How should a first-time traveller plan a Turkey itinerary?
Turkey rewards a clear route more than a stuffed one. Istanbul, Cappadocia and the coast can make a brilliant first trip, but only if you stop treating long transfers as empty space.
Answer
The strongest first Turkey route usually has one city anchor, one landscape anchor and one slower stretch. Istanbul deserves proper time because it is not just an arrival point; Cappadocia needs a weather buffer if the balloon matters; the coast works best when it is not a tired add-on. Ephesus, Pamukkale, the Black Sea and the east can all be worthwhile, but not all in the same short itinerary. The mistake is trying to make Turkey feel small. Build the trip around the experience you want most — food and city life, surreal landscapes, coast, ruins or a slower regional route — then cut anything that turns the journey into admin.