Turkey - Part 1: How many days are enough for Istanbul?

Hello everyone... For my first post, I would like to start with Turkey, which I recently visited. Let's begin!

Turkey: A Land of Two Personalities

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Turkey's unique location spanning both Asia and Europe, forming the Eurasian continent, is the reason behind its name. The country experiences extreme temperatures, with scorching summers and frigid winters. Turkey boasts a rich and extensive history, having served as the seat of the Eastern Roman Empire, with Istanbul being the former Constantinople.

Let's get to know this country a little bit before we go.

• Thai people can visit Turkey without a visa and stay for up to 30 days.
• Most Turkish people are Muslim.
• Most women in Turkey wear headscarves. If you are a man visiting Turkey, do not touch or get close to them.
• The weather here generally has 4 seasons, but due to the country's large area, each region has different weather in each season (check the weather conditions of each city before going).
• The cost of living here is very cheap.

Let's get started. We traveled in July 2018, which was an exceptionally hot year.

This time we will visit 4 major locations.

Travel plan

Day 1: Istanbul

• Blue Mosque: Marvel at the intricate tilework and serene atmosphere of this iconic landmark.
• Sultanahmet Complex: Explore the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and other historical treasures within this sprawling complex.
• Grand Bazaar: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling marketplace, where you can find everything from spices to souvenirs.

Nusr-et Steakhouse

Day 2: Istanbul

• Morning:
  • Hagia Sophia: Explore the architectural marvel of this former church, mosque, and museum.
  • Topkapi Palace: Delve into the opulent world of Ottoman sultans at their historic residence.
  • Yerebatan Sarnici: Discover the eerie beauty of this underground cistern, a hidden gem beneath the city.
  • Lunch: Savor delicious Turkish cuisine at the renowned Seven Hills Restaurant.
• Afternoon:
  • Archaeology Museum: Journey through time at this museum housing artifacts from various civilizations.
  • Bosphorus Tour: Cruise along the scenic waterway separating Europe and Asia, admiring Istanbul's iconic landmarks.
  • Evening: Stroll across the historic Galata Bridge, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.

Day 3: Istanbul

• Chora Church: This historic church, known for its stunning Byzantine mosaics, offers a glimpse into the city's rich religious heritage.
• Dolmabahçe Palace: Explore the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans, showcasing lavish architecture and intricate design.
• Galata Tower: Ascend this iconic landmark for panoramic views of Istanbul's skyline and the bustling Golden Horn.

Day 4: Cappadocia - Göreme Open Air Museum / All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Tour

Day 5: Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon / Green Tour

Day 6: Cappadocia

Morning: Capture breathtaking photos of hot air balloons against the stunning Cappadocian landscape from your hotel terrace.

Afternoon: Enjoy a relaxing day exploring the unique rock formations and charming villages of Cappadocia. Take a leisurely walk through the area, soaking in the beauty and history of this captivating region.

Day 7: Pamukkale - Cotton Castle / Hierapolis

Day 8: Selçuk - House of the Virgin Mary / Ephesus

Day 9: Izmir - Alaçatı/Çeşme

Day 10: Istanbul - Shopping Day at Taksim Square

This day is dedicated to exploring the vibrant shopping scene of Istanbul, with Taksim Square serving as the central hub.

Day 11: Istanbul - Shopping Day

Our first day in Turkey started in the afternoon. After clearing immigration, which took an hour due to the large number of tourists, we took the metro and then the tram to our accommodation in the Sultanahmet district.

To use public transportation in Istanbul, you must first purchase an IstanbulKart. This card allows you to use the metro and tram, and offers discounts on travel. (One card can be used by up to 5 people, but if used together, the card will only offer a discount to the first person.) You can purchase this card at the Yellow Machine at the station.

