West Turkey has numerous antique cities or ruins alike. The most important of these are Ephesus, Pergamon, Sardis, Izmir (Smyrna), Aphrodisias, Hierapolis (Pamukkale), Miletus, Priene and many more. These cities were flourished in the fertile lands of Ionia plus they had the advantage of being located at the end of Anatolian silk routes.
In the north western quarter, we have Troy the legendary city of Paris. Not far from Troy is Assos, the historic city of Aristotle where he had lived some years of his life, and also Gallipoli Peninsula Anzac commemoration sites of World War I, Turkish and ANZACS memorials.
Southwest Turkey combines scenic beauties with history and night life. Bodrum is the principal city which used to be called Halicarnassus in ancient times. It was the capital city of Caria during the Persian and Roman rules. Lycian cities located over the hills and mountains overlooking the Mediterranean sea will facinate you. Take a boat trip in Dalyan and explore Lycian burials at the cliff faces and also Kaunos The beaches of Dalyan is the nesting place for the caretta caretta Loggerhead Sea Turtle.
South Turkey is the most important tourist resort, and Antalya is the main centre of holiday destinations. Places of interests in and around Antalya include charming Kaleici, excellent archeological museum, Olympos, Phaselis, Perge, Aspendos and Koprulu Kanyon. These are the most visited tourists highlights.
Central Turkey mainly known with Cappadocia (Kapadokya) which is the regional name. Cappadocia has world wide fame for its lunar landscape. The places of interests are scattered a couple of kms away from one another, and are best visited using a transport. Some times you climb up natural towers for a birds eye view of the landscape and some times you go down underground to see ancient underground cities where you often have to crawl through very narrow walkways. The principal highlights are Goreme, Goreme Open Air museum, Urgup, Zelve, Avanos, Derinkuyu and Kaymakli underground cities dating back to Hittites times. Plus Uchisar, Ortahisar and Ihlara Valley, are just the few of the many interesting places to see. What to see in Cappadocia? Very peculiar topography decorated with hundreds of rock chimneys or pinnacles in which you will be surprised to see many cave churches from early Christianity. A couple of hours drive from Cappadocia is Konya an important center which houses whirling dervishes, or Mevlevi (Sufism) sect and Ankara the capital city of Turkey that falls on your way to Cappadocia.
East Turkey is a mysterious province in many ways, not as well known as Turkey west or south. Besides sacred Mt Ararat, the final resting place of Noah's Ark, there are many sites: Ishakpasa Palace, Ahlat, Lake Van, Suphan Mountain, city of van, Akhtamar Church, Ani and Hosap Kalesi.
Southeast Turkey is more striking than all above, as being mystical and mysterious. The main centres are Mount Nemrut, Diyarbakir, Urfa, Mardin, Hasankeyf, Halfeti, Zeugma, and Antakya (Antioch). In particular, Hasankeyf, Zeugma and Halfeti which are situated along the courses of the legendary rivers Tigris and Euphrates, they should not be left out of your trip.
Hittites Highland deserves to be emphasized here as Hittites being the conquerors of Babylons and challengers of Egytions. Highland trip takes you to the deep layers of early history of mankind.
Geography of Turkey falls between two old continents, Europe and Asia on the western and eastern frontiers respectively. The physical size of Turkey is almost equal to both France and England combined. In all seasons, holidays in Turkey offer diversified choices for everyone, warm waters of Mediterranean in Antalya or popular ski resorts, Kartalkaya, Erciyes, Erzurum Palandoken.
Tectonic movements have resulted in rupturing the land in deep fault zones and valleys in diversified directions. This has led to the emergence of numerous hot springs. The Cotton Fortresses is historically the most important hot spring site in Turkey.
For ski lovers, Bursa-Olympos mountain, Kartalkaya, Erzurum, and Dogubayazit are among the most popular places. The calcareous nature of the southern coastal belt has led to the formation of numerous underwater caves. For those who preferably enjoy diving and cave exploration will find many excellent caves. For other interesting hobbies, say bird watching , many places have been located.
Diversification is amazing in all areas of life for a trained observer. You will not be surprised to discover that Turkish folk, Turkish bath ( hamam), Turkish cuisine have world wide fame, and these cultural riches are well worth to be seen and experienced.
Hotels in Istanbul or in any major city such as Ankara or Izmir are many in number. For those who prefer cheaper accommodation will have no difficulty of finding a suitable one. Visitors can easily find tourism offices to seek advice or information on what to see in Turkey, where to eat and go, cheap package holidays or city tour, city maps, tour guides, property sales, etc.
Turkey attracts thousands of holiday makers every year, and off these many especially westerners have decided to purchese property in Turkey.
This site presents information from general to very specific on archeological and historical sites, cultural and traditional values, social classes and political systems on Turkey. In addition it attempts to cover all tourists interested features and highlights from natural wonders to wild life. It is hoped that travelers of all classes from cheap package travel dealers to adventurers will be able to find adequate information to plan a trip to Turkey.