Turkey
What we’re grateful for in 2020 – End of Year Recap
What a year it has literally been. I feel like we will only be able to fully comprehend everything when we look back several years from now. Even though this year definitely didn’t go as we planned, I am happy for the time we were given to reflect and make decisions that we may not have made had it been any other way.
A little background…
Before COVID struck, around November of last year I started listening to podcasts and finding courses and realizing that making a business and doing what we love is really possible. It was only a matter of sitting down, making time, and really investing into it.
We have technically had our blog/Instagram since right out of high school but didn’t understand the “rules” of how everything worked and put very little effort into it. So in the beginning of 2020 we invested some money into some courses, listened to endless podcasts, researched on YouTube, and got straight to work. And now here we are! Doing what we love and sharing it with our amazing community on our blog, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.
It was LOTS of hard work, planning, endless hours working on the computer, late nights spend learning the basics of website design, SEO, photography, photo editing, and so much more. But we’re exactly where we wanted to be. We’re able to do what we love and start a side business that we are truly passionate about. We met so many amazing people through our platforms, worked with companies around the world, had increidble collaborations, and it’s only the BEGINNING! Nothing comes without constant effort and lots of hard work.
We want to thank everyone who has supported us and continues to support us throughout all of our up’s and down’s this year. Without all of you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. You keep us motivated and energized!
So in celebration of this crazy year we’re going to share some of our favorite blog posts from 2020:
Favorite Travel Posts from 2020:
1. Stunning Gem of the Israeli Desert – Nitzana Hillocks | White Rock Dunes – here is the post!
2. Discover Masada Fortress, Israel (and the Monochrome Fashion Creations We Designed for the Visit) – here is the post!
3. Visiting Pamukkale? Here’s Everything You Need to Know Before You Go! – here is the post!
Favorite Fashion Posts from 2020:
1. Fashion Photography – Hiking the Desert in Gowns| Shchoret Canyon – here is the post!
2. Hold Your Breath… We’re Going Below Sea Level to the Dead Sea with our Handmade Bathing Suits! – here is the post
3. Three Outfits I Designed and Created Specifically for my Trip to Turkey – here is the post!
Personal Favorites (because we had so much fun):
1. Beach Day at Kibbutz Maagan Michael – Handmade Hawaiian Swimsuits – here is the post!
2. The Surprising Best Place to Stay Near the Dead Sea – EinGedi Camping Lodge – here is the post!
3. Bananas! Plantations, Corn Fields, and Hand Designed Outfits – here is the post!
How We’ve Grown
Also know that we both still work full time jobs and this is our little “side business”. (Even though we perhaps spend more hours working on it- late into the night, early morning, and weekends) Its a lot of work but it makes us happier and more fulfilled because we are doing what we love. So just remember, no one knows exactly what they’re doing at first and its all about enjoying the process along the way. Just get out there take the first step, you never know where it will take you!
It’s going to be hard at first and it will take a lot of time, but you will grow and learn. What is life for if not to grow? Wishing you an amazing end of 2020 and a phenomenal 2021!
Also if you need help growing your WordPress account, feel free reach out to us 🙂
Lots of Love,
Brooke and Danielle, Colorful Sisters
P.S. – Special thanks to our mom and boyfriends who are our photographers and for their unending support and love. We couldn’t do it without you 🙂
Galata, Istanbul – 5 Amazing Places to See | Karakoy
When visiting Istanbul, most people’s automatic thought is to go visit the most famous tourist sites – The Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace. Not everyone thinks to visit across the water. Galata/Karakoy offers a whole new, amazing side of Istanbul – one of European style streets, fancy malls, art galleries, boutique fashion shops, and HUNDREDS of cafes. Here are the top things to see and do on your visit to the area:
1. Galata Tower
Galata Tower is perhaps the most famous tourist attraction of the area and it is definitely a must see. Built in 1348 this Medieval stone tower was the tallest building in Istanbul at the time (67 meters)! It was originally a part of the area’s defensive wall and used as a surveillance tower overlooking the harbor.
Inside they also have a beautiful restaurant with amazing rooftop views of so many sides of Istanbul. In case it’s closed or you can’t get a table at sunset, right across from the tower is also an amazing and cute restaurant with an Italian vibe.
2. Taksim Square
Visiting the Republic Monument is a great start for those wishing to see the artwork commemorating the foundation of the Turkish Republic (1923). This monumnet is located at “Taksim Square” while the general Taksim area spreads to include many shops, a main road, and rows of endless cafes.
3. Shopping
If you love shopping, this is the area for you! Countless boutique fashion shops, art galleries, vintage shops, and more…the choices are endless. You can choose from upscale malls, international shopping chains, and one of a kind pieces.
Even if you’re not that into shopping, the area and vibe of this main road is unmatched! Most of the shops are located on the main street, Istiklal Caddesi, which is a beautiful and bustling pedestrian boulevard liens with European style architecture from the 19th Century. Sometimes I felt more like I was in Vienna than in Istanbul. I was very pleasantly surprised by the unique beauty of this area of Istanbul.
4. Take a Ride on A Vintage Tram
Ever want to take a ride on a vintage tram? At first glance I thought it was purely for decoration, but when I saw it gliding down the main street, Istiklal Caddesi, I was thrilled. It adds such a quaint touch to the already lovely area lined with ice cream parlors and coffee shops.
At night this road goes from quaint to magical. The entire road lights up with cozy fairy lights all through the year giving it a romantic and sweet atmosphere.
5. Cafe Hop
Local, homemade coffee. Organic. Cold brewed. Every possible option. As you roam around this lovely area of Istanbul you will immediately notice that it is DEFINITELY the cafe central of the city. Literally every street corner has at least one cafe, usually more. The options are endless. The atmosphere is perfection. Whether you want cozy and quaint or fancy and sophisticated, you’ll find it all.
