Tag Archives: Istanbul
Turkey: Part 2 | Istanbul & Göreme | Travel Photography | Destination Wedding Photography
A break in the regularly scheduled wedding photos to bring you some more fun travel images! I shared the first part of my birthday Turkey trip a month or so ago.
On my last day in Istanbul, I had a few places I wanted to see. First was this wonderful ancient cistern. I had seen something similar on a previous trip to Morocco and wanted to see if this one would also make for awesome photos. Success! I love this kind of places.
I then took the tram over to the other side of town to explore the area near Taksim Square. (Yes, where the most recent protests have been occuring.) I also climbed to the top of the Galata Tower for to get a few images of the city from above. While the view is cool from the tower, I got the nearly the same view from a cafe down the block where I stopped for a drink and a snack.
Finally, I knew I HAD to catch a sunset near the Galata Bridge. I wasn’t disappointed. The sky was incredible.
After enjoying the sunset, I headed back to my hostel to get up bright and early to catch my flight to Cappadocia. Why Cappadocia? This region of Turkey is one of the main reasons I’d had my heart set on going to Turkey for so long. It has one of the most interesting landscapes in the world. Hundreds of “fairy chimneys” sprout up from the ground giving it a crazy lunar feel.
I had a great time hiking through the rock formations, but the primary reason to come?
To fly in a hot air balloon!
I stayed in Göreme, one of the main places to catch a hot air balloon. I went with Kapadokya Balloons , one of the most experienced ballooners in town and had an incredible time, though things started out with a hiccup. Normally, all the balloons are launched at dawn. (Which as a photogrpaher, I was THRILLED about. Golden hour light? Hot Air Balloons? Win. ) However, what I didn’t realize was that November was also the one month where they are often socked in with fog, making the launch impossible. I got up on the morning of my flight only to realize I couldn’t see anything outside. Not even across the street. Shoot. However, luckily they decided to try for a rare launch later in the day, and by 3pm, we were in the air!
Flying in a hot air balloon over this landscape was far and away one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done. It’s almost surreal. As the balloon ascends, you feel as if you’re floating and it’s completely silent after the gas is released.
If you’re ever in Turkey, this is a once in a lifetime kind of MUST do.
Now the question is, who wants to get married in a hot air balloon?? 
Cheers to new adventures!
PS. I’m also working on updating/getting more images up for sale in my etsy shop! If you like these images, feel free to check it out!
De Nueva Etsy Shop
Turkey, Part I: Istanbul! | Travel Photographer
I’m pausing for a brief intermission from wedding photography to bring you some fun travel images! I just returned from Asia, but before I even get started on those photos, I figured it was high time I posted some scenes from my trip to Turkey last fall! I’m hoping to get my travel work more integrated into this site in the future, and perhaps a regular travel feature?? We’ll see how far I can get in busy season.
But for now, Part 1 of my adventure! Turkey had been on my list now for quite some time, and so when I saw a killer airfare deal about a year ago, and had miles saved up, I pounced! Because why not? I decided it would be an excellent birthday trip for myself, since I didn’t get to go as planned for my 30th. I spent about 10 days traipsing around Istanbul and also making a side trip to Göreme in the Cappadoccia region to go hot air ballooning. More on that in part 2, but it was the COOLEST thing ever!
The Blue Mosque, Istanbul.
While in Istanbul, I stayed in a hostel near the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia. While more touristy of an area then I’d usually pick, it was super convenient and fit the budget. It turned out great, and I was within walking distance of loads of great sites. The Blue Mosque, above, was stunning with gorgeous stained glass and mosaic ceiling.
Hagia Sofia, Istanbul.
I spent my first day wandering through the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market due to the rainy outdoors. These markets could keep you entertained for quite some time. And while I was worried of being harassed as I had been in the souks of Morocco, I experienced nothing of the sort in Turkey, a pleasant surprise for a solo female traveler.
The Grand Bazaar, Istanbul.
I sampled some Turkish delight, kind of like a weird powdered sugar gelatin dessert. Not my thing at all. I did, however, buy loads of wonderful spices AND eat my weight in all kinds of baklava. YUM.
Trip to the Princes’ Islands, Turkey.
One of the best parts of my time in Istanbul was a day trip to the Princes’ Islands. They are a short ferry ride off the coast and a beautiful respite from the craziness of city life. I also managed to meet an Iranian couple, a woman from New Zealand, and an entire troop of the Boyscouts of Libya while on this excursion. Because travel is amazing like that.
Büyükada, Princes Islands, Turkey.
You can stop at a number of different islands, but because I didn’t have a ton of time, I just took the ferry to the last island, Büyükada, and spent my afternoon there. It was lovely. There are no cars on the island, just horse drawn buggies.
Once I got off the ferry, I got my bearings and then decided to head for the highest point on the island. I had read it made for a nice hike and the views were stupendous. I wasn’t disappointed. There was a little cafe for tea and it was the perfect afternoon just to sit and enjoy the sunshine!
Next up, hot air balloons! Stay tuned!