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Turkey is the right choice for people with a taste for ancient civilizations. Among the hundreds of sites, the most interesting sites are Ephesus , Hierapolis (Pamukkale), Nemrut Dagi and Pergamum .
As sites where there are few remains, Bogazkale and Troy are impressive because of their antiquity. You can join the diggings of foreign or Turkish Universities in summer if you like but there is no centralized registry.
Istanbul is bustling and cosmopolitan, the former capital of Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, which has many churches, museums, mosques and opulent palaces. The bustling bazaars and jostling street life are a part of the joie de vivre of Istanbul and there is definitely a sightseer overload in this magnificent city. The visitor could well divide the city into Old Istanbul, the Asian part of Istanbul and the European part. The Old City has many parks and gardens. The residential palace of the Ottoman Sultans, Topkapi, overlooks the Sea of Marma and the Bosphorous, the Blue Mosque is the only one in the world with 6 minarets, St Sophia that was once a cathedral, then a mosque and now a museum are spectacular sights. Don’t miss the underground Byzantine Cistern that is supported by 336 Corinthian columns.
The Asian part of Istanbul is called Uskudar (Skutari) where Florence Nightingale nursed the victims of the Crimean War. Take a walk or drive along the two massive suspension bridges over the Bosphorous for a fabulous and panoramic view of Istanbul.
Tan out at the gorgeous beaches of Bosphorous , a short drive away from Istanbul.
Explore the forts at Rumeli Hisar , the National Park of Mount Uludag and the ruins of Troy. Take a joyous boat ride on the Bosphorous or to the Princes Islands .
The European part of Istanbul is Thrace and its provincial capital is Edirne with a rich historical past. Forests and beaches make up the landscape and the coastal resorts at Yalova, Erdek and Gemlik are well-visited leisure spots. Visit the three Turkish mosques, the Eski Cami, Uc Serefile Cami and the famous Selimiye. Bursa is famous for its elegant Ottoman buildings such as the Green Mausoleum and the Great Mosque.
Ankara is Turkey’s seat of government, sprawling and modern. Popular tourist destinations are Hisar, the Byzantine citadel, the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, Ataturk’s Masoleum and the Presidential Mansion preserved just as Ataturk left it.
Ephesus is the grandest and best preserved among the hundreds of classical ruins and ancient cities. Known as Ionia in ancient times, it was a flourishing cultural centre. The Temple of Diana is a must visit – Virgin Mary spent her last years here. Take a walking tour; it will take you a day – start early to avoid the noon heat.
Bodrum is South Aegean’s most picturesque resort with its palm-lined streets circling the bays and white cheese cube houses. This is famous for its boating swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. The nightlife is loud and wild here and if you want peace and quiet, this isn’t the place to go.
Antalya is several kilometres off pebble beaches but it is well connected by bus and dolmus to several great beach towns and ancient cities – Side (75km) east of Antalya where Mark Antony and Cleopatra had a secret rendezvous, Alanya (115km), and Patara (a few hundred km) where there are Roman ruins among dunes and an excellent beach which is however closed at sunset to allow turtles to mate!
Museums are generally open from 8 am or 8.30 am to 5pm or 6 pm, closed on Monday and usually at lunch time (12. 30 to 1.30 pm). Archaeological sites are generally open daily from just after sunrise till just before sunset. Mosques that are tourist attractions are usually open most of the time, while others open only for Namaz or Muslim prayer, five times a day. Women must cover their heads before entering a mosque, while both men and women must cover their legs, shorts being considered offensive. Shoes must always be removed before entering a mosque.
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