Ephesus
The ruins of Ephesus are one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. It is located 75 km south of Izmir. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus also emerged as one of the main centres of early Christianity. St. Paul remained in the city for three years during his third missionary journey (53-57).The Apostle John also came to Ephesus to live and was finally buried here. Ephesus was one of the Seven Churches mentioned in his book of Revelation. Tradition has it that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after Christ’s crucifixion and that she lived and died in a small wooden house located about three miles away in the forested mountain above Ephesus at the age of 101. The city ruins include the agora, theater, gymnasium, stadium, Church of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Serapis, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Scholasticia Baths, Temple of Domitian and terrace houses that once belonged to rich Ephesians, as well as the Celsus Library. The Cathedral of St. John is on the Ayasuluk hill above the city.

Fine Arts
Until the 18th century, painting in Turkey was mainly in the form of miniatures, usually linked to books in the form of manuscript illustrations. In the 18th century, trends shifted towards oil painting, beginning with murals. Thereafter, under European inspiration, painting courses were introduced in military schools. The first Turkish painters were therefore military people. The modernisation of Turkish painting, including representation of the human figure, started with the founding of the Academy of Arts under the direction of Osman Hamdi Bey, one of the great names in Turkish painting.

Literature
Literature has long been an important component of Turkish cultural life, reflecting the history of the people, their legends, their mysticism, and the political and social changes that affected this land throughout its long history. During the Ottoman period, the prevailing literary form was poetry, the dominant dialect was Anatolian or Ottoman, and the main subject beauty and romance. The Ottoman Divan literature was highly influenced by Persian culture and written in a dialect, which combined Arabic, Persian and Turkish. Separate from the aristocratic Divan literature, folk literature continued to dominate Anatolia where troubadour-like poets celebrated nature, love and God in simple Turkish language.

Sultanahmet Mosque
Sultanahmet Mosque is the most famous monument in both the Turkish and the Islamic worlds. It was built in the classic Turkish architectural style between 1609-1616 by the architect Mehmet. The building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior paneling of more than 20,000 blue and white Iznik tiles. The inside is a single immense space into which the light pours from 260 windows. The dome 141 feet high, is supported by four enormous circular pillars 16 feet in diameter and are known as elephant feet. As it is located across Hagia Sophia, the mosque was designed to be as large and as magnificent as this Byzantine structure.

Whirling Dervishes
A dervish practices multiple rituals, the primary of which is the dhikr, a remembering of Allah.The dhikr involves recitation of devotional Islamic prayer. This dhikr is coupled with physical exertions of movement, specifically dancing and whirling, in order to reach a state assumed by outsiders to be one of “ecstatic trances’. Among the Mevlevi order, the practice of dhikr is performed in a traditional dress: a tennure, a sleeveless white frock, the destegul, a long sleeved jacket, a belt, and a black overcoat or khirqa to be removed before the whirling begins. As the ritual dance begins, the dervish dons a felt cap, a sikke, in addition to a turban wrapped around the head, a trademark of the Mevlevi order. The sheikh stands in the most honored corner of the dancing place, and the dervishes pass by him three times, each time exchanging greetings, until the circling movement starts. The rotation itself is on the left foot, the center of the rotation being the ball of the left foot and the whole surface of the foot staying in contact with the floor. The impetus for the rotation is provided by the right foot, in a full 360-degree step. The dance of the dervishes is one of the most impressive features of the mystical life in Islam, and the music accompanying it is of exquisite beauty, beginning with the great hymn in honor of the Prophet (na’t-i sharif, written by Jalaluddin himself) and ending with short, enthusiastic songs, some things sung in Turkish.

Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival
The magic of the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival in June owes much to the magical atmosphere of the 2,000-year-old Aspendos Amphitheatre. This ancient Roman amphitheatre can seat between 4000 to 6000 spectators and is beautifully illuminated during night-time events. Research conducted by the Independent has placed the festival as one of the top 5 opera festivals in the world. Seventy per cent of the attendees at the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival are international tourists.

