Turkey 2013

Istanbul -The only city that straddles two continents - Asia and Europe.  It is located between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.  The Bosphorus separates the city and is one of the world's busiest waterways.

Blue Mosque, a 17th century Ottoman Mosque famous with its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles.

Hippodrome, the place chariot races and competitive athletic events took place during the Roman period.

St. Sophia (Haiga Sophia) – the great Byzantine Basilica built in the 6th century, which remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, it was later converted to a mosque and now serves as a museum.

Topkapi Palace 

Grand Bazaar 

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise  

Spice Market 

Istanbul Crowds -  Istanbul has a population of 13.9 million, and is the third largest city in the world. Istanbul has a land area of 5,343 square kilometers. The crowds can make getting anywhere very tedious.  The vehicular traffic is unbelievably slow.

City of Troy - classical city of Troy. Tour this 4000-year-old city and legendary center of the Trojan War, made immortal by Homer's epic poem The Iliad.

Canakkale 

We crossed the Dardanelles by ferry and drove to Canakkale.

Pergamum Asclepion - a powerful kingdom during the ancient Hellenistic period (289-129 B.C.), and visit the Asclepion, the ancient Roman spa center. Modern treatments that have been used for centuries such as physiotherapy, massage, mud bathing, and herbal medicine were practiced here.

Izmir - a city believed to be the birthplace of Homer. With over 3500 years of history, the port city known historically as Smyrna offers a variety of impressive archaeological sites, not to mention easy access to ancient Ephesus.

Ephesus & House of the Virgin Mary 

Necropolis & Hieropolis - Necropolis and the ancient city of Hieropolis ("Holy City"), situated atop the Pamukkale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - The hot springs have served as a thermal bath since the 2nd century B.C., primarily for the ailing and elderly, many of whom have retired here.

Antalya -  Founded by King Attalos of Pergamum as "Heaven on Earth," Antalya is an international resort city that has become a prime destination in Turkey.

Cappadocia - a large abandoned city and shelter in Cappadocia, built on the Silk Road, whose main portal gate is considered a fine example of Turkish Seljuk art. During the Seljuk period, trade flourished, requiring roads for caravan transport and inns for the traveling traders. The Caravanserai provided these traders, both foreign and native, with heated rooms, food, medical attention, equipment repair and many other common conveniences. There was even a small mosque, known as "Kosk Mescid," in the courtyard's center where the travelers could conduct religious practices.

Caravanserai - 13th-century Caravanserai of Sultanhan

Nevsehir in Cappadocia
Cappadocia - A region of surreal rock formations and incredible cultural heritage, Cappadocia is home to rock-cut temples, ancient underground cities, and unparalleled landscapes

Cappadocia Balloon Ride

Whirling Dervishes 

Ankara - The capital and the second largest city of Turkey.

Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk - Ataturk was founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Leading up to the Mausoleum, also known as the Anitkabir, lies a vast brick courtyard and monumental avenue lined with NeoHittite stone statues and cenotaphs beneath its colonnades. The most noted cenotaphs within the complex are those of General Ismet Inonu, a close comrade of Ataturk's and his successor, and that of Ataturk himself, a large and highly decorative marble cenotaph, beneath which lies his tomb.

Anatolian Civilizations Museum – built in two Ottoman buildings located near Ankara Castle. The Museum, being among exceptional museums with its unique collection, has Anatolian archaeological artifacts, artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to the present are exhibited. It was elected as the first "Museum of the Year" in Switzerland on April 19, 1997