Read Out My Travel Story of Turkey with My Family

- By Jibi Abraham

Ancient wonders, vibrant city life, stunning landscapes, and the delicious cuisine of Turkey attracted my family, and due to this, they were making plans to visit this West Asian country for a long time. However, we couldn't make it out due to my busy work schedule. Although my family never complained about it, deep down in my heart, I knew they were disappointed. Luckily, my leaves were approved this time, and I got a chance to explore Turkey. I shared this good news with my family, and I can't tell you in words how happy they were.

The next thing we had to do was flight and hotel bookings for a hassle-free vacation. My wife and I started browsing through the best tour packages for Turkey, and trust me, it was the most hectic task for us. There were so many online travel agencies in the market, but we were so confused when it came to finalizing the best one. One of my friends suggested me to contact Myholidays for the same. We contacted the customer support team of this reliable travel agency and conveyed our travel plans to them. They offered various Turkey tour packages to us that included a well-planned itinerary, hotel accommodation, major sightseeing tours, with selected meals. We finalized the deal with a 5 nights 6 days Turkey tour package that included 3 night's stay in Istanbul and 2 nights in Cappadocia.

I must say with Myholidays our journey to Turkey was smooth and hassle-free. The whole team met our requirements without any hurdles. From exploring the unique fairy chimneys and underground cities of Cappadocia to immersing ourselves in the historical heart of Turkey, Istanbul, every day was memorable and joyful. Let me share our overall travel experience with the proper itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, the Largest City in Turkey

Our exciting holiday in Turkey began the moment we landed at Istanbul International Airport (IST) after a smooth journey. We collected all our luggage from the airport and met our tour representative, who was waiting for us outside the airport. Our kids were very excited as soon as we took the exit from the airport. We enjoyed a private and convenient transfer to our 4-star Glorious Hotel in Istanbul. After completing all the necessary formalities at the hotel, we checked in and took some time to settle into the accommodation.

After that, we had our lunch at the hotel. We were so tired after our journey that we decided to take a short nap in our hotel room. After a while, my kids woke up and asked us for some tasty snacks. We ordered a delicious snack from the hotel’s cafe, and our kids enjoyed having that snack. Our kids were very happy as it was our much-awaited trip that we had needed for a long time, and their happiness was clearly visible on their faces. Spending quality time with family has always been my priority, but I miss it sometimes because of my busy schedule.

In the evening, we packed our essential travel accessories as we had to take in sights of the Bosphorus (or Bosporus) while enjoying the cruise tour. Basically, Bosphorus dinner cruise with Turkish shows is an extravagant and entertaining way to experience rich beauty and culture of Istanbul. Our tour guide took us for a dinner cruise on Bosphorus. We enjoyed a Bosphorus dinner cruise that combined sightseeing of iconic landmarks like the Galata Tower and Dolmabahçe Palace and a delicious Turkish dinner with live entertainment. We admired the magic of Istanbul at night from the water while enjoying full live entertainment. Trust me, we had a memorable evening experience, and the best part about the evening was that my kids were extremely delightful while cruising the Bosphorus Strait.

This is how our first day tour ended in Istanbul, and it was high time to return to our hotel. We cannot deny it was a day filled with fun, thrill, and entertainment. After returning to our hotel, we slept early, as we had to start the next day on an early note.

Day 2: Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Full Day Tour in Istanbul

Day 2 in Istanbul started with a delicious Turkish breakfast which included Sütlü Kahve (aka Turkish Coffee) and Menemen (that consists of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, green peppers, and onions). My whole family liked the breakfast.

Post our breakfast, we were set to explore the top historical attractions of Istanbul with our tour guide. Basically, a tour covering both Byzantine and Ottoman relics in Istanbul typically focuses on exploring the city's rich history under both empires.

We began our tour by exploring the Byzantine Era first. We first headed to Hagia Sophia, which is a historical masterpiece showcasing Byzantine architecture. Originally built as a cathedral in the 6th century by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, it later became a mosque after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and was transformed into a museum in 1935. Then, we headed to the Blue Mosque, which was also built during the Ottoman period. We admired its iconic architecture, explored its interior, and learnt about its history and cultural significance through our guided tour. Afterwards, we stopped at Hippodrome. It is an ancient stadium where chariot races and other events were held. There, we learned a lot about the city's history and culture. The place offers stunning architectural views. My family wandered through the area and enjoyed a great time there.

