Turkey is a country where ancient history and modern life meet in the most captivating of ways. Wandering through Istanbul felt like stepping between worlds—mosques with dazzling domes and minarets, bustling bazaars filled with color and scent, and lively cafés where locals lingered over tea.
The blend of cultures—Europe and Asia, old and new—was fascinating. The warmth and hospitality of the people everywhere we went was obvious. From the timeless beauty of the Hagia Sophia (although shrouded under scaffolding and wrap for renovation) to the dramatic landscapes beyond the cities, Turkey left us with a deep appreciation for its history, resilience, and spirit.
Our one trip to Turkey was in 2024 while traveling with OAT on the trip The Aegean Islands: Athens & Istanbul. The trip also included the Peloponnese Peninsula of Greece and an amazing 5-day cruise in the Greek Isles. We were fortunate to be accompanied by our good friends Joe Sokul and Ellen Roney. Some of our adventures follow!
The birthplace of the Olympic games, the playground of the Olympic Gods, the birthplace of the “big three” philosophers most influential to Western history (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle), and the cradle of democracy and Western literature. Why has it taken us …
The country of Turkey straddles both Europe and Asia. Most of its landmass, Anatolia, lies in Asia, while a smaller portion, Thrace, is in the southeastern part of Europe. Today’s Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following …
Ankara, the capital and second largest city of Turkey, is a bustling metropolis that blends a rich history with modernity. It has been inhabited since ancient times and today serves as the political and administrative center of Turkey. Ankara …
We spent a day on a bus ride to Cappadocia, stopping at several significant sights along the way. Hattusa was the capital city of the Hittite Kingdom…..a powerful empire of the ancient Anatolian (modern-day Turkey) people that ruled during the …
Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is like something out of a fairy tale or another world! It is characterized by surreal rock formations, “fairy chimneys”, and cave dwellings. The “Fairy Chimneys” The formation of the “fairy chimneys” in …
Istanbul, the fifteenth largest city in the world, is filled with rich culture and fascinating history. Its location is unique: it straddles the Bosporus Strait in Europe and Asia. Although Istanbul isn’t technically the capital of Turkey, it’s still the country’s …
Ephesus is the best-preserved and most extensive classical Greco-Roman city in Asia (2,000 acres.) Established in the 10th century BCE, Ephesus flourished as a prominent city in the ancient world, serving as a major center of trade, culture, and spirituality …
Our trek through Turkey is ending, but no trip to Turkey would be complete without a carpet encounter!! The Izmir region is known for its rug production, and the rugs at the Sultanköy Rug Cooperative are valued for their craftsmanship, …
The blend of ancient history, a vibrant culture, and natural beauty leave us with a really positive impression of Turkey. The warmth and hospitality of the Turkish people, as well as the sensory delights of Turkish cuisine, were a bonus …
Happy is the man, I thought, who, before dying, has the good fortune to sail the Aegean sea.Nikos Kazantzakis , author of Zorba the Greek This trip was beautiful on so many levels. It had an exciting itinerary, new friends, …
