Turkey is the home of legends and history taught in classrooms the world over. Walk the streets of the legendary Troy, or exotic Istanbul, once the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Visit the secluded spot where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met and married the town where Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) lived, and follow the trail of the Seven Churches mentioned in the testaments. Travel the Silk Road of Marco Polo, sail the turquoise waters of the Aegean, and sample food fit for a Sultan. The one thing that is uniform throughout this fascinating country is the unrivalled hospitality of its people.
Cool Cities
Istanbul
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and among the world's largest cities. Straddling the Bosphorus one of the world's busiest waterways—Istanbul is a transcontinental city. The city's biggest draw remains its historic centre, but it’s cultural and entertainment hub has moved across the city's natural harbor, the Golden Horn, to the Beyoglu district. Istanbul is primarily known for its Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.
Bodrum
Bodrum is a port city in the south-western Aegean Region of Turkey. The city was famous for the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Crusader Knights arrived in 1402 and used the remains as a quarry to build Bodrum Castle which is a well-preserved example of Crusader architecture. Two small bays frame the castle, making it attractive to yachtsman and others who will enjoy its pristine waters.
Antalya
Antalya is on the Mediterranean coast of south-western Turkey. It was the world's third most visited city by number of international arrivals in 2011 and Turkey's biggest international sea resort. Kaleiçi, with narrow cobbled streets of historic Ottoman era houses, is the old centre of Antalya. With its hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and shopping, it has been restored to retain much of its historical character.
Icons
The Blue Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is popularly known as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning the walls of its interior. It was Built from 1609 to 1616, during the rule of Ahmed I. It comprises a tomb of the founder, a madrasah and a hospice. While still used as a mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque has also become a popular tourist attraction.
Cappadocia
Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks. During the Roman era the area served as a shelter for the early escaping Christians. There are several underground cities used by early Christians as hideouts.
Hagia Sophia
Dating from the sixth century, originally a basilica constructed for the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian Ist. A masterwork of Roman engineering, the huge 30 m diameter dome covers what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. It became a mosque in the 15th century when the Ottomans conquered the city.
Natural Landscapes
Cappadocia
The Cappadocian Region with its valley, canyon, hills and unusual rock formation created as a result of the eroding rains and winds of thousands of years of the level, lava-covered plain located between the volcanic mountains Erciyes, Melendiz and Hasan as well as its troglodyte dwellings carved out of the rock and cities dug out into underground, presents an otherworldly appearance
Mount Nemrut
Mount Nemrut has two peaks. The first peak is near Adiyaman which is primarily historical and archaeological interest and home of the 2000 years old colossal stone heads of King Antiochus I and classical divinities. The other peak is in Eastern Anatolia. It is well-known for its geological formation and mountaineering. Mount Nemrut is one of the most important National Parks in Turkey.
Pamakkale
Pamukkale has been a spa since the second century BC. The travertine features have their origins in the shifting of a fault in the valley. Very hot springs with a very high mineral content arose at this location. The calcium and hydrogen carbonate react to create calcium carbonate (travertine) and limestone. This is what gives Pamukkale its whiteness and created the pools.
Go Local
Fine dining
Istanbul bridges the cultural and geographical gap between Europe and Asia. Eating out in Istanbul restaurants gives diners a taste of the splendid fusion that combining the traditional cuisine of these two vast continents. With so many restaurants you will find somewhere to eat any time of any day. Nothing beats eating or lounging as you overlook the mighty Bosphorus.
Hammam
Public baths were originally founded by the Romans, who passed the tradition to the Byzantines and then to the Turks. A Turkish bath (hammam) is a variant of a steam bath or sauna. There are more than a hundred to choose from, but one of the best places to take the plunge and oldest is the Cagaloglu Hamami a gift to the people and city from Sultan Mehmet1 in 1741.
Belly Dancing
Turkish law does not impose restrictions on dancers as they do in Egypt, where dancers must keep their midriffs covered and cannot perform floor work and certain pelvic movements. This has resulted in a difference in style - Egyptian belly dance is noted for its restraint and elegance, Turkish belly dance is playful and uninhibited. Istanbul is the good place to learn to belly dance.
Treasures of the Past
Gallipoli
The landings and battles of the Gallipoli Peninsula are commemorated by Australians and New Zealanders on ANZAC Day every year. Their armies received their baptism in fire on the cliffs there, and carved a fine military reputation under extreme adversity. At this time especially, Anzac Cove becomes a place of pilgrimage for many Aussies and Kiwis who want to honour the memory.
Ephesus
Ephesus was an ancient Greek city, one of twelve cities of the Ionian League. Later a major Roman city, on the west coast of Asia Minor, near present-day Selcuk, Izmir Province. In the Roman period Ephesus was one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean world. The city famed for the Temple of Artemis one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Sultanahmet
The Old City area of Sultanahmet essentially what used to be called Constantinople; and the location of most of its historical sights. Most sights in the old city are close enough to be negotiated on foot and located in or around Sultanahmet Square. The main attractions within walking distance are the Haghia Sophia Church, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and Hippodrome.
Arts and Culture
Byzantine mosaic
All around Anatolia, it is possible to come across the most beautiful examples of mosaic art made of fragments of tiles and pottery which, in history, was first applied by the Sumerians 5000 years ago. The unique mosaics from the Roman and Byzantine Empires, which survived the historical events and natural disasters, are today on display in major museums of Turkey.
Whirling Dervishes
The best place to see the Whirling Dervishes is in Konya, where the Mevlevi order was founded in the 13th century. But in Istanbul, you have plenty of opportunities to see the Dervishes whirl. They took their name from Jelaleddin Rumi the mystical poet and great Sufi master. Sufis seek a close relationship with God, for Mevlana it was through chants, prayers, music and a whirling dance.
Temple of Apollo
Didyma, on the west coast of Turkey, was an important sacred site in the ancient Greek world. Its famous oracle and Temple of Apollo attracted crowds of pilgrims and was second in importance only to Delphi. Today, the temple's magnificent ruins still attract thousands of visitors. Didyma means "twin" and refers to the twins Apollo and Artemis, who were born to Zeus and Leto.
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