Between the great classics of Türkiye lies a whole region that mass tourism has never reached: the inner west, where the ancient kingdom of Phrygia carved its monuments into the rock, where superbly preserved cities sit alone among the mountains, and where the art of ceramics has been alive for centuries.
Hip Travel designs private journeys through this little-known Anatolia: from Sagalassos, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean world, to the Phrygian Valley and its rock-cut sanctuaries; from the ceramic workshops of Kütahya to the thermal springs of Afyon and the dazzling white shore of Lake Salda. A journey of archaeology, nature and craft — far from the crowds, always with private Spanish- or English-speaking guides.
The gateway to the region, Eskişehir is one of Türkiye's most youthful and vibrant cities. Its historic Odunpazarı quarter is a delight of restored Ottoman houses in warm colours, winding lanes and workshops of meerschaum — the white stone carved here for centuries. Canals, cafés and a relaxed atmosphere make it the perfect starting point.
In the highlands between Eskişehir, Kütahya and Afyon lies the heartland of the ancient kingdom of Phrygia. Here, nearly three thousand years ago, its people carved monumental façades, sanctuaries and dwellings directly into the rock. The great Midas Monument at Yazılıkaya and the rock churches of Ayazini form a landscape of tuff and silence — a quieter, almost secret cousin of Cappadocia.
For six centuries Kütahya has been the heart of Turkish tile and ceramic art, keeping alive the great tradition of İznik. Its workshops still turn out hand-painted tiles in cobalt blue, turquoise and coral, and its old town preserves fine Ottoman houses and a hilltop castle. A place to watch master craftsmen at work and understand an art form that adorns mosques and palaces across the country.
Crowned by a dramatic fortress on a volcanic rock, Afyon is a city of elegant Ottoman mansions and one of the finest thermal traditions in Türkiye. Its mineral-rich hot springs feed a collection of excellent spa hotels, making it the ideal place to pause and unwind. The local cuisine — famous for its clotted cream and cured meats — is a reward in itself.
High in the Taurus mountains, at over 1,500 metres, lies Sagalassos — one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the whole Mediterranean, and almost entirely free of crowds. Its monumental fountain, restored to working order, still flows as it did two thousand years ago. Nearby, the province of Burdur holds the mosaics of Kibyra and the astonishing white shore of Lake Salda, whose turquoise waters have earned it the name "the Maldives of Türkiye".
Chauffeured vehicles and private Spanish- or English-speaking guides throughout, with the flexibility of a tailor-made itinerary.
Extraordinary sites you will often have almost to yourself — the true luxury of travelling through an undiscovered Anatolia.
From ceramic workshops in Kütahya to the thermal spa hotels of Afyon, a journey that engages every sense.
