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Istanbul. Constantinople. Byzantium. City of the World's Desire.
By any name, it is one of the world's greatest cities-a treasure trove for travelers of all ages and interests. The architecture of this city reflects the splendors of Byzantium, and the spectacular wealth, power, grace and elegance of the Ottoman Empire. Sultanahmet houses more attractions per square mile than any other spot in the country, and perhaps the world. Hagia Sophia was the world's largest enclosed space for over a millennia. Built in the 6th century, its walls are covered with precious marbles and mosaics; the central chamber is covered with a vast dome that seems to hover unsupported. Visit the Archaeological Museum which houses many treasures, including many elaborately carved sarcophagi. The Blue Mosque is exquisitely decorated with a plethora of blue tiles.

Spend a day at Topkapi Palace inspecting elaborately embroidered robes of the sultan, bejeweled daggers, the world's second largest collection of porcelain, and the ever-popular harem, with its frescoes, tiled walls, swimming pools, and fountains. The Mosaic Museum is a sheltered selection of original mosaics dating back to the era of Emperor Justinian. The Hippodrome was once the site of chariot races during the heyday of Byzantium: some feel that the city's taxi drivers are close descendants of these earlier racers. The Egyptian Obelisk that dominates the area depicts charioteers, dancing girls, and musicians. Constantine the Great brought the Serpentine Column to the city, from the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. Across from the Hippodrome is the magnificent Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art whose collection of carpets and kilims is unrivaled. The museum's exhibits on plant and insect based dyes used in traditional Turkish carpets will fascinate students of textiles. The Sunken Palace (Yerebatan Saray) is one of the many underground cisterns throughout Istanbul. This vast chamber was built in the 4th century, held 80,000 cubic meters of water, and supplied the Great Palace. Marble columns and ethereal carvings, surrounded by water and bathed in tinted light, combine to make the Saray a uniquely appealing spot.

After taking in the sights of Sultanahmet, visitors will want to immerse themselves in the sensual wonderland of the Covered Bazaar, or Kapali Carsi. Housing over 4,000 shops, the bazaar dates back to Ottoman times. Sip strong tea from tulip shaped glasses as you politely haggle over leather, silver, gold, and, of course, carpets.

Any visitor with even a passing interest in Ottoman architecture will want to explore the Suleymaniye Complex. Built by the court architect, Sinan, in honor of his patron, Suleyman the Magnificent, the complex consists of a perfectly proportioned mosque, as well as a library, hamam, cemetery, and several tombs. In its heyday, the complex also offered food and medical help to the poor.

More adventurous travelers may choose to extend their stay in Istanbul and explore yet more of the infinite range of delights the city has to offer. The Egyptian Bazaar is also known as the spice bazaar, reflecting the main item sold here. Wander fragrant alleyways and purchase spices, dried fruit, nuts, and flowers. Sinan designed the nearby Rustem Pasa Camii . In the north of the city, Kariye Camii houses some of the finest Byzantine frescoes in the city.

A Bosphorus cruise allows visitors to see the city at its most enchanting. The Golden Horn is silhouetted elegantly and Aya Sofya seems to hover above the water. Along the banks are such sites as Dolmabahce, the final Ottoman Palace and home to Ataturk; Arnavutkoy, a charming Bosphorus village with a row of elegant mansions overlooking the water, and Haydarpasa, with its beautifully tiled railway station, the Florence Nightingale hospital, housed in the Selimiye Barracks, and the British War Cemetery. In Beylerbeyi, the Palace was a 19th century Ottoman summer home. Overlooking the palace is the Jewish Cemetery: Istanbul's Jewish community grew and thrived under Ottoman rule.

A day trip to the Prince's Islands combines a leisurely cruise on the waters, with time to explore the classic summer retreat for Istanbul's wealthy elite. Buyukada is the largest island: cars are banned, leaving the streets free for pedestrians and cyclists to meander amongst breathtaking wooden mansions.

Another highly recommended destination for a day trip is Bursa. This first capital city of the Ottomans is home to some of the most elegant examples of Ottoman architecture in the country. Visit the Bazaar, and the Koza Hani (Silk Cocoon Hall), to this day still occupied by silk & brocade merchants. Bursa's wealth and reputation were built on the fine silks produced here. The highlights of the city are the Yesil Camii (Green Mosque) and Yesil Turbe, both beautifully lined with opalescent sea-green tiles, which combine with the carpets to create a uniquely tranquil atmosphere. The city also has lively markets, pleasant parks, and fine museums. The baths of Bursa are also renowned amongst Turks and foreigners, as the city was once a Roman spa town, and its hot springs have been a source of pleasure for thousands of years.