How to Get There
The area of Galata, Karakoy, and Taksim is across the Bosphorus Strait from most of the other famous tourist attractions that Istanbul has to offer. If you’re staying anywhere in Istanbul, this area can be just a taxi drive away. If you are staying in the area, most of the places can be reached by foot.
Everything on the list above can be seen on this pathway shown below. All within a 20 minute walk of each other! We took our time exploring and spread out the activities through two days as it was a lot to take in.
Where to Stay
The entire area is overflowing with hotels- boutique hotels, expensive chain hotels, Airbnb’s. We decided to stay at an Airbnb during our stay. It was a small room in a quaint building with winding stairs. Here is the link. It was just a few minutes walk from all the main tourist attractions, with plenty of conveniences right nearby. If you’re looking for a hotel experience, here is a list of many great options.
Tips
- What to Wear – I found this area of Istanbul to be much more liberal in terms of dress than some other areas. While I avoided shorts in the Sultanhamet district, I noticed that most of the Turkish girls here were dressed in very European style. As a matter of fact, the whole vibe here was very open and European.
- Don’t skip it – At first I was tempted to skip this area all together. The pictures I found online didn’t seem too appealing, but I decided in the end to try out a different area of Istanbul and I couldn’t have been happier. Seeing the young, student and artsy vibe here really showed me a different side of Istanbul that I wouldn’t have wanted to miss.
- Discounts – A lot of the stores that we visited while shopping offered Tourist Discounts! Mind as well give it a try and see if they offer anything if you’re in the mood for shopping.
- Hotels – Nearby is the very affluent area of Istanbul boasting very fancy hotels and upscale malls. If you’re looking for a one day experience most of the hotels have rooftop swimming pools and you can buy a pass for the day. We visited The Conrad Bosphorus and had an amazing time. Great views and a fun, different experience!
- Open and Close Time – Everything in this area of Istanbul seemed to stay open very late. Most shops were open and operating up up until midnight (and sometimes later). However, in the morning, even the chain shops didn’t seem to open until 10:00/11:00 at the earliest! So if you were planning on early morning sight seeing, you may want to reconsider as many of the places may be closed!
Looking for more amazing things to do in Istanbul or Turkey in general? Check out our blog post here: 2 DAYS IN ISTANBUL? HERE ARE THE TOP 7 THINGS TO SEE AND DO! and here: THE PERFECT 12 DAY TURKEY ITINERARY.
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Best of Antalya, Turkey – Best Beaches, Restaurants, and More
South-western Turkey is full of amazing coastlines. It was very hard to pick which beach town we should go to. Each one offered an entirely different vibe. In the end we decided on Antalya. One of Turkey’s biggest cities and responsible for 30% of Turkey’s tourism industry.
Everyone needs a little beach time in every holiday. Antalya was the perfect place. A variety of beaches, fancy hotels and restaurants, places to party, and more.
Best Beaches in Antalya
We were immediately struck by the beauty of Antalya right when we arrived. The city seemed to be built on a cliff, and all the beaches we saw seemed to be cliff beaches. After a little research we did find that Antalya offers a couple types of beaches.
Cliff Beach
Almost all the beaches in Antalya are cliff beaches. At first I wasn’t too excited about this. You have to go to a particular section in order to get to the water; a raised platform with umbrellas and seating areas didn’t so much appeal to me at first. But I could not have been MORE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED.
On our second day in Antalya, we decided to try out the cliff beach that was right next to our hotel- BLM beach. We took an elevator down to the entrance, walked out to a popping cliff side with umbrellas and beds all around. The music was loud, but very enjoyable. The vibe was unmatched and it felt like a chill, but fun party. Waiters came to take our orders for cocktails (which were so good!) and there was a dock where you could jump into the slightly wavy water. Showers to rinse off and ladders to get back up to the platform; it was so much fun. We spent almost the entire day jumping and swimming and relaxing in the amazing environment.
Sand Beach
Our first day in Antalya and we wanted to go to a sand beach. After all, it is the traditional “beach” experience that we are all used to. So I did some research and came across one of Antalya’s only sand beach- Lara Beach. It was about a 15 minute drive from our hotel (the Lara beach area is known for it’s all inclusive resorts) and so we set off to explore. More than anything we were super excited to spend the day relaxing in one of the Beach Bungalows that they have for rent on the beach.
When we arrived in the morning (around 11:00), the beach was very quiet. I think it was more related to the time we went to visit, because Lara Beach is infamously crowded. We were lucky to be some of the first arrivals, we rented our Beach Bungalow and settled in.
There is a restaurant and a bar at the beach so that beach goers can relax the entire day there. And we did just that. Swimming, jumping, and enjoying ourselves for our few days of relaxation.
The crowd was a mix of tourists and Turkish. It was amazing to see the diversity among the locals and the tourists.
Amazing Place to Party
Sooo we honestly weren’t really planning on partying when we went to Antalya. Although, espeically in the summer months, Antalya is famous for it’s hip club scene, when we traveled many corona restrictions were still in place. All of the clubs were closed and so we opted for a nice dinner overlooking the water. Or so we thought.
We didn’t realize that we stumbled upon the creme de la creme of our Antalya visit. This place (attached to the cliff beach we went to) was AMAZING.
We entered and the music was loud and happy. We were given our own table, despite not having a reservation, and noticed the young vibe of the other guests. When it came to ordering it was a mezze-like arrangement of at least 50 different dips and sides served as a starter. All of it was delicious, inexpensive considering the quantity, and the atmosphere was unmatched.
