Ever inspired to explore the road less travelled, Head of Europe, Molly Kinnaird, has Turkey at the top of her travel list. With a fusion of cultures and historical legacy – and now, an ever growing list of luxury hotels – this country offers plenty more than meets the eye, and is waiting with open doors.
Where East meets West and Europe and Asia blend into each other, Turkey is a melting pot of culture, cuisine and legacy.
Flanked by the Black Sea, the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean, the experiences at the country’s helm extend far beyond what many people may first realise. Of course, with a capital city as renowned as Istanbul, many people think of Turkey as a metropolis of history, founded in the eras of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. And although this understanding is correct, the extent of the country’s historic influence, and modern offering, is largely understated. The city is doused in relics of times gone by, yet beyond is equally as enchanting.
On the shores of the Mediterranean, the Turquoise Coast rings true to its name. Azure waters roll onto golden sand beaches, and Turkish gulet boats line the horizon. Relaxation comes in abundance here, and as crowds flock to the isles of Greece, Turkey has preserved the art of seclusion. In-land, ‘fairy towers’ rise from the hills of Cappadocia. A place where your feet may not touch the ground, both metaphorically and literally, as the heavens are met by the slow sailing of hot air balloons among clouds. I love to recommend that any Turkish experience includes designated time in each of these regions as ‘The Golden Triangle’ of Turkey. Starting in Istanbul, you cannot miss the markets. Where the buzz of the city is electrified and the core of the culture remains, a private guide will take you from the fragrant aromas of the Spice Markets to the striking halls of the Grand Bazaar; spanning across an astounding 61 streets, it is marked as one of the largest in the world.
Before departing the city, an experience that cannot be found elsewhere in the world, is sailing along the Bosphorus River. Hugely significant in its location, the Bosphurus separates Asian Turkey from European Turkey and is one of very few places in the world where you can take in the sights of two continents, at once.
Out of the city and into Cappadocia, you will be met with scenes that simply cannot be described. Here is a world where the skies are busier than the streets, and a kaleidoscope of hot air balloons paint the sky as they float among the clouds. Embark on your own flight at sunrise, or simply watch from the roof of your hotel over breakfast. The view, no matter where you are, is astounding.
As you settle in at the coast, turtle spotting, snorkelling and sailing will lie ahead for your final days in Turkey. One of my happiest travel memories is of days spent onboard a traditional gulet boat. Dipping in and out of the ocean, we scuba dived with thriving marine life before returning back on deck to be greeted by a sprawling mezze of flatbreads, hummus, Köfte, falafels and, my personal favourite, baklava. Thinking as I write, it still makes my mouth water.
For me, the food in Turkey has always been a highlight. It is the first thing I think of when friends ask why I always want to go back, and it is the first thing I hear about when they return. Unlike what you may find elsewhere in Europe, their cooking techniques have remained the same for centuries, and they preserve an ancestral prestige that can be felt in the flavours of their dishes. This is what I tasted on that day on the gulet, a prestige. A deep-rooted respect for their legacy that translates in everything they produce.
The service is of the same nature. It is impeccable. I feel they are the north star of service that many other countries must look to, with attention to detail and an undeniable sense of care, they look after you, whether you are a stranger or friend, as though you are family.
This is rooted in their authenticity, an unwillingness to stray from their foundations and conform to commercialisation in the name of tourism. They welcome visitors with open arms, but it will not alter their offering, and for this I admire them even more.
For guests that travel to Turkey, it does not have to be in isolation. With Istanbul as the gateway to Asia, you can decide to extend your layover on a longer trip and forge an extra journey through the country on your way home. Or, with excellent links to Athens, add on time in the respite of the Greek Isles.
I am a huge advocate for curiosity, and would implore any visitor to look beyond what they may first think, or learn, of Turkey, and experience a truly touching country at its best.
The overriding message I want to share with you, is that Turkey is not just one place with one story. It is two continents, many legacies, and an overwhelming offering. It has faced huge challenges in modern history, and more specifically in the last year; and I wouldn’t be doing the country, or you, any justice to not recognise this. The earthquake of February 2023 has left a scar on the hearts of the Turkish people, yet their resilience and community in the face of such adversity has been astounding.
Now, with optimism driving us all forward, and the support of the world behind them, Turkey is able to return to its roots and once again welcome visitors to its shores.
INSPIRATION
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