Rolling farmland and dense forest teeming with songbirds belie the bloody history of Gallipoli. The battlefields and cemeteries are solemn, but surrounded by glorious beaches and woods. The museum has a selection of letters, photos, uniforms and weapons. Both visitors interested in the military history of this site, and aficionados of nature, will appreciate Gallipoli.

Traveling south along the Aegean Coast, and inland, are some of Turkey's most ancient sites. This is a land of ancient legends, the site of epic battles and the stomping ground of near mythical leaders. Alexander the Great led his armies south along the coast, conquering the inhabitants with an irrepressible combination of rapid strategic assessment, military superiority and diplomatic skills. Many of the cities bear the hallmark of successive occupants: Lycian, Persian, Greek, Christian, and Ottoman. The remains of the city of Troy can be explored. The site is believed to have been inhabited over the past 5,500 years; the East Wall and Gate from Troy VI are still partially intact, dating back 3,500 years. The Temple of Athena was rebuilt under the auspices of Alexander the Great.

Bergama was the site of the ancient city of Pergamon, and has a wide range of remains from Greek and Christian times. The Kizil Avlu (Red Basilica) started its life as a temple to the Egyptian God Serapis in the 2nd century AD, and was converted to a basilica. It was one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor referred to by St. John in the Book of Revelation. Above the town is a charming warren of narrow streets lined with fabulous antique shops. The ancient temples of the city of Pergamon sit on a hilltop above the town. Walk amongst the Temple of Athena and the Altar of Zeus , both regally situated and offering panoramic views of the surrounding plains. Also visit the Asclepion, the medical center devoted to Asclepios, son of Apollo. Spa treatments were offered here in ancient times.

Ephesus and the surrounding sights are some of the most popular destinations in Turkey. The Library of Celcus, and the Temple of Serapis are just two of the many awesome sights here. Nearby are Meryemana , said to be the final resting place of the Virgin Mary, and Sirince , famed for its wines. We highly recommend exploring the nearby Ionian cities of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma. Priene is beautifully sited on a hilltop and has an excellent Temple of Athena Polias. Didyma has a superb temple to Apollo, and was an oracular site akin to Delphi.

Visit the sequestered site of Aphrodisias, where fragrant poplars surround marble temples to the Goddess of Love. Scholars believe this was the site of fertility cults long before the Greek Goddess became the focus for worship. This is one of the finest sites in the country, blessed with a gorgeous natural setting and a wide range of well-preserved ancient buildings. Nearby, Pamukkale combines unusual geology with well appointed ruins: a cascade of white mineral deposits tumble down the mountain, while the ancient city of Hierapolis was built on the wealth of visitors to this spa town.

A cruise along Turkey's Turquoise Coast offers an unparalleled opportunity for exploring the historical riches along the coast, while soaking up the sun, snorkeling, and drifting along the Mediterranean. From April to October, cruises in traditional wooden gulets take you to secluded bays for swimming, and dock at the various small towns along the shore, where you can make excursions to temples, historical remains, and shops. Bodrum is the starting point for many gulet tours and is at its best in the spring and autumn. Cruises also start from Marmaris. Visit Dalyan with its stunning beach, thermal baths, and the ancient trading port of Kaunos, whose ruins are situated above the river delta. Herons and storks are common here. Fethiye is a pleasant coastal town with a fine museum, excellent restaurants and shops, and Lycian tombs overlooking the town. From the coastal town of Kas, make excursions to Patara, Xanthos and Kalkan, ancient Lycian cities whose temples and acropolis bear witness to their former glories. The Kekova Islands and the nearby towns of Demre, Myra and Phaselis are some of the most delightful stopping places along the coast. Sea kayaking amongst the submerged remains of Lycian settlements around Kekova's coastline provides an ethereal view of this ancient culture.

The southern city of Antalya is an excellent base for exploring surrounding sites. The city has a charming old quarter and one of the finest archaeological museums in the Mediterranean. Visit nearby Termessos, spectacularly sited in the mountains. Well-preserved city walls and a massive theater make it one of coastal Turkey's highlights. Perge's theater was built to house 14,000 people on 42 seating levels. A tremendous stadium also made this city one of the area's most populated. The vast theater of Aspendos , one of the best preserved in Asia Minor, is still used for staging events.

