Things To see
Istanbul
Istanbul is located in the marmara region of turkey and is a major seaport city as well as an industrial, commercial, educational and financial center and trade center. Istanbul, one of the great historical cities of the world, is the only city in the world located upon two continents with one arm reaching out to asia and the other arm to europe. Through the city’s heart runs the sea channel called the bosphorus which reaches north to the black sea and south to the marmara sea.
Topkapi Palace And Museum
Topkapi palace was the lush seat of the sultans from 1462 until they moved to dolmabahce palace in 19th century. Its not just a single palace but a massive group of courtyards, houses & libraries and it includes an intriguing 400-room harem.
Hippodrome Of Constantinople
The hippodrome of constantinople was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of constantinople. Today it is a square named sultanahmet meydani in istanbul, with only a few fragments of the original structure surviving.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque)
The mosque of sultan ahmet i was built between 1609 & 1619. The magnificent blue mosque, named so because of the iznik tiles that line the walls, from 17th century.
Aya Sofya Museum (Hagia Sophia)
The church of the divine wisdom-hagia sophia from the 6th century. Although constructed as a church by emperor justinian, it was later in the 15th century transformed into a mosque by mehmet the conqueror, and proclaimed a museum by ataturk in 1935. It’s aworld heritage site.
Grand Bazaar
The grand bazaar, the world’s largest covered market housing thousands of shops selling a variety of goods ranging from gold and silver to leather as well as handcrafts and colorful souvenirs.
Balarbeyi Palace
One of the loveliest palaces on istanbul’s asian side shores, beylerbeyi palace was constructed between 1861 and 1865 during the reign of sultan abdulaziz. Though smaller and less sumptuously decorated than some of the city’s other palaces, beylerbeyi nevertheless enjoys a prime position along the
bosphorus. Designed by sarkis balyan, the brother of the architect of dolmabahce palace, beylerbeyi is spread over three floors with 26 rooms and has separate sections for men and women including a harem. The museum houses an out standing collecting of greek and roman artifacts, including magnificent sarcophagi from the royal necropolis at sidon in lebanon.
Bosphorus Bridge
Unique chance to go from one continent (asia) to another (europe) in two minutes.
Bosphorus cruise
Bosphorus Cruise Runs In The Bosphorus Strait Which Divides Istanbul Into Two Parts.
Basilica cistern
The underground byzantine cistern dating back to the 6th century. Built by constantine and enlarged by justinian. This vast, atmospheric cistern filled with columns held water not only for regular summer use but also for times of siege.
Camlica hill
Offers a panoramic view of istanbul and bosphorus from the highest point of the city.
Dolmabahce palace
The Dolmabahce Palace, A Blend Of Various European Architectural Styles, Was Built Between 1843-1856. The ottoman sultans had many palaces in all ages, but the topkapi was the official residence until the completion of the dolmabahce palace.
Prince’s island
These nine small islands in the sea of marmara, 12km southeast of istanbul, were once used to keep unwanted heirs to the ottoman throne is isolated luxury, as well as leon trotsky aster he was expelled from soviet union in 1929. Today island offer a taste of past with horse drawn carriage tours and a ban on cars.
The Suleymaniye Mosque
This Is A Grand Mosque In Istanbul, Turkey. It was built on the order of sultan suleiman i was constructed by the great ottoman architect mimar sinan.
Ankara
Ankara is capital of turkey. The main draw is the hisar which is a hilltop citadel from the byzantine era which overlooks the city. Ankara was an important city during the roman rule so there are a number of small roman ruins scattered around the city.
Anatolia Civilization Museum
Exhibits The Remains Of Catalhoyuk, The Neolithic Village Dated Back To 6500 Bc.
Mausoleum Of Ataturk
Anitkabir is the mausoleum of mustafa kemal atatürk, the leader of the turkish war of independence and the founder and first president of the modern republic of turkey.
Cappadocia
A visit to cappadocia, southeast of ankara, is a must. Marvel at the spectacular, almost surreal landscape of rock and cones, capped pinnacles and ravines where dwellings have been hewn from the soft, volcanic rock since 400 bc and the elaborate cave systems have sheltered generations of persecuted settlers.
Fairy Chimneys
The extraordinary formations looking like chimneys are called fairy chimnays because early inhabintants of cappadocia believed that they were the chimneus of fairies, who lived under the ground. Some of them reach heights of up to 40m (130 ft).
Goreme National Park
This impressive unesco site with over thirty magnificently frescoed byzantine rock churches. There are over 400 underground cities in the area.
Kaymakli And Derinkuyuunderground City
These are biggest and most enthralling cities are with up to eight floors and complex systems of apartments, public rooms and streets that could house hundreds of people.
Avanos
Watered by the kizilirmak (red river), avanos is a pretty, leafy town noted for its pottery and ceramics.
Pigeon Valley
See the centuries old pigeon houses carved from the cliffs.
Devrent Valley
The ruins at devrent are spread over three valleys which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.
Cavusin
One of the oldest settlements in the area. The church of st. John the baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintings date back to the 5th century.
Uchisar
The natural rock citadel of uçhisar is the tallest point in cappadocia, visible for a great distance from the region’s other towns such as urgup and avanos.
Konya
Konya is a city in central anatolia in turkey, known as the city of whirling dervishes and for its outstanding seljuk architecture.
Sultanhani caravanserai
Pamukkale
The stunning white calcium pools, which cling to the side of a ridge, have long been one of the most famous picture postcard views of turkey. Pamukkale, literally meaning “cotton castle”. Pamukkale was formed when a spring with a high content of dissolved calcium bicarbonate cascaded over the edge of the cliff, which cooled and hardened leaving calcium deposits. This formed into natural pools, shelves and ridges, which tourists could plunge and splash in the warm water.
Kusadasi
Turkey’s most sophisticated holiday centers; it is a perfect place for vacation with its sandy beaches and glassy water. The contrast between the lively holiday life and the quietness of the ancient ruins create the special atmosphere of the city.
Izmir
Izmir is the base for ephesus and is a resort town. It has some excellent beaches and water activities available.
Ephesus
Turkey’s hundreds of ancient cities and classical ruins, ephesus is the grandest and best preserved greco – roman city.
Troy
This ancient city will give you the opportunity to savour the striking scenery and wealth of archeological sites of a long lost kingdom. If mythology is what intrigues you or if you are an avid literature lover then troy is the perfect choice. The trojan horse is a main attraction of the
Antaliya
Antaliya ischarming and popular resort town on the mediterranean coast. It boasts a picturesque walled old town and harbour, kaleiçi, the monumental hadrian’s gate, kesik minare and yivli minare mosques and hidirlik kulesi, the round roman tower, and a superb archaeological museum. Don’t miss turkey’s finest roman aqueduct north of the city.
Mt. Ararat
A highlight of any trip to eastern turkey, the twin peaks of mt. Ararat have figured in legends since time began, most notably as the supposed resting place of noah’s ark. Permit and guide are mandatory and you will need to apply at least 45 days in advance. The best months for climbing are july, august and september.
