Cappadocia: A World Heritage Dreamland.

Millions of years ago volcanic eruptions shaped these bizarre mushrooms, fairy chimneys and pointed caps out of stone. The landscape of Cappadocia, with houses carved into stone, looks like a different world, a dreamland many say. Even today several people still live in these caves made of lava stone.

Uchisar is the most famous town in Cappadocia. Not only is it the highest point of the region, but also the most striking thanks to it’s natural 60 metre high rock castle. It can be seen from a great distance and is visited by pretty much every tourist who comes to this area. It draws attention and lets you imagine how special and adventurous the area around Uchisar is.

It’s said that the long defense tunnels of towns with citadels (like Uchisar) reached far into the surrounding areas. However, since these tunnels have collapsed in places, the theory can’t be confirmed, but is still a popular myth.

The rock citadel in Ushisar, Cappadocia has many underground rooms and walkways. This, as well as the fantastic view from the hisar are well worth a trip.

The smaller, or rather less famous brother of the rock castle in Ushisar is located in the town Ortahisar, less than 15 driving minutes from there. Of course this town is also marked by the striking rock castle, but several small side alleys and a beautiful main square made this the place to set our base. Hezen Cave Hotel is not only a beautiful and well decorated boutique hotel, but also offers what a hotel in the area should offer: cave rooms. The view of the rock castle from the hotels terraces was truly breathtaking!

Ortahisar means “middle castle,” and as its name implies, it is central among the Cappadocian towns. Still, it stayed more or less on the sidelines despite its central location, which made it perfect for us.

Heven Cave Hotel in Ortahisar has several beautiful terrace to enjoy the stunning view.

Ortahisar is known for its friendly people, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named.

Wander downwards from the main square Ortahisar and you’ll discover cobbled streets framed by stone-house ruins leading out to a gorge of pigeon house–speckled rock.

The Other Kind Of Turkey: Welcome To Fantastica.

Some might have erotic fantasies when driving through Cappadocia, I rather see these stone formations as smoking fairy chimneys, mushrooms or pointed caps. It almost feels like as if garden gnomes dominate the area. Depending from which side you come from, you either start in the Devrent valley or Pasabag Monks valley. Michael Endes Fantastica from the Neverending Story greets you, because your imagination won’t have any boundaries here.

In Cappadocia magic seem real. How could geology explain such a surreal phenomenon of fairy like chimneys? The landscape truly looks like something out of a Salvador Dali dream.

The fairy chimneys in Devrent Valley (also known as Imaginary Valley) form a lunar landscape by their strange look and is known for its many animal shaped rocks.

Volcanic eruptions created this surreal landscape of Cappadocia. The lava flows formed tuff rock, which wind and rain sculpted into sinuous valleys with curvy cliff faces and pointy fairy chimneys.

Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps.

Exploring Cappadocia was everything I expected it to be: exciting, adventurous, inspiring and beautiful. I hope to return again soon.

The sights of the area are so diverse that there is something new to explore around every corner. We could have spent many more days here, but we still had Pamukkale and the beautiful Turkish Riviera on our travel list.

Apart from the well known areas like Cappadocia and Pamukkale, Turkey has a lot more to offer. The ancient city of Myra was one of these sights.

Early morning is always a good time to visit such spots because your typical tourist tends to sleep longer when on vacation, so therefore all these must-see sights are mostly deserted in the mornings. And for us as travel photographers, the morning hours have a far better light anyway.

A Place Where History Can Be Felt Every Step Along The Way.

Myra once was the capital of Lycia until it lost a battle in 800 AD. Terrible plagues, Muslim raids , earthquakes and floodings did the rest and in the 11th century, Myra was finally abandoned only to be rediscovered in 1840 by Charles Fellows – an famous British archaeologist.

So we were the first ones to arrive there, and had the place completely to ourselves. When standing in the half circle theatre, the largest theatre in Lycian times, one can really imagine how it must have felt, when the crowd cheered. The theatre is impressive, but the rock hewn tombs behind it even more. There are two necropolis of Lycian rock-cut tombs in the form of temple fronts carved into the vertical faces of cliffs. The entire site is really well preserved, which is perfect for your imagination of those ancient times.

Myra is a relatively small site and you’ll be done within an hour, but nevertheless it’s well worth the trip!

Even though you’re not allowed to walk around the rock tombs, you still feel the ancient Lycian culture…

It’s best to visit the ancient ruins of Myra early in the morning, because that’s when you’ll have the place to yourself without hordes of tourists.

All pre-Greek people of Anatolia built beautiful monumental tombs. The Lycians developed this form of art to perfection, no doubt facilitated by the soft limestone of the region.

The theatre of Myra, with the rock-cut tombs of the ancient Lycian necropolis on the cliff in the background.

The main attractions at Myra is the large theatre which used to sit up to 13.000 people.

