iSmartNetwork Magazine The online magazine for you…
The post The 12 Best Places for Photography in Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia& Pamukkale appeared first on TravelBreak.
Reading Time: 8 minutes
The best homes for photography in Turkey and general travel tips-off for Turkey( escapade, luxury, and cultural activities ).
” This home should be a World Wonder … emphatically over Petra .”
Alyssa took the words right out of my mouth. We’d both been booked as talkers for the World Tourism Forum in Turkey and leveraged it to explore Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Izmir, Istanbul and Ephesus.
” Can whole countries be world wonders ?!”
Wow. One of the best weeks of “peoples lives”. But we almost didn’t come to Turkey.
We agreed to disagree with our initial imagines — we regret our hesitation to visit Turkey. We’d asked ourselves and our American pals, is it safe to travel in Turkey now? Is it safe to travel to Turkey as Americans?
Both Alyssa Ramos and I are solo female travelers. While we intended on gather up, per usual, we asked ourselves about trip advises of traveling to Turkey as women.
The answer is that Istanbul is a major city as safe as NYC, Barcelona and Rome. Quite frankly, there is more political discontent and crime against women in the USA than there is most parts of the world that we brand with “dangerous.”
That tell me anything, Turkey and Turkish culture is as delightful as Turkish desserts. We invested over a week exploring Turkey and had the most incredible time!
In this post 😛 TAGEND
What’s in my camera container Photo guide to the best places in Turkey. How to get out while traveling in Turkey. The best things to do for bucket list experiences in Turkey. When to travel in Turkey. What to jam-pack for Turkey.
What to shoot photography with:
First things firstly, I shoot with a DSLR and an iPhone. Check out these tools to get the best photos on your next journey!
Canon 70 D, available via Overstock with a free extra battery+ memory card. Canon 24 -7 0 mm lens( standard zoom lens) available on Spring( with warranty) which is great for lifestyle photos. Canon Wide Lens 20 mm which is great for wide-ranging landscapes. I primarily shoot photos of myself by using the Manfrotto tripod , it folds up neatly.
If this all audios a bit confusing, check out my Beginner’s Guide to Photography | Which Camera is Right for You post. I also do a lot of iPhone Only Photography( check out my steer)
Here’s all the must-do photo experiences in Turkey:
( They’re fun without the pictures too)
1. Take a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
A bucket list experience for traveling in Turkey, sunrise in Cappadocia is magical. Start your pre-morning with a quick( limited) continental breakfast before starting on a flight with 12- 26 of your* closest* friends.
Excuse the sass, it really is a perfect experience and you can upgrade from service standards to a private tour when booking in advance! Regardless, you’ll find yourself 4- 20 km above the soil, and desire every bit of it no matter who you’re sharing it with.
Tips for the Turkey hot air balloon experience in Cappadocia 😛 TAGEND
If the winds are too strong, the company will delay flights until the following morning — give yourself an extra day or two in Cappadocia as a backup — or to catch the balloons from searching point. If you’d like to get beyond the primary town in Cappadocia, you’ll need a vehicle — however, the hot air balloon companies do hotel pick ups. It gets a little cold, so bundle up! You also have to climb in and out of the hot air balloon basket, so wear gasps or leggings.
Floating like a butterfly in the magical land of Cappadocia.
Hot air balloon Cappadocia, Turkey with Alyssa Ramos from My Life’s a Movie
2. Get aerial photos while paragliding in Pamukkale.
We had just finished strolling the travertine ponds of Pamukkale when our driver surprised us with great news:” It’s not too late to go paragliding in Pamukkale .” Within in 15 times, we were at the top of a mountain … running off of it with a parachute.
You can book paragliding through your hotel or anywhere in the town. It’s AMAZING a bucket-list adventure for sure!
BTW check out my ultimate guide to GoPro Photography Tips+ Accessories
3. Actually, take a walk in Pamukkale too.
If you’re not in a dare-devil mood, the Pamukkale thermal pools are the unicorn of natural national parks. Translating from Turkish to” cotton palaces ,” these white terraces mirage as snow glaciers, but are actually sediments of calcium carbonate.
During the winter, the park closes at 5:00 PM( which is why we took cheeky photos at 5:15, thus dodging the crowds ). During the springtime and summertime, the park is open until midnight.
You can bring your swimsuit for a swim, but it does get cold during the winter.
4. Explore Ephesus
The Greek City of Ephesus holds strong Christian significance in the Book of Revelation. It’s an Ancient World Wonder and a quick trip-up from the Andan Menderes Airport.
I took on to photographing Alyssa for this part of the trip-up! Follow her on Instagram @MyLifesAMovie
But the sites stand majestically on their own.
5. Visit the Blue Mosque
Notoriously, the more popular of all points of interest in Istanbul, the Blue Mosque lives up to the hype! So nice, I visited it twice at sunrise.
It’s free to visit the mosque; however during hours of prayer, you will be asked to respectfully dedicate those in worship due space. Don’t be surprised if you can’t get to specific areas of the mosque or set down a tripod during prayer.
6. Stay in a Cave in Cappadocia
Move over seven starring inns of Abu Dhabi! There’s nothing like living in a cave of an underground metropolitan. Volcanoes hollowed out stones over centuries; these became people’s homes and eventually, Turkey points of interest for a luxe lodging experience.
Enjoy a rooftop snack of your cave inn in Cappadocia.
And sleep in a regenerated cave where antique classics fulfill modern restrooms, electricity and comfort.
We remained at the Amber Cave Suites( above) and Museum Hotel( covering photo ).
