Turkey
"Two continents, ten civilisations, endless tea"
Turkey stitches Europe to Asia across the Bosphorus and layers Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history on top of one another. Istanbul alone would justify the trip; add Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and the turquoise coast and you have one of the best-value trips in the world.
Best Time to Visit
April to June and September to October
Apr – Jun
Mild, green and ideal for both cities and hiking the Lycian Way.
Jul – Aug
Very hot inland, busy on the coast — good for beach-only trips.
Sep – Oct
Warm sea, grape harvest, best balloon-flight cancellation odds in Cappadocia.
Nov – Mar
Snow-dusted Cappadocia, empty Istanbul museums and low prices.
Getting Around
Cheap domestic flights and a superb intercity bus network make long distances painless.
✈️ Domestic Flights
Turkish Airlines, AJet and Pegasus connect Istanbul to Kayseri, Izmir and Antalya in about an hour.
🚌 Intercity Buses
Comfortable, frequent and cheap, with snacks and Wi-Fi on board.
🚋 Istanbul Transit
Trams, metro, funiculars and ferries all run on one Istanbulkart.
🚗 Rental Car
Best for the Lycian coast and Cappadocia's valleys; avoid driving in Istanbul.
💡 The Bosphorus commuter ferry costs pocket change and beats every paid cruise for views.
Suggested Itineraries
Istanbul Arrival
Check in around Sultanahmet or Karaköy, evening walk to Galata Bridge.
Imperial Istanbul
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Cistern, Turkish bath.
Bosphorus Day
Ferry up the strait to Anadolu Kavağı, back for dinner in Beşiktaş.
Fly to Cappadocia
Morning flight to Kayseri, Göreme Open Air Museum, sunset at Red Valley.
Balloons & Valleys
Sunrise balloon flight, hike Rose Valley, underground city of Kaymaklı.
Cappadocia Slow Day
Pottery in Avanos, Uçhisar castle, cave-hotel terrace evening.
Back to Istanbul
Morning flight, Spice Market shopping before departure.
🌙 Pace yourself, spark-chaser. A trip you actually remember beats a checklist you barely survived.
Highlights
Must See
- Hagia Sophia
- Cappadocia
- Ephesus
- Pamukkale terraces
Local Cuisine
Insider Tip
Domestic flights are cheap and short — flying Istanbul to Cappadocia saves you a 10-hour bus ride for very little money.