A Magical Trip through Anatolia
Put a few days aside in your trip to Istanbul to make a luxury trip to some of the wonders of the Turkey.
Just an hour’s flight from Istanbul is one of the most popular and unmissable Turkish routes, running through Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkal. You’ll spend a few incredible days exploring the rich culture beyond Constantinople.
Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir (there are daily flights to either of the two provinces) to reach Cappadocia, the best place to start the trip. Here you’ll discover a story-book setting (one of the valleys is actually called “Fairy Chimneys”) among rocky peaks that are the result of millions of years of natural erosion. UNESCO lists it as a National Park and World Heritage Site. Because it is so fragile, the rock was excavated to provide refuge in times of war. In fact, some caves are still inhabited even today. And then the open-air museum at Goreme, valleys with volcanic landscapes, Uchisar caves and their underground cities (you must see at least one) will leave you bewildered. Spend two or three nights in the cave hotels to get a closer look at Cappadocia and what it has to offer.
The next stage of the tour takes you to Ephesus (there are direct flights, taking 1.5 hours, from Kayseri to Izmir). Once there, take a look around the ancient city, a religious, cultural and commercial centre, and which since 2015 has been a World Heritage Site. The Greek-Roman streets are full of agoras and temples. The Celsus Library is the indisputable highlight, but the theatre, the Odeon and the Temple of Artemis (the third of the Seven Wonders of the World) are equally stunning. The House of the Virgin Mary is particularly significant; according to the scriptures, John the Apostle brought Mary here after the crucifixion of her son when she fled Jerusalem.
The next stop on your tour is only 300 kilometres away by road: Pamukkale (‘cotton castle’), is an interesting place where cascades of water flow over the white travertine terraces. The movement of the tectonic plates caused earthquakes which in turn produced the terraces from where hot springs emerge with a high mineral content (particularly, chalk). The ancient city of Hierapolis, meaning holy city, was built at the highest point of Pamukkale. A worthwhile visit is to the St. Philip Martyrium, an architectonic group where Philip the Apostle was martyred, and the recently discovered Greek-Roman olive oil factory. If you still have time, a three-hour drive away is Sagalassos, one of the wealthiest towns in ancient times, where the monumental fountains still bring water.
Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir (there are daily flights to either of the two provinces) to reach Cappadocia, the best place to start the trip. Here you’ll discover a story-book setting (one of the valleys is actually called “Fairy Chimneys”) among rocky peaks that are the result of millions of years of natural erosion. UNESCO lists it as a National Park and World Heritage Site. Because it is so fragile, the rock was excavated to provide refuge in times of war. In fact, some caves are still inhabited even today. And then the open-air museum at Goreme, valleys with volcanic landscapes, Uchisar caves and their underground cities (you must see at least one) will leave you bewildered. Spend two or three nights in the cave hotels to get a closer look at Cappadocia and what it has to offer.
The next stage of the tour takes you to Ephesus (there are direct flights, taking 1.5 hours, from Kayseri to Izmir). Once there, take a look around the ancient city, a religious, cultural and commercial centre, and which since 2015 has been a World Heritage Site. The Greek-Roman streets are full of agoras and temples. The Celsus Library is the indisputable highlight, but the theatre, the Odeon and the Temple of Artemis (the third of the Seven Wonders of the World) are equally stunning. The House of the Virgin Mary is particularly significant; according to the scriptures, John the Apostle brought Mary here after the crucifixion of her son when she fled Jerusalem.
The next stop on your tour is only 300 kilometres away by road: Pamukkale (‘cotton castle’), is an interesting place where cascades of water flow over the white travertine terraces. The movement of the tectonic plates caused earthquakes which in turn produced the terraces from where hot springs emerge with a high mineral content (particularly, chalk). The ancient city of Hierapolis, meaning holy city, was built at the highest point of Pamukkale. A worthwhile visit is to the St. Philip Martyrium, an architectonic group where Philip the Apostle was martyred, and the recently discovered Greek-Roman olive oil factory. If you still have time, a three-hour drive away is Sagalassos, one of the wealthiest towns in ancient times, where the monumental fountains still bring water.
The most magical balloon ride imaginable
The typical postcard view of Cappadocia almost always contains a fleet of hot air balloons. Don’t miss the chance to get an amazing birds-eye view of the extraordinary landscape for yourself. Each basket holds from four to 28 people. The flight lasts about an hour (depending on the wind) and the price is around 500 Turkish lira per person.The stadium that defies time
On the road between Ephesus and Pamukkale make a stop at the ancient city of Aphrodisias (named after Aphrodite, whose temple presides over the city). The ruins of the ensemble are almost intact, as is the huge stadium. The ancient venue, which can hold 30,000 people, has survived earthquakes and battles, and is said to be the best preserved stadium of its kind in the world.Top 5 Hotels
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