7. Tour the underground city.
There are thirty-six underground metropolis in Cappadocia, with the most popular being the Kaymakli Underground City( pictured below ). The cave dwell boasts an intricate protection against opponents. From ventilation systems, to traps, wineries, churches and nurseries, the engineering of 100 tunnels and eight stories stirs this one of the most fascinating metropolis I’ve yet to visit.
8. Find a rooftop in Istanbul.
Istanbul is known for eccentric art and funky rooftops. Indulge in hookah, wine or Turkish coffee with a vistum of the only mid Euro-Asian metropolitan city.
9. Chase the blue eyes in Cappadocia
Iconic of Turkey, the blue eyes or “Nazars,” be protected against the evil eye — all those with envy wishing bad upon you.
Just up the road overlooking the trees is a restaurant. We asked them if we could take our tea outside to the rooftop, and they concurred.
10. Have a stroll within Hagia Sophia
Meaning” Holy Wisdom ,” the now museum has evolved as a Christian Church, Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Roman Catholic Cathedral, and Imperial Mosque. Take a walk inside and you’ll appreciate its majestic domes too.
11. Goreme National Park, Cappadocia
Goreme National Park describes the entire area, but there are rock locates that have monikers including Rose Valley, Mushroom Valley and Imagination Valley. Ask your steer or motorist to tour you through the fairy chimney and volcanic boulder formations.
12. Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul
Great at sunrise or sunset, capture the mosques from afar via Istanbul’s Bosphorus bridge.
How to Get about in Turkey
Fly into Istanbul Ataturk Airport, establishing the Istanbul tour of your journey the first or last bit of your loop-the-loop. Next, we flew to Neveshir airport( super cheap … $25- $40) to see Cappadocia for a couple periods. We then flew to Izmir to meet our steer and took an hour drive to Ephesus. Next a three and a half hour drive to Pamukkale. We then drove an hour to the Denizli airport where we flew back to Istanbul. Get a visa online before arriving to the Istanbul airport. You can get one on advent, although it takes another line and they only take currency. They likewise seemed to be very upset that I didn’t have my visa ahead of time. Taxis vs Uber: Use an Uber whenever possible in Istanbul. They simply have Uber X which benches six, nonetheless Istanbul is notorious for over-charging sightseers in taxis. Your cab rate will end up being 2- 3xs it’s actual cost — you’re better off taking an Uber.
When to travel in Turkey
The high season is in the summer. The weather is hot and costs shoot up to almost three times the cost. You’ll catch low rainfall in the winter, but you’ll dodge the crowds. The best time to travel is really during the spring.
What to pack for your trip to Turkey
Definitely pack a pashima or scarf to inspect the mosques. They likewise make for an easy way to dress up a much more comfortable outfit.
! function( d, s, id )
var e, p= /^ http :/. experiment( d.location)? ‘http’: ‘https’;
if (! d.getElementById( id ))
e= d.createElement( s );
e.id= id;
e.src= p+ ‘ :// widgets.rewardstyle.com/ js/ shopthepost.js’;
d.body.appendChild( e );
if( typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if( d.readyState === ‘complete’)
window.__stp.init ();
( record, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’ );
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
I wish I would have packed more maxi skirts. Not simply are they comfy and adhering the the republican is necessary for the mosques you’ll visit, but they look great in photos!
! role( d, s, id )
var e, p= /^ http :/. test( d.location)? ‘http’: ‘https’;
if (! d.getElementById( id ))
e= d.createElement( s );
e.id= id;
e.src= p+ ‘ :// widgets.rewardstyle.com/ js/ shopthepost.js’;
d.body.appendChild( e );
if( typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if( d.readyState === ‘complete’)
window.__stp.init ();
( report, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’ );
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
For photos, I shoot with an iPhone 7, GoPro 4, Go Pro Session, and Canon 70 D.
! part( d, s, id )
var e, p= /^ http :/. experiment( d.location)? ‘http’: ‘https’;
if (! d.getElementById( id ))
e= d.createElement( s );
e.id= id;
e.src= p+ ‘ :// widgets.rewardstyle.com/ js/ shopthepost.js’;
d.body.appendChild( e );
if( typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if( d.readyState === ‘complete’)
window.__stp.init ();
( record, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’ );
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
Photography Guides:
The Ultimate Guide to iPhone Photography: Tips, Accessories, Features, AppsThe Ultimate Guide to GoPro Accessories+ TipsBeginner’s Guide to the Best Photography Equipment
See complete packing listings
Swimsuits for Wives Paradise Attire for Men Outdoor and Fitness Attire for Women Outdoor and Active Wear for Men Snow Wear for Women Snow Wear for Men
Which smudges would you add as the best places for photography in Turkey?
Thank You
A big-hearted thank you to the World Tourism Forum for inviting me to speak on behalf of destination marketing. I was able to take cheeky side trip-ups with their help and some planing with Alyssa Ramos of MyLifeIsAMovie.com
World Tourism Forum February 2017, in Istanbul, Turkey
Pin this post to read it later 😛 TAGEND
POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE
My Top 25 World Travel Experiences at 25( Photos)Israel Photos- Treasures of the Past and Present5 Reasons Abu Dhabi is the Most Fascinating City in the World( Photos)Slovenia: Lake Bled, Ljubljana, and Triglav National Park( Photos)5 Reasons Not to Visit Hvar Island, Croatia( Photos )
The post The 12 Best Places for Photography in Turkey: Istanbul, Cappadocia& Pamukkale seemed first on TravelBreak.
Read more: travel-break.net
