My Trip to Denizli – Balloons, Turquoise Waters & Ancient Stone Columns
Honestly, Pamukkale always felt like a fairytale to me. Those cotton-white terraces that look like nature’s own staircase to the sky, the hot air balloons floating above, and the sunlight sparkling on warm waters—it all sounded too dreamy to be real.
But finding a good photographer in a lesser-known place? That’s usually the tricky part.
Until one totally random afternoon, I was sitting behind my laptop googling “tourist photography in Pamukkale” when I stumbled upon Tripskeeper. At first, I was just curious. But then I found this one package that said “Photoshoot by the balloons on the most beautiful white terraces in Turkey”… and well, resistance was useless. I booked it right away. And that’s how my journey to Denizli began.
Pamukkale: Like Walking on Cotton
When I arrived in Pamukkale, the light was soft, the air was fresh, and the terraces looked like a frosted cake in the distance. My photographer greeted me with the kind of warm smile that instantly made me feel like I was catching up with an old friend.
I wasn’t wearing anything fancy—just a comfy t-shirt and loose pants—but with that light, that view, and the way the moment felt, it honestly didn’t matter.
We started from the lower terraces and gradually climbed up. At one point, I slipped on the wet stones and plopped right into a shallow pool! My photographer put the camera down to help me up, but not before snapping a shot of me mid-laugh with soaking wet hair. Believe it or not—that photo turned out to be one of my favorites from the whole trip.
And Then… The Balloons
The next morning, I was up at 5AM. (Still don’t know how I managed that.) But when I heard the woosh of the burners and saw the balloons rising one by one into the sunrise sky, I felt like a child again.
My photographer had already scouted a perfect spot where we could see both the balloons and the terraces below. The breeze touched my face, birds soared above us, and for a moment—it was just me, the sky, and the camera.
The photos? Absolutely magical. No posing, no faking—just me being me, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Hierapolis: Where History Comes to Life
After Pamukkale, we headed to the ancient city of Hierapolis. And wow—those columns, the old amphitheater, the stone pathways… it was like walking into a movie set.
At one point, I tried a mock-gladiator pose behind a pillar. My photographer just laughed and said, “Okay, that one’s just for you!” (Fair enough.)
Salda Lake: The Maldives? Nope—This is Turkey
Finally, we drove out to Salda Lake, about two hours from Pamukkale. Every minute of the ride was worth it.
When we reached the shore, I couldn’t believe the color of the water—crystal-clear turquoise, with white sand underfoot. It felt like stepping into a minimalist painting.
We laughed, lay on the sand, took barefoot photos, and even had a surprise guest—a local dog who decided to photobomb our shoot. Still… the shots were amazing.
My Final Thoughts?
This wasn’t just a trip. It was an experience. A perfect blend of nature, creativity, and a photography team that knows exactly how to capture magic.
I found Tripskeeper through a simple Google search—but now that I’m home, with framed prints of my favorite moments, I know this is just the beginning of many more adventures with them.
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