Turkey – The Beginning…

Our most elusive trip to Turkey finally happened and it was a dream come true! After researching and putting this trip together for several months, I was expecting a magical trip and that is exactly what I got. Turkey lived up to every expectation I had and if it isn’t a country on your travel living list, I hope the series of posts I’ll be publishing will inspire you to include it.

I’ll also be sharing a cost breakdown at the end of the series. While this was not a particularly budget trip, I will highlight ways to cut down costs if you plan to travel on a lower budget.

Turkey Cappadocia Hot Air Balloons

Turkey – Discovering the Potential…

Turkey (and Georgia) were supposed to be our honeymoon destinations but the pandemic happened and all our plans were cancelled. In May this year, we attempted to visit again, but my Turkish visa did not come out in time despite applying weeks in advance.

My US visa also expired, which meant that I couldn’t get an evisa to Turkey and Georgia was out of the plan. #NigerianPassportProblems

Eventually, I received my Turkish visa in June and after a few months of planning, we were on our way to spend 10 wonderful days in Istanbul and Cappadocia.

Planning the Trip…

I went into full planning mode for this trip several months before our travel date. I don’t think I have ever spent this much time planning any of my trips in the past! Turkey has a number of interesting cities to visit and in our original plan, we were going to visit Istanbul, Cappadocia and Kars. I also had my sights set on cities like Bodrum, Antalya and Pamukkale.

However, with our new plan, I decided to limit our travels to the first two cities and probably save the others for a later trip. We spent 6 nights in Cappadocia and 4 in Istanbul, and I will be writing all about our experiences in the next few posts.

Local Cave House Travel with a Pen

Booking Accommodations & Activities…

For accommodation, we booked all stays via booking.com. If you plan to visit, Airbnb is also a good resource, however, we wanted the flexibility to be able to cancel or adjust our bookings and booking.com gave us that. It was particularly handy when I didn’t get my visa in May.

We also booked a hot air balloon ride with Voyager Balloons who I found thanks to Naija Nomads and then we were all set to go!

Voyager Balloons Cappadocia

Getting a Visa to Turkey as a Nigerian Citizen…

Getting a visa to Turkey was very interesting for me. I even got suspended from using the website! If you’re a Nigerian citizen with a US, UK or Schengen visa or resident permit to these countries/zones, you’re permitted to get an e-visa and it could take seconds to obtain. But if you don’t meet these requirements, you need to apply for a sticker visa.

For that, you need to log on to the Turkey Visa website, fill out an application form and schedule an interview or appointment. It seemed pretty straightforward for me until it was time to get the appointment. All the dates were blank and the website was often unresponsive. It was also almost impossible for me to find a detailed post online that talked about applying for a visa from Kenya.

Having experienced a similar situation while trying to apply for an Indian visa, I decided to try accessing the site at different times of the day. One evening, I tried accessing the site using my browser in incognito mode. After my first attempt, I got this message and my heart froze!

Turkey visa appointment website
Yikes!

Reported to the authorities? Yikes! At this point, I could see my Turkey dreams fading away. Luckily, I summoned up the courage a few days later to check the site again and saw that I could access it. Nevertheless, I did not try booking an appointment anymore. Instead, I decided to risk a walk-in at the embassy.

I’ve written a separate post about my experience with the Turkey visa application. I applied for my visa in Nairobi, however, the post also details the application process if you live in Nigeria.

Visiting Turkey During Covid…

As we planned this trip, I caught up on regular news updates from the country. Between impromptu lockdowns and raging wildfire outbreaks from April to August, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to visit this year. However, I kept my hopes high and having received the complete dose of the covid vaccine, I was quite optimistic about travelling internationally.

Chez Hakan Pottery Making Avanos Turkey

By mid-August, things began to look up. The wildfires had been controlled and Turkey was out of lockdown. By mid-September, we arrived in Istanbul.

While we were in the country, we tried to apply all safety precautions – including wearing a face mask and washing our hands/using hand sanitiser regularly. We also did a PCR test before arrival and during departure back to Kenya. At the time we visited Turkey, proof of full vaccination was accepted without presenting a PCR test certificate. We did the test regardless.

In Kenya, we had our tests done at home by Ponea Health for about $60 each and in Turkey, we got it done at our hotel for $30 each.

Flying Turkish Airlines to Turkey (Istanbul and Cappadocia)

The easiest and fastest way to get to Turkey is via a direct flight to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. This was my second time flying with them and, just like the first time, it was a very pleasant experience. The flight from Nairobi to Turkey is just under 7 hours – about the same as flying from Nigeria.

Once we arrived at the airport, we went through immigration before getting into our connecting 1-hour flight to Nevşehir.

PS: the line for domestic transfers is much shorter than that of arrivals into Istanbul. So if you plan to do this trip, going to Cappadocia first before visiting Istanbul is a good idea.

Turkish Tea

A Couple More Things to Note about Visiting Turkey…

You would need to book your hotels beforehand – Airbnb and booking.com do not work in Turkey. Perhaps they might if you use a VPN but to be safe, try to prebook your first few nights at least. You may also need to download the Uber or Bitaksi and Maps.me apps but I’ll talk more about these in subsequent posts.

