Between Snow and Light: The Fantasy of Winter Türkiye

This winter trip to Turkey felt like stepping into a dream spanning thousands of years.
From the ancient streets of Istanbul, to hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia, to the snow-white steps of Pamukkale and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, every step was like turning the pages of a history book, and I happened to be right there.
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🕌 Istanbul: Awakening in the City at the Junction of Europe and Asia
The journey began in Istanbul. This city, straddling Europe and Asia, saw a misty morning over the Bosphorus Strait, ferries plying through it, and the distant minarets and domes of mosques forming a most iconic silhouette.
Walking through the narrow cobblestone alleys of the old city, the red flag with a white star fluttered in the wind, and the aroma of street bread filled the air. Holding a freshly baked sesame bagel, a simit, and observing the busy yet peaceful lives of the people around me, this juxtaposition of bustle and leisure is Istanbul at its most captivating. ⸻
🎈 Cappadocia: A Fairytale and Miracle Above the Clouds
The day I arrived in Cappadocia, snow was quietly falling. At five in the morning, with temperatures below freezing, I stood by the valley, waiting for the hot air balloon to take off. The sky gradually brightened, the horizon a soft blue, and the distant mountains were still shrouded in mist.
As the first balloon slowly ascended, I was filled with awe. Then, dozens of colorful balloons floated between the snow and the sea of clouds, like a dream. At that moment, I truly felt the existence of "luck"—given the unpredictable winter weather, witnessing such a sight was truly a blessing.

After the balloon landed, the pilot celebrated with champagne, and everyone toasted in the cold wind. That joy was the purest joy of the trip.
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🏛 Hierapolis and Pamukkale: Ancient Dreams on White Hills
After leaving Cappadocia, I arrived in Pamukkale. The scene before me resembled a snowy wonderland, with cascading white travertine steps gleaming, and hot springs cascading down the rock face, reflecting a pale blue hue.

The setting sun shone on the stone, tinting the distant mountains a golden orange. I slipped off my shoes and stepped barefoot into the warm springs, feeling this natural miracle flowing for millennia.

Next door stood the ancient Roman ruins of the Hierapolis Theater. The stone steps wound upward, and sitting at the top, the sound of the wind mingled with ancient echoes. It felt as if time had stood still, as if the audience were still seated, waiting for the performance to begin.

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🏰 Dusk Lights in a Quiet Mountain Town

Safranbolu, a mountain town to the north, is the best-preserved ancient Ottoman town in Turkey. Before sunset, the entire city lit up in a vibrant orange glow, its red-tiled roofs crisscrossing in a crisscross pattern. The distant mountains, shrouded in mist, created a scene as gentle as an oil painting. I stood on the observation deck, watching smoke rise from the rooftops as distant calls of prayer reached my ears. This timeless town holds a magical charm that invites you to slow down and breathe.
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🐴 Troy and Echoes of Myth
Traveling south along the west coast, we arrived at the legendary Troy. Today, the wooden horse stands quietly by the harbor, its dark wood gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
People took photos and chatted at its feet, as if coexisting with the myth. At that moment, I thought, perhaps one of the meanings of travel is to witness with our own eyes that places once only existed in stories actually exist somewhere in the world.
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The soft light of winter, the warmth of time
Turkey's winter has a unique romance. The snow-capped valleys, the warmth of hot springs, the lingering glow of the ancient city's stone walls, and the sweet aroma of a cup of hot black tea in a corner teahouse all convey the profoundness and inclusiveness of this land. From the historical sites of Europe to the cultural atmosphere of Asia, from the clouds soaring above a hot air balloon to the hustle and bustle of the alleyways, this journey is like a poem, slowly read to its end, yet lingering in the heart.

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🧭 Turkey is more than just a country on a map; it's an adventure through time, landscape, and the soul.