Turkey Guide
More than Istanbul's many mosques, bazaars and the unmissable Bosphorus view, Turkey has biblical landmarks and contemporary art, remote monasteries and beaches scattered with Roman tombs, mountains for skiing and dry desert plains, hot fiery kebaps and cooling music.
From Istanbul's sprawling Topkapi Palace and chaotic bazaars, explore Ottoman architecture in border city Edirne and the broad boulevards of Izmir in the southwest. Go central for capital Ankara's contemporary shopping and south to traditional Konya's Whirling Dervish headquarters. Kick back on the coast at Antalya, breathe mountain air in eastern Erzurum and admire the striped mosques of Kurdish Diyarbakir.
Gaze at the moonscape rock formations in Cappadocia, go whitewater rafting in Çoruh River and ski down Uludag. Wade through Saklikent Gorge, or sail on a gulet (traditional yacht) in the Mediterranean. Bathe in hot springs at Kaçkar Mountains, wander lonely as a cloud at desolate Lake Van and check out the white travertine pools at Pamukkale.
Buy most goodies in Istanbul's markets, from carpets and leather jackets to traditional instruments and inlaid backgammon sets. Select ornate hand-painted tiles and ceramics from Iznik and a hand-beaten samovar and copper pots from Urfa. Choose colourful silks from Bursa and sample the best pistachios in Gazientep.
Breakfast on warm borek (pastry) with cheese or a bowl of hearty mercemek (lentil soup). Kick off dinner with a tasty mezze (starter) of patlican salatasi (roasted aubergine dip) and cacik (yoghurt with garlic). Launch into peppery Adana köfte (spicy meatballs), fried hamsi (anchovies) or hot pepper Urfa kebap in the east. Wash it down with salty ayran (yoghurt drink), fiery raki (aniseed liquor) and strong Türk kahve (coffee).
Sail the bay around Kas after sunset and gaze on the illuminated Lycian tombs built into the cliff-face.
