Turkey

The world’s only city that straddles two continents, the Turkish capital is a place where East meets West, with one side of the Bosporus Strait in Asia and the other in Europe. Its culture reflects that divide, providing an enchanting mix of grand palaces and majestic mosques, an ancient market overflowing with colorful spices and a diverse array of incredible cuisine. Istanbul possesses a rich and complicated heritage as the former capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires, leaving behind many iconic landmarks and a unique blend of architecture. Walking down the street you might see a modern glass skyscraper next to a Byzantine church or a bazaar backed by a bustling shopping mall. The narrow strait that cuts the city in two connects to the Black Sea in the north and the Sea of Marmara in the south – from the water, you’ll see a skyline of soaring towers, steeples, and domes.

The Cappadocia region is a fairytale-like place in the Anatolian plains. A bizarrely beautiful landscape, it’s almost otherworldly, with hundreds of astonishing rock formations rising from the ground. Interspersed among the limestone pillars and spires are churches and cave dwellings carved right out of the rock – some are even available for rent as cave hotels and homes. The town of Göreme houses some of the most incredible structures in a complex of fresco-filled churches and monasteries called the Göreme Open Air Museum. This area is also famous as a destination for hot-air ballooning, with rides especially popular at sunrise, bringing a bird’s-eye view of the remarkable landscape under the early morning light. Simply watching from the ground is a breathtaking experience as dozens of colorful balloons fill the sky. Horseback riding and hiking are also popular and history enthusiasts will find plenty to love too, but it’s the stunning panoramas that are most memorable.

Translating to the cotton castle in Turkish, the formation of this remarkable landscape took place after a series of earthquakes. Chalk white travertine terraces developed, shaped over millennia by mineral-rich springs. In the late 2nd-century BC, an ancient city, Hierapolis was established here, with the ruins of baths, temples, and other monuments still visible today. The snow-white limestone and stunning turquoise thermal pools have been attracting visitors since the classical period, but in the mid-20th-century considerable damage was caused when hotels were built over the ruins while motorbikes were allowed to zip up and down the slopes. After it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, the travertine terraces were made off-limits, the hotels demolished, and artificial pools were constructed for visitors to use. The opportunity to soak among magnificent surroundings, view the impeccably preserved Roman ruins and explore the on-site museum make it well worth a visit.

Set along the Turquoise Coast, also known as the Turkish Riviera, Marmaris is one of the region’s most popular resort towns, located in southwest Turkey. History buffs, sun worshippers, and partiers enjoy its prime location, scenic beauty, and an “anything goes” kind of atmosphere. There are plenty of bars and restaurants, shops with fantastic bargains, and a high-tech club scene. Just opposite the bazaar, Bar Street is known for its massive outdoor dance venues. Families will find lots to do as well, from boat trips to water parks. Daily cruises can bring you along the mountainous shoreline, around the turquoise coves, and to a cave that can only be reached by water. Jeep safaris are yet another option, traveling into the mountains that surround Marmaris, visiting waterfalls, beaches, and villages. Visitors of all types are sure to appreciate relaxing at a traditional Turkish bath (hammam), many of which offer massages too.

One of the best ancient sites in the world and one of the Roman Empire’s most important cities, visiting Ephesus is like traveling back in time to the grandeur of Rome. An archaeology showpiece, the incredibly well-preserved ruins were rediscovered in the late 19th-century and excavations have been ongoing ever since. You’ll see grooves in the marble-paved streets that were made by chariot wheels along with partially reconstructed monuments and buildings like the pillared façade of the Library of Celsus. At the theater where the Apostle Paul once spoke, you can test the acoustics for yourself. Strolling through and reflecting on this city that was once second only to Rome is a must for any visit to Turkey. Portable audio guides are available providing important insight as an inexpensive alternative to tourist guides, which are available in the parking lot, or you can join a tour from Izmir or Kusadasi.