Things To Do In Turkey
Turkey is undoubtedly one of the richest nations in the world culturally and historically. Innumerable tourists come to experience the grandeur and timeless beauty of the ancient cities.
Turkey - an ideal destination for a history buff
You may pay a visit to several museums located in Istanbul. Some of these are Bodrun, which is an underwater museum, and Museum of Anatolian Civilization. The latter contains the artifacts of the different civilizations who had settled on the nation's plateaus and plains. These include the Chalcedonean, the Hittites, and the Phrygians.
Istanbul as a city is also famous in the history of Roman and Byzantine Empire. St. Anthony of Padua, a Roman Church is worth visiting for any traveler to the city. The Blue Mosque constructed in the 17th century is another such unique historical site.
You can also visit Pamukkale where you will get to see the ruins of the ancient Greek City, Herapolis. Here you will also find certain geological formations like stalactite, and also thermal pools. You may immerse yourself in the rich mineral water which is supposed to have certain therapeutic properties. Do not forget to visit the eight wonder of the ancient world atop Mount Nemrut. Herein lay the stones of a huge burial site.
Ephesus is also a must see historical spot. This area contains Artemis's Temple ruins, museums, and artifacts which have been excavated from here. You may also visit the nearby sacred site of Meryemana Evi. This place was known to have been inhabited by Virgin Mary after Jesus's death.
Other things to do in Turkey
Apart from exploring the past, Turkey offers other attractions as well for the tourists.
•You can shop from the largest covered market in the world - Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
•You may hire a ferry from Istanbul's Eminonu dock and go to the Princes' Islands. It is a tranquil getaway popular with the locals especially in summers.
•You may sit in one of the traditional cafes below Istanbul's Galata Bridge, sipping tea watching the sunset.
•Go trekking the Lycian Way, in between Fethiye and Antalya. This stretch of 500km has the most amazing scenery.
•Enjoy white - water rafting on the Köprülü River, Dalaman River, Zamanti River or the Coruh River.
•Have a relaxing, steamy Turkish bath, called Hammam including a scrub and a massage. The most popular baths in Istanbul are the the Galatasaray Hammam in Beyoglu and Cagaloglu Hammam in Sultanahmet.
•Watch the renowned Whirling Dervishes do the whirling dance (Sema). These people belong to the Mevlevi Order. The amazing ceremony can be witnessed either in Istanbul or in Konya from where the Mevlevi order had originated.
•You may escape to one of the less crowded, greener, and cooler areas of Turkey like Ünye or Giresun lying along the Black Sea coast.
•Take a hot - air balloon flight early in the morning over the moonscape of Cappadocia.
•Enjoy a leisurely traditional wooden boat cruise (gulet) along the Aegean or Mediterranean coast.