What to do on your first trip to Türkiye?

Türkiye is a country spanning the two continents of Asia and Europe. There are not only the ruins of ancient Greek civilization, but also the cultural imprint of Islam in recent hundreds of years, as well as picturesque natural scenery. Therefore, Türkiye is worthy of your in-depth exploration. If you are still wondering what to do in Turkey for the first time, this guide will help you plan a free trip to Turkey that suits you.

Istanbul: If the world had only one capital, it would be Istanbul

Napoleon once said, "If the world were a country, the capital would be Istanbul." As a thousand-year-old city, the capital of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman Empire) and Ottoman Empires, it blends Eastern and Western civilizations. A Bosporus Strait separates the Eurasian continent from both sides, and Istanbul is also divided into two halves. It is a geographically divided city, but it is also a melting pot of multicultural integration. Walking on the streets of the city, you can hear the sounds of prayers from the mosques and the sounds of vendors selling goods along the streets. Coffee in the left hand and black tea in the right hand are a true reflection of the daily life of everyday Istanbulites.

Tours: Sofia Cathedral, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace (Old Palace), Galata and Galata Bridge, Bosporus, etc. Dormabach Palace (New Palace) and Independence Street are both attractions worth visiting in Istanbul. And many flights in and out of Turkey choose Istanbul, so this city is the first choice and must choice for your first trip to Turkey. If you need to explore the city in depth, it is recommended to reserve at least 3 days.

Cappadocia: Fairy Chimney Peak Forest, a unique wonder as tall as a cone

Cappadocia is located in the middle of Turkey - the core of the Anatolian Plateau, because The strange-shaped landscape resembles an alien planet and became one of the filming locations for the American movie "Star Wars". The best way to appreciate this magical landform is to take a hot air balloon ride, especially watching the sunrise at high altitude in the early morning, making this one of the most beautiful and value-for-money places in the world for hot air balloon travel. If you miss the hot air balloon due to weather or schedule reasons, it doesn't matter. It's refreshing to find a higher hillside to take advantage of the sunset and look at the entire valley.

The town of Goreme is the core area of ??the Kappa region, where basically all grotto hotels and hot air balloon companies are concentrated. Because this town is located in the hinterland of Turkey, its folk customs are more traditional than those in big cities such as Istanbul. You can see women wrapped in gauze at any time, but the people here are more warm and simple. If you want to taste the local clay pot mutton, take a red and green tour, visit an open-air museum, and learn about the life of Christians here before, you should reserve at least 2 days in the small town of Goreme.

Pamukkale: The magical white hills, the historical monuments are reduced to ashes

It is really impossible to describe the shock when I first saw Pamukkale. Pamukkale is called Pamukkale in native dialect, and its transliteration is Pamukkale. It was formed because the hot spring water rich in calcium hydroxide turned into calcium carbonate deposits under the influence of sunlight and air. After tens of thousands of years of accumulation, it gradually formed its current appearance. Because the 38-degree hot spring water will collect into rock pits similar to bathing pools. When the weather is warm, you can choose to soak in the hot springs here, but don't think about it in winter, as the water will become extremely cold.

The historic sites near Pamukkale are far more than just this white palace. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis located above Pamukkale were built by the Kingdom of Pergamon in the second century BC. Ruins of streets, theaters and ancient cemeteries can be seen everywhere. The sarcophagi in the ancient cemetery are exposed, and the inscriptions on the exquisitely carved marble coffins are all carved with Greek letters. In the past, some powerful people were buried. Looking at these ruins in the sunset, I lamented the changes in history and civilization. The development is always unpredictable.

Izmir & Efes: The most complete ancient Roman city

Izmir is the third largest city and the second largest port city in Turkey. It was called Smyrna in ancient times. Historically, it was also an important city in the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. If you have been to Istanbul before, you don’t need to visit this city in depth.

Efes: Located 40 kilometers southeast of Izmir, it is often called the Pompeii of Turkey by Westerners. It is the most valuable ancient city in Turkey and the best and largest preserved ancient Roman city in the world. After the 15th century, Efes almost disappeared from history until it was discovered and rediscovered in the late 19th century. This ancient city is also a city full of Christian color. St. John, one of the Thirteen Apostles of Jesus, preached here. The Virgin Mary also spent her later years in the nearby mountains. This place also became the spread of early Christianity. center. Students who are interested in religious history must visit here.

Travel: Here you can visit the famous ancient Roman libraries, marble streets, shops, theaters, even brothels and other monuments, and experience first-hand the daily life of the ancient Romans.

Fethiye: Fly freely by paragliding

Fethiye is a typical seaside resort city. If you feel the shock of a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, , then you must experience the excitement of paragliding when you come to Fethiye.

When you experience paragliding, a coach will ride with you on a U-shaped paraglider from a 300-meter-high mountain and glide down the mountain. During this period, you can be with the white clouds, and the blue sea under your feet is like a huge sapphire, which is simply fresh. And exciting.

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