Why did you choose Turkey and how did you plan it?

Basically, I had this magical notion about the country through stories I had heard from friends and relatives who had travelled to Turkey in the past and the pictures shared by them and of course from the pictures I had seen online. I asked two of my friends if they wanted to join me and once they agreed, we started planning the trip. We decided to give it 8- 6 days to Istanbul and 2 days to Cappadocia.

We used Skyscanner to book our tickets and decided to find our stay options on. We were going at a time when terrorist attacks had happened and because of that, we got some very good deals at a good cost. Overall we spent around 75 thousand on this trip. The main expenses were on food and exploring the city. We did not shop much.

And how did you go on about packing for the trip and stay that would last for 10 days?

We were going in the month of October which is the transition from monsoon to winters in Turkey. I used my iPhone weather app which predicted 13-15degree Celcius for Istanbul. Now we assumed 15 degrees at Turkey would be same as 15degrees here in India.  So we packed thermals(from Kosha), one pashmina shawl, corduroy coat along with 1 skull cap and earmuffs and some mufflers. When we landed, it sure was 15degrees there but felt like what is 3 degrees back in India. I ended up buying gloves and woollen sweaters from the local market. I wish I had been more prepared.

Right, we all tend to make mistakes while packing and it seems sort of an ongoing journey. Tell us about your time in Turkey and what all did you explore in the country?

We landed at the international airport in Istanbul. We boarded from Mumbai with stopover and Kuwait. We went to Cappadocia and came back to Istanbul. In Cappadocia, we stayed in one of the restored cave hotels through Airbnb. The caves are formed from ashes and they are called fairy chimneys. It was a hotel. We reached at midnight due to a flight delay. We had pre-booked the cabs. Here I would like to mention that the hosts at Air Bnb could become your saviours since they are locals and can guide you the crucial things. The first thing we had planned was the famous hot air balloon ride. These rides only happen during sunrise so on our first morning in Istanbul we had to wake up early to experience it. The agencies offer various combos in the ride and our Air Bnb host helped us choose between the various options available with food and drinks included. Many people go for it as it is an hour-long ride and it’s good to have food with a view. However, we chose the simple one which cost us around 90 Euros. Rates during the season would definitely be higher than this and thus it is a bit expensive activity to indulge in. However, I do suggest going for it as it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

After the balloon ride, we had breakfast at our hotel and took a tour ride bus which took us to explore the city. We visited fairy chimneys from the inside, monasteries, churches.  We also visited the underground city which was built by the people to stay safe inside during the wars. The same bus also took us for a small trek to Ilhara Valley which is a township. It was beautiful and we ate at a restaurant built on a river. We tried local delicacies like Casserole and River Trout.

We also visited Pigeon valley, the local spice market, jewellery shops. The local pizza which is made of naan is a must-try and the Turkish coffee.

Next day we went back to Istanbul and upon reaching there, we experienced a time difference. Their wintertime started where daylight saving happens. We explored the city. We also visited Istiklal Avenues which is quite famous and crowded. It is a non-motor street and has some high-end shopping stores.  Then we tried street food like the bagel, roasted chestnut, doner kababs etc. Next day we visited the old town which is the area of popular mosques, grand bazaars and spice bazaars. We also had the fish sandwich which is the most popular street food in Istanbul. Another popular dish is Kumpir which has different fillings inside a potato shell. It is definitely a must-try for anyone visiting Turkey.

We then went to see Bosphorus Bridge which is the world’s largest suspension bridge linking the Asia side to the European side.

The next day I lost my wallet. Istanbul is known as a notorious city.

In the evening we thought of trying something different. We bought super market food of Istanbul and had it in our room. It was a good idea and everyone should try it.

Next morning we did a ferry ride from Istanbul to Buyukada also known as the Big Island. It is the biggest of the 5 islands near Istanbul. There are places to stay on the island but we came back the same day. The island has no motor vehicles and it has to be explored on cycle, house cart or by walking. We rented cycles and came back in the evening. It is a very beautiful island that it is difficult to explain its beauty. We reached the island on a ferry and on the way we could see both Asia as well as the European side. It was unbelievable to see that the Asian side was dark and the European side was bright and sunny.

Transport within the city is very crucial for any traveller. How convenient is travelling to Turkey?

Well, I do not know about the rest of Turkey but in Istanbul and Cappadocia, once you get the hang of it the public transport there is very convenient.   It is very much like our Mumbai locals, once you get used to it travelling with the city get smooth. They have local trams. We got our tramp cards from the vending machine and kept adding money according to our need. Otherwise, there are also metro, buses and a lot of people also walk.

That is wonderful. And about vegetarians. People who do not eat non-vegetarian food often complain of a lack of options to eat from during their travel.

As a vegetarian, you would not have any problems like cheese and bread to accompany every meal. Therefore you can be assured to you won’t go hungry at least. Most of the local good food is in fact non-vegetarian but a vegetarian

version is easily available. They have many options in veg and the Hummus is another famous dish.  Tea is another popular food item there, even more than coffee. Most restraints there give tea for free but they will charge for water.

Free tea does sound interesting. As a person who has experienced quite a bit of Turkey, what would be your 5 must-dos and recommendations for someone planning a trip to Turkey?

• One must do the hot air balloon ride as it is an experience of a lifetime.
• I would recommend exploring the city on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and walk.
• Kumpir and doner kabab with tea are a must-try from the street food. It is obvious that one will eat hummus there.
• Cycling on the beautiful Buyukada island is a pleasant experience.

You were not fully prepared for the weather in Turkey upon your arrival. What are the tips that you would give to people visiting Istanbul from your learnings?

Yes, I did learn from my mistakes. You can check the weather on apps but there are chances of drastic changes. I can give a recommendation for the winter season there. I would say pack in layers as the weather can get a little unpredictable. When you are out in the city you can wear or remove layers as per changes in temperature.  At least 2 jackets, 3 mid-layer, and 1 thermal pant. I got my thermals from Kosha and they really helped me keep warm in that temperature. Carry gloves, caps, and mufflers are other important things to not forget. Good walking shoes also help and they also keep your feet warm.