Things to do in Turkey
When you visit the ancient country of Turkey you will surely experience the wide scope of culture and history which has taken the area over its soil since the past 4,000 years. Being the gateway to the countries in Middle East and sharing its shores on with the Mediterranean Sea, ancient history has surely made up a great part of the country. Turkey is a bit larger than the state of Texas and is a place worth visiting and especially to those who desire to step back into the past and tour the ancient wonders with stones that still manage to stand strong for several years.
Istanbul
The Istanbul is one of the best and most popular tourist destinations although being the capital of Turkey. At Istanbul you can climb the Galta Tower which is the 14th century Genoese fortification which offers you a great view of the old city. Bodrum which is an underwater museum is also located in this area and worth visiting. Apart from this the Museum of Anatolian civilization is also among the most popular attractions which include some of the artifacts from different civilizations that were settled upon the plains and plateaus of the country. Among these civilizations there is also the Phrygians, Hittites and Chalcedonean.
Istanbul which was previously called as Constantinople is also very rich in Byzantine and Roman Empire. The St. Anthony of Padua which is Roman Catholic Church is a great example of rich architectural splendor including the Blue Mosque that was built in the 17th century. If you need some unique shopping experience then the Egyptian or Spice bazaar in the city have vendors selling everything from handwoven slippers to foods and birds.
Other Attractions
Very near to the Istanbul city is the unique formation of Pamukkale which is a region of thermal pools and stalactite formations. Here you will find the ruins of ancient greek city or the city of Herapolis and you can still immerse in the rich mineral waters. Some other sites worth visiting would be one that UNESCO had dubbed in as the eighth wonder of the ancient world. On top of the Mount Nemrut there are stones of an immense burial site.
Apart from this the Ephesus is also a must see attraction for the historic travelers as it includes the ruins of the temple of Artemis which is a documented wonders of the ancient world. In this ancient city you can still walk along its agora, baths and libraries and various museums that includes a number of artifacts of ancient world. There is also the Meryemana Evi nearby that is a reputed house of Vergin Mary who had been there after the death of Jesus. There are a number of Christians who make pilgrimage to this place which is recognized by the Vatican and the day of ceremony held on 15th August.
Apart from this, those who enjoy a slower pace during their vacation the Bitez are a popular place with crescent shaped beach and crystal blue waters. The Prince islands which actually consisted of nine islands is an attraction to visitors since the Byzantine period.