We're getting married...again!
Places & Links
Travel Essentials
Diaries of a chronic over-packer.
Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
A must see for first time Turkey visits. Like seeing the Eiffel Tower or Statue of Liberty if they were like... a thousand years old. No seriously, this place was built between 532 and 537. Please note that women need hair scarves and men need to wear pants below the knee to enter mosques in Turkey. No stress necessary, definitely worth it!
The Blue Mosque
This was Bailee's favorite mosque we visited. Much more calm and less touristy than it's neighbor, Hagia Sophia. Stunning interior is putting it lightly.
Rumeli Kale Cafe & Restaurant
Full Turkish breakfast is a must-do. Sit down, relax, try everything. Don't be picky. Stay for a second cup of tea.
Tarihi Çeşme Hamamı
Melih doesn't recommend a Turkish bath, but Tiktok influencers do, so do with that what you will. Lol.
Topkapi Palace Museum
15th century Sultan palace, 400 year old Ottoman treasures- huge hit for any and all "empire" dwellers.
Grand Bazaar
It's like one of those tourist places you have to go to if you're in the area. Super old building with lots of merchants selling basically everything. When I went, I wasn't "allowed" to buy anything because they would have ripped me off and we sent Melih's dad inside instead. Still have to recommend. Would feel weird if it wasn't on the list!
Kaputaş Beach
If you don't make it to south Turkey this trip, please keep this recommendation in your back pocket for next time. This was my favorite place I've visited yet. Actually, so much so that I begged Melih to go wake up the next morning at 6am so we could get one more hour in. Shimmering water on a small cliffside beach, water so salty if you close your eyes and float, you might forget where you are. Flying through space? Through a dream? A feeling I've been chasing since.
Beach Club in Fethiye
Turkish riviera. Some places are worth the wait. Farther into Turkey than Istanbul, take a quick (probably cheap) flight from SAW to Dalaman airport. If you're looking for a few days of coast luxury stay at the Seaview Faralya Butik Hotel.
Butterfly Valley Boat Trip
You might as well go all out while you're here. Butterfly Valley is a must-do while in the area. Head over to Pamukkale while you're there just to say you did.
Cappadocia
Wizard of Oz cosplay opportunity. Fly from IST to Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport (NAV) and stay at Osmanli Cappadocia Hotel. See the sunrise from a hot air balloon. Ride some horses. Visit the underground cities. Get an idea for your next fantasy novel. Cappadocia is bucket list tier.