Samia Qaiyum introduces us to the incredible city of Izmir, the gateway to historic Ephesus, and a place that has much to offer on its own, which is why its called the Pearl of the Aegean.

CAPPADOCIA, TURKEY - Pressed in an intimate embrace with the dewy ground, I could feel the weight of at least three Italian tourists on my back. And it wasn’t even 8 a.m.

ISTANBUL - Bahar dumps pales of soapy, warm water over my body, and limb by limb she scrubs me down. I’m lying in my birthday suit underneath the dome of a Turkish hammam. The heat and the methodical sound of water hitting the stone floor are lulling me to sleep. And when I open my eyes in between rinsing, I’m surrounded by foggy steam and the outline of other women, barely clad as they’re bathed, too.

This is a city of contradictions. Situated where Asia meets Europe, it’s a collection of ancient mosques and modern museums, old world customs and 21st century mores.