Istanbulkart + Yellow Machine Appearance

The first place we visited was the Blue Mosque. Please dress modestly when visiting this site. Men should avoid wearing shorts, and women should avoid wearing short skirts, shorts, or sleeveless shirts. Additionally, women are required to cover their heads with a scarf. If you don't have one, the mosque provides them for you to borrow. Remember to remove your shoes before entering the main entrance. Don't worry about losing your shoes; they will provide you with a bag to carry them inside. Be mindful of foot odor, as it might offend others. 55555....

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When can we enter the Blue Mosque?

Exterior of the Blue Mosque.

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Inside the Blue Mosque, women must wear a headscarf like this.

If you don't have one, the mosque will lend you one.

After admiring the beauty of the mosque, we immediately headed to the next spot, the legendary three pillars. This spot is called the Sultanahmet Complex, which was used as a Roman hippodrome during the Roman era.

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There are currently three pillars in total.

1. The Constantine Obelisk is a square-shaped obelisk with a pointed top.

2. Next is the Bronze Serpentine Column, a snake-shaped column.

3. Column of Constantine

The question is whether all the pillars are made of iron. The answer is no, haha.

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Snake dance... 5555555

As the day draws to a close, we head to the bustling Grand Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace that closes its doors at 7 pm (and remains closed on Sundays). The labyrinthine alleys are lined with countless stalls, each offering a plethora of Turkish delights, from the iconic Turkish Delight to aromatic teas, intricate ceramics, ornate lamps, and luxurious carpets. The exquisite craftsmanship of the ceramics and lamps is particularly captivating, tempting us to bring a piece of Turkish artistry home, though the fear of breakage lingers.

In front of the market.

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The market is adorned with numerous Turkish flags.

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After a walk, we went to find dinner. We arrived at the Grand Bazaar market and immediately went to Nusr-et. It recently opened a new branch at this market. Since we were visiting Saltbae's home turf, we couldn't miss the opportunity to dine there. As we approached the restaurant, we saw a wax figure of Saltbae standing in front. As we walked into the restaurant, we were shocked and almost fainted because we saw Salt Bae in person! What incredible luck! We rushed to take a picture with him. He is truly famous, as the other diners at the restaurant exclaimed "OMG OMG OMG!" and were equally shocked. Notably, he doesn't just sell food; he also sells clothes. So, we took turns getting his autograph on our shirts.

Now that we have a table, let's order some food. What are we waiting for? Here's what we ate today:

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1. New York Steak House

2. Nusr-et Burger

3. Rocket Salad and Lokum (thinly sliced meat, delicious). This was served individually on each plate.

Not yet, not enough. We're so hot that even Salt Bae asked for a selfie with us.

(Just kidding... You're the one who's charming him, haha)

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This restaurant also offers a highly recommended dessert called Baklava with ice cream. However, we were too full to try it. If you have the chance to visit, please let us know how it tastes. As for the meal, we give it a perfect score of 10/10. It was an exceptional experience that satisfied our eyes, hearts, and stomachs. After our satisfying meal, we took a leisurely stroll to aid digestion.

Walk back to admire the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia at night. This spot is beautifully illuminated with lights and fountains at night.

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Hagia Sophia at night.

The Blue Mosque at night

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At night, the tram tracks are illuminated with beautiful lights.

On our way back to the accommodation, an elderly shoe-polishing man walked briskly in front of us with his shoe-polishing equipment. With a loud clatter, he dropped his shoe-polishing brush. Being the kind person that I am, I told my boyfriend to pick it up for him (using someone else because I didn't dare to pick it up myself, haha). My boyfriend hesitated, but in the end, he called out to the man to stop and picked it up for him. The man thanked us profusely for picking up his livelihood equipment, and in return, he offered to polish my boyfriend's shoes. My boyfriend stood there chatting with him and kept saying it was okay, not walking away. So I told my boyfriend to go, don't linger, or his shoes will be ruined. The old man looked disappointed. As we walked, I thought to myself, "We don't seem cruel, do we? We rejected his kindness." (Haha, I don't know! I'll tell you more in Day 2.)

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