Turkey is a culturally rich country with stunning landscapes, an amazing history and more archeological sites than most European countries. Istanbul is the country’s largest city and economic hub, but the cities on the coasts, the mystery of the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, the travertine ledges of Pamukkale and the cobblestone streets of Antalya have continued to charm visitors. Ready to be charmed? GetAway Travel will help with that.

 

Ankara, Turkey’s capital city

 The second largest city in Turkey, Ankara was designated the capital instead of Istanbul to reinforce the idea the country was moving into the modern ages. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk established the Republic of Turkey in 1923 and made Ankara the capital.

The city’s skyline is a study in modern development with universities and government offices, but peel that back and the foundation of the city date back to the Stone Age.

Ankara Castle is a fortified complex of buildings with Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman influences. It overlooks at the city and includes towers, mosques and trade inns. The inner castle area contains the Alaeddin Mosque. The oldest mosque in the city, it has a distinctive design. Instead of the usual domed top, it has a flat roof. In keeping with the practices of the time, it is built of recycled stones from ancient Roman and Byzantine structures as well as columns, capitals and marble from former palaces and temples. The remains of the country’s first museum is also in the inner castle area.

The Haci Bayram Mosque and Mausoleum reflect Ottoman architecture from the 17th and 18th century. The interior has Arabic calligraphy inscriptions, Kütahya tiles (hand-painted ceramic tiles with bright colors and intricate geometric floral and calligraphic designs), an ornamental wooden ceiling and a beautifully designed pulpit or mimbar where the iman stood to deliver sermons.

The remains of the Temple of Augustus & Rome are nearby.

The Cermodern is a contemporary art museum located in a restored train maintenance facility.

The largest mosque in Ankara is the Kocatepe Mosque. Built between 1967 and 1987 in the Neo-classical Ottoman architectural style, it can accommodate 24,000 worshippers.

Artifacts in 10 galleries at the Ankara Ethnography Museum showcase Turkish history. Visitors can view Islamic manuscripts, Turkish carpets, woodworks, ceramics and traditional clothing.

There are opportunities for vineyard tours and winery visits in the Ankara area as well as in the Cappadocia area.

Cappadocia and Pamukkale 

 A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cappadocia is an area of irresistible geological beauty and intricate subterranean structures. The region is renowned for its unusual “fairy chimney” rock formations. Crafted by thousands of years of volcanic activity and erosion, the formations are best viewed with a hot air balloon ride. Often called the hot air balloon capital of the world, Cappadocia offers one of travel’s most unforgettable sunrise experiences.

As dozens of colorful balloons drift above the fairy chimneys and ancient cave dwellings, passengers enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the region’s unique landscapes. On favorable weather mornings, more than 100 hot air balloons can take to the skies at once, creating one of the largest and most spectacular balloon displays anywhere in the world.

From above you can view the Goreme Open Air Museum. Once a refuge for monks and Christians, there are churches carved out of the rock as well as a museum in the cave network. On the ground, a series of pathways takes visitors through the extraordinary photogenic chimney areas of Love, Monk and Imagination Valleys.

The churches cut out of bedrock date back centuries. Karankik Dark Church, Elamli Apple Church, Tokali Church of the Buckle and the Monastic Complex are remarkably well-preserved. Inside you can view bright frescoes and mosaics from the Byzantine era depicting scenes from the Bible and life of Jesus.

Love Valley is one of Cappadocia’s most famous and photographed landscapes, known for its towering rock pillars and dramatic scenery. The valley gets its name from the unusual shape of some of the natural rock formations, which visitors have long said resemble giant stone columns with a quite distinctive appearance.

In the Denizli Province, Pamukkale is known for its fabulous thermal baths as well as its striking landscape. Pamukkale translates to “Cotton Castle” and the name comes from the shining white stone terraces down the hillside. Formed by calcium deposits from water-heated lava, the travertine rock appears to glow and change colors during sunrise and sunset.

Some other cities of interest…

 Antalya on the harbor has whitewashed, red-roofed homes that create an amazing picture with the mountains visible on the horizon and pricey yachts parked on the sea off the beach. Check out the Düden Waterfalls and take a cable car about a mile up the Bey Mountains to Aspendos. This ancient outdoor theater is still used for the annual opera and ballet festivals.

This is a lovely town to just take a relaxing stroll. The ornate Ottoman homes that are now boutique hotels, art galleries and restaurants are draped with blooming bougainvillea flowers.

Ephesus was a busy Roman port city. One of the largest cities in the ancient world, its is so well preserved it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The streets are lined with colonnades, there are temples with intricately carved entrances and the Great Theater where St. Paul supposedly preached. The Library of Celsus is one of the largest ancient libraries in the world.

Just off the city center is the Temple of Artemis, and the temple ruins are considered one to the seven wonders of the ancient world. The Vatican recognizes one of the terrace houses here as the final residence of the Virgin Mary.

Kas is a Mediterranean coastal retreat. Take a boat tour to discover the hidden caves and the underwater archaeological site of the sunken city of Kekova.

Safranbolu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, well-preserved Ottoman homes and it is famous for the cultivation of the saffron flower. An important stop on the trade routes, wealthy town inhabitants built impressive hoes of wood and stucco that still stand. Enjoy all things saffron, from spiced dishes to saffron soap to saffron-flavored coffee and tea.

Are you intrigued by what Turkey can offer? Advisors at GetAway Travel are ready to concoct an adventure that helps you hit all the highpoint of this amazing country.