Turkey Scrapbook

On June 12, 2006, my mom and I began an adventure in Turkey on a Rick Steve’s tour. The trip was pure joy. We traveled with a fun, light-hearted group of people. We had two incredible guides, Sidar and Joan. Sidar passionately shared his country with us – its history, its geography, its people, its food, its music, its politics.

Turkey is an incredibly rich country. Its people are warm and gracious ... not to mention gorgeous. Its natural beauty is spectacular ... and so diverse. Its food is mouth-watering. Its history is complicated, interesting, and ancient.

What did I love about Turkey? Baklava, fairy chimneys, warm Mediterranean water, kind people, history, history, history, fresh yogurt for breakfast, turkish baths, underground cities, ... To learn more about our adventures and about why I loved Turkey so much, keep reading. I hope that this website gives you a taste of this wonderful tour. And I hope that, if you haven't already been there, that you will one day get the opportunity to visit and fall in love with this beautiful country!

Tour Itinerary

Days 1-3 Istanbul - Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sofia, Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, Chora Church, Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Taxim Square, Spice Market, Bosphorus Cruise

Day 4 (morning) Ankara - Civilizations Museum, Ataturk's Mausoleum & Museum

Days 4 - 7 Cappadocia - Greek House, Mustafapasa Walk, Lunch with a Local, Goreme Open Air Museum, Carpet Demo, Dancing, Balloon Ride, Hike, Pottery Demo, Underground City, Wedding in Guzelyurt, Talk with an Imam, Church of St. Gregory, and Caravanserai (on the road to Konya)

Day 8 Konya - Mevlana Museum

Days 8 - 10 Antalya - Antalya Walk, Mediterranean Cruise, Turkish Bath

Day 10 Korkuteli Farmer's Market, Oguz, Pamukkale - Hieropolis ruins, travertine pools

Day 11 Aphrodisias - ruins & lunch

Days 11 - 12 Kusadasi - Ephesus, goodbye dinner

Day 13 Part ways (with tears in our eyes!)

Check out the details at the Rick Steve's website!