As the meal progressed, a live musician came out, playing the drums, very lively, giving a full and great performance along with it. Guests started to get up and dance and before long belly dancers appeared, half of the guests were dancing, and the performer continued to sing and drum at the same time.
The locals spotted us tourists and immediately pulled us in, started to teach us Turkish dance moves, and gave us Turkish drinks to try. It was literally AMAZING. And the best part was that we stumbled upon it by accident. We thought we were sitting down to have a nice dinner overlooking the ocean. Little did we know that that dinner would include a live musician, lots of dancing, and one of our best experiences with the locals. The place was called BLM Beach (connected to the cliff beach we went to earlier the same day).
How to Get to Antalya
Just like most places in Turkey, Antalya is very easy to get to. There is the Antalya airport (AYT) for domestic and international flights. We came from within Turkey (Pamukkale to be exact) and arrived by bus. However we flew out of this airport in order to go back to Istanbul.
The bus system in Turkey is very comprehensive, reliable, comfortable, and inexpensive. Renting a car to drive into Antalya from another destination within Turkey is also an option. Just be aware of drop off fees that are often not included in a general quote. The fees to drop off a car in a different city are sometimes more expensive than the car rental itself!
Is Antalya safe?
Short answer, yes!! The crime rate in Antalya is very low and general Turkey saferty concerns are also low. It is not a hostile area at all. Did I mention that 30% of Turkey’s tourism comes from here?? That’s a huge number!
But just like any place, while traveling be careful. Purse snatchers, pick pockets, and the like exists everywhere. Normal safety precautions however will be more than enough.
When is the best time to visit Antalya?
Although it can be visited all year round, it is admissable to aboid it in the winter months (November-March), where it gets cool and rainy. If you’re looking for the traditional beach experience Antalya during those months, probably will be too cold.
In the summer, as it is a Mediterranean climate, it will be hot and humid! So be prepared!!
General Tips for Antalya Travel
- Beaches. Most of the beaches are cliff beaches. As said earlier, there is one main sand beach-Lara Beach
- Cost. Because it is an extremely tourist oriented area, everything is a bit more expensive than in the rest of Turkey
- Water Sports. A plethora of water sports are available (wind surfing, kite surfing, jet skiing), but as said, are rather expensive.
- Day Trips. There are lots of day trip options if you want to explore beyond Antalya – Green Canyon, Serik, Isparta, etc. If you have extra time consider exploring beyond Antalya and its beaches. The Green Canyon in particular looks amazing!
- Waterfalls. Antalya boasts a few beautiful waterfalls; Duden Waterfalls and Kursunlu Waterfalls being the most famous. Although you cannot swim near them, you can sign up for a boat trip to tour them and other amazing things in Antalya
- Restaurants. Much of Antalya’s food is based around seafood and there are so many amazing restaurants overlooking the water. Antalya also has a very fancy side, with luxurious hotels and clubs. If you’re up to the drive and in the mood for a fancy dinner, check out Nemo Restuarant and Lounge.
Have more days in Turkey? Check out our full 2 week itinerary for more amazing places. Also our Ultimate Guide to Travel in Turkey in case you’re a first time traveler.
Lots of love and safe travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Sunset Horse Back Ride – Experience of a LIFETIME | Cappadocia, Turkey
It’s a dream of ours to go horse back riding in every country that we travel to. So far I have Israel, USA, Georgia, Kenya, and Jordan on my list. It’s not all the countries that I’ve traveled to, but a good portion of them. So it was only natural that one of the first things I looked into doing in Turkey was going horse back riding.
I knew we’d be spending a few days in Cappadocia, the countryside, with valleys and nature and so I figured it would be the perfect opportunity. When our hotel send us a welcome email with the option of “Horse back riding” my excitement soared.
It was our first day in Cappadocia that we decided to go horse back riding. We were staying in Goreme. After spending the morning hiking Rose Valley and Red Valley, we rested, swam in the pool a bit and then got ready for the horse ride.
We arranged everything through our hotel. Someone came to pick us up from the hotel and drove us to the valley where the horses were waiting. On our hike earlier we came across sooo many horses grazing in the fields and were so excited for this all day. Our horses for this ride were all white.
The Sunset Horse Back Ride
We were each assigned a horse based off of size and experience and then we began, leaving about an hour or so before sunset so that we could reach that top just in time.
The pace was slow, but enjoyable and as we slowly climbed through the valley, we stopped at a few places along the way to see the ancient cave churches, have a glass of freshly squeezed juice, and explore.
Cave Churches
We stopped at two incredible Cave Churches along the way. Hidden in the rocks, once you entered we were in awe from the intricate paintings, architecture, columns, and more. our guide unfortunately did not speak English, so we did get too much information about the amazing place, but it was still amazing to explore.
Sunset
We were a bit scared that we were going to miss the sunset as our guides seemed to be taking it a bit easy with time. But as the sun started to set and the golden rays tinged the rocks a stunning pink hue, we realized that we should have trusted their sense of time. It could not have been more perfect.
The orange sun blazed in the sky. One of the most stunning sunsets I’ve ever seen. Overlooking beautiful valleys on one side and then turning around to see the pink rocks on the other, it was a surreal experience.
Anyone would fall in love with horseback riding after this experience. It was so beautiful and memorable.
Tips
- Your hotel can arrange everything! Just let them know that you want to go horse back riding and they will contact the ranch owners to arrange everything. Someone will come to pick you up and drop you off. Super convenient.
- Cost – Considering that horse back riding is a very expensive pass time under normal circumstances, I’m happy to say that in Turkey it is very reasonably priced! Per person we payed 200 Tl for a 3 hour trip! Was so worth it!!
