This week on the buzz, I take you on a journey to a country that’s absolutely picture perfect, from Orange Juice to Underground Cities. 

There’s a special kind of thrill that hits you the moment your plane touches down in a new country — and on the 14th of May, as I flew in with Turkish Airlines, that thrill came wrapped in a side of excitement, slight jetlag, and the best orange and carrot juice I’ve ever had in my life. Seriously, whoever is in charge of the juice department at Turkish Airlines deserves a medal.

Stepping out of the airport, I was met by the perfect kind of weather — you know, that Goldilocks weather: not too hot, not too cold, just right. Instantly, I felt like I had walked into a living postcard.

First stop: Ankara. This city knows how to charm. It’s got history oozing out of every crack and corner — and not the “dusty textbook” kind. We’re talking the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, where ancient artefacts wink at you from their glass displays, and Ankara Castle, where every stone seems to whisper secrets from centuries past. I also visited the beautiful Ahi Şerafettin (Aslanhane) Mosque, one of the oldest in Ankara — serene, humbling, and just breathtaking.

Of course, all that walking stirred up an appetite. Enter Divan Çukurhan for lunch — a place so cosy and full of character it felt like a warm hug with really good food.

Later, I wandered through Beypazarı, a town that looks like it was designed by someone who had too many Pinterest boards about “quaint charm” — cobblestone streets, historic houses, tiny shops, and the kind of energy that makes you want to pack up your life and move there.

On the way to Cappadocia (yes, the place with those hot air balloons), we stopped by Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü). Imagine a giant, glittering, white playground where even your footsteps sparkle. No filters needed — Mother Nature nailed it.

Now, Cappadocia. What can I say? This place looks like it was dreamed up by someone who had a little too much fun with a sandcastle set. I lunched at Seki Restaurant — great food, even better views — and explored the breathtaking Pigeon Valley and Uçhisar Castle area, where you get those iconic panoramic views that make you go “Wait, am I in a screensaver?”

I checked into The Kingdom of Cappadocia, and yes, it’s as grand as it sounds. Staying in a cave hotel? 10/10 recommend. It’s cosy, it’s cool (literally), and it makes you feel like an ancient royal — but with Wi-Fi.

Highlights? Where do I begin? The Özkonak Underground City was like stepping into a real-life secret lair. The Alaaddin Pottery Workshop let me get my hands (literally) into some clay fun, Vezirhan Restaurant fed my soul, and Gallery Ikman taught me two things: carpets are art, and I will never look at a rug the same way again.

And just when I thought my heart was full, I went on a Jeep safari through the Red Valley at sunset. Picture the sky painted in watercolours, the valleys glowing, and the wind in your hair. It was cinematic, it was electric — it was everything.

Dinner back at the hotel’s Aside Restaurant capped off a perfect day. Good food, a cosy setting, and a lingering feeling that Turkey had officially wrapped me around its little finger.

There’s something magical about how Turkey balances ancient history, luxury, and the kind of day-to-day charm that makes even the simplest moments feel special. One trip was definitely not enough — and trust me, this is not goodbye. It’s a see-you-soon, Turkey.