9 Days Road Trip Around Istanbul

About the destination: Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in the Nevşehir, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Aksaray, and Niğde Provinces in Turkey. According to Herodotus,[1] in the time of the Ionian Revolt (499 BCE) the Cappadocians were reported as occupying a region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine (Black Sea). Cappadocia, in this sense, was bounded in the south by the chain of the Taurus Mountains that separate it from Cilicia, to the east by the upper Euphrates, to the north by Pontus, and to the west by Lycaonia and eastern Galatia.[2] The name, traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history,[citation needed] continues in use as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage. Cappadocia is staraíochta réigiún i Anatolia Lárnach, go príomha i na cúigí Nevşehir, Kayseri, Kırşehir, Aksaray, agus Niğde in An Tuirce. De réir Herodotus,[1] i rith an Ionian Revolt (499 BCE) tuairiscíodh na Cappadocians mar a bhí ag glacadh réigiún ó Mount Taurus go dtí comharsanacht an Euxine (Black Sea). Cappadocia, sa chiall seo, bhí teoranta sa deisceart ag slabhra na Taurus Mountains a scarann sé ó Cilicia, go dtí an oirthear ag an Euphrates uachtarach, go dtí an tuaisceart ag Pontus, agus go dtí an iarthar ag Lycaonia agus Galatia thoir.[2] An t-ainm, a úsáidtear go traidisiúnta i bhfoinsí Críostaí ar fud na staire,[citation needed] leanann in úsáid mar choincheap turasóireachta idirnáisiúnta chun réigiún de iontais nádúrtha eisceachtúla a shainmhíniú, go háirithe a bhfuil saintréithe ag fairy chimneys agus oidhreacht staraíochta agus cultúrtha uathúil.

About the destination: Konya is a city in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. It is the seventh most populous city in Turkey. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS - Ince Minare Museum. Located close to the city centre near the northern end of "Alaaddin Tepesi", this minaret and the surrounding small buildings today serve as a museum that displays various artefacts from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras. - Alaaddin Hill (Alaaddin Tepesi). This is an artificial hill that was built by the Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat. - Meram. This is the district of Konya which lies somewhat away from the city centre, with lighter construction and more greenery. - Seljuk Palace. - Alaadin palace. Built by Seljuk Sultan Kilicarslan II, restored by Seljuk sultan Alaadin. - Fuar.

About the destination: Pamukkale has been made eternally famous by the gleaming white calcite travertines (terraces) overflowing with warm, mineral-rich waters on the mountain above the village – the so-called ‘Cotton Castle' (pamuk means 'cotton' in Turkish). Just above the travertines lies Hierapolis, once a Roman and Byzantine spa city, which has considerable ruins and a museum. Unesco World Heritage status has brought measures to protect the sparkling cliffs, and put an end to the days of freely wandering around, but the travertines remain one of Turkey’s unique experiences. While the photogenic travertines attract busloads of day-trippers passing through for a quick soak and photo opportunity, staying overnight allows you to visit the site at sunset and avoid some of the crowds. This also gives time for a day trip to the beautiful and little-visited ancient ruins of Afrodisias and Laodicea, and to appreciate the village of Pamukkale itself.

About the destination: Istanbul owes its historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural heritage to its perfect strategic location, straddling the Bosphorus straits which separate Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year-long history, the city (first known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople and since 1930 as Istanbul) was a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is almost exclusively Turkish, and many of its people are recent migrants from provincial Turkey, drawn by the promise of jobs and careers in this vibrant, rapidly growing city. Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic and cultural powerhouse - a status emphasised by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples and the remains of massive medieval city walls. But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has contributed to a thriving arts and music scene, with a wealth of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants and designer fashion outlets.