- No experience necessary – It was my boyfriend’s first time horse back riding ever! I am much more experienced, but we both found it very enjoyable! It is just a walking trail, so if you’re looking for something more intense, it may be a challenge. I always love galloping if possible (like I was able to do in Georgia), but the sunset views and stops at ancient churches totally made up for that! It was a nice, relaxing experience.
- Pictures! No need to worry about missing out on pictures while you’re riding…our guides took pictures of us the entire time and sent them to us in WhatsApp!
I have to say that this Sunset Horseback ride was among the most amazing and memorable parts of my trip to Turkey. It was so stunning and beautiful, the experience of a LIFETIME. It just can’t be missed on a trip to Cappadocia!!!
For more incredible things to do in Cappadocia check out this post: 10 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Balat – Secret Gem of Istanbul | A Rainbow of Colors
Balat is certainly a secret gem of Istanbul, a hidden treasure. Tucked away in a quaint area, far away from most tourist attractions, most people aren’t lucky enough to come here for a visit. But it is certainly not to be missed as it’s an amazing opportunity to see a different side of Istanbul’s multi-faceted array of places to visit.
Colors, Colors, and More Colors!
I’m pretty sure you can guess what drew me to Balat in the first place. Really, who can resist these whimsical, colorful houses, rainbow stairs, and bright cafes? Hipster heart of Istanbul. Local, organic cafes and restaurants. Laid back vibes. Colorful and quaint streets. Sounds like a dreamland.
After spending the whole morning in the Sultanhamet area, we decided to take a taxi to Balat to see a different side of Istanbul. About 15/20 minutes later and the whole city seemed to change. From the traditional Istanbul you see in tour books to a quaint and local neighborhood. I would have been super sad to miss this lovely place.
Beyond seeing the colorful houses and cute cafes, I was most excited to find the rainbow stairs and the umbrella street. After asking a few people and roaming a bit, we finally found it! And we were not disappointed!!
How to Get to Balat
It’s quite easy to get to Balat from anywhere in Istanbul. So even if you are not staying precisely in Balat, it’s only a short taxi drive away. It is about 15/20 minutes drive from the Sultanhamet area of Istanbul (where all the most famous tourist attractions are. From the Karakoy/Galata area it is also about a 15/20 minute drive.
Check out this post for more information about transportation in Turkey, tips, and tricks:
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN TURKEY – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR TRIP
Tips for Visiting Balat
- Food– Balat is filled with adorable little cafes. It feels quite Parisian as you walk down the cobble-stone like streets and there are cafes on every corner, people talking over a coffee, smoking a cigarette. If you’re looking for a place to eat, you’ll certainly have no trouble!
- Shopping – If you want to find some traditional Turkish goods, Balat can be a great place to go shopping. As it is a much less touristic area, it’s easier to find traditional items at a better price!
- Where to Stay – Although there are some Airbnb’s in Balat itself, it would probably be better to stay in a different area of Istanbul and just take a 15 minute taxi drive for a few hours of wandering Balat. There isn’t too much to do in the area, so it may not be the best place to stay for many nights. We stayed in a cute boutique hotel in the Sultanhamet neighborhood, just a short taxi drive away.
- History – Balat is traditionally the Jewish quarter of the Fatih district of Istanbul. There are even some ruins of a Synagogue in the area.
Looking for other amazing things to do in Istanbul or Turkey? Check out our Turkey travel page for more tips and tricks.
Don’t forget your travel essentials!
Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen! Here are some of our favorite essentials that we bring on every trip:
Every Day Bucket Hat 
Amazing Everyday Water Bottle – We literally don’t go anywhere without this water bottle. Perfect for hikes and also everyday! We can’t even describe how delightful it is to take a sip of water from this perfectly made bottle. Also available in multiple different sizes.
Timeless Vintage Backpack – What could be better than lots of different pockets to store all the little goodies that you bring along with you on your journeys? This backpack is comfortable, convenient, and a classic. A stylish backpack perfect for every environment.
Mini Tripod – Who doesn’t want to get the perfect photo while traveling? Not everyone is lucky enough to have a personal photographer with them at all times to capture the special moments, so that is where this portable tripod comes in handy. Adjustable, with a selfie stick handle, and a wireless control make it the perfect combo.
Rogue Fishing Co. The Protector Phone Tether – Adventurous journeys call for a little more caution when it comes to our electronics. This phone tether has saved us more than once on kayaking trips, rappelling, and hiking. The compact leash is small enough to stay out of your way, but stretches enough to help you get the perfect picture.
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Pink Lake? Turkey’s Amazing Salt Lake – Tuz Golu
When I first stumbled across photos of the Pink Lake in Turkey, I was in awe. I had never seen people visit here before and I soon found out that it is one of the most underrated tourist attractions in Turkey. To this day, I can’t quite figure out why so few people come to visit this incredible and HUGE pink lake. I put it on the top of my “Places to Visit in Turkey” list.
We went to visit the Pink Lake, Tuz Golu (meaning Salt Lake in Turkish) on a day trip from Cappadocia. We rented a car,hired a driver, and set off to visit this beautiful lake.
Tuz Golu
Driving along the road to the official entrance to the lake, we began to see the incredible pink waters blending into the horizon into a blur of purple and blue. We got to Tuz Golu early in the morning. There weren’t many people around, and even fewer (if any) tourists. At first we were quite disappointed that the “Pink Lake” was actually much more white. Although also beautiful, we drove by such vibrant pink waters on the way, that it was a bit sad to just see white.
We were told that because of the evaporation that occurs in the summertime, most of the lake was dry and the salt was a whiter color. It was still incredible to see the enormous expanse of salt as far as the eye could see. The salt formations were beautiful and we saw many locals collecting bags of the healing salt to bring home for a spa night.
