The Star Malaysia - Star2

Seamless travel experience in Turkey

- ■ For more informatio­n, contact 012-669 0048 or visit www.wanderprim­e.com.

WITHOUT warning, Turkey whisks you away to experience­s beyond your wildest dreams. Some travellers say they found solace in the vast Cappadocia­n desert. Others say it was the people who greet you like friends as they were walking through Istanbul markets.

For most people, it was both. The magnificen­t natural wonders and the warmth of the people will draw you in immediatel­y. As you walk down the bustling souks in Istanbul, smelling the scent of fresh cardamom and nodding at the enthusiast­ic shopkeeper­s who claim their goods to be the best, you will be overcome with a profound sense of belonging.

The nation’s largest city is a celebratio­n of life and the energy in the air is contagious.

Of course, you have to make your way to the famous Sultanahme­t Square. What was once the social centre of Constantin­ople attracts millions of tourists yearly to admire the jaw-dropping Ottoman architectu­re. Home to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, the square is a perfect amalgamati­on of Turkey and its rich history.

Getting around Istanbul can be a bit of a hassle, especially in the city centre. Expect heavy traffic as you move from one place to another. It is highly recommende­d to spend a bit more for a pleasant experience on the road by upgrading to a more comfortabl­e vehicle.

Exceptiona­l Turkish experience­s

The sunsets in Istanbul are truly magical, especially from the Bosphorus Strait. Guided by the ambient sound of waves, you will be filled with awe the minute you step onto your sunset cruise. It will immediatel­y become clear that the Bosphorus Strait is the most important part of Istanbul as the city is built around it. If getting on a luxury cruise is the best way to see Istanbul as it was intended, who are we to deny it?

From Istanbul, you can hop on a flight to Cappadocia. The veins of the city fade into fields of vegetation and open up to a rocky desert. Cappadocia is a wonderland filled with whimsical fairy chimneys and spectacula­r rock formations painted with stunning natural-coloured hues. Of course, people know it as the place where hot air balloons fill the sky.

Wake up bright and early to experience riding a hot air balloon. A minor sacrifice for a moment that will last a lifetime.

You will be greeted with a grazing platter of local breakfast goodies. As you sip on some Turkish coffee, you will then be surrounded by hundreds of hot air balloons continuing their ascension into the clouds.

Be prepared to be spellbound by the Turkish charm that is sure to leave you with beautiful memories and larger-than-life experience­s.

If there is a place you should visit once in your lifetime, it would be Turkey.

Wanderprim­e offers hand-picked collection­s of exceptiona­l experience­s and first-class hotels in incomparab­ly beautiful locations, run by dedicated hosts.

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 ?? ?? Cappadocia is a wonderland filled with hot air balloons, whimsical fairy chimneys and spectacula­r rock formations painted with stunning natural-coloured hues.
Cappadocia is a wonderland filled with hot air balloons, whimsical fairy chimneys and spectacula­r rock formations painted with stunning natural-coloured hues.

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