Finally, you would need to fill out an online health form, found here, before you arrive in Turkey and this one, before your arrival in Kenya. In addition, if you’re travelling from JKIA, Nairobi, you need a PCR test and QR code certificate from this site.

Lake Tuz Turkey

All in all, it was a very exciting trip and I can’t wait to show you Turkey through my eyes. I hope you’ll stick around for the ride! 🙂

What would you like to know about Turkey and/or our trip? Please leave your comments in the comment section below and I’ll be sure to include details in the coming posts…

6 comments

  1. I enjoy traveling through your eyes. There is this unhurried, stopping to smell the roses vibe when you share your trips.
    Lemmi catch up in the other posts.

  2. I am definitely inspired to create my own adventure. A post on things to do in turkey would be great or WHY VISIT turkey. Seeing turkey through your eyes was a whole experience for me, in fact I was isn turkey with you, lol. *insert been there, done that* looking forward to the rest of the trip through your blog.

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

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Guess where! 👀
Guess where! 👀
18 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
Let me be honest, that tripod was never going to see the light of day! 🤭
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
What a beautiful city! 😍

#kamoriver #kyoto #japan
What a beautiful city! 😍 #kamoriver #kyoto #japan
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰
_____________________

If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢

📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here
📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン)
📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats.

For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. 

Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day!

#lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
Clear views of Mount Fuji, a beautiful lake and swans... what more could I possibly ask for? 🥰 _____________________ If you visit the area, here are some places you'll find the swans + a perfect view of Mount Fuji 🏔🦢 📌 Hirano Beach 白鳥浜: There's an elderly gentleman who comes to feed the swans from around 8:30am to 4pm, so you're likely to see flocks of swans here 📌 In front of Koyu Club Hotel (コーユー倶楽部山中湖畔サロン) 📌 A little further down the road from the last location is a dock where you can also rent swan boats. For clear views of Mount Fuji, winter, spring and autumn have the most days with clear visibility. You can always look up the weather forecast to see what the day's going to be like before you visit. Early mornings and evenings give you the best chance of seeing the gorgeous mountain without any cloud coverings 🤍 On this particular day, Mount Fuji was clearly visible throughout the day! #lakeyamanaka #fujifivelakes #swanlake #japan
4 days ago
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4/9
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍

To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it!

-------‐‐‐--‐

Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages.

The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture.

#travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
This town was a beautiful surprise in Japan 😍 To get here, we travelled from Kyoto to Nagoya and from there to Nakatsugawa. From Nakatsugawa Station, we had to take another bus to Magome-Juku but the commute was so worth it! -------‐‐‐--‐ Magome forms part of the Nakasendo Trail, a historic route that once connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period in Japan. It traverses the mountainous heart of Japan, offering breathtaking views of forests, rivers, and traditional villages. The trail is known for its 69 post towns where people would rest along the way. Today, parts of the Nakasendo are well-preserved, allowing hikers to experience a mix of nature and history as they walk through charming old towns like Magome and Tsumago, where time seems to stand still amidst the preserved traditional architecture. #travelinspiration #japantrip #magome #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
6 days ago
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5/9
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
Black Crow Castle, standing strong since the 1500s — a true Japanese gem!
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂

Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel!

Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑

I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are!

+1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel!
_____________________________

Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below!

#travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
Travel Amarachi is VERY different from Home Amarachi! Am I living a fake life?😭😂 Because,my ideal day will start at 10 or 11am and end at 2am. I'm a night owl 🦉, not an early bird 🐦 - a complete opposite of who I become when I travel! Tea or Coffee? No, thanks! I'll take a glass of orange juice please! 🍹 But "Travel-Amarachi" will take that matcha 🍵, with the beautiful cafe to matcha! See what I did there? 😉 #thefunniestgirlinNigeria #MFGN👑 I only hike for love ❤️ and my Love can faint if he goes on a trip that doesn't include any bit of hiking. So here we are! +1: I am also a big home buddy. If you catch me outside, I must really love you! But Travel-Amarachi can't stay put in the hotel! _____________________________ Over to you! What are some ways travel-you differs from home-you? Let me know in the comment section below! #travelinspiration #japantrip #travelwithapentojapan #travelwithapen
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍

#japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
An absolutely wonderful time in the most stunning country! 😍😍 #japantrip2025🇯🇵🌸⛩️
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June.

If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can:

🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌

You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays.

Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 

Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr
Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter

Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
Public holidays should be your best friend if you work full time and love to travel. Eid and Easter fall between the months of March and June. If you plan out your vacation time properly, you can: 🌸: get 24 vacation days ✈️ by taking only 12 days off! 🤯. Perfect for your Asian odyssey or West African road trip from Nigeria to Cote D'Ivoire 🚌 You can also split this time, taking shorter breaks in addition to the public holidays. Take 12 days off from March 31 to April 21 to get 24 vacation days (including weekend and public holidays)! 😀 Mar 31 - Apr 01: Likely Eid Al Fitr Apr 18 - Apr 21: Easter Send this post to your manager immediately! 🚀
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
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