The vibe and atmosphere around Myra is unique. It really feels like you’re set back into time…

Even in a popular tourist destination like Turkey, you will find uninhabited areas where only small gravel roads lead…

Thunderstorms In Bodrum: Was Our Beach Holiday At Risk?

After our road trip through Cappadocia, we wanted to explore the beautiful coastal region, which would give us a couple of more sun-days before autumn really hit Austria. After a short pit-stop (which turned into a night stop) in Pamukkale, Bodrum was our goal destination. For the last 50 kilometres, a really (!) dark cloud kept following us – this meant nothing good for sure. And this is how it came: That night, Bodrum was hit with the worst thunderstorms of the past 50 years. Three hours of stop-and-go traffic gave us the rest. We ended up at the hotel completely soaked from tip to toe. One thing was sure: our beach holiday would not start here. So we continued our trip the next morning with Dalyan as our final stop before heading back to Antalya.

Pine Woods And Small Bays Along A Picturesque Coast.

The drive along the coast would quickly let us forget the bad weather. The further we drove, the more sun-rays we got. This made us stop frequently in between for short swimming breaks. The water along the southern Turkish coast is crystal clear and super clean (even when you’re at more densely populated areas), which makes swimming here absolutely beautiful. Just before we got to Akyaka, we came across a small bay, which was perfect for the afternoon sun. We decided to spend the night in Akyaka so that we could also enjoy the morning sun here before hitting the road again.

The water along the southern coast of Turkey is crystal clear and perfect for a beautiful beach holiday.

You will come across many small bays along the coastal road of southern Turkey.

Dalyan: Lycian Tombs And An (Almost) Endless Beach.

You won’t believe how strong the sun actually is down here at the end of September. To avoid getting completely burnt, we continued our trip after a few hours. After all, we still had a long way to go. Up to this point, the beaches were nice, but pebbles to get annoying as well. Thanks to Google Earth, we had our eyes set on Iztuzu Beach near Dalyan.

It takes about 15 minutes to get to Iztuzu Beach from the city centre of Dalyan by car. For sports enthusiasts, you can also rent bicycles to get there. Although more people come to this beach, they spread out on the three kilometres pretty nicely and you can be all by yourself if that’s what you’re in to. Apart from Iztuzu Beach, we were also interested in the surrounding area of course. Especially a building that could be seen from the distance, that seemed to be the highest point of the region.

The way up there was quite easy to find and we were rewarded with an amazing view of the area. And not only that: we came across an even more remote and beautiful sand bay where we would spend the next hours. You can only reach this beach by boat or if you decided to take a leap down the steep gravel road.

Dalyan offers beached, but also other interesting highlight. For example impressive Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs, seen right from the river promenade or the several waterways that can be explored by boat.

The view of Dalyan and Iztuzu beach was pretty impressive.

The lagoon around Dalyan offers beautiful sceneries.

Above the river’s sheer cliffs in Dalyan are the façades of Lycian tombs cut from rock.

The sand beaches near Dalyan where a great change to the gravel beaches along the way.

Resume Of Our Adventurous Turkey Trip.

After 2.452 kilometres across Turkey, we collected lots of great impressions. But the especially the marvellous coast along isolated gravel roads fascinated us. Here you will come across several remote villages, beaches and forests that make a trip down here well worth it!

I love sitting on a roof-top terraces to watch the sun set over the one of the world’s most beautiful skylines. I love the locals, who are more than friendly. I love listening to the Muezzin – even at 4.00 am – to which you can set the clock. I love the parks and the delicious sweets. What can I say, I’ve simply lost my heart to Istanbul!

Here Europe and Asia meet and this makes it the perfect spot for any travel photographer. It has more jaw-dropping sights you could ever imagine and an incredible cultural experience will follow you each step of the way. There are many must visit sights and places of interest in Istanbul and I would like to share some of my favourite.

1. Süleymaniye Mosque.

Süleymaniye Mosque is an architectural masterpiece. The aesthetic supremacy of its interior and exterior and its perfect proportions have been captivating visitors for centuries. I actually find this Mosque the most impressive in Istanbul.

Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most impressive Mosques in Istanbul.

2. Gülhane Park.

Gülhane Park is a historical urban park located on part of the Topkapi Palace grounds. It’s one of the oldest public parks in Istanbul which is frequented by many locals & tourist aiming for fresh air and superb nature right in the centre of Istanbul. Sometimes dealing with the masses of people can be daunting, so this is the perfect spot to settle down after an extensive day of walking. You can either rest on one of the many benches, or walk down the tranquil, tree lined path that leads you all the way to the Bosphorus.

Gülhane park the perfect spot to relax a little.

The large trees and beautiful flower arrangements make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale.

Gülhane park is also one of the few spots in Istanbul where can get away from all the hustle & bustle.

3. Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is the last stop on the Silk Road. It’s truly a maze market and with more than 3.000 shops, it’s one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Established in 1461 by Mehmet the Conqueror, it houses more than 60 streets of jewellery, textiles, pottery, leather & carpets. Bring a map for orientation, but still expect to get lost at least once. If you’re into books, definitely check out Sahaflar Carsisi (the Old Book Bazaar) which was moved to the picturesque location near the Beyazid Mosque.

Istanbuls Grand Bazaar is a true shoppers paradise.

The entrance to the Grand Bazaar is almost like a door into a far away land…

The book section of the Grand Bazaar offers all sort of reading material.

4. Galata Bridge.

The Galata Bridge spans across the Golden Horn and was built in 1992 to replace an iron structure dating from 1909 to 1912, which had already replaced two earlier structures. A walk across the bridge is an absolute must for every visitor. During the day, the bridge carries a constant flow of people crossing to and from Beyoğlu and Eminönü, as well as a handful of hopeful anglers. Underneath, restaurants and cafés are open day and night. Historically (and in some respect also today), the Galata Bridge was a symbolic link between the traditional city of Istanbul. On one side you had imperial palace and religious institutions, and on the other side the districts of Galata and Beyoğlu, where where foreign merchants and diplomats lived and worked and where today a young hip and more artsy crowd frequents the area.

Although the Galata Bridge is not the most beautiful sights, it has become a must-see landmark of Istanbul.

Every day fishermen come try their luck from the Galata Bridge.

5. Hagia Sofia.

The Byzantine masterpiece was built by Emperor Justinian I as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica. This huge 30 metre diameter dome covers what was once the largest enclosed space in the world. After Constantinople fell to the Turks in 1453, it became a mosque, before being converted into a museum in 1935. The stunning interior is supposed to be well-worth the wait outside (calculate at least 2 hours). We were there on a Monday, which is unfortunate the only day the museum is closed…

Seeing the Hagia Sofia from the inside, means standing in line for quite some time.

The Hagia Sofia is one of the most famous museums world-wide.

6. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque aka The Blue Mosque.

Neighbouring the Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque is an impressive sight from the outside as its one of only a few Mosques in the world with six minarets. Its name comes from the interior, the decorative blue tiles that cover the walls. This architectural masterpiece is one of the most popular must-visits in Istanbul and if you wish to see the insight you have to calculate a great amount of time.

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul is probably the most frequented sight, yet it’s also an active Mosque, therefore it’s important to be respectful when visiting.

7. Bosphorus.

No trip is complete without crossing the Bosphorus to visit the Asian shore. Excursions along shoreline best reveal the city’s beauty and other attractions hidden from street view.

There are many legends about Maiden’s Tower and its location. According to the most popular Turkish legend, an emperor had a much beloved daughter and one day, an oracle prophesied that she would be killed by a venomous snake on her 18th birthday. The emperor, in an effort to thwart his daughter’s early demise by placing her away from land so as to keep her away from any snakes, had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until her 18th birthday. The princess was placed in the tower, where she was frequently visited only by her father.

On a ride along the Bosphorus you will come across the majestic structures of Rumeli Hisari. Mehmet the Conqueror had it built in a mere four months in 1452, in preparation for his siege of Byzantine Constantinople. For its location, he chose the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. By doing so, Mehmet was able to control all traffic on the strait, cutting the city off from resupply by sea.

8. A Ride On A Heritage Tramway.

There are two heritage tramways in Istanbul – one on the European and one on the Asian side. The Taksim-Tünel Nostalgia Tramway (also called T2 line), runs from Taksim to Tünel. The historic trams are small, can’t hold many passengers, and are full most of the time. The ride is relatively slow but pleasant. The conductor constantly has to ring his bell to clear the way of pedestrians walking on Istiklal Avenue – frequented by approximately 3 million people every day.

CAtching a ride on the Heritage Tramway to Taksmi Square is not easy but definitely worth it.

9. New Mosque & Spice Bazaar.

The Spice Bazaar was built in 1663 as part of the New Mosque. It was the last stop for camel caravans travelling on the Silk Road, which already gives a sense of the history around this marketplace. Spices are displayed alongside Turkish delights and dried fruits as eye candy for tourists and locals who make their way here every day.

Thousand of shoppers in Istanbul frequent the Spice Bazaar each day

All sorts of exotic spices can be bought at this Bazaar in Istanbul.

10. Galata Quarter & Galata Tower.

Last but not least, walking through the Galata quarter is an absolute must – in particular the Galata Tower from where you have an amazing 360° view of the city. Galata is a great place to relax, wander the streets, discover, take pictures and enjoy the city. This part of town is hip, stylish, trendy & young. You’ll come across many local shops; from gift shops to cool shoe shops, vintage boutiques to Turkish designer’s showrooms, great cafés and cosy restaurants. The architecture is also worth seeing; it’s a mixture between run down buildings, old-fashioned wooded houses and modern façades.