Although the white salt beds were very impressive, I was still determined to see the PINK lake. Our driver promised to try to find a way to the pink portion and we got our things and started driving.
Pink, Pink, Pink!
A little bit later, as the pink waters started to come into view, he went off the highway and into a pathway made through some empty fields. We started to drive towards the pink. Reaching the edge of the salt bed, we get out of the car, and start walking towards the pink waters.
Because of the summer evaporation, it was a bit of a walk before we reached the pretty pink waters. And it was so worth it. Absolutely STUNNING. The colors were magnificent and the waters smoothed the skin to an amazingly silky feel. It felt like a wonderland.
We walked around, exploring the beautiful shallow water. The salt formations were beautiful and impressive. So happy to have made it to the pink portion of this enormous lake, we walked back to the car, rinsed off the salt with water, and continued onto our next destination.
When to Visit the Pink Lake
Although the Pink Lake can be visited all year round, be aware that in the summer months much of the water evaporates. The lake itself is already extremely shallow in most places, but in the summer months the water may evaporate entirely in some areas, leaving just a large salt bed. Particularly at the official entrance, the water was almost entirely gone when we visited in July. When we drove a bit farther away to the area with the more pink water, there was some water, but it was still extremely shallow.
How to Get to the Pink Lake
The Pink Lake is a bit in the middle of nowhere, quite the drive from any main tourist attraction. The best way to visit in my opinion is to take a day trip from Cappadocia/Goreme as we did.
We rented a car and driver for the day and visited a few places outside of Cappadocia. First visiting the Pink Lake, we then made our way to Ihlara Valley.
Directly from Goreme it is around a 1.5 hour drive. Because of this, it’s best to add a couple of other amazing things to do in the region as well, to make it worth the drive.
As it can be a bit difficult to find the way to the pink portion of the lake, it may be easier to rent a car with a driver as we did. He knew the area very well, exactly how to get there, and the cost difference was negligible.
Tips for Visiting the Pink Lake
- SALT – If you’ve never visited a Salt Lake or a very salty body of water, know that it can get messy. The salt will stick to your legs and clothes if you touch it. It’s easily rinsed off with water though. Also be sure to rinse everything well that came in contact with the salt so that it doesn’t ruin your clothes or shoes.
- Shopping – Looking for a spa night? The salt from the Pink Lake is the perfect addition! You can buy salt at the official entrance to take home for a nice salt scrub.
- Where to Stay – The best place to stay when visiting the region is one of the famous cities in Cappadocia. The most famous among them being Goreme. It is very easy to rent a car from the city to take a day trip to visit the Pink Lake. The next main closest city is Konya. Although there is not much to do in Konya itself, you can take a day trip from the city to visit the Pink Lake.
- Places to Eat – At the official entrance to the lake, there is a small cafe where you can purchase food, water, and other touristic items. If you also go in search of the pink area of the lake, there is literally nothing around, so be sure to bring snacks and water!
- Cost – Entrance is free! Both to the official section and of course the non offical.
Fun Facts
- The Pink Lake is the second largest lake in Turkey! Over 1,500 square km (643 square mile) surface area.
- Tuz Golu as it is called in Turkish means “Salt Lake”
- 63% of the salt consumed in Turkey is produced from the mines near the lake.
- The lake is pink partially because of a type of algae that grows in the water (the same algae that flamingos eat that causes to be pink)
- This lake is also a breeding ground for thousands of flamingos!
Things to Do in the Area
Since the Pink Lake is a bit of a drive from so many other places in the area, we decided to take advantage of the rented car and enjoy some of the other amazing things to do in the region.
Ihlara Valley
Just about an hour’s drive from the Pink Lake, you can visit Ihlara Valley. It is an incredibly remarkable place. In the middle of a desert region, no water around except for the undrinkable Salt Lake, you’ll find the beautiful, lush Ihlara Valley. A fresh water river runs through the 16 km gorge carved through volcanic rock. It even boasts a few small waterfalls! It’s quite the desert oasis and worth a visit!
View the full post: IHLARA VALLEY – STUNNING RIVER GORGE IN THE DESERT | CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY
Underground City
The whole region of Cappadocia has many Underground Cities available to visit. The most famous being Derinkuyu Underground City. As the name suggests, it is a full city built underground. Large enough to house 20,000 people, livestock, and built on multiple levels, it is said to be truly incredible. Bearing a secret of its own, this ancient city was only discovered when a man started renovations to his home, and stumbled upon it.
Giving a lot of insight into how people lived in this region historically, it can be visited along the way if you take a day trip to the Pink Lake and Ihlara Valley.
Pigeon Valley
Although we did not have a lot of time to explore this interesting valley, we did have the chance to stop here at sunset on our way back from the Pink Lake and Ihlara Valley. As I’m sure you can guess, the name comes from the many pigeons that flock to the area. You can even see in the rocks the MANY ancient dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) carved into the rocks for the carrier pigeons many years ago.
If you have time, there is also a small hike that can be done in the area, a cute gift shop, and lots of pigeons to watch.
Sunflower Fields
When we visited the area (July) there were literally ENDLESS fields of sunflowers everywhere. It was so beautiful. I found out that Turkey raises lots and lots of sunflowers and uses them for snacks and cooking oil.
Looking for more amazing things to do near Cappadocia? Or Turkey in general? Be sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more amazing tips and itinerary ideas!
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
What it’s Really Like to Stay in One of Goreme’s Famous Cave Hotels | Cappadocia
Cappadocia is famous for many things beyond just the beautiful array of hot air balloons that take off every morning. One of the best experiences in the region is staying in one of the many cave hotels that the villages have to offer.
