Aniket and Rohini’s 10 days Istanbul Trip with Thrillophilia

Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKDABZRER1O
Rating: ★★★★
Travellers: Aniket Chavan and Rohini Rathod 
Trip Duration: 9 Days | 8 Nights
Date of Travel: 01 June 2024 - 09 June 2024
Package Booked: Turkish Escape | From Cultural Crossroad to Seaside Oasis 

Aniket’s mind had Istanbul on it for some time now. Its mix of European and Islamic culture, the Cappadocian landscapes, and Antalya's Old City charm are something he’d been dying to experience.

Choosing a travel partner didn’t come easily to him. He had to choose someone who could map the route in a way that didn’t exhaust them on the journey itself, who would provide proper visa assistance, and someone who could build their itinerary in a way that didn’t feel rushed nor overwhelming. 

But when they finally landed in Antalya via a direct flight from Istanbul, without any doubt about the trip's flow after the pre-trip briefing, and found their private transfer waiting, Aniket knew he had made the right choice trusting Thrillophilia.

First Impressions of Turkey: Arriving in Antalya 

After arriving at Porto Bello Hotel & Resort & Spa via private transfer, the rest of the day was kept in leisure as per the team’s recommendation. With the long journey weighing in on them, Aniket and Rohini realised how badly they needed the leisure time to unwind and relax before their trip actually began from the next day.

The next day, Antalya awaited them with all its glory. They explored the old city with a full-day guided tour. Aniket soon found himself immersed in its rich history, the ancient ruins, the picturesque streets, and its vibrant markets. The novelty and the relaxed pace of the tour let them explore everything exactly how they wanted to without feeling rushed, something that had Aniket worried. 

Discovering the Art of Slowing Down 

Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its terraces of carbonate minerals. With transfers sorted and lunch included, there was nothing for them to worry about but to indulge entirely in Panukkale’s surreal landscapes surrounding them on all sides. 

But the moment where they could truly let go just to bask in the experiences Antalya was offering them was during the Turkish Hammam Experience. 

It’s a centuries-old public bathing ritual that combined a steam session, vigorous full-body exfoliation, and a rich, soapy bubble massage; it provided a deeply immersive cultural experience that Rohini won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Cappadocia Adventures

Their transfer to the Grand Durmaz hotel in Cappadocia was as smooth as ever. By now, Aniket had started to realise how hassle-free the entire trip had felt so far. The food inclusions, route mapping, and activities had been carefully chosen by the team for a truly relaxing yet cultural experience for them, and the sole fact that neither Aniket nor Rohini had to worry about the trip’s logistics for once was the proof of the planning team’s success. 

Exploring Cappadocia began after a day’s relaxation. For Aniket, what made the visit so successful was the hot air balloon tour of Cappadocia, which the team had arranged well in advance. They found themselves soaring high up in the air, the wind gushing past their ears as they were exposed to the expansive landscape below and around them. 

To top it all off, their trip that day ended with a sunset ATV adventure tour, and it was perfect. The melting sun painted the sky multiple shades of orange as Aniket and Rohini stood there, witnessing in person how beautifully their trip came together, already making them a little sad about their departure day creeping closer.

Where East Meets West: The Magic of Istanbul 

The next leg of their tour brought them back to Istanbul, a city uniquely blended with ancient Byzantine and Ottoman traditions and a bustling modern culture. They explored its streets, the bustling markets which seemed to have a life of their own, and the local cuisine on a casual walk after their arrival.

Their trip’s coordination so far couldn’t have been achieved without Shayan and Sapna, the two primary people behind their trip’s smoothness. Their attention to detail, consistent monitoring, and curated selection of on-trip personnel made sure that Aniket and Rohini felt comfortable and supported at all times, despite being in a foreign country.

The main Istanbul highlight that Aniket recalled most prominently was their day trip to the Princess Island. It changed the entire tone of the trip. So far it’d been about culture, architecture, and vibrancy. But the charming islands of the Marmara Sea made him realise how complimentary this was to the entire trip. 

The Trip’s End and Thrillophilia’s Management

Aniket's and Rohini’s trip came to an end with a Bursa cable car tour. Since tickets were booked by the team in advance, they didn’t have to worry about waiting in a line and could directly immerse themselves for one last time into Turkey’s landscape through Bursa. 

Their flight back home was smooth, as ensured by a call from Thrillophilia for their safe return.

In Aniket’s Istanbul review on Thrillophilia’s platform, he specifically highlighted how smooth and hassle-free the trip felt.

“Itinerary was well planned by Sapna from Thrillopilia. Visa assistance is also good. All our preferences were considered and all the hotels as well as transfers were smooth and hassle free. All the guides as well as drivers were friendly and punctual. Overall very good experience with the trip.” 

The trip’s success could only be attributed to the planning and execution team, who worked relentlessly in tandem, ensuring the route was in place, the drivers were verified for their expertise, and the accommodations were well-situated.

For Aniket and Rohini travelling to a country they’d long dreamt of, it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Also Checkout: Nikhil’s 10-day Trip in Istanbul with Thrillophilia