The skyline of Istanbul is definitely one of the most impressive in the world – especially at night.

The view of the Galata Bridge and New Mosque from the Galata Tower.

For example the yellow fists by Berlin based Graffiti Writer Kripoea. The fists are a sign for rebellion, anarchy, and can be found pretty much everywhere in the city, also at places you might not expect…

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Street Art in the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sure, the Blue Mosque is the most famous one and therefore better known among tourists, but that’s also its great drawback. The Blue Mosque – still one of the most impressive in Istanbul – suffers from that huge and constant flow of visitors, which the Süleymaniye Mosque doesn’t. Of course, it was clear to me that I needed to visit Istanbul’s largest Mosque, yet I had no idea it would leave me this speechless compared to other sights of the city.

Fewer visitors are not the only quality it possesses; It’s an architectural masterpiece. The aesthetic supremacy of its interior and exterior and its perfect proportions have been captivating visitors for centuries.

The Süleymaniye Mosque was built on the order of Sultan Süleyman I, also known as Süleyman the Magnificent, who was the greatest and richest of all Ottoman sultans, and it crowns Istanbul’s highest of the seven hills.

View of Süleymaniye Mosque from the Galata Quarter in Istanbul, Turkey.

Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Inside Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

The view of our 360° terrace – In front: Galata Bridge & New Mosque, Istanbul.

The Galata Tower & its Quarter, Istanbul.

Galata is a great place to relax, wander the streets, discover, take pictures and enjoy the city. This part of town is hip, stylish, trendy & young. You’ll come across many local shops – from gift shops to cool shoe shops, vintage boutiques to Turkish designer’s showrooms – great cafés and cosy restaurants. The architecture is also worth seeing; it’s a mixture between run down buildings, old-fashioned wooded houses and modern façades.

A super cute little retro shop in Galata, Istanbul.

A run down building in Galata, Istanbul.

A man sitting in the doorway of a house in Galata, Istanbul.

Street Art.

I only took about 500 photos of all the different street art in the Galata quarter, therefore I’d only like to share a couple in this post, and keep the rest for a separate article. When wandering the side streets, you’ll come across some pretty awesome street art…

Panda Bear Graffiti in Galata, Istanbul.

Graffiti in the Galata Quarter of Istanbul.

Graffiti in the Galata Quarter of Istanbul.

Graffiti in the Galata Quarter of Istanbul.

What I liked most about Galata is the neighbourhoods energy, crowded by young people and many foreigners, who roam the streets at any given hour of the day. It’s definitely worth exploring, so take your time when coming to this part of Istanbul.

Although Istanbul isn’t the capital, it’s the largest city in Turkey and the leading industrial, commercial, historical, and cultural center. Not only because of the diversity of people, but also geologically; Istanbul is the only major city world-wide that lies on two continents, Asia & Europe. I heard that it’s supposed to be one of the most fascinating places and therefore, I can’t wait to to dive into the “Soul of Turkey” in less than two weeks!

We booked ourselves into a fantastic historical flat right next to the Galata Tower with a 360° roof top terrace, which I desperately need for “bird view” photo opportunities – whether day or night.

Things we want to see:

Hagia Sophia
One of Istanbul’s illustrious landmark, the Hagia Sofia was a former church, mosque and now a museum. It is the most important achievement of Byzantine architecture.

Topkapi Palace
This palace was home to all the Ottoman sultans. Today it’s a museum. The Treasury of the Museum is considered one of the most celebrated treasuries in the world.

Blue Mosque
Although popularly known as the Blue Mosque, its real name is Sultan Ahmet Mosque. It is famous for the beautiful blue tiles and glass work ornamenting its walls.

Grand Bazaar
We love markets, so this is a definite must! Grand Bazaar is the oldest and largest covered bazaar in the world. It’s situated in the heart of the city. Inside the Grand Bazaar you can enjoy shopping and find great bargains in 3.000 shops.

Galata Tower
It was called the Christea Turris by the Genoese and the Megalos Pyrgos by the Byzantines. It has a modern restaurant and cafe on its upper floors with a stunning view of Istanbul. The Galata Quarter is also the trendiest area in Istanbul…

Suleymaniye Mosque
This mosque is the largest and most imposing. It’s an architectural masterpiece. The aesthetic supremacy of its interior and exterior and its perfect proportions have been captivating visitors for centuries.

Old City Walls of Istanbul
Old Constantinople was surrounded by walls described as land walls and sea walls. These walls were considered to be the largest fortress ever constructed in the Christian era. With the numerous towers, it’s a magnificent sight.

As you can see, the fours day we have there are packed. But I’m always open to even more suggestions, especially the ones a tourist would never find. So, any Istanbul insider tips?