Blog

Tusan-Kustur Beach Kusadasi Back along the coast, Kusadasi, or Bird Island, is a lovely port built along the shores of a glittering bay The terraced town overlooks the most beautiful inlet of the Aegean and seems to have been created purely for the delight of the holiday-maker. Be sure to visit the famous and popular […]

AYDIN The province’s capital, also called Aydin, enjoys a widespread reputation for its fine figs. Known as Tralleis in ancient times, it was at the center of a celebrated sculpture school. The remains seen today date from the second century A. D. After 1186 the town came under Seljuk rule, and the local museum displays […]

EPHESUS A visit to Efes (Ephesus) – once the commercial center of the ancient world – is a highlight of any visit to Turkey The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World […]

Kutahya Kutahya City is one of the oldest Turkish cities, with Turkish traditions still being practiced today and important Ottoman architectural monuments, including a castle, mosques, medreses, baths, complexes, mausoleums, and mansions. One of the finest mosques is the 14th century Ulu Mosque. Kütahya Castle offers a wonderful, panoramic view of the old town on […]

Afyon An inaccessible and imposing citadel dating to Byzantine times overlooks this provincial city The Archaeological Museum and the War of Independence Memorial reveal Afyon’s place in history Monumental bas-reliefs, a legacy of the Phrygian Kingdom, are carved into rock faces on hills north of the city. Aslantas is the largest. At Aslankaya, lion reliefs […]

Usak Historically, Usak was an important carpet weaving center, a role it continues to play today Tourists find the Archaeology Museum informative and interesting. The Kaftanci House Museum, with the Ataturk Ethnography Museum, displays wonderful Usak carpets and kilims; Ataturk resided here.

Manisa An attractive Aegean city, Manisa has preserved several splendid examples of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Endowed by Ayse Sultana, mother of Suleyman the Magnificent, the Sultan Mosque was built early in the 16th century. Every year in April, on the grounds of this mosque, a festival is held celebrating Mesir Macunu, a sticky imperial […]

MARMARA CANAKKALE Turkeli (Avsa) is another holiday island that boasts of spectacular beaches and clear water as well as famous vineyards and wine cellars. In the Manastir district stands the Byzantine Meryem Ana Monastery. Fifty-five kilometers southwest of Bandirma, Gonen is Turkey’s most important, thermal resort. The springs were used even in Roman times and […]

BEHRAMKALE (ASSOS) The acropolis of Assos (Behramkale) is 238 meters above sea level and the Temple of Athena was constructed on this site in the 6th century B.C. This Doric temple is being restored to its former glory and role as guardian of the Biga Peninsula and Edremit Gulf. Linger to see the moonlight scattered […]

PERGAMON (BERGAMA) Bergama (Pergamon), once a great center of culture, survives as one of Turkey’s finest archaeological sites. On the Acropolis, a hill above the modern town, are the remains of the celebrated library, a steep and impressive theatre, the temples of Trojan and Dionysus, the monumental altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a […]