Thursday, December 30, 2010

Holidays in Turkey: The Best Sights

One of the most obvious things to do in Turkey is visit the capital city Istanbul. Here, you can explore the spectacular Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), which was built between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed I. This is a very popular tourist attraction and is still used as a Mosque nowadays. Another great attraction is the historical Hippodrome where chariot races used to take place. The St. Sophia Museum (Hagia Sophia) was originally an early Christian church, but was later converted to a mosque under Ottoman rule. This is a truly magnificent sight and the building now serves as a museum that caters for tourists. There are lots of artifacts inside from the Byzantine era, which get a lot of attention. For a picturesque view you should go to the summit of Camlic Hill, which offers 360° panoramic views of Istanbul. This is quite a sight and you should make sure you definitely come to this attraction. Dolmabahce Palace is another great tourist attraction, which is home to eight Turkish Baths and more than 340 rooms. This is the imperial residence of the last six Sultans, and is sure intrigue passers by.


You should definitely try and visit Cappadocia during your time in Turkey. Here, you can stay in hotel rooms that were carved out of the landscape. These could be anywhere from centuries to thousands of years old. In recent years this has got a lot of attention, with people flocking from all over the globe to experience a night in these unique rooms. The surrounding area is beautiful to explore, as there are lots of orchards and unusual volcanic rock formations. The old Christian Village of Cavusin is also nearby and definitely worth an inspection!


Holidays in Turkey wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Spice Market is an Egyptian Bazaar that's one of the world's largest spice bazaars. This market found prominence in 1665 and continues to be a crucial part of the Istanbul way of life. A great way to let off some steam is to take a voyage on the Bosphorus ferry, which will provide you with an unforgettable cruise experience. As you pass between the strait that separates Europe from Asia the beautiful lush landscape, the numerous mosques and castles dotted around and the baroque palaces of the late Ottoman Sultans will stun you. After this, perhaps a trip to the Topkapi Palace Museum is in order, which is the former residence of this legendary man. The museum is made up of a variety of exhibitions, where you can see the armory and some holy relics. The Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) is a great way to end a long and tiring day in Turkey.


You should visit the Derinkuyu Underground City while on your Turkey holidays. It is a great tourist attraction that brings lots of revenue into the capital each year. This is where an entire community of Christians lived in a system of subterranean caves & tunnels for centuries without being noticed. A lot of people visit the Ancient City of Ephesus so that they can see one of the best-kept Greco-Roman Cities in the world.

1 comment: