Destination attractions travel tips to turkey

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Turkey is an enchanting country to travel to. From April to October the ideal climate exists to visit this eastern European country. From sandy beaches to historical ruins, Turkey has it all. Over thirteen civilizations have settled in the area over the centuries, and as a result, there exists a culturally thick history and enchanting past in Turkey. If you do have the chance to visit this majestic land here are some ideas to log into your itinerary.

Istanbul is a must see if you go to Turkey. Likely this is, or Ankara, is where you will fly into, but if by some chance you do not, mark it on your itinerary anyway. Istanbul is a remarkable city with thousands of nooks and crannies to explore. It is home to the great Bazaar and the Cagaloglu Hamam, as well as the Hagia Sophia and the great Kariye Museum; all of which are must-sees.

The covered Bazaar at Istanbul is a remarkable sight. Here you will find rugs, antiques, furniture, food, and everything imaginable. This mini-city sprawls over sixty streets and roughly sixty acres. There are over three thousand shops and numerous street vendors. Cafes, restaurants, and bars are open along the marketplace, and a traveler can find just about anything he or she would want. Leather is a popular commodity, as are fine Turkish crafts ranging from rugs to pottery. Nearby the Cagologlu Hamam contains hundreds of Turkish baths. There are so many to choose from, but each offers a relaxing respite from a day of shopping at the Bazaar.

The Hagia Sophia, or the Church of Holy Wisdom, is located in the heart of Istanbul. With a gigantic dome and eight minarets, it looms above the citys, and country's skyline. The inside is just as impressive. The Byzantine structure has one of the largest interiors in the world. The history of the Hagia is rich and long, dating back to the 6th century when Emperor Justinan began construction. Eventually this structure became the greatest church in ancient Byzantium and stood as the icon of the empires wealth and power. Now, stripped over the years of its mosaics, religious statues, and ornamentation, the Hagia is a marvel void of much of its original intent, but still an impressive edifice nonetheless. While you cannot stay in the Hagias main chamber, there is a hotel onsite that offers impressive rooms for roughly three to four hundred dollars.

Nearby the Hagia is the Kariye Museum. This building is actually a mosque that was converted into a museum facility. It was built in the 5th century and survived centuries of change and turmoil. Today it is a site that visitors can marvel at for its interesting art containing relics from Islamic times as well as mosaics and frescoes that depict biblical and Christian themes.

The Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent can be found in the city of Istanbul as well. It has terrific minarets and stain-glass windows that can be marveled at from the streets below. It was built by the great Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent and is considered the largest mosque in the city. Before you leave the capital there are two other sites in to see; the Pera Palas, an old hotel with history entwined with the Orient Express, and the Topkapi Palace which houses sultans of the empire for years and year.

If you can drag yourself away from Istanbul you will find that many other interesting Turkish destinations await you. If you are the adventurous type you will want to sail the Turquoise Coast of Lycia. The Turkish Rivera, as it is called, is located where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. Here you can charter a boat to sail the beautiful blue waters or you can lounge on the many beaches along the shore. There are plenty of dockside cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy in this area, not to mention wonderful hotels. The best time to venture to the coast is in mid-May to June, when the sun is hot and water is refreshing. July and August are good months too, except they tend to be crowded with large tour groups.

Miles away from the coast you will find Konya. In Konya you will find a mecca for Sufism, which is the mystical sect of Islam. For over seven hundred years the Mevlevi order has practiced in isolation. These followers perform the whirling dance annually to give praise to Allah. The Festival is held in mid-December if you care to check it out.

If you are less interested in remote sects and religious practices and more into the ancient archaeological past of the country you must see Ephesus. The Roman Ruins of Ephesus are a popular draw for tourists. Ephesus is one of the best-preserved ancient cities on the Mediterranean. It is three miles from the sea, however centuries ago it was the region's most wealthy and bustling port. In the Roman-Greco era it served as a point of interest for several nations and cultures. It was settled in 1000 B.C. by the Ionians, but since that early date, has shifted ownership from many a conquering people and nations. A traveler to Ephesus will initially be impressed by the mile-long-marble-paved street in the middle of the city that has grooved treads made for chariots that once used the road. Other sites in the port town include the great libraries that house old documents and antique books, the ruins of Byzantine cathedrals, and of course, the ruins of the Temple of Artemis, once considered one of the great wonders of the ancient world. Staying in Ephesus is recommended to fully enjoy this interesting and historical rich town. There are several hotels onsite, as well as restaurants and bars to frequent.

Getting to Turkey is not very difficult. Istanbul and Ankara are the major hubs for travel and are serviced by many airlines to and from most major international cities. You may reach Turkey by sea on passenger ferries departing from several Mediterranean ports, or you can take the train from most European cities on Turkish Railways.