Turkey & Greece Travel Stories

Turkey – the crossroads of Europe and Asia
by Jackie Carypidis
National Brand Manager, Bunnik Tours

Our journey started in the vibrant Istanbul where we explored the amazing Grand Bazaar housing over 1,200 stalls of leather, jewellery, spices, carpet, pottery and mouth watering Turkish delights. This was a perfect place for us to use our bartering skills and bag a few bargains. We spent the next 2 days exploring the rich and colourful culture of the city visiting the beautiful gardens at Sultanahmet, museums, churches, mosques and palaces including the famous Blue Mosque, famed for its 6 minarets, the neighbouring Hagia Sophia which was once the world’s largest cathedrals turned mosque and now a museum, Topkapi Palace and Basilica Cistern.

ANZAC – lest we forget
We continued travelling to battle-scarred Gallipoli where we visited the main ANZAC territory covering the old battlefield’s original trenches and tunnels, North Beach, Brighton Beach (the intended landing place), Anzac Cove through to the Turkish memorial. We then travelled to the ancient city of Troy where we visited the symbolic wooden horse and had a chance to explore the legendary site of the Trojan War.

Ancient Wonders
Our next stop was Ephesus, the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean exemplifying the urban life of the Romans. We were amazed at the carefully restored elements of this ancient city, mainly the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Artemis, the amazing Corinthian inspired architecture at the Odeon, and the Gate of Augustus.

The next morning, we travelled to Pamukale, a natural site south-west of Turkey containing amazing hot springs and calcium terraces nearby the ancient city of Hieropolis, home of the thermal baths. People have been bathing in these pools for thousands of years and the area is now recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Continuing with the World Heritage Sites, we then visited the Goreme Valley in Cappadocia, an astounding landscape of eroded volcanic rock and home of the fairy chimneys, magnificent houses, churches and monasteries carved by Christians over 2000 years ago. This is where we saw many examples of Byzantine art and unique frescoes still showing amazing colours.

Not for the claustrophobic!!!
Further out of Goreme, we explored the underground city of Derinkuyu – one of many cities built by the Christians who were trying to escape during the persecution of the Roman empire. Derinkuyu is 85m deep and has 8 floors of tunnels opened to tourists to give them an idea of labyrinth living.

The well preserved archaeological sites and fascinating museums in Turkey bring its history to life and the warm welcome and traditional hospitality made this holiday very satisfying. Turkey is a destination for everyone!

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