Travel Inspiration: Turkey: Europe & Asia All at Once
Location. Location. Location. That’s Turkey in a nutshell. Where east meets west, Europe meets Asia, Islam meets Christianity, and where the world’s oldest city was discovered. Alexander the Great was the first to meld eastern and western cultures. Many followed suit. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans all left their marks. It is here that whirling dervishes spin themselves into trances in a spiritual quest. Today, Turkey is a rich mosaic, a thriving democracy layered in Oriental history and European splendor.
Touch down in Istanbul, Turkey’s chief metropolis and a monument to the great empires and conquerors that built the city. It is divided by the Bosphorus Strait; half of the city is on the continent of Europe, the other in Asia. Explore its grand palaces, bustling markets, and enjoy a visit to a Turkish spa.
Fly to magical Cappadocia, once the heart of the Hittite Empire and later a vast Roman province. Volcanic eruptions spread a layer of ash over the region; the ash hardened into tufa stone. Over time, wind and rain eroded the tufa into columns and cones. You have the option to take an early morning hot-air balloon ride over Cappadocia and experience the sema ceremony, performed by semazen, or whirling dervishes.
Would you like to visit Turkey?
The details of each R. Crusoe journey are unique and special — much like an architect’s renderings or a chef’s secret sauce. Have one of our real human travel planners send you your own private copy of the fully customizable itinerary via the form below, including day-by-day activities, accommodations and base pricing. Don’t hesitate to ask them your questions—they’ll also be your personal travel concierge from the moment you get in touch.
