Türkiye Revealed: Kathryn’s Thrilling Turkish Airlines Adventure

In late May, one of our travel advisors, Kathryn Stewart, had the privilege of joining a very special educational trip to Türkiye hosted by Turkish Airlines. Over the course of four days, she explored incredible historical sites, walked through breathtaking landscapes, and enjoyed warm Turkish hospitality every step of the way. This wasn’t just any trip, it was part of a global gathering of 215 travel advisors from around the world, brought together to see a side of Türkiye that most tourists never get to experience.

Get the full story in her report below!

Flying in Style with Turkish Airlines

Our journey began on May 25th, departing Seattle on Turkish Airlines flight TK204 to Istanbul. I’ll be honest, the transfer from the domestic terminal to the international departures terminal in Seattle was a bit of a haul with my bags. But once I located the Turkish Airlines check-in desk, I was on my way.

PRO-TIP: I had to travel over 2 tickets to connect in Seattle, which meant I had to pick up my checked bag, leave security, and check in at the Turkish Airways Counter.

I was fortunate to be booked into Business Class, and it was my first time in a lie-flat bed. The service was outstanding, the food exceptional. Dinner was served once we reached cruising altitude complete with a cute electric candle for a “candle-lit” dinner experience. I tried to decline dessert, but the flight attendant insisted I “needed” to have it. I’m glad I didn’t argue.

Before the trip, I wasn’t convinced I’d be able to sleep even in a lie-flat bed because I never sleep on planes. To my surprise, I fell asleep almost immediately and didn’t wake up until breakfast was served before landing. It was, without question, one of the best flight experiences I’ve had, and I landed in Istanbul feeling nicely refreshed.

First Impressions of Istanbul

While I had not been given too many details about the itinerary before arrival, I did at least have a contact number for my transfer driver and thank goodness for that. When I got to baggage claim in Istanbul, my bag was nowhere to be found. The Turkish Airlines baggage office quickly determined it had been checked all the way through to Kütahya (pronunciation: keh-tah-yah), our next day’s destination.

PRO-TIP: Double check your luggage tags so you know exactly where they will end up! My bag was tagged to Kütahya from Seattle, so I didn’t have it in Istanbul. Oops!

Istanbul Airport is huge, so having that driver’s cell number made all the difference in finding him. By the time we reached the Swissotel the Bosphorus, it was late night, so I didn’t need anything beyond the PJs I’d packed in my carry-on.

Afyonkarahisar: Castles, Culture, and Hot Springs

Historical landmark: Aslantas-Yilantas Ören Yeri
Structures in the Phrygian Valley
Historical landmark: Aslantas-Yilantas Ören Yeri
Historical landmark: Aslantas-Yilantas Ören Yeri

The next morning, we departed on an early flight from Istanbul to Kütahya; boarding alongside a group so large it filled nearly the entire small plane. That’s when I realized just how big this event was. Turkish Airlines had flown in 215 travel advisors from all over the world; part of a major investment by the Turkish government to promote tourism in regions less known to travelers.

From Kütahya, we drove through the Phrygian Valley (pronunciation: fri-jee-uhn), an area of beautiful sand rock formations that reminded me of the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. Carved into the cliffs were homes, cathedrals, and intricate designs, all whispering stories from thousands of years ago.

*The fortress in Afyon way up on the top edge of the mountain.*

We continued to Afyonkarahisar (or Afyon for short, pronunciation: ahf-yohn-kara-heh-zar), a quaint city in the mountains with a fortress perched high atop a rocky peak. The area is rich in history and famous for its natural thermal hot springs. After a walking tour of the town, we checked into the NG Afyon Hotel for the night. While the hotel felt more geared toward business travelers, it offered a comfortable stay before the next leg of our journey.

Ancient Wonders in Hierapolis & Pamukkale

Day three brought an early breakfast and a three-hour drive to Denizli (pronounciation: de-niz-li). Here we visited two extraordinary UNESCO sites: the ancient city of Hierapolis and the Pamukkale Travertines (pronunciation:pah-mook-kah-leh).

The amphitheater
Scattered Roman ruins
Scattered Roman ruins
Map of the area

Hierapolis was once a thriving 3rd-century city, remarkably well excavated. Our guide, Volcan, a lively character with endless knowledge, showed us artistic renderings of the city in its prime. We were even given special permission to step behind the barriers of the massive amphitheater, still under excavation, to hear from a history professor working on the site. Standing there, with centuries of history underfoot, was awe-inspiring.

*These photos gives you some perspective to see how large the whole formation is.*

*Wooden walking paths allow you to see the travertines from many different views.*

By midday, the heat was intense and shade scarce, so we moved on to the Pamukkale Travertines. These gleaming white terraces, shaped over thousands of years by mineral-rich waters, looked like something from another world. Wooden walkways offered stunning perspectives, while small pools invited barefoot visitors to step into the warm, flowing water. Watching a bride and groom pose for wedding photos here was a beautiful scene.

That night, we drove to Izmir, stopping for dinner along the way, and arrived at the Swissotel Buyuk Efes around 1:00 a.m., absolutely ready for a well-earned rest.

Izmir & the Grandeur of Ephesus

*This archeological site is literally in the middle of the city of Izmir.*

In the morning, we explored the ruins of ancient Smyrna, hidden for centuries beneath the modern city of Izmir. Today, the archeological site stands in the middle of the bustling metropolis, a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient and modern life.

But the evening brought the trip’s grand finale: a private gala at Ephesus. The drive to Selçuk (pronunciation: sell-chuhk) took about an hour, and when we arrived, the ancient ruins were bathed in golden light. The entire site had been reserved just for our group. As darkness fell, the Library of Celsus was illuminated, harp music floated through the air, and dignitaries including Türkiye’s Minister of Tourism and the President of Turkish Airlines gave speeches.

It was magical, one of those rare travel moments that you know will stay with you for life.

Entering the event after the sun had gone down at Ephesus.
Ruins at the Library of Celsus
Note the Turkish Airlines logo worked into the lighting.
The Library of Celsus

A Destination of History, Beauty, and Warmth

From beginning to end, this trip was a reminder of how special Türkiye is. You can explore ancient civilizations, witness natural wonders unlike anywhere else on Earth, and enjoy hospitality so warm it makes you feel instantly welcome.

Whether you’re drawn by history, nature, food, or culture, Türkiye offers an unforgettable travel experience. And with Turkish Airlines’ exceptional service, the journey is every bit as enjoyable as the destination.