Simerjit’s Family Trip to Istanbul and Greece: An Encounter with History and Mythology
Simerjit Kaur and her family went for a sweet holiday to the ancient lands of Istanbul and Greece last year. They were quite excited for the same as none of them had been to these destinations before. And they had tailor-made the trip from Thrillophilia’s destinations experts.
But the question is, how did they get to know what to include in the itinerary and what the best tour operator would be to plan the arrangements?
Well, in the age of social media, we really should not be asking these questions. Our phone catches everything we say and formalises the feed algorithm in such a manner. That is why we see so many relatable things that send us off thinking, “Oh my god, how are these posts knowing what I am feeling?”
Simple. Algorithms.
So, Simerjit was scrolling through Instagram one day, when she saw this post of Turkey and Greece trips offered by Thrillophilia at amazingly low prices. This caught their eyes and they did some research on the two places and hence contacted Thrillophilia.
Prem and Jatin were assigned as their tour officers, and they heard Simerjit’s plan of how the trip needed to be. They took some time and curated an itinerary that pleased all. It had everything from exploring iconic attractions to trying some off-beat activities as well.
Since Simerjit’s daughter was very excited about witnessing the Mediterranean Sea, they decided to include a cruise in the Bosphorus Strait and a yacht ride in Mykonos. One activity that could not be added was the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia since it required an entire day of excursion. They did not have enough holidays to extend the trip, so they let it be.
First stop- Istanbul
Formerly known as Constantinople, Istanbul is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world. It has a complex history of rulers and wars, which is reflected through monuments like the Galata Tower, the Hagia Sophia, and the Topkapi Palace. Apart from these the Dolmabahce Palace and the popular Basilica Cistern also hold significant threads of history and culture.
It was a treat to the soul exploring this city. They could enhance their understanding of mediaeval European history, the cultural scene that is still prevalent there, and the overall essence of the place.
At the same time, the place offers them a plethora of recreational activities like the sunset cruise on the Bosphorus Strait. They watched a stunning sunset from the boat, followed by a fabulous dinner and a lively evening. Just on the other bank of the Bosphorus Strait was Greece, their next destination. Looking in that direction, their daughter was gleaming. On asking what the matter was, she just said,
“I have read a lot about Istanbul in the books and on Google, and I knew its significance and what to expect. But, although we know much more about Greece, I have a feeling that the trip there is going to be beyond our imaginations”
“Why do you think so?”
“I don't know…just intuitions I guess”
Their time in Istanbul was jam-packed with museum visits, explorations, market strolls and a lot of cultural interactions. They went to Hodjapasha to see some Darwish performances and they also took the Bursa Cable Car Ride. They loved this place so much that they decided to extend their trip for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia. It was a bit of a hassle, but since they informed this change in plan well before time, Thrillophilia could arrange for the same.
A lot of strings were pulled from both ends to make this change happen, and by the end moment, it was managed.
Read More: Thrillophilia Turkey Reviews
The magic ride
Cappadocia is an enigmatic place, whose landscapes can leave anyone in awe. Its Fairy Chimneys are the distinguishable features of the place and its cave-like homes are here from the Bronze Age.
The unique vista created due to these aspects makes Cappadocia stand out as a marvellous and must-visit place in Turkey.
The Kaur family had booked a hot air balloon ride in the Monks Valley. They were so excited to undertake this activity and that they arrived at the starting spot an hour before! On the ride, they could see the entire semi-arid region of Turkey, with its tiny cave houses and temples.
It was an unforgettable sight to behold!
Second stop- Greece!
This country is known for its ancient buildings, soul-soothing beaches and cities, mythology, and wine! And Simerjit’s family got a taste of its best!
They had a blissful time there in Greece- going on Yacht rides in Mykonos and trying their hand at fishing some Sardines and lobsters, exploring the world-famous places like the Pantheon and the Acropolis of Athens. They had taken ferry rides to Santorini and Mykonos from Athens, which showcased the exquisite shorelines and landscapes of Greece.
The lanes of Greece are made with cobblestones, and lined with the various restaurants and markets. So on their visit to these places, they dressed up perfectly as per the place they were visiting, and clicked awesome pictures as well!
Since it was a family trip, there were no nightlife experiences included, but the whole family knew that it would have been awesome. So they started planning another trip to Greece just for the nightlife here, in their minds. None of them said it out loud!
This place had a certain aura of its own. They could all visualise the tales of Medusa and Zeus while exploring the historical icons here. The remnants of the ruins are perhaps too important for understanding the history and evolution of civilization in the Western world.
More than fun and relaxing, this trip was rejuvenating and enlightening. It is not every day that you can witness the textbook images materialising in front of you, into walls you can touch and the floors you can walk on.
At the Delphi Tower, each of them made a wish, not to be known to others. But just imagine, the amount of control myths and history can have over our belief systems and faith, that even after thousands of years people hold on to the truth factor of such tales. This was a lesson.
Even they realised what happened. Although none of them said anything about this, they knew how much these stories of the past could influence human hearts and minds.
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It's strange how trips can alter your perception of yourself. That is what happened on this trip- They got to know themselves, and their family, a lot better than before!
And that is in itself the success of Thrillophilia!
Read More: Thrillophilia Greece Reviews