Traveling to south and eastern Turkey often requires transit through Ankara. The city is the home of the cannot-be-missed Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with exhibits chronicling the fantastically rich tapestry of cultures that have flourished in Turkey. Also worth a visit are the Ethnographic Museum and the Republic Museum, which describes the foundation of modern, secular Turkey.

Visitors attracted to phenomenal landscapes as well as historical landmarks will not want to miss Cappadoccia. This extraordinary area is reminiscent of the canyons of southern Utah, and has deep historical significance. Mentioned in the Bible, the soft volcanic hills of Cappadoccia are riddled with rock-cut churches dating back to Byzantine times. The churches are painted with elaborate murals that are well preserved in this arid region. The underground city of Kaymakli dates back to Hittite times; the subterranean complexes were enlarged to incorporate churches, schools, and wine cellars by later Christians. The Goreme Open Air Museum is a wonderland of churches, ethereal landscapes, and rock-hewn dwellings. Further afield, the Soganli valleys were Christian strongholds from Byzantine times to the 13th century. The churches are magnificent and many consider them to be the finest in Cappadoccia. Nearby Avanos is renowned for pottery made from the distinctive red clay earth of the area.

The often-overlooked Black Sea Coast is a ruggedly beautiful region, whose winding coastline roads are reminiscent of drives along Big Sur, or the Pacific Northwest. Small towns and villages have a markedly different feel from the rest of Turkey: single story wooden houses and neat gardens call to mind the setting of Chekhov stories. The coastal towns were traditionally separated from mainland Anatolia by impenetrable mountains, thus leaving the culture and architecture to be influenced primarily by other coastal communities. The main attraction on the coast is Trabzon. The city's three thousand years of history are palpable as you wander along cobbled streets. The famed Aya Sofya is a monastery church dramatically perched on a bluff with sweeping sea views, and is decorated with superb, well-restored frescoes that are considered some of the finest and most influential in the Byzantine tradition. Nearby Sumela Monastery is also a highlight of the area. This 16th century marvel follows the Greek Orthodox tradition of being almost inaccessible, perched high up on a cliff face almost 1,000 feet over the Altindere valley.

Adventurous travelers may like to travel further east towards the Georgian border. Northeast Anatolia is one of the least touristed areas of Turkey, and one of the most historically fascinating. Hammered by severe winters, and baking in the summer, the region is best visited in spring or autumn. Here you can explore medieval Georgian castles and churches, set amongst snow-covered mountains. Erzerum boasts 12th century mosques, and an excellent museum. Traveling north to Artvin, the surrounding valleys takes you to a land more akin to the Caucasus Mountains than anywhere in Turkey. Artvin is particularly fine in June, when the Kafkasor festival takes place: one of the best traditional festivals in the country. The surrounding Kasgar Daglari Mountains offer some of the most beautiful, rewarding trekking routes in Asia, and are an undiscovered gem for hikers and wilderness lovers.

Sanliurfa, or Urfa as it is locally known, is a unique market/border town. Populated by Arabs, Syrians, and Kurds, its current ethnic mix is rooted in the multicultural historical background of the city. Walk through the Gumruk Hani, a 16th century caravanserai, near the bazaar where you can purchase tobacco, spices, and textiles. Copper beaters, tanners, and ironmongers all work in the bazaar, which many visitors feel is one of the most "Oriental" in flavor, in all of Turkey. The Ulu Camii dates back to the 12th century, and is modeled on the Grand Mosque of Aleppo in Syria. The Cave of Abraham is said to mark the spot of the birth of the prophet, Abraham. It is a popular spot for Muslim pilgrims from all over Turkey. Nearby, Golbasi is a tranquil small pool filled with well-fed carp, and is believed to be the one that Abraham dove into. Southeast of Urfa is Harran, with its distinct beehive-style houses, and many Biblical connections. It is said to have been the home of Abraham. There is also an extraordinary Roman fortress here. Syria is a mere 10 km south of here, thus accounting for the strong Syrian atmosphere of the village. Travelers interested in learning more about the Christian history of Turkey will be drawn to the Tur Abdin region near Mardin, where Syriac Orthodox Christianity has been practiced since the 6th century. Several monasteries are still active in the region. The mountaintop of Nemrut Dagi attracts travelers from all over the world. The vast heads that adorn the temple-tomb of Antiochus are amongst the most well known of Turkish sites.

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