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- SPICE MARKET - Also called Egyptian Market because taxes from sale of Egyptian goods helped finance its construction. It is cornucopia of spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, lokum (Turkish delight) and other sweets and edibles. One section of it dazzles with gold, silver and all the precious jewels under the sun, all collected under the same roof.
- BOSPHORUS - A short strait of water connecting the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea. It Also separates the European from the Anatolian side of the wonderful city of Istanbul.
- CHORA CHURCH/MUSEUM - A 4th century church built outside the walls of the city as it was built by Constantine the Great, hence the name Chora, which means “country”. For four centuries after the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul it served as a mosque (Kariye Mosque) and is now a museum. It showcases the most beautiful array of Byzantine mosaics in the region.
- DARUZZIYAFE - It was built by renowned architect Sinan between 1550 and 1555 upon the order of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, for the 100th celebration of the conquest of Istanbul. It is part of the Suleymaniye Mosque complex and served as its soup kitchen up until the latest years of the Ottoman Empire. It boasts to be one of the oldest restaurants in Istanbul today that still continues to serve a great traditional Turkish cuisine.
- DOLMABAHCE PALACE - Its name means “The Filled Garden” because this palace was built on land that was reclaimed from the sea. It is a beautiful 19th century palace built on the Bosphorus shore in lavish baroque and rococo style. Some claim it was modeled after Versailles of Paris. Founder of the Turkish Republic Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938) died here on Nov 10, 1938 during a visit to the city.
- CIRAGAN PALACE - Located on the European shore of the Bosphorus, it was built by Sultan Abdulaziz. He never used it, but rather jailed his successor, Sultan Murad the Vth there. It was rebuilt after a fire destroyed it in 1910 and now has a magnificent 5* hotel (Kempinski) in front of it.
- HIPPODROME SQUARE - It is the name given to the site in front of the Blue Mosque. It was first constructed in 200 AD by Emperor Septimus Severus. After him, Constantine the Great made Constantinoble the new capital of Byzantium and this square became the heart of the city’s civil activities. The Ottomans also continued to use the site for the same purpose.
- BLUE MOSQUE - Also called “Sultan Ahmet Mosque”, it was the last imperial mosque to be built. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I, it was constructed by the Royal Architect Mehmet Aga between 1609 and 1616. Sultan Ahmet envisioned building a mosque to rival and surpass Hagia Sophia built by Justinian, and Mehmet Aga’s mission was to surpass the famous architect Sinan.
- HAGIA SOPHIA CHURCH - A former Christian church built by Justinian, is now a museum. It is one of the great buildings of the world from an architectural perspective.
- TOPKAPI PALACE - Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror ordered the construction of a new palace when he took Constantinoble in 1453. After considering several sites, he decided on this headland to the Southeast. This sprawling and unassuming collection of buildings became home to all the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Many glorious victories were celebrated and countless gruesome deeds were conducted inside its walls. Now it is one of the best known and most frequently visited museums in the world.
- GRAND BAZAAR - Also called Covered Bazaar (Kapali Carsi), it is Turkey’s largest covered market. Like a small town, it houses mosques, banks, police stations, restaurants, and 4000 shops, laced together with miles of passageways and alleys.
- MUSEUM OF ANATOLIAN CIVILIZATION - It was awarded “The Museum of the Year” award in Europe in 1997. Housing priceless relics from 1200 BC to present, it lives up to its name. You can see artifacts Neolithic, Paleolithic, Early Bronze Age, Old and New Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Raritan, Early Christian Byzantic Period, Seljuk Period, Ottoman Period, as well as recent Republic of Turkey period.
- BURSA - The earliest history shows that Philip V of Macedonia granted this site to Bithynian King Prusias in 202 BC for his help against Pergamum and Heraclia. Prusias named the city Prusa after himself. Prusa became a large city and Maintained its importance throughout Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras. Its location on the westernmost end of the Silk Road ensured its place in the silk trade which continues today. It became the first major capital city in the young Ottoman Empire after they captured it from the Byzantines in 1326. It benefitted from this position throughout the 14th century and many architectural treasures were added to the city’s skyline. In addition to its importance in the production and manufacture of silk, it harbored other arts and artisans. Knife making and manufacture of horse carriages for the royalty and the wealthy became very vital and both continue to thrive to this day. Modern Bursa developed into the largest center of motor vehicle production in Turkey. Uludag, a popular ski resort and spa center, and thermal baths are still a few of Bursa’s attractions for local and international tourists today, as they were in Roman times. Bursa counts Green Mosque, Ulu Mosque, Koza Han (Silk Market) among its many historical treasures. Karagoz and Hacivat, the two shadow play characters were historical personalities who lived and are buried in Bursa. The city is also home to many famous Turkish dishes like the Iskender kebab and delicacies like the candied chestnuts.
- BOLU - Bolu is an enchanting city halfway between Istanbul and Ankara, famous for its dense forests, fauna and modern hot spring facilities. Mengen area of Bolu is famous for its excellent and very talented cooks and holds an annual “Chef’s Festival” featuring many traditional Turkish specialties. Lake Abant is one of the most beautiful spots in Turkey. The lake itself is famous for its natural beauty with its waterlilies and surrounding lush forests. Goynuk tow is about 60 miles southwest of Bolu and is famous for its traditional Turkish houses.
- SAFRANBOLU - Ottoman culture is alive and well in Safranbolu. This is a real, living museum town, located north of Ankara. It is full of graceful Ottoman houses and artisans and artists are still working at traditional Turkish crafts. Thankfully there is no commercialization of the town, the local townsfolk are real people and they love their historic town.
- AMASRA - This is a pretty little town set off by itself on a fortified promontory jutting north into the Black Sea. It is a picturesque town ideal for quiet vacations and offers good accommodations and great food.
- SAPANCA - This town is a district of Sakarya Province in the Marmara region of Turkey. Lake Sapanca, famous for its picturesque beauty is a fresh water lake, located between the gulf of Izmit and the city of Adapazari.
- TROY - This ancient city which dates back to 400 BC was settled nine different times. The archeological excavations today clearly reveal all of the nine levels of the city. It was the home of the Trojan wars in Homer’s ancient legend and the inspiration for the beautiful Helen or Troy and the Trojan Horse.
