Türkiye – At the Crossroads of Two Continents

Spanning both Europe and Asia, Türkiye is a remarkable blend of ancient Greco-Roman heritage, the Byzantine Empire, and the legacy of the Ottoman Sultans. This convergence creates a progressive Türkiye that proudly celebrates its modern achievements while seamlessly co-existing with its rich historic past. An ancient empire that presented the tulip to the modern world, where the motifs of the carnation, tulip, and pomegranate still inspire its artists and weavers to create pieces of art that adorn many a living room mantle worldwide. A recent trip to Türkiye took us to Istanbul and beyond to discover more.

– Gurjit Singh Ahuja

A Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul serves as your gateway to Türkiye. After breezing through immigration and connecting onwards, we arrived at our destination city, Antalya. We were hosted at the grand Ali Bey Resort Sorgun for two days to experience its warm hospitality, luxurious accommodations, and expansive surroundings while exploring the historical attractions in the surrounding areas.

Side – Hidden Jewel on the Turkish Riviera

Side, the first on our itinerary, is an ancient Greco-Roman city steeped in time, offering a unique and charming experience for every visitor. Nestled on the Turkish Riviera, Side is a captivating blend of ancient history combined with sun, sea, and sand, attracting both history buffs and beach lovers.

Side is a major tourist draw with its beautiful sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing and swimming in the crystal-clear, lapis blue waters of the Mediterranean. Its historical monuments and temples are a treasure trove for history enthusiasts. The ancient Temple of Apollo offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean, while Agora, once a bustling marketplace, now co-exists with a small market offering a mix of traditional Turkish shops and modern boutiques.

The harbour area is particularly known for its shops and lively atmosphere. Side offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly guesthouses to boutique establishments. The city is dotted with charming cafes and restaurants serving delicious Turkish cuisine and international delicacies, providing the perfect ambience for a leisurely meal.

Archaeological excavations continue to this day, with more remnants from the past being discovered. The ancient theatre, a colossal amphitheatre, is still used for performances today.

Hierapolis: City of Mysticism and Healing

We drove down to Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage City. The name “Hierapolis” means “holy city,” suggesting the religious significance it held in ancient times. The city’s roots go back to the Phrygians, who dedicated it to the Anatolian mother goddess Cybele. Later, it transformed into a Greco-Roman city nestled around thermal water travertine terraces. Under Roman rule, this city flourished as a prominent cultural and religious centre, benefiting from its thermal springs and strategic location.

Hierapolis has one of the largest necropolises, a vast cemetery extending over two km that offers a fascinating glimpse into the funerary practices of ancient times. Elaborate tombs and sarcophagi highlight the diverse beliefs and social status of the city’s occupants.

Hierapolis features impressive ruins of imposing public buildings and extensive infrastructure. The public thermal baths, renowned for their hot springs, were not just for relaxation but also believed to have miraculous healing powers. The city was dotted with numerous temples dedicated to various deities, including the prominent Temple of Apollo, making it a major pilgrimage site. It was built over a geological fault line from which arose poisonous gases, believed to be the breath of the God of the Underworld ‘Hades’ This area was called the Plutonium.

Priests were said to be immune to the deadly gases and could enter the Plutonium unharmed to perform rituals. The mystery of the Plutonium captivated visitors for centuries.

Pamukkale: The Cotton Candy Cliffs

After visiting the Antique Pool, also referred to as Cleopatra’s Pool, at Hierapolis we took a short golf cart ride to the Cotton Candy – calcium carbonate travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Standing on the viewing deck, the first look at the icy landscape before us was mesmerising.

What appeared to be cotton candy or snow was actually a natural formation created by the hot spring waters, rich in calcium carbonate, that emerged from the earth and cascaded down the hillside. As the water cooled, the calcium carbonate deposited, forming the distinctive white travertine terraces. This process has been ongoing for thousands of years, creating the surreal landscape we see today. The terraces glistened under the sun, their pristine whiteness contrasting with the clear blue pools that dotted the slopes. It was as if nature itself had sculpted a masterpiece, each terrace a testament to the ceaseless flow of time and the earth’s ever-changing beauty.

