took two weeks to find out, and yes, it certainly was.

When I arrived at SAW airport, immigration was quick, but I had to print my visa. My transfer was ready, but the journey slowed down due to Istanbul’s infamous traffic, taking nearly two hours to get to the hotel. After checking in, I met my 11 fellow travellers, aged between 26 and 71.

The next morning, we visited the Blue Mosque briefly before heading to Baypazari, a small town an hour from Ankara. The next day, we drove to Göreme, arriving late afternoon. Göreme is tiny, with lots of hotels and a charming town centre. The scenery and the balloon ride here were stunning. After two nights, we drove three hours to Konya, stopping at a winery and a carpet factory. The carpets were beautiful, but my favourite was $26,000, even with a 40% discount!

In Konya, we visited the tomb of Rumi, the founder of the Sufi religion and the Whirling Dervishes. This was a brief stop before our five-hour drive to Antalya. Our tour leader, a 26-year-old from near Göreme, guided us through everything, as local guides are not typically used in Turkey due to the extensive training required for tour guiding licenses.

Antalya and Kas

After Cappadocia, we headed to the Mediterranean coastal towns of Antalya and Kas. Antalya felt like the Amalfi Coast with its cliff-top views and charming streets filled with bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops. I spent my time exploring boutiques, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying delicious seafood in the evenings.

Leaving Antalya, we visited the impressive archaeological museum before heading to Kas. Kas is a picture-perfect village with a little harbour and bougainvillaea-lined streets. The highlight was a boat trip to an old castle and a sunken city, where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch and swam in the warm Mediterranean waters. Antalya and Kas are must-see destinations in Turkey.

Fethiye, Pamukkale, and Gallipoli

Next, we drove to Fethiye, staying near Calis Beach. The hotel was nice with a pool, but there wasn’t much to do nearby. A four-hour drive took us to Pamukkale, where we arrived in the afternoon as temperatures hit 40°C. We waited until around 5 pm to visit the terraces.

The ancient Roman city of Hierapolis sits atop the terraces, with ruins including a well-preserved theatre, the church of St. Philip, and Cleopatra’s pool. Pamukkale, meaning “Cotton Castle,” is known for its calcium-rich springs forming stunning pools and terraces. We ended our visit by bathing in Cleopatra’s pool and watched the sunset, a fantastic end to an amazing day.

From Pamukkale, we moved to the ancient city of Ephesus. Famous for the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Ephesus has incredible ruins like the Library of Celsus and a theatre for 25,000 spectators. We arrived early to avoid the crowds, and the walk along Harbour Street was spectacular.

Our final destination was Gallipoli, which I was eager to visit as a history enthusiast. Our guide gave an excellent account of the events from British, Anzac, and Turkish perspectives. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s work is remarkable, and the cemeteries are pristine. Visiting sites like Anzac Cove and Lone Pine was haunting and reminded me of the sacrifices made during the battles. While it’s not an experience one enjoys, it’s an important one.

Turkey is a must-visit destination, and my photos don’t do it justice. The trip was truly unforgettable!