Turkey
Traveling through Turkey brings together thousands of years of history, remarkable archaeological sites, dramatic landscapes, and a beautiful Mediterranean coastline. Istanbul is the perfect introduction, where you can explore landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar before taking a cruise along the Bosphorus—the waterway that separates Europe and Asia.
In central Turkey, Cappadocia looks completely different from the rest of the country. Its unusual rock formations, cave churches, underground cities, and valleys are worth several days of exploring, and watching hundreds of hot-air balloons rise over the landscape at sunrise is an unforgettable experience.
Turkey is also packed with ancient sites. Walk through the remarkably preserved ruins of Ephesus, visit legendary Troy, explore the hilltop ruins of Pergamon, or head to Pamukkale to see its white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Farther south, the Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines are dotted with beaches, ancient ruins, and seaside towns such as Antalya, Kaş, Fethiye, and Bodrum.
From archaeological sites and Ottoman architecture to mountain landscapes, coastal villages, busy bazaars, and incredible food, Turkey is a country where you could spend weeks exploring and still leave with a long list of places you didn’t have time to see.
