Here are links to our stories from Turkey.
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Top Sites to Visit in Turkey
Turkey is overflowing with fascinating sites making it a great destination for your next vacation. Many have said that Turkey is one large museum, and we couldn’t agree more. But, in addition to the many historical sites throughout the country, we also found a large array of spectacular natural settings.
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The Battles of Troy and Gallipoli
Although these two historic battles took place thousands of years apart, their battle grounds are only a few kilometers away from each other. The Trojan War and WWI’s Gallipoli campaign both occurred along the Dardanelles Strait.
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Explore Izmir & Pergamon
The large city of Izmir is a popular place to use as a base to explore some of the surrounding sites such as Ephesus or Pamukkale. Although we didn’t come to the city for those sites, we did spend a few days exploring the city as well as Pergamon.
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Pamukkale’s Thermal Pools and Hierapolis
Travertine pools, filled with mineral rich water cascade down the mountain side. This brilliant natural marvel has been a draw for visitors since ancient times. Come with us as we visit Pamukkale’s Thermal Pools and the ancient cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea.
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The Ancient City of Ephesus
Elegant mosaic floors, marble columns and painted walls hint to the extravagance that was once enjoyed by the wealthy elites of Ephesus. The Terrace Houses, and in fact many of the sites in the ancient city of Ephesus, had us staring in awe at their artistry and grandeur.
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Turkey’s Aegean Coast
Almost as popular as Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, the Aegean Coast offers visitors a little different experience. Although there are plenty of beaches in the area, boating in the Aegean Sea seems like the more popular activity.
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Fethiye’s Turquoise Coast
The popular tourist city of Fethiye is a great jumping off point for day trips to popular spots along the Turquoise Coast. We had heard so much hype about this wonderful coastline, that we were excited to see it for ourselves. Here are the best views on Fethiye’s Turquoise Coast.
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The Best Of Kaş
Not only is Kaş an adorable seaside town, its setting on a historic marine trading route means that its coastline is rich in history. We absolutely loved exploring the gorgeous coast and historic sites around this charming town. Here are the best sites near Kaş, Turkey.
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Best Day Trips From Antalya
The large city of Antalya is a gateway to the beaches on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. As we found though, there are many great sites in the surrounding area as well as within the city limits. So, plan to stay for a couple of days to explore the best day trips from Antalya.
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Cappadocia’s Rock-Cut Monasteries
When we looked up to the top of a fairy chimney, we saw a doorway that had been chiseled out of the rock. Most of these hoodoos have doors at seemingly unreachable places. Cappadocia’s rock-cut monasteries are a unique combination of the wonders of nature and the creativity of people.
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Hiking in Cappadocia’s Valleys
If you love hiking in bizarre and beautiful landscapes, then you will love the hiking trails in Cappadocia. Walking below fairy chimneys and beside weather-worn cliffs is the perfect way to explore Cappadocia’s magical valleys.
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Explore Cappadocia’s Fairytale Towns
The name Cappadocia evokes images of a bizarre landscape that includes top-heavy hoodoos, rock-cut churches and colourful rockbound canyons. Those images that your mind has created are not far from reality. Our first adventure in this mystical land was to explore Cappadocia’s fairytale-like towns.
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The Whirling Dervishes in Konya
The skirts on their white robes rippled as they spun around and around. Their steps kept in rhythm with the hypnotic music. Seeing the Whirling Dervishes in Konya was one of the most magical displays of spiritual devotion we’ve ever seen.
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Ancient Statues on Mount Nemrut
The setting sun cast a red glow on the statues on the top of Mount Nemrut. Built in the 1st century BCE, a narcissistic king placed massive statues of himself as well as Greek, Persian and Armenian gods on a mountain, high above his kingdom.
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Göbekli Tepe – An Ancient Wonder
With a name that means Potbelly Hill in English, we weren’t sure what to expect of the site Göbekli Tepe. What we found though, was an ancient wonder built by Neolithic man that gave historians a new understanding of how ancient societies developed.
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Best Day Trips From Mardin
After exploring the Medieval Old Town of Mardin, we discovered three other nearby sites with equally fascinating histories. Old Town Midyat, Deyrülzafaran Monastery and the ancient ruins of Dara make great day trips when you’re visiting the city of Mardin in Eastern Turkey.
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Mardin’s Medieval Old Town
Limestone buildings cascade down the rocky hill, tumbling to the Mesopotamian Plain far below. Between these heritage homes, a labyrinth of tight cobblestone lanes wind up and down the slope. As soon a we saw this historic site from below, we knew Mardin’s Medieval Old Town was going to be a great city to explore.
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Picturesque Lake Van
Looking out over the deep blue waters of Lake Van is the picturesque Church of the Holy Cross. Standing on this spot since 921 AD, it is one of the few remaining Armenian sites left in Van. Although it is not large, the church is a gorgeous example of Armenian history in Turkey.
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Seljuk Dynasty in Erzurum
Many dynasties have ruled Eastern Anatolia over the centuries leaving behind a land filled with a diverse array of historical buildings. Scattered between the new buildings of downtown Erzurum, we found a few fabulous treasures from the Anatolian Seljuk and the smaller Saltukid Dynasties.
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Sumela – Turkey’s Cave Monastery
High up on the side of a mountain, an ancient monastery clings to the side of a shear cliff. As early as 386 AD Greek monks built a monastery in a cave halfway up this mountain wall. Located in the Pontic Mountains of Turkey, Sumela Monastery makes a spectacular site.
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Cumalıkızık – Historic Ottoman Village
Not far from Bursa is a cute, historical town with colourful Ottoman homes built along the sides of narrow, cobblestone streets. The well-preserved village provides a window into early Ottoman life and is worth a visit if you are in Bursa.
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Bursa – The First Ottoman Capital
Located in the shadow of Uludağ Mountain, Old Town Bursa is bursting with history from the early Ottoman years. Since it was the Empire’s first capital, its buildings give a glimpse of what was important to this burgeoning powerhouse.
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Exploring Istanbul’s Waterfront
Istanbul’s strategic location on Bosphorus Strait was coveted by many dynasties over the centuries. Since those early days the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara have shaped the way this city looks and operates. Today, these connected waterways give Istanbul a long waterfront that is a key component of its vibrant personality.
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Istanbul’s Glamorous Palaces
In a city known for its grand mosques, there should be no surprise that it has equally stunning palaces. The Ottoman Empire ousted the Byzantines from the city of Constantinople and built regal palaces. Touring Istanbul’s glamorous palaces gives you a glimpse into what life was like for the Ottoman rulers.
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The Mosques of Istanbul
The city’s historical buildings weave together its two historical sides, Byzantine and Ottoman. This history gives it an interesting character that sets it apart from its neighbours. It is a great city to explore, and we will begin with its many historic mosques and churches.
