Türkiye

April to June and September to October suit Istanbul and much of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. July and August are hot on the south coast and busy in resorts; Istanbul stays lively but humid. Eastern and central Anatolia see cold winters and hot summers—plan by region. Tulip season in Istanbul is spring; ballooning in Cappadocia is popular in clearer months, with dawn flights weather-dependent. Public holidays and election periods can close museums or fill buses—check dates for your window. Local festivals and school holidays can shift crowds even inside a “good” month, so a quick check of dates for your year is worth it.

Istanbul deserves several days on its own (old city, Bosphorus, neighbourhoods across the water). A classic extension is Cappadocia by air, or the Aegean (Ephesus, Çeşme, coastal towns). The Turquoise Coast (Antalya and beyond) is a separate beach-and-ruins trip. Domestic flights are often the sane way between far regions. Tram and ferry combinations in Istanbul beat taxis in congested historic areas. Keep one buffer night before international flights after Cappadocia dawn starts. Leave one unscheduled half-day in each base; the best finds are rarely on the first draft of an itinerary.

Istanbul’s mosques and skyline are superb at dawn and blue hour from ferry decks. Cappadocia’s valleys and balloons are a dawn exercise—midday cuts shadows in the fairy chimneys. Coast ruins (Ephesus) open early for a reason. Bazaars are colourful but busy; ask before close portraits. Interior shots of active mosques need quiet behaviour, modest dress and often no flash; go outside prayer times. GPS helps across a city split by water.