Turkey – The Ultimate Guide

Our Turkish adventure began in the town of Ayvalik, where we disembarked and hiked a couple of kilometers into town in search of the bus station, only to discover it was a mere 100 meters from the ferry port—in the opposite direction! After a lackluster lunch, we hiked back to the bus station and boarded a packed minivan that stopped at nearly every village along the way.

We were dropped off at a bus station where we had several hours to wait for our next bus. We watched waiters hurrying around with silver trays, delivering tea in tiny tulip-shaped glasses. Eventually, we boarded the bus to Cannakale, located just opposite the Gallipoli peninsula. We stayed two nights in Cannakale and visited the ancient site of Troy before heading back to the bus for Istanbul. I was particularly excited as Istanbul was one of my must-see cities.

Istanbul, Turkey

We arrived at the bustling Istanbul bus station, Buyuk Otogar, in the late afternoon and made our way to Sultanahmet and our hostel. Though the hostel was rather ordinary and our roommates a bit rude, we were determined to make the most of our time in this vibrant city.

Our days in Istanbul were filled with rich experiences. We drank fragrant apple tea in the Grand Bazaar, surrounded by the colorful chaos of merchants and shoppers. We visited the magnificent Topkapi Palace, where we marveled at the opulent rooms and historical artifacts. The Blue Mosque left us in awe with its stunning architecture and serene atmosphere.

Despite a bout of flu, the city’s charm shone through. After three days, we decided to continue our journey, but Istanbul left a lasting impression on us. We hopped on a night bus to the coastal town of Selcuk, crossing the Bosporus on a truck ferry. Even the challenges we faced, like encountering a particularly unpleasant squat toilet, couldn’t overshadow the beauty and excitement of Istanbul.

Selcuk

We traveled overnight to Selcuk, arriving early in the morning. We made our way to the ANZ guesthouse, which we immediately loved. It was a double-story building surrounding a courtyard with couches and tables—delightful. The guesthouse was owned by a Turkish guy who grew up in Australia, and he even produced some Vegemite when I jokingly asked if he had any. We enjoyed great Turkish food at a restaurant near the guesthouse, and I came to love the apple tea they served.

Selcuk is a fascinating town and close to the ancient city of Ephesus, the 6th-century Basilica of St. John the Apostle, and the House of the Virgin Mary. I’ve seen many Roman and Greek ruins in my travels, but Ephesus tops them all—it is truly amazing. With the ancient marble roads still intact, it is an absolute must-see on any trip to Turkey.

Reflections

Our brief trip to Turkey, despite the disappointments in Istanbul, left us eager to return and explore more of this incredible country. The stunning ruins of Ephesus and the hospitality we experienced in Selcuk made a lasting impression.

For more information on traveling in Turkey, read our Turkey Travel Guides.