I’m honestly not sure if they even offer any hotels other than cave hotels. I don’t know why anyway wouldn’t want to stay in a beautifully decorated, authentic hotel carved out of rock, but if for whatever reason you’re against such an incredible experience, you’re out of luck.
Although there are multiple towns in the region of Cappadocia, Turkey, the most famous is Goreme. Goreme is the tourist hub, hot air balloon central, and an overall quaint and cute village.
While booking my trip to the area, one of the MOST EXCITING parts was picking a cave hotel stay in. Let’s just say it was a really hard decision. There were so many to chose from and they all looked amazing (and were so inexpensive), but in the end we chose the BEST.
Elite Cave Suites
We stayed at Elite Cave Suites in Goreme. We also decided to splurge a bit and get their best room. It was still very reasonably priced, but so beautiful.
On the top of a hill, making our way through the cute stony roads, we climbed up what seemed to be an endless amount of stairs, we finally made it to our room, the “penthouse”, if you can call it that. It was the top cave carved out of the stone.
The views were incredible. The authentic feel was unmatched. We even saw the beginnings of a new room that they were carving out of the stone next to ours. Our door was a thing little enclave in the rock. We opened it and were amazed. Up a few more steps and we were there.
We had an extremely spacious main room decorated beautifully with brown embroidered and brocade fabrics. The room is naturally very cool (super refreshing from the hot summer day outside) because of the construction of the cave. But the best part of all was the little balcony that we had overlooking the city, the rock formations, and the valley. It was stunning way to wake up in the morning.
The bathroom was huge, with a big Jacuzzi and a separate shower, all beautifully decorated.
It was so cool to be staying in such an authentic, but very fancy version, of what people lived in thousands of years ago. We went hiking the next day (post here) and saw the ancient cave dwellings and couldn’t help but make the connections to where we were staying that night. It was amazing.
Best Cave Hotel in Goreme
Although I may be a bit biased as I only stayed in one place, I think Elite Cave Suites is the best place to stay in Goreme. It is perfectly located, has a beautiful view, was reasonably priced, and the staff was super friendly and helpful.
If you want to see the hot air balloons they have a beautiful arrangement for photos where you can have tea in the morning and watch the balloons take off. In our room we could even see the balloons from our balcony! Couldn’t be any more perfect.
They even let us borrow blankets and pillows for when we went to the sunset point to watch the sunrise. We set up a cute picnic spot with all their authentic Turkish blankets and designs.
Overall, the experience was incredible. The people were amazing and the room was among the loveliest I ever stayed in. It was one of the best experiences of the trip!
Looking for more amazing things to do in Turkey? Or Cappadocia in general? Check out all of our posts here: Turkey.
Lots of love and safe travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Ihlara Valley – Stunning River Gorge in the Desert | Cappadocia, Turkey
Ihlara Valley. It is an incredibly remarkable place. In the middle of a desert region, no water around except for the undrinkable Salt Lake, you’ll find the beautiful, lush Ihlara Valley. A fresh water river runs through the 16 km gorge carved through volcanic rock. It even boasts a few small waterfalls!
Ihlara is a township with own municipality in Central Anatolia that is most famous for its beautiful and unique Ihlara Valley. Beyond just the beauty of the region, the history of the area is also incredible with countless cave dwellings carved into the surrounding rocks.
Hikes at Ihlara Valley
There are a few different hiking options when visiting Ihlara Valley. At the entrance, which costs 45 Turkish Lyra per person, there are detailed maps of the different hiking options.
You can choose between a 4 km loop, 7 km loop, 15 km loop, and the full 32 km loop. With the longer versions you can see the churches, waterfalls, and ancient cave dwellings. We only did a very short version of the hike as we arrived later in the afternoon and did not have as much time as we would have wished to do a longer hike.
Despite doing the short version of the hike, we still saw plenty of of the beautiful stream, dragonflies, and even some wildlife.
Water Cafes at Ihlara Valley
The most stunning part of the experience for me, however, were the amazing cafes that they built on top of the water; one at the entrance of the valley and one a little bit of a walk into the valley.
I will say as a disclaimer, that the food was not that great, but the atmosphere was so cute and relaxed and fun that it was so worth it! There’s nothing better than feeling the cool, refreshing water underneath your feet as you enjoy a coffee or a fresh salad. It was such a fun experience.
How to Get There
Ihlara Valley is a bit in the middle of nowhere, quite the drive from any main tourist attraction. The best way to visit in my opinion is to take a day trip from Cappadocia/Goreme like we did.
We rented a car and driver for the day and visited a few places outside of Cappadocia. First visiting the Pink Lake, we then made our way here.
Directly from Goreme it is a little less than a 1.5 hour drive, which is why it’s best to add a couple of other amazing things to do in the region as well, to make it worth the drive.
As it can be a bit difficult to find the actual entrance to the Valley itself, it may be easier to rent a car with a driver as we did. He knew the area very well, exactly how to get there, and the cost difference was negligible.
Things to Do in the Area
Since it is a bit of a drive from so many other places in the area, we decided to take advantage of the rented car and enjoy some of the other amazing things to do in the region.
Pink Lake
One of Turkey’s most underrated tourist attractions in my opinion, the Pink Lake is seriously an incredible sight! Depending on the season, there are a few sections of the Pink Lake (Lake Tuz). One, the main tourist entrance, is more white. In the summertime a lot of the water evaporates leaving a platform of healing salt. The beautiful pink area can be reached a bit of a drive away.
View full post: PINK LAKE? TURKEY’S AMAZING SALT LAKE – TUZ GOLU
Underground City
The whole region of Cappadocia has many Underground Cities available to visit. The most famous being Derinkuyu Underground City. As the name suggests, it is a full city built underground. Large enough to house 20,000 people, livestock, and built on multiple levels, it is said to be truly incredible. Bearing a secret of its own, this ancient city was only discovered when a man started renovations to his home, and stumbled upon it.