Moving on, we were all hungry, so our tour guide took us to an authentic Turkish restaurant for a lovely lunch, which was already included in our Istanbul tour package. After having an appetizing lunch, we walked to explore the Ottoman Era. We arrived at Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. It has been converted into a museum now and showcases the opulence and power of the Ottoman Empire. We explored its colorful gardens, spacious courtyards, elegant pavilions, beautiful fountains, and exquisite views of the Bosphorus Strait. Visiting this place was a great experience, especially for my kids as they explored every chamber of Topkapi Palace.

Moving forward, we headed to the famous Grand Bazaar, which is one of the largest covered markets in the world. Well, it was high time to spend some pennies from my pocket. My wife and kids spent some time shopping for their favorite items at the Grand Bazaar. My wife also bought an array of goods, including local spices and Turkish delights. After that, we relaxed, enjoyed, and tried baklava, a Turkish delight, and other sweet dishes at one of its sweet shops. The sun was going down, and it was time to return to our hotel. We headed back to our hotel, had our dinner, and went straight to sleep. This is how we spent our second day in Istanbul.

Day 3: Bursa City Exploration and Thrilling Cable Car Ride

3rd day of our Turkey trip started with a mouth-watering breakfast at the hotel and an excitement to explore the next destination. By the first half of the day, our tour representative took us for a full day Bursa cable car ride, which is the longest cable car line in Turkey. Basically, the Bursa Teleferik (also known as Bursa Uludağ Gondola) is a gondola lift system in Bursa, Turkey that connects the city with the Uludağ ski resort and national park. The Uludağ cable car in Bursa is a popular way to access the mountain for skiing, hiking, or simply enjoying the scenery. Your trip to Turkey is incomplete without exploring the cable car ride of the Bursa Teleferik.

First, we explored Bursa City with the help of our tour guide. We headed towards the Great Mosque (Ulu Camii), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We admired its architectural details, explored the vast open space, and appreciated the unique decor. Then, we headed to the Green Mosque, which is known for its intricate tilework and Ottoman architecture. There we experienced the serene atmosphere and spiritual significance. Then, we stopped at the Silk Market, which is one of the best places to visit in Turkey where one can discover the antique shops and traditional Turkish goods, including Turkish carpets, ceramics, and jewelry. My wife did some shopping and bought her favorite things like home decor items.

Then, we took a cable car ride up to Uludag Mountain, which is one of Turkey's largest ski resorts. This cable car ride offered us a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, including Uludağ Mountain and the city of Bursa. Our kids even made a video of this exciting ride. Our children were busy playing with snow, and I was busy clicking their pictures to keep them as a memory for a lifetime. Then, our tour guide took us for a delicious Turkish barbeque lunch with a picturesque view. Unfortunately, we were running out of time, so we had to rush. We returned to our hotel in Istanbul after an adventurous day. This was a glimpse of our third day, which was a well-spent day in Turkey.

Day 4: From Istanbul to Cappadocia

We woke up early in the morning as we had to travel from Istanbul to Cappadocia. After being ready for our fourth day on this trip, we decided on our breakfast menu. Our kids wanted to have menemen (scrambled eggs) for their breakfast with Turkish sausages, so we ordered these two things only. We were amazed as the hotel staff provided us with baklava, a layered pastry dessert, as a complimentary. After having this amazing breakfast, we checked out of the hotel in Istanbul.

Our tour driver was waiting for us downstairs. We enjoyed a smooth and hassle-free private transfer from our hotel in Istanbul to the Istanbul International Airport (IST) for our flights to Cappadocia. After landing at Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport, which is the major airport in Cappadocia, we collected our luggage from the airport. Another tour operator was waiting for us outside the airport. He greeted us politely and took us in a comfortable vehicle to our hotel in Cappadocia.

We reached our hotel and checked in. I took a hot shower, and my family also took a refreshing bath. Afterwards, we ordered something to eat as we were all hungry after a long journey. We were all so tired after our journey that we decided not to step out of the hotel for the rest of the day. We gave ourselves some time to relax. We slept early, as we had to explore another destination in this amazing city of Turkey.

