Türkiye is known for having a rich history, delicious food and welcoming people. The main attractions of Istanbul are not to be missed. The Blue Mosque makes you feel a little closer to God as you walk through its impeccably crafted woodwork and its intricately painted motifs on the domed ceiling. The Haggia Sophia leaves you in awe as you see, in person, the remnants of mosaics you once studied in books and the ancient architecture in general renders you in simultaneous wonder of its beauty and disappointment that we no longer create our public spaces with such attention and care. 

While exploring Istanbul is an absolute must, its in the depths of the country where you really fall in love. The hillsides, small roadside cafes and vast array of unique landscapes are something special to experience. 

A journey to Türkiye requires you to delight in the attractions set before you and to add to that list, here are six things you absolutely must do and try while you’re there. They may or may take you out of the ordinary tourists list but this is a definitive list for those who love an experience, (and food) on top of a tour. 

Villa Bosphorus: A Seafood Lovers Haven 

Photo courtesy of Villa Bosphorus

Wandering through the narrow, begonia lined streets along the waterfront of the Asian side of the city, you will find a sign for Villa Bosphorus. Which is both literally and figuratively a sign to stop in, breathe in the view and enjoy every delightful fish and seafood dish you could imagine. 

Giant prawns, enormous platters of white fishes, octopus cooked to perfection and a plethora of mezzes to choose from will delight your tastebuds as you watch them pass by. Perfectly seasoned and absolutely delectable, no plate is a bad choice and only amplified by the front row seat to  the goings on of the Bosphorus. 

Whirling Dervish: A Mesmerizing Lesson in Sufi Culture 

If you have ever heard the quote “The wound is where the light enters” you have had a direct interaction with the Whirling Dervish. Rumi himself was the one who unlocked the power of the meditative and thoughtful twirl after experiencing the deep and undeniable power of spiritual love in which he could only express via the act of divine whirling. 

The moment you enter the space where the ceremony takes place you can sense the energy is different, calmer, more settled. As the music begins to play and the men begin to chant you are immediately entranced by the melodic tones. When the Whirling Dervish enter the hypnotic nature of their practice leaves you in wonder and self contemplation as you bear witness to the sacred ceremony. Should you have the opportunity and desire to observe a new spiritual act, this is an experience not to be missed. 

Sehzade Çağ Kebap: The Best Kebap You’ll Ever Have

Just outside the cultural center where the Whirling Dervish ceremony takes place, is a bustling market filled with an abundance of restaurants and food stalls. Sehzade Çağ Kebap is arguably the option with the least frills, white tables, blue chairs, napkin dispenser and newspaper reviews as wallpaper is all you’ll get in the way of decor. The menu simply offers three mezze plates and two main dish options. However, what Sehzade Çağ Kebap lacks in frills it makes up for in flavor. With main dish options being lamb kebap on a plate or in a wrap, the one item they offer they are expert at. The lamb is tender and juicy, perfectly seasoned and each bit leaves you ready to devour another. It’s one of those simple meals that you are sad to see end despite not being able to fit another bit into your already packed stomach. Onions, lightly spiced with sumac come gratis to the table and adding a salad, fries (that come from the restaurant across the way) and their homemade yogurt is a must. This order will fill your table with every single item the Kebap stall has to offer and you will leave feeling as if you’ve never tasted lamb before and are not sure you’ll ever find something so delicious again. 

Taksim Melekler Kahvesi: Get Your Coffee Grounds by a Turkish Fortune Teller 

In the Taksim neighborhood you will make a left turn up the steepest street you can imagine and find the Taksim Melekler Kahvesi and a woman named Azize who will tell you all about yourself with the accuracy and precision of a surgeon. 

Whether you are a true believer in or an absolute skeptic of fortune telling, this experience is one to have. It’s a two fold of the experience of drinking authentic Turkish coffee which is rich, floral and doesn’t leave you with that wired caffeine feeling that coffee so often does and a full debrief of your past, present and future life. 

When arriving at the cafe you will order your Turkish coffee, sit back, sip and enjoy. Once finished you flip your cup upside down on to its accompanying dish. You and your cup will then be whisked to a back room where you sit with Azize and with Google Translate and generations of knowledge she will decide who you are based on your birthdate. Once she tells you about what lies in store for you based on the stars you were born under, she moves to the coffee cup. Here she talks about the past and how it’s shaped you into who you are today with accuracy that will prove she isn’t just full of it and explain a bit of what’s to come to give you hope. Then as she moves on to tarot cards where you can ask any questions you want as she takes her time to explain what has been and what will be. 

If you have the time and opportunity, opt for the spiritual cleansing. What an experience. She explains that it’s an ancient Ottoman tradition, the kings used to be cleansed of evil and negative spirits using molten lead and water. As you sit next to her and her ladle, she begins to melt the led into the ladle and swing it around your head, heart and feet with acute accuracy as your heart beats a little faster. After each zone she dunks the lead in water, examines its contents and explains the negative energy, dusts off the bad stuff, melts it again and moves to the next zone. Once complete it feels as if someone switched on the light in you. The fog will clear and your face looks brighter. She then folds the led into a napkin, hands it to you and explains you must cast it into the sea. 

This is an experience not to be missed and Azize was clearly trusted by locals in the area as well because as it got later into the morning they began to line up to hear her insights. 

Cafe Mola: A Roadstop Cafe Whose Food is More Than Fuel

One the road to Pamukkale, about an hour outside of Antalya, nestled into the hillside scenery is Cafe Mola. It is, by all accounts, a gas station but less Circle K hotdog under a heat lamp and more homemade delicious breakfast and lunch options including fresh juices. While you rest up for the next half of your trip to Pamukkale at Cafe Mola, be sure to get a pastry they invited with summer berries. This no name, slightly sweet light and incredibly delicious pastry has the airiness of a brioche with a well done top that makes it crispy and delicious. The summer berries add a hint of sour and a delightfully refreshing burst of flavor in each bite. 

Pamukkale: The Cloud Castle

About 3 hours from Antalya sits Pamukkale, a natural limestone pool created from the water deposits of a nearby spring. Pamukkale and the ancient city of Heirapolis are exceptionally well preserved remnants of the Greco-Roman spa city. 

The city Heirapolis, itself is named after Queen Heira, a beautiful Amazon warrior and the legendary matriarch of the dynasty founded Pergamom. The city is home to The Plutonium, the gate to Hell, where noxious CO2 killed many people and livestock before it was boarded up quite a bit later than it should’ve been. It also features a beautifully preserved grand theater that housed every single one of its 12,000 inhabitants and as you make your way through the remains, the city comes to life. Its rituals, oddities and each thing that made it special including Pamukkale. 

Pamukkale, known as the cloud castle, is the product of 17, mineral rich, natural hot springs cascading down the hillside for thousands of years to form a cloud-like shape along the hillside. With waters with temperatures from 100°F to 200°F it is safe to say you will find one to delight you. The shallow pools provide refuge from the heat and all the minerals and vitamins to enrich your mind, body and soul.