From Bosphorus to Balloons: Harsh Vardhan’s Turkey Trip with Thrillophilia
Sometimes, all you need is a pause in life. A quiet moment to step away from the routines, the meetings, and the to-do lists. My wife and I had been talking about taking that pause for a long time.
“It is time we take a trip… just the two of us,” she said one evening.
We had travelled before, but this time, we wanted something full of culture, romance, history, and beauty. After weeks of looking at destinations, one name kept calling out to us: TURKEY.
So, just a day after our anniversary, we booked our trip to this place with Thrillophilia. We did not know then that this trip would become one of the most beautiful journeys together.
Magic Begins on the Bosphorus
We landed in Istanbul on a winter afternoon and were awestruck to see its ancient mosques beside modern streets. The city skyline was also decorated with plenty of seagulls flying over minarets.
After resting for a while, we went for the Bosphorus Cruise Dinner in the evening. As our boat sailed gently between the continents of Europe and Asia, we looked at each other and smiled. The city lights reflected on the water to create a shimmering path, and music played softly in the background.
I held her hand and whispered, “Happy anniversary again. To more journeys together.”
We also watched the magnificent Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, and the Bosphorus Bridge as they passed by under the starlit sky. The food was delicious, and the warmth on the boat made the evening perfect.
Back at the hotel, we felt grateful. The trip had just begun, but it already felt wonderful.
Discovering Istanbul
We decided to explore the heart of Istanbul the next day. Our guide took us through the ancient heart of the city. We stood beneath the grand Hagia Sophia, walked through the majestic Blue Mosque, and wandered inside the Topkapi Palace.
The Grand Bazaar was a burst of colours and smells of spices, lanterns, carpets, and kind shopkeepers. We bought a small blue evil eye charm for good luck. My wife said it would remind us of this day, and she was right.
As we sat down for lunch at a local restaurant, I looked around and said, “This place feels like a living museum.”
She nodded, “It is like every corner has a story to tell.”
And Istanbul told them beautifully.
Fairy Chimneys and a Balloon in the Sky
On the third day, we flew to Cappadocia, which I had only seen in pictures. It had mystical rocks, valleys, and those famous fairy chimneys.
We went on a sunset ATV ride across the valleys in the evening. Although the wind was cold, we enjoyed the orange sky, the dramatic rocks, and the adventure that made it one of the most thrilling moments of our trip.
But nothing prepared us for the hot air balloon ride the next morning.
We woke up before sunrise and covered ourselves in layers. As the balloon lifted gently into the sky, the world turned golden in colour. The valleys, the villages, and the snow-covered rocks - everything looked magnificent.
I looked at my wife, and her eyes were shining. She said, “I am glad we chose this. I am glad we chose us.”
After the ride, we took the Red Tour, which included the Pasabag, Avanos, and Zelve Open Air Museum. These places were rich with culture, art, and history. We even saw the art of carpet weaving, where every knot told a story.
Cappadocia was surreal. It showed us its beauty and peace.
From Caves to Cascades
Next, we flew to Antalya. The pace slowed down here. We explored the Yivli Minare Mosque, wandered into the ancient Karain Caves, and admired artefacts at the Antalya Museum.
The next day, we visited the Duden Waterfalls. The sound of the water crashing into the Mediterranean was powerful and calming. We walked through Hadrian’s Gate, admired the Broken Minaret, and ended our tour at Hidirlik Tower while watching the sunset.
Antalya had its own rhythm. A little quieter and a little more personal.
“This place feels like a secret,” my wife said. “Not too loud, not too quiet. Just right.”
And she was right again.
White Terraces and Ancient Cities
From Antalya, we took a scenic drive to Pamukkale, which is famous for its white travertine terraces. We took off our shoes and walked on the soft and warm surface. It was extraordinarily beautiful.
We then explored Hierapolis, an ancient city with Roman amphitheatres, Cleopatra’s Pool, and tombs from centuries ago. While walking among those ruins, we could almost hear the whispers of the past.
After a full day of history and beauty, we were driven to Kusadasi. Our hotel faced the sea, and the breeze felt like a gentle song.
The next day, we visited Ephesus, which is one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the world. From the Temple of Artemis to Curetes Street, every step was a walk through time. We admired the carvings, the columns, and the grand library ruins.
We then drove to Sirince Village, a quiet and pretty village known for its fruit wines. We tasted cherry, pomegranate, and peach wine, laughed with the locals, and walked hand in hand through cobbled streets.
It was simple, beautiful, and peaceful.
Back to Istanbul
On the 9th day, we flew back to Istanbul for our final stop. We spent the day exploring local markets, buying gifts, Turkish delight, scarves, and handmade ceramics. My wife bought a hand-painted plate for our living room wall.
As the day ended, we sat at a small café and sipped Turkish tea.
She looked at me and said, “Can we do this every year?”
I smiled and said, “Let us make that our new tradition.”
Read More: Thrillophilia Turkey Reviews