Giving a lot of insight into how people lived in this region historically, it can be visited along the way if you take a day trip to the Pink Lake and Ihlara Valley.
Pigeon Valley
Although we did not have a lot of time to explore this interesting valley, we did have the chance to stop here at sunset on our way back from the Pink Lake and Ihlara Valley. As I’m sure you can guess, the name comes from the many pigeons that flock to the area. You can even see in the rocks the MANY ancient dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) carved into the rocks for the carrier pigeons many years ago.
If you have time, there is also a small hike that can be done in the area, a cute gift shop, and lots of pigeons to watch.
Sunflower Fields
When we visited the area (July) there were literally ENDLESS fields of sunflowers everywhere. It was so beautiful. I found out that Turkey raises lots and lots of sunflowers and uses them for snacks and cooking oil.
Tips
- Where to Stay – The best place to stay when visiting the region is one of the famous cities in Cappadocia- the most famous among them being Goreme. It is very easy to rent a car from the city to take a day trip to visit Ihlara Valley.
- Places to Eat – It’s not just an amazing place to go for a hike through the nature, they also have adorable water cafes in multiple places along the trail. So don’t worry about having to bring food!
- Cost – The cost for entrance per person is 45 Tl.
- Trails – There are a few options for hiking trails, shorter and longer versions, so depending on how much time you have, you can hike up to the waterfalls or just take a short nature walk to the cafes.
Looking for more amazing things to do in Cappadocia? Or Turkey in general? Be sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more amazing tips and itinerary ideas!
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
xoxoxoxo Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Rose Valley and Red Valley, Cappadocia, Turkey | Hiking
Rose Valley and Red Valley are among the most beautiful places in Cappadocia. Just a few minutes walk outside of Goreme, you will come across amazingly beautiful rock formations arrayed across the valley. Can you guess where these valleys got their name? The rocks, which during the day are stunning, at sunset become a stunning red tint. This hue gave birth to the red and rose connotations that this valley is famous for.
No visit to Goreme or Cappadocia is complete without at least one hike! Even if it’s just a short one, there are so many amazing opportunities to get out and walk through the incredible landscapes. As it was the closest to where we were staying and relatively short (10km total we were told) we decided on either the Rose Valley or Red Valley hikes.
Hiking Rose Valley and Red Valley
We began our hiking adventure in the late morning. Considering we were there in summer (it gets VERY hot) we should have certainly started early. But since we only had a few shorts days in the region, we weren’t going to miss the opportunity.
As the sun began to beat down, we embarked on our hike. We were told that the hike was about 5 km in each direction, through the valley, so not particularly difficult. We bought some water and snacks in town and began.
It was a bit difficult finding the beginning of the hiking trail. After asking a few people and getting multiple different answers, we eventually found what looked like a reasonable starting place and began. Perhaps we should have known that that was probably a sign that the path was not the clearest, but we continued on anyway.
The rock formations were INCREDIBLE. Each one so unique, the entire valley an awe inspiring view. We walked across ancient cave dwellings, family horse farms (you can even go horse back riding through these valleys. Check out the post here), and countless other amazing sights.
Maybe we weren’t paying quite enough attention, maybe we were too busy exploring the cave churches and cave homes around every corner, but we seemed to miss the trail marks (if there were any). We certainly roamed quite a bit, took a path to nowhere more than once, but FINALLY found a few signs here and there that would say RED VALLEY or ROSE VALLEY in capital letters scratched across the side of a rock. It was almost like a scavenger hunt just to find the trail markings!
Although Rose Valley and Red Valley are technically two separate hikes, we kind of did them at the same time. Between getting lost a few times and just roaming, somehow we made it to both!
When to Visit
Although these valleys can certainly be visited all year round, there are a few things to keep in mind during the different seasons. During the summer Cappadocia gets VERY HOT.
If you are looking to do a hike, it’s most recommended to go during the evening hours, before sunset. Not only is it the most beautiful time to see the valley all tinted pink, but it is the coolest. There is very little shade during the summer, so avoid going during the hottest hours of the day. Alternatively you can also visit in the early morning hours. To avoid the heat, just make sure that you’ll be back before noon.
These valleys can also be visited during the winter! Although there may be snow and it will definitely be chilly, it can be a stunning sight. A bit more challenging to hike, but certainly still possible!
How to Get There
These valleys are most easily accessed if you are staying in Goreme. It’s possible simply to walk there from the town. You can also drive to the beginning of the trail, which is just a few minutes drive outside of the town center.
Tips for Visiting Red Valley and Rose Valley
- Where to Stay – If you are interested in hiking these valleys, it is easiest to stay in Goreme. We stayed at Elite Cave Suites and had an amazing experience. Check out the full post of our stay there here:
- What to Bring – Bring LOTS of water! Especially if you are going in the summer months, it will be very very hot, so come prepared! Also bring snacks as there aren’t really places to get food along the way.
- Drive – We walked from Goreme to the beginning of the hiking trail, but you can also drive there, cutting off a few minutes of hiking each direction.
- Visit – If you aren’t interested in hiking this area, you can just come for a short visit to see the sunset! Rose Valley has a very lovely sunset point where you can pay a few Turkish lira to enter and enjoy the beauty this area has to offer.