Day 5: Visited Historical Sites and Natural Wonders in Cappadocia

We started the fifth day of our trip early in the morning with an appetizing breakfast. Got ready and headed for full day Cappadocia red tour with our tour representative. Generally, the "Red Tour" in Cappadocia is a popular guided tour that showcases the region's northern attractions and natural wonders, including the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Çavuşin Village, Devrent Valley, and more. Throughout this tour, one can experience a full day exploring Cappadocia's natural and cultural wonders.

Firstly, we visited the Göreme Open Air Museum, which is an amazing place to explore ancient rock-carved churches and monasteries. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a mandatory stop on any itinerary in Cappadocia. We were amazed by the rock-cut churches, that dated back to the 10th century. Then, we explored the Dark Church (Karanlık Kilise), where the frescoes were incredibly well-preserved. Our children were extremely delighted after hearing stories about how early Christians lived and worshipped in these hidden sanctuaries.

Our next stop was Çavuşin Village, which is an old Greek village with houses carved into cliffs. We walked through the ruins of a once-bustling town and climbed up to see the Church of St. John the Baptist. Trust me, the view of the valley below was stunning, and we took some beautiful family photos there for a memorable trip.

Then we headed to Paşabağ, which is also known as Monks Valley, and is famous for its striking fairy chimneys. The thing we liked best about this place was its tall, mushroom-shaped rock formations, which were jaw-dropping. We saw how monks once lived in these natural stone towers. Our kids were fascinated by the caves, and we even walked into one that had been used as a chapel.

Now, it was time for a delicious lunch as we were all tired and we needed some refreshment to boost our energies. Our tour guide took us to a local restaurant in the charming town of Avanos, by the Kızılırmak River. The food was super tasty, and we enjoyed eating fresh kebabs, mezes, and lentil soup. The staff were kind, and my family enjoyed the warm, homemade bread.

Post our lunch, we resumed our trip to Avanos. There, we visited a traditional pottery workshop. Avanos is known for its red clay pottery. We watched a master potter work the wheel and even got a chance to try it ourselves! Our kids got their hands dirty and loved creating their own mini pots. We bought a beautiful handmade vase as a souvenir.

Our last stop for the day was Devrent Valley, which is also known as Imaginary Valley. The moment we entered this place, it felt like we were stepping into a fantasy world. The rock formations were in animal shapes like camels along with other shaped formations, like the dolphin, snake, and praying Mary. We let our imaginations run wild as we strolled through the valley, trying to guess what each formation looked like. We don’t know if our guesses were right or not.

After an amazing day trip in Cappadocia, all of us came back to our hotel and decided to call it a day.

Day 6: Bid Adieu to Turkey

Today was the last day of our trip. Our kids were a little bit sad as they didn’t want to finish their Turkey trip very soon, However, my wife and I guided and told them to have another vacation in another country soon. When our kids heard this, they were relaxed a little bit. Afterwards, we had an appetizing breakfast at our hotel in Cappadocia. Our kids offered us a helping hand in packing all our stuff.

Our driver was waiting for us downstairs. He collected all our luggage from our hotel room and took that to the car. We completed all our exit formalities and checked out of the hotel. We bid adieu to the hotel and enjoyed a private transfer from the hotel to the airport in Cappadocia. We arrived at Nevşehir Kapadokya Airport and boarded our flight to Istanbul. After reaching Istanbul International Airport (IST), we took another flight back home. This is how we spent six amazing days in Turkey with the help of Myholidays. I once again would like to acknowledge the whole team of Myholidays, who made our vacation in Turkey so amazing and hassle-free. This trip was indeed a memorable one for our family.

If you're also thinking of visiting Turkey, do not forget to read our below-mentioned tips for a smooth journey.

Some Useful Travel Tips to Follow Before Visiting Turkey

Always book reliable travel agency to book the best Turkey tour packages
Carry comfortable clothes and shoes
Be respectful of local customs and traditions
Dress modesty while visiting religious sites
If travelling with family, it's better to book your hotels and taxis in advance
Apply for visa in advance before making your plans to visit this country
Embrace the local culture and try the delicious cuisine
Learn some basic Turkish phrases like "Merhaba" (which means hello) and "Tesekkur ederim" (which means thank you)
Be polite and patient while greeting with locals

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