Explore the Beauty of Kaş, Antalya

You know that tone turquoise has that is ridiculously beautiful and you might say it is photoshopped? The beaches of Kas are exactly like that and it is even more beautiful in real life. It makes you want to just rip off what you’re wearing whenever you see the water. Located in the Province of Antalya between Kemer and Fethiye, Kas is definitely one of the best places to visit, especially for my fellow beach lovers. Without a doubt, you should see Kaputas, the most famous beach in Kas. It gets crowded during the summer or peak seasons, but personally, I find it durable. 

There are a lot of other activities to enjoy as well: skydiving, boat tours (showing you historical pirate battlefields in the islands, with swimming breaks and water activities plus lunch included in the tour), diving, safari and rafting I definitely enjoyed the boat trip – ‘tekne turu’ and I would definitely recommend this one in particular. It’s also very family-friendly.

Generally, Turkey is a cheap country, but Kas can be particularly overpriced due to a high number of tourists. My family and I usually go to the more local side of Kas (literally a 10-minute walk) where you can get authentic Turkish food for a lower price. As you walk around the charming city, you can see touches of Ottoman  and Middle Eastern architecture. It’s very beautiful and it’s hard to resist taking photos every 10 seconds. 

Unravel the Historical Tapestry of Konya

Konya, the city that stole my heart, is not just any Turkish destination. It’s my hometown, a place that holds a special place in my childhood summers. Step back in time (heads up history lovers). Konya is enriched with museums, and top of my list is the magnificent Mevlana Museum which houses the tomb and possessions of Mevlana Rumi, the famous 13th-century poet and spiritual leader. Konya’s historical significance goes back a long way. Explore the 12th-century Alaeddin Mosque, an architectural marvel with a turquoise dome, or wander around the ruins of Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic settlement dating back 9,000 years! If you like to shop, Konya is also known for their bazaars (markets) selling everything from Turkish delights to spices and decorations.

Konya’s charm extends beyond its historical past and has so much more to offer. It’s the city of ‘etliekmek’, a flatbread covered in meat – my absolute favourite food ever! Every summer we visited the same etliekmek shop near my grandfather’s house. Eventually, the friendly owner became family. Imagine this: the whole family gathered around the table, the scent of etliekmek filling the air, the crisp bread and icy-cold ayran (a Turkish yoghurt drink) refreshing your body in the warm weather as the call of prayers is echoing in the distance – pure summer bliss. I would give anything to relive these moments. Konya is not just a place, it’s a sense of belonging, a taste of tradition and a memory waiting to be made.  In addition to “etliekmek”, you can savour Konya’s culinary delights: “tepsi kebabı” (baked meat stew), “bamya” (stewed okra) and “şekerpare” (syrup-dripping pastries) are just some of those not to be missed. Don’t miss the chance to experience the whirling dervishes, a fascinating Sufi ritual performed at the Mevlana Cultural Centre.

Konya is definitely a must-add to your travel list. 

Written by

sinemoezbal