A Lovely Stop in the Heart of Istanbul - The Blue Mosque 🕌
by EmeraldSkies
Oct 14, 2025
The itinerary was mainly based on the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea in winter, so we did not arrange a self-driving trip on D400, and naturally we also gave up the towns of Fethiye and Kaş. Considering that Istanbul Airport was far away, I flew directly to Izmir after entering the country. All four domestic legs were flights. Fortunately, except for the last leg which was delayed for more than an hour, there were no overbooking or cancellations as I had seen in the guidebook.
: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Tickets are only accepted in lira, in cash or by card. I only used some Euros to buy things at Istanbul Airport.
4️⃣I rented a car from Sixt in Izmir and Kayseri. It was a good experience with no problems. Just be aware that there are two parking buildings at Izmir Airport. When renting a car, you must ask which parking building to return the car to. It is like a maze inside and is not easy to find.
5️⃣ Common supermarkets include Sok, BIM, A101, and Migros. If you see them, you can go in and buy supplies. You can also buy souvenir snacks, chocolates, etc. in these supermarkets.
🌡️ Temperature and outfit
In mid-to-late January, Izmir and Antalya are around 10 degrees, so thick sweatshirts and coats are enough. Istanbul is 7-8 degrees and windy, so you need to wear a hat when taking a boat. Goreme is a bit colder, around 0 degrees, so a down jacket will do, but it won’t feel as cold as Beijing.
The city guides are being updated one after another. If you have any questions, you can leave a message at any time.
Post by 3m.ly 3dw@rds | Feb 3, 2025























