3 must-see places in Turkey, in the middle of 2 continents

Cappadocia is a picturesque semi-arid region in the center of Turkey, located on a plateau about 1,000 meters above sea level, so avoid visiting it in extreme temperatures, and prefer spring or autumn which are milder. There are plenty of valleys, which are all very famous, but two of the most visited ones are the Valley of Roses and the Red Valley, which are called this way because of the colorful shades the rocks take - pink at dawn, white during the day, and yellow at sunset. Less romantic, despite its name and the famous heart-shaped swings, but certainly much weirder, is the Love Valley, which features rocky pinnacles up to 40 meters high, which are shaped phallically. Above these valleys, you can fly in the famous and colorful hot-air balloons that Cappadocia is known for. However, you should know that to take a ride on the beautiful balloons or simply take pictures from the best Sunset View Point, you have to get up very early, between 4 and 9 am.

But Cappadocia is not just about nature - men have been able to merge with the territory there, which you can see in one of the most touristic places in the region, the Goreme Open-Air Museum. It is home to several perfectly preserved cave churches with frescoes dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Besides Goreme, Uchisar is undoubtedly the most beautiful village in Cappadocia, with a huge tuff rock featuring a castle on top, from which one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire region. But life in Cappadocia is also about the underground, with numerous underground cities used by the people to escape wars. The most famous is Derinkuyu, up to 85 meters deep and built on eight superimposed levels to accommodate over 20,000 people. Another curious attraction in Cappadocia is the "Fairy Chimney Valley'', unusual cone-shaped rock formations, which are surrounded by many legends, some saying that the cones are of magical origin and inhabited by fairies.

Less famous than Cappadocia, but just as breathtaking, is the natural landscape of Pamukkale, which means 'cotton castle' in Turkish. This Unesco World Heritage site, with its white and blue colors, is home to the free Pamukkale Thermal Baths, which are natural baths set between limestone rocks and hot waters that, as they flow, have formed countless natural terraced pools where you can indulge in some pure relaxation. For history and archaeology lovers, on the other hand, you will find the Archaeological Site of Hierapolis a few minutes away, another Unesco World Heritage Site and a jewel of Greco-Roman architecture. And if you have time to visit sites further away, make sure to head to Ephesus, Izmir and Pergamon,as they are well worth it.

The most populous city in Turkey, Istanbul, which was formerly known as Constantinople or Byzantium, is a bridge between the West and the Near East, and was first the capital of the Roman Empire, then of the Byzantine Empire and finally of the Ottoman Empire. All these different periods in history have given Istanbul the reputation of a cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic city, which also shows through countless places of worship and various religions coexisting peacefully next to each other. The most famous church in Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia, the first Byzantine Christian cathedral, later transformed into a Catholic cathedral, a mosque, and finally a museum, home to mosaics from the 10th century. Directly opposite the Basilica is Sultanamhet Camii, nicknamed the Blue Mosque because of the tiles that cover its roof and create spectacular lights and colors, particularly at sunset.

In addition to religious sites, you can also visit ancient archaeological sites, such as the Basilica Cistern, a spectacular underground cistern, which is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide, flanked by hundreds of columns supporting a vaulted ceiling. The atmosphere is pretty special thanks to water creating reflections, as well as the background music. You shouldn’t miss the Topkapi Palace either, considered the most beautiful in Turkey and a symbol of Ottoman power, which has now been converted into a museum, and is home to the Imperial Council Chamber, the Harem and the Treasury Room, hosting an amazing collection of imperial jewelry. But to fully experience the beating heart of Istanbul's social and economic life, you should visit the Grand Bazaar. There you will find books, carpets, jewelry, fabrics, and spices, in thousands of colorful stalls, with exuberant scents and flavors, as well as shopkeepers that will train your bargaining skills.