For centuries, people have believed in the healing powers of the thermal waters of Pamukkale. The water is rich in minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, which are believed to have curative powers for Skin conditions, Rheumatism and Arthritis. Soaking in the warm, mineral-rich waters of Pamukkale can be a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience. We spent our night at the boutique Lycus River Thermal Hotel located just around 6 km from Hierapolis.

Ephesus: The City of Artemis

A two-hour bus ride from our hotel at Pamukkale brought us to the gates of the ancient and grand Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. Once a thriving metropolis, it exerted immense cultural and economic influence. The city, dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis, was inseparably linked to her worship. The Temple of Artemis, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was a pilgrimage site for devotees from across the ancient world, its burning down by a deranged individual, ‘Herostratus’, is a recorded act of vandalism in history.

Our guide advised us to wear good cushioned walking shoes and to carry drinking water, hats, and sunblock to fully explore and appreciate the length and breadth of this great city. Though now in ruins, Ephesus displays layers and layers of history, each corner a testament to its glorious past. As we navigated its stone-lined streets, alleys, temples, theatres, and the famed Library of Celsus, we were transported back in time, marvelling at the grandeur that once was. The city, even in its silent decay, spoke volumes of the life and vibrancy it once harboured.

The Roman influence is evident in imposing structures like the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theatre, capable of seating 25,000 spectators, and the Library of Celsus, one of the most iconic landmarks. The highlight of exploring Ephesus is the meticulously curated and vividly presented digital journey through the city’s ancient history at the Ephesus Experience Museum. This immersive experience offers a compelling and realistic portrayal of Ephesus’s rich past.

Izmir: Gem of the Aegean Coast

A one-hour drive post-lunch from Ephesus brought us to the coastal town of Izmir, a vibrant city on the Aegean coast of Türkiye. Formerly known as Smyrna during the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine eras, it grew into a key trading port under Ottoman rule. Post the Turkish War of Independence, it was renamed Izmir. Now, it stands as a modern metropolis, beautifully blending contemporary vibrancy with its historical legacy.

We checked into the strategically located Swissotel Buyuk Efes – Izmir, within walking distance to the waterfront and the Ataturk Monument. Our evening included a short visit to Alacati, a traditional seaside town with stone houses, narrow streets, boutique hotels, street-side restaurants, and shops. Our dinner was a seafood extravaganza at the Fahrinin Yeri Seafood Restaurant, washed down with Turkish Raki.

We checked out of our hotel and headed to Asansör, a historical building in Izmir’s Karataş quarter. Built in 1907 by a wealthy Jewish banker, Nesim Levi Bayraklıoğlu, the two elevators within the building carry people and goods up the steep cliff. It offers the best views overlooking the Aegean coastline of Izmir.

We enjoyed the sweeping vistas of Izmir, sipping on chilled pints of Efes Beer, and then headed to the airport for a 75-minute flight to Istanbul, our final destination.

Hello Istanbul – Exploring the Historical Peninsula

Upon arrival, we checked in at the Swissotel The Bosphorus Istanbul, our host for the next two days. This grand hotel, perfectly situated next to the majestic Dolmabahce Palace, exudes elegance and charm. The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the 16th Floor Terrace Bar, ‘16 ROOF’. Here, we enjoyed the most stunning, unobstructed view of the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula, with its magnificent ancient buildings.

The historical peninsula of Istanbul can be termed the heart of this thriving city. It is home to the most important historical monuments, palaces, mosques, and bazaars. Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church transformed into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest, tells tales of yore, with Christian frescoes and mosaics adorning the walls and ceilings alongside Arabic calligraphy. The Blue Mosque, with its elaborately painted walls, ceilings, and domes, is a must-visit.

The Basilica Cistern, Istanbul’s largest underground reservoir, was historically used for water storage and now attracts visitors with its grandeur. Adjacent to the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace served as the official residence and administrative centre of the Ottoman Sultans, offering a glimpse into their opulent lifestyle and governance.

A visit to Istanbul is not complete without experiencing the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world. It has 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops offering Turkish delights, dry fruit, carpets, ceramics, pottery, glassware, perfumes, leather garments, spices, souvenirs, and more. Approximately 300,000 visitors visit the Grand Bazaar daily.

A trip to Türkiye is deeply fulfilling, as it allows you to unravel layers of history and culture, each visit leaving you yearning to return and explore more.