My husband and I recently traveled to Turkey. It was an action-packed trip filled with incredible history and endless inspiration. Even in the holiday bustle, I find myself reflecting fondly on the amazing things we found there.

We enjoyed it so much that I figured, why not share a few images (admittedly not professional) and travel highlights with our readers. Many of you might be holiday weary or in need of a little afternoon escape.

So, go ahead, pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy this small helping of Turkish delight. The to-do list can wait.

Our adventure started in Istanbul, where we hit the ground running with a day-long excursion through the streets of the Old City. Incredible architecture surrounded us and the there was no shortage of of color.

The grandeur of the Hagia Sophia blew me away! The blue and gold tones left me spinning in circles, studying every tiny detail of each wall.

The magic continued through the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet), Basilica Cistern, and Topkapı Palace.

And the lighting! I have a mental inventory of every fixture — from sacred mosques to patio retreats — each one was fabulous in my book.

A stop at the Spice Bazaar, a stroll through the Grand Bazaar, a morning at the fish market, an afternoon on the Bosphorus and an evening at the hammam. Before we knew it three days had flown by.

We left Istanbul and headed down the Western coast to the town of Bodrum. The slower pace and warmer temperatures were immediately felt. But, hidden within this lovely town was a ton of rich history, including one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Mausoleum of Mausolus, and a 15th Century Crusader castle.

There was no shortage of ruins either. Sites like Myndos Gate and this amphitheater were nestled between modern structures.

A hike out to a line of windmills provided exceptional views of the the harbor and surrounding islands.

The castle was also home to incredible ships, many of which were docked due to the close of tourist season. All the better for us to admire!

Our adventure continued with a drive from Bodrum to the ancient ruins of Ephesus, a trip I passed up in my early 20’s due to a lack of funds (I’m sure the money I spent getting into an Italian discoteque was worth it at the time). I refused to miss out this time! Along the way we stopped to see Bafa Gölü (Lake Bafa), at the insistence of the Bodrum locals. Advice worth taking — look at this scene!

While enjoying a relaxing lunch at a restaurant that overlooked Lake Bafa, we watched farm animals romp around the grounds. This fella reminded me of my favorite Paper Source characters of 2011, the fowl featured on our Custom Note Pads.

With bellies full of ezme and aubergine, we continued on to Selçuk and arrived at a charming inn that was only a few feet from the Basilica of St. John. Before dinner we took in sunset from the well-known ruins and perused the tribal rugs and Kilims of our Turkish host.

We woke up early the next morning to beat the crowd at Ephesus. What an amazing site to pull up to, even at early morning hours (my less than alert time). The excavations that have taken place here are even more magnificent than Pompeii (and I think Pompeii is incredible).

Here you can see the Library of Celsus and see how incredible this once seaside town was in ancient times.

Yes, I said once seaside… the sea is nearly five miles away now. It all comes together when you stare down a boardwalk that extends over lush, dry land.

Another amazing dinner, a sample from the nargile and a couple rugs later, our visit to Selçuk ended. We headed back to Bodrum, stopping at this Ancient Wonder of the World, the Temple of Artemis, on our way out of town.

Once back in Bodrum our trip was officially coming to a close. We packed our things, enjoyed another dinner and appreciated to the last few chants that rang throughout the city.

–Liz
PS colors: aubergine & gravel
Latest fave: Personalized Note Pads

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