- Horse Back Ride – Don’t feel like walking at all? This area is filled with beautiful horse ranches! Not only did we enjoy a hike of the area, but came back a second time to enjoy the experience on horse back! It was among the most amazing parts of our trip. Check out the full experience here:
Any of questions about Turkey? Looking for more amazing places to visit? Check out our amazing Turkey itinerary here and Cappadocia things to do here: 10 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
Topkapi Palace – 10 Reasons to Visit this Amazing Place
I’m sure you’ve seen those pictures everywhere with amazingly bright and colorful tiles and beautiful architecture? Well, they were taken here at Topkapi Palace. It truly is an incredible place and one of Istanbul’s many gems. In case you aren’t already convinced here are 10 reasons you should visit this amazing place!
1. Visit the Oldest and Biggest Palace in the World
Topkapi Palace is claimed to be the largest and oldest surviving palace in the world! If that is not reason enough to visit, I don’t know what is! The Palace was built is 1465 and has housed countless Sultans, servants, concubines, and royal family members since! You can feel the history as you walk around!
2. Amazing Instagram photos
Who isn’t looking for amazing places to take photos? Well Topkapi Palace certainly offers PLENTY! Gold rimmed walls and bright blue tile work. Everywhere you look is an amazing photo opportunity. The Harem is the most Instagrammable spot of all with beautiful and intricate walls full of colors!
3. Understand Turkey better culturally
This Palace was built in 1465! That means that hundreds of years of Turkish history are hidden in it’s walls. There was so much to learn about the history and culture of Turkey just by wandering around. The Museum houses artifacts from so many different eras and long historical accounts of the different Sultans who resided there. Turkish artwork, circumcision rooms, prayer rooms, libraries, and so much more. It’s a wonderful chance to get a glimpse into Turkey’s culture.
4. Enjoy it’s amazing architecture and artwork
Between beautiful entrances arched with gold to tall domed ceilings beautifully colored, everywhere you look there is another area to enjoy. The windows, the bedrooms, guestrooms, and living quarters. Architecturally it is amazing.
5. It’s a Museum and Palace All in One
No need to decide between visiting a museum or a Palace! Here you can do both at the same time. If you’re super interested in the history and fun facts consider hiring a guide for the day who can walk you through the place so you don’t miss any tidbits!
6. History Lover’s Paradise
This palace has literally hosted generations of Ottoman sultans and their many wives and concubines throughout the centuries. It’s now a wonderful (and very thorough) museum containing well preserved libraries, prayer rooms, servant quarters, living areas, kitchenware, clothing, artwork, and so much more. Lover of history? Here is just the place for you!
7. It’s big enough to spend a lot of time, but also can be visited briefly
When we went to visit we only had a fairly short time to see everything the Palace had to offer, but there was so much more to see! The great part about this palace is you can chose to explore (or not explore) however much you want. You could easily spend 1 hour or 5 hours here, just depends on your pace.
8. You Can See an Intricate and Stunning Harem
Did you know….That the word Harem in Arabic means forbidden. So although we generally associate a harem as a place where a king kept his many women, it really just meant “off limits” to everyone else. Here at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul the Harem housed the Sultan and his sons, along with all the women of the household (sometimes up to 1000 😲)
This room (one of 300) is the Imperial Hall. The largest dome in the complex, this is where they would host official receptions, parties, and the Sultan would sit on his golden throne. Quite an impressive place.
9. The Gardens Nearby
After (or before) your visits to the palace, be sure to stop by the lovely park built just outside! It has ponds and bridges and all sorts of beautiful trees and flowers. It’s an amazing place for a picnic or just a relaxed stroll.
10. It’s BEAUTIFUL
Perhaps the most important reason of all to visit the Topkapi Palace is simply because it’s BEAUTIFUL. We all love to see and explore beautiful places and so here is a stunner! Enjoy!
When to Visit
The Topkapi Palace can be visited all year round, but it is only open six days a week. The Palace is closed on Tuesdays! Depending on the season, there can be a long wait as this is an extremely popular tourist destination, so if you’re concerned, arrive early! The opening hours are 9:00am-6:00pm except for certain holidays.
How to Get There and Where to Stay
The Topkapi Palace is very centrally located. If you’re planning on visiting most of Istanbul’s most famous tourist attractions (Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cisterns), the palace is just a few minutes walk away.
Because most of the attractions are located in the same area, it’s best to stay in the Sultanhamet neighborhood. Speckled with many boutique hotels, a few minutes walk from everything, and a beautiful ocean view, it couldn’t be more perfect. Here is where we stayed, a cute little hotel with incredible friendly staff!
You can really stay anywhere in Istanbul, it just depends on how far you want to drive. Considering also the traffic that plagues Istanbul (along with all big cities) it’s easiest if it’s within walking distance, but still easily accessible from other parts of the city.
Tips
- Cost – Topkapi Palace was among the most expensive attractions we visited in Turkey. If you are spending more than a few days in Turkey, it is definitely worth it to buy the Museum Pass. The normal cost is 100 Tl per person. If you want to see the Harem (100% recommended) it will cost a bit more- an additional 70 Tl per person.
- What to Wear – As in most other places in Turkey, dress respectfully. I wore long, flowy pants and a sleeveless top, but people were wearing a whole variety of different outfits. As it is not a religious site, the dress code is more lax, but always remember to be respectful.
- What to Bring – Do not eat at the cafe at the entrance of the Palace. It is one of the most expensive in Turkey and not worth the money. If you think you’ll be a long time consider bringing snacks and water!
- Don’t Miss the Harem!!!– the Palace compound and museum was very beautiful and lovely, but the Harem was FAR more impressive. I would have been quite disappointed in the Topkapi experience if I had skipped visiting the Harem.
Looking for more amazing things to do in Istanbul? Check out all the best places to see: 2 DAYS IN ISTANBUL? HERE ARE THE TOP 7 THINGS TO SEE AND DO!
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
xoxoxo Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters