Magnificent Turkey Tour My unforgettable experience

Sindhuja Garlapati
Monday, May 7, 2012

After finishing my exams on 15th of March 2012, I went to Turkey with my parents. The trip was simply enthralling and I thought of sharing my experience with IIK readers as it is marvelous place to see.

Turkey is located in Western Asia and bordered by eight countries : Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the exclave of Nakhchivan) and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. The Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles (which together form the Turkish Straits) and separates Two continents Europe and Asia. The population of Turkey is about 75 Millions (2011) and its capital is Ankara and the largest City is Istanbul.

We started our trip on 23rd of March'12 by Turkish Airlines, after about 4 hours of flying from Kuwait, we arrived in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Before travelling to Turkey, we have organized our 9 days (8 nights) Trip through TURSA approved Travel Agency ( M/s Jasmine Tours). As soon as we landed in the second capital of Turkey,- Istanbul, our tourist company representatives met us and we got transferred us to Yusufpasa Konagi Hotel in Istanbul. The hotel is located in an area called Sultanhmet in Istanbul, which is Centre of attraction for many tourists. This is a 19 century Ottoman style Turkish Hotel situated in the heart of the ancient city is an embodiment of the authentic culture and history.
The travel representative briefed our travel plans and provided detailed itinerary for whole tour duration. After our re-freshing and quick lunch, we took the Istanbul by City Tours (HoHo Bus) Hop on-Hop.

The HoHo Trip covers the major attractions of Istanbul and you can get down at any place of your interest and take another HoHo Bus after spending some time in that area. Istabnbul, the largest city of Turkey, located in the northwest of the country, it lies on the Bosphorus strait and encompasses the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn. Extending both on the European and Asia sides of the strait, Istanbul is the only city in the world situated on two continents.
Then after finishing our HoHo city tour in a open deluxe bus we got dropped off
near our hotel and went to some window shopping in Sultanahmet Area.

The next day on 24th of March'12, after we had our break fast we got picked up from our hotel at about 08.30 AM (remember, we need to stick to time as per itinerary) for the full day regular Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour to visit the Hagia Sophia a 5th century church, once the greatest in the world. The next stop is at the Blue Mosque renowned for its striking blue Iznik tiled interior. Afterwards, we visited the ancient Roman Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar. Following a lunch break in the old town, visit Imperial Palace of Topkapi from which Ottoman Sultans ruled their grand empire for over 400 years until Abdulmecid built the Dolmabahce Palace.

It is worth seeing palace, unlike the European palaces, Topkapi is not a single monumental structure but a more organic complex made up of various kiosks, gardens and areas spread over. In its hey-days, there were between 8-10 thousand people living in the palace. It was turned into a museum in 1924 and has become one of the most attractive palace-museums in the world. The most attractive exhibition halls of the palace are: treasury, Islamic holly relics, costumes of the sultans, divan, harem, kitchens, Chinese porcelains and several kiosks such as the Baghdad, Revan, Sofa and Mecidiye. There are appealing eating and resting facilities for visitors on the palace grounds with a great view. The tour finished around 5pm and got transferred back to our hotel in a mini bus and we took some rest and had again gone out for having our dinner in Dubb Indian Restaurent in Sultanahmet Area. It is a very good choice for vegetarians and non-vegetarians of Indian origin.

As per itinerary, On march 25 th we have got transferred to Ijmir by Flight from Istanbul by Atlas Jet Airlines. After 45 minutes flying, we arrived in Ijmir airport and the Tourist representative took us for a full day regular Ephesus Tour. It is an hour journey by road and you will see wonderful greenery along your way with peach plants and other cash crops. The Ephesus tour began by visiting the remains of the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards, it proceeded to the spectacular main site of Ephesus, undoubtedly the most superbly preserved Greco-Roman city. Unmistakable highlights surviving among the ruins are the Celsius Library, Agora, Theater, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple and Roman Latrines. Around, 1pm we had our lunch break and had a visit to the House of Virgin Mary; this was a place where she spent her final days of her life. The tour got over by 6pm and they transferred us back to Kusadasi at Palm Hotel . Kusadasi is a glorious ancient city, meaning "bird island", is set in a superb gulf in the Aegean region of Turkey and is known for its sparkling water of the Sea, broad sandy beaches, bright sun and large marina . We also did some shopping around the city.

On march 26th they picked us from the hotel at 8am for the full day regular Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour to visit Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Temple of Apollo, the breathtaking Theater, the fascinating Necropolis and the last the great baths of Hierapolis antique city, where St. Philip was martyred. St. Philip is connected with the early church in Hierapolis and played an important role in Pamukkale the history of the city. Finally we visited the calcium terraces and pools.

Pamukkale is one of Turkey's top attractions and a precious in the world with its cotton-look terraces. The underground water once gave life to the ancient city of Hierapolis now helps Pamukkale be one of the most important thermal centers of Turkey.

Many tourists and locals visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis frequently not only for its extraordinary look and its ancient history but also for wellness. Scientifically proven to cure many diseases, the waters attract people and there are many thermal hotels in the area that serve 12 months a year
Our Professional Guide was very knowledgeable about history and he explained that there was a young girl who was unmarried and ugly. As no one wanted to marry her, she decided to commit suicide and she threw herself off the travertine and fell into a natural pool but did not die. Because of the water in the natural pool she turned into a very beautiful girl and caught the attraction of the lord of Denizli while he was passing by. At that moment, the lord fell in love with this young and beautiful girl and they soon got married.

So, in addition to the curing effects of the water, people also believe in the beautifying power of the water. As the water is useful, this land has been a place where people visit periodically for beauty and health since the ancient times. So the reason for Pamukkale to be an attractive place is not only the natural travertine, but also the healing waters.

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