In mid-September, Donna and I flew from El Paso to Istanbul to join a group of fifteen fellow travelers on a Gate 1 tour of Turkey. After several flight delays, we arrived a day late and unfortunately missed the first day of our grand adventure. The following morning, our guide, Sedar, led our group of seventeen curious travelers through the magnificent Topkapi Palace, once home to the Ottoman sultans and a treasure trove of seven centuries of history. Later, we wandered through the bustling Spice Market, its air filled with unforgettable aromas, where we happily spent $85 on Turkish spices, dried fruit, and figs. A short visit to the colorful neighborhoods of Balat and Fener rounded out the day before we returned to our hotel, the 10 Karakoy in Istanbul.
The next morning, we journeyed to Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage site celebrated for its beautifully preserved Ottoman architecture. Our first stop was the Crystal Terrace, a glass platform dramatically suspended over the edge of Takatli Canyon, offering breathtaking views of the valley below. We then explored the Kaymakamlar Museum House and strolled through the charming Safranbolu Bazaar before continuing our travels.
A long bus ride took us to Cappadocia, with a stop at Yoruk Village along the way, where we visited the home of a local family and listened to their stories about daily life. The following morning began before sunrise as we joined many of our fellow travelers for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the surreal landscape of Cappadocia. With twenty-four people aboard, we soared above the fairy chimneys as the sun rose, painting the sky in shades of gold and rose. Later that day, we explored the Goreme Open-Air Museum, home to eleven early Christian rock-cut churches adorned with stunning frescoes. We also visited a local pottery workshop and the Pasabag Valley, famous for its remarkable earth pillars.
The next day brought a full tour of Cappadocia, including visits to the region’s whimsical fairy chimney formations, a carpet atelier—where we couldn’t resist purchasing a beautiful rug—and the fascinating Kaymakli Underground City, a maze of narrow tunnels and rooms carved into soft volcanic rock. Traveling through Pigeon Valley and Cemil Village, we ended the evening with a mesmerizing performance by the Whirling Dervishes, whose graceful spinning embodied both devotion and discipline.
Our journey continued the following day with a five-hour drive to Sagalassos, stopping en route in the city of Konya, renowned for its Seljuk architecture and the Mevlana Museum. Perched on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains, the ancient Roman city of Sagalassos once served as the metropolis of the Roman province of Pisidia and offered a fascinating glimpse into centuries of history.
The highlight of the next day was a private cruise among the Fethiye Islands. Our boat stopped twice along the way for swimming and snorkeling in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Turquoise Coast, where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet.
On the final day of our twelve-day journey, we traveled to the town of Dalyan for a riverboat excursion to the ancient site of Kaunos. There, we marveled at the Lycian tombs carved high into the cliffs and explored the Roman and Hellenistic ruins of this 10th-century site.
In the end, our trip to Turkey was truly unforgettable—filled with incredible sights, wonderful travel companions, a knowledgeable guide, delicious food, and comfortable accommodations. A visit to Turkey, without question, deserves a place on everyone’s bucket list.
