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In Cappadocia, dotted with astonishing volcanic rocks

in the shape of soaring cones, towers and chimneys

that were once the refuge of Christian hermits, there

is no shortage of frescoed Byzantine rock churches,

underground villages, valleys and the most adrenaline-

pumping experience: a hot-air balloon flight at dawn.

“If One Had But A Single Glance To to 532, which became a mosque in 1400; the which includes a hydrotherapy pool set
Give To The World, One Should Gaze on Blue Mosque from 1600, with six minarets; within an ancient Roman cistern, complete
Istanbul”. The words, penned by the French the majestic Topkapi Palace (1500), the with stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and
writer-poet Alphonse de Lamartine, reveal residence of the Ottoman sultans and the historic columns for a truly unique and
the uniqueness of the intriguing Turkish surprising Yerebatan Cistern with a ‘forest’ luxurious atmosphere. Moving on to the
city, a stop that cannot be missed when of columns from different eras. Besiktas district, boasting the best location
on a trip to the country of the Half-Blood Wonderful places, which alone are on the Bosphorus, with splendid palaces and
Moon, which is increasingly becoming a worth the trip, enclosed in the Sultanahmet mosques from the Ottoman period, another
luxury hub, as The Economist pointed out district, the best known and most top hotel is the refined Mandarin Oriental
last August. The most affluent Turks and frequented by travelers who also discover Bosphorus, opened in 2021, which boasts
foreign investors are acquiring real estate, here the Arasta Bazaar (less well known the 474-square-metre Royal Bosphorus
luxury goods and other assets in this very than the Grand Bazaar), an ideal place to Suite, a dream overlooking the sea channel.
city; moreover, between 2022 and 2023, immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the And then there are the sins of gluttony. To
the number of UHNWIs (Ultra High Net metropolis among fabrics, carpets, jewelry enjoy the ancient Constantinople even at
Worth Individuals), i.e. individuals whose and spices, and the iconic Hagia Sophia the table, with your feet in two continents
assets are over USD 30 million, in Turkey Hürrem Sultan. This is the luxurious steeped in history and different cultures, go
increased by 10%. hammam built in 1556 at the behest of the to the Michelin-starred restaurants Mikla,
The catalyst for this new golden wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, Turk and Neolokal. Each of them boasting
finance is Istanbul, which shines its own equipped with gold-plated bowls for rinsing. its own character and atmosphere, but with
light, generated also by its location. The An experience that cannot be missed to a common thread: to offer a sensory journey
urban area, in fact, is stretched on both fully understand Turkish culture, which into taste with refined and unforgettable
sides of the Bosporus, the sea strait (about also includes psychophysical well-being. dishes.
30 kilometers long) that divides Europe Staying in the same neighborhood, Another city that smells of sea and
and Asia and joins the Black Sea to the Sea you can enjoy a delightful experience at history is Izmir, or Smyrna, overlooking
of Marmara. Location that makes this city the elegant Hagia Sofia Mansions Istanbul the Aegean Sea, however it does not have
special and unique. Just as its landmarks – Curio Collection by Hilton. This hotel beaches. Here, the Agora dating back to the
are unique: the Hagia Sophia, dating back proudly features its stunning Cistern spa, 2nd century stands out, one of the largest

88 Travel Protagonist