Treasures of Turkey
To explore Turkey is to fall in love at first sight. To luxuriate in the comforts of Turkish Airlines is simply love at first flight.
High up above the air, soaring near the ethereal clouds aboard Turkish Airlines, one is pampered beyond one’s ardent desires. Succulent apple tea is served hot or cold, baklava and delicious Turkish delights are lovingly served by the airline’s gracious staff. Aboard its new comfort class (which combines business class amenities at economy prices), I reclined my cushioned seat to the maximum position, watched the film about exotic attractions in Turkey and simply felt spoiled for choices. The airline also tops my list in terms of being first in service, comfort and in-flight entertainment choices. I was honored to be onboard to celebrate the airline’s 79th year of flying.
In retrospect, Turkish Airlines took to the skies almost eight decades ago as Turkey’s flag bearer. It is among the four largest airlines in Europe and boasts flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide. Christina Villarin, sales manager of Turkish Airlines GSA Manila, announced that at the 2012 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Turkish Airline was voted Best Airline in Europe, the second year running and won in the category “Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seat” for its Comfort Class seats. The airline is a prestigious member of Star Alliance with a growing fleet containing more than 180 aircrafts. It offers the best routes to Turkey, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Far East and Asia via Istanbul.
As the pilot made his descent towards Ataturk International Airport, we took in mesmerizing images — a beautiful maze of spellbinding architecture, lofty minarets, magnificent mosques, bejeweled churches adorned with frescoes, ancient biblical sites including the original Noah’s Ark, bazaars brimming with spices, exotic wares and nostalgic ruins washed by turquoise waters. Today, this land that bridges Europe and Asia is included in the list of the world’s most preferred holiday playgrounds.
Gracious Ersan Atsur, president of Orion Tour, whose company has been operating in the Philippines since 1969, welcomed dynamic Meteor Tours general manager Ligaya Tabirao and me. Worthy to note, Meteor Tours is the Philippine office of Orion tours, a conglomerate of five leading Mediterranean tour operators in Turkey, Greece, Jordan, Egypt and Israel. Orion’s specially packaged tours for leisure and religious pilgrimages are very popular as well as motorcycle safaris, bird watching, trekking, golf, mountaineering or cave exploration in Turkey. It can also arrange study tours as it has expertise on pilgrimage and archaeological trips and other special interest programs within. Ersan encouraged us to spend quality time in the Seven Churches of Asia Minor in Anatolia as mentioned in the New Testament Book of Revelation.
Cappadocia: The next best thing to intergalactic travel, this surrealistic landscape of about 50 square miles in Central Anatolia features minarets, cones, spires and rocky pinnacles in shades of pink and brown that tower as high as five-story buildings. In ancient times, these churches bore the names of the cities where they were located namely Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. It was here in Southern Anatolia where St. Paul, St. Peter and St. John lived and preached the mighty word of God.
Over a sumptuous dinner of Turkish fare by the Bosphorus, Ersan invited us to explore the charm, mystery and majesty, alive in every corner of Turkey; from the domes and minarets outlining the profile in Istanbul, to the antique cities that decorate the shores of the Aegean and the Turquoise Mediterranean, and to the stupendous sculptures resting on Mount Nemrut in the East. Ersan also explained other attractions in our itinerary that he believed could turn out to be life-changing destinations. Our itinerary included a visit to St. Peter’s church in Antioch, the first ever built by man, the house of Virgin Mary, which is a major pilgrimage site in Ephesus, the Library of Celsius, Temple of Hadrian, Basilica of St. John and remains of the Temple of Artemis, which was known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Savor the history of Patara, the birthplace of Santa Claus. Continue for a tour of Miletus where St. Paul delivered his touching farewell address to the elders of Ephesus and predicted his death. Soak in the beauty of Cappadocia, “The Land of Beautiful Horses,” home to the 4th-century “Cappadocian Fathers.”
Next day, Ligaya and I explored the Topkapi Palace Treasury. I recalled how Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines Hatice Pinar Isik intimated that Turkish gold jewelry is recognized worldwide for its beauty, innovation and quality. As I carefully examined each jewel, I realized that the collection here was perhaps the most resplendent ever: armor studded with diamonds, coffee sets of solid gold studded with rubies, emeralds of unbelievable sizes. I learned that as commerce flourished in the region, the sultans were empowered to amass a stunning array of jewels like diamonds, pearls, gold and precious stones. They were literally dripping in rings and bracelets, heavy strings of pearls, and they sported dazzling turban pins encrusted with gems. The most famous of these is the “Spoonmaker’s Diamond”: an 86-carat pear-shaped diamond. Legend has it that a spoon maker found the stone in the trash in Istanbul, while he was casting about for metal to make spoons with. In Turkey, not only its jewels are its treasures.
Each landscape in Turkey is a divine tapestry of God’s omniscience. With every enviable and indomitable masterpiece of nature, history and unilateral progress, its culture remains unadulterated. 
Imagine the synergy of dramatic mountains that seem to end where the sea begins, the rising coastline dotted with caves and cliffs that create a dazzling chiaroscuro of light, deep rocky promontories that contrast with lush forests and immaculate white beaches and the ruins of the legendary city of Troy, immortalized in Homer’s Iliad. You will be amazed by the city of Pergamum towering towards the heavens, the fascinating Pamukkale that means “cotton castle,” parallel to the glorious and spectacular view of the site. Limestone-laden thermal springs, stalactites, potholes and cataracts create dreamy spa pools. Check out the ruins of its ancient architectural UNESCO heritage treasure, the charming seaside haven of luxury boats in St. Tropez.
We proceeded to my favorite haven, just a stone’s throw from the city, the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul in Sultanahmet, a neoclassical structure built as a prison in 1917. A hundred years ago this was a prison where dissident writers, artists and scholars languished. Today the only thing that will imprison you is its beauty and luxury. With 65 luxury guest rooms and suites circling a manicured courtyard where birds sing amid a fragrant herb garden, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet provides a nostalgic haven in the heart of the city. We had a hearty brunch in the glass-enclosed, saffron-painted inner courtyard of the hotel, where sophisticated Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine is quite authentic. From here, the 6th-century St. Sophia, the 15th-century Topkapi Palace and the 17th-century Blue Mosque is just a five-minute walk.
Before retreating to the sweet arms of slumber, I could not help but remember the resounding messages of faith that captured my heart and soul as we toured the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. “I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
With an abundance of superlatives and a renewed faith, I can sincerely declare that in Turkey, priceless destinations can suit one’s preference. All these treasures are simply waiting to be unraveled.
It is time to fall in love at first sight with Turkey. All you have to do is take the first flight.
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For bookings on Turkish Airlines, contact 864-0600 or 864-0598, visit their office at G/F SGV II Bldg. 6758 Ayala Avenue Makati City, e-mail sales@thy.com.ph or visit website www.thy.com.ph.
Contact Ligaya Tabirao at 564-7613, 561-8659 or email meteorphils@gmail.com or meteorph@pldtdsl.net.
E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.