Mevlana Whirling Dervishes
Konya, in south central of Turkey, plays host to the Mevlana Week and Whirling Dervish Ceremonies every December. The notable Turkish philosopher and poet Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi is commemorated during ten days of festivities and his life is celebrated with dance.

Tulip Festival
The tulips begin to bloom around the end of March or beginning of April, depending on the weather. They bloom for several weeks and may delight the eye and the spirit for nearly a month. The tulip is one of Istanbul’s traditional symbols. Brought to the city from Iran centuries ago, it was favored and cultivated here until tulip-love became a mania. In the so-called Tulip Period of Ottoman history, a rare tulip variety could be sold for a breathtaking sum. Tulips made their way from Istanbul to Europe—specifically Holland—where a similar tulip mania soon consumed the imaginations—and bank accounts—of Dutch tulip-lovers. Visit Istanbul in April and enjoy the Tulip Festival, not to mention the thousand other things that make this city, uniquely vibrant and different.

Classical Music Events
Turkey is home to the world’s most important classical music festivals and events. For the classical music enthusiast, Turkey has an experience for you to treasure. Istanbul is without a doubt the most important centre of the classical music festivals. In the summer, a number of music events are held in Istanbul. Many of these festivals are organized by and associated with prominent names in Turkey’s private sector. Antalya is home to another important opera, ballet and classical music festival in Turkey. Izmir is notable for hosting the oldest festival activity in Turkey, the multi thematic Izmir International Fair is held in the first half of September, and is organized by İZFAŞ, a depending company of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality. Furthermore Ankara, the capital city of Turkey is home to the International Music Festival in July, one of Turkey’s finest cultural events.

Hayasofya
The Basilica of Hagia Sophia was constructed by Roman Emperor Justinian in 537 AD. This was the largest church in the Christian world for a thousand years.Its immense dome rises nearly 200 feet above the ground and its diameter spans more than 100 feet. The mosaics covering the walls are among the most important works of art that have survived to this day of the Byzantine era. Large round buildings had been successfully covered by domes before, but Hagia Sophia had a rectangular floor plan, and covering a large rectangular structure by a huge central dome was being tried for the first time in history. The dome collapsed and was repaired many times. The Ottomans converted the basilica to a mosque in the 15 th century after the conquest of Istanbul. Recognizing its historic and universal importance, the Turkish Government turned it into a museum in 1935

Dolmabahce Palace
Dolmabahce Palace, built in the mid-19th century by Sultan Abdulmecit 1, stretches for 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus. It is said that 14 tons of gold and 40 tons of silver were used for the decoration of the palace. The palace contains 285 rooms, 43 salons and six baths. Its walls and ceilings are covered with paintings by the famous artists of that age. Rare handmade art objects from Europe and the Far East decorate every room in the palace. The ballroom is the largest of its kind in the world. A 4.5 ton giant-sized crystal chandelier with 750 bulbs hangs from the 120 feet high dome. The floors are parquet, of exceptional quality and are laid with high-quality silk carpets, hand-woven in the Imperial Factory of Hereke. Ataturk used to stay in this palace when he visited Istanbul. He died here in 1938. All the clocks in the palace were stopped at 9:05 am, the time of his death, in memory of this great Turk. The Palace which is a museum today is open on certain days of the week, and it is one of those historic places in Istanbul that must be visited.

Pergamon
Pergamon (or Pergamum), once a great center of culture, survives as one of Turkey’s finest archeological sites. It is located 100 km north of Izmir. In the Acropolis, above the modern town, are the remains of the library, a steep and impressive theatre, the temples of Trajan and Dionysos, the monumental Altar of Zeus, the sanctuary of Demeter, a gymnasium and the Agora. The site of Pergamon was first excavated by the German archaeologists between 1878 and 1886. It was during this time that the magnificient reliefs of the Altar of Zeus were discovered and carried to Berlin and now displayed in Berlin Museum. Ancient authors tell us that the Pergamon library at one time contained 200 000 volumes. Mark Anthony carted them off to Egypt as a gift for Cleopatra, to replace the ones that had been lost when the Alexandrian library was burned during Caesar’s campaign. In the middle of the library’s main reading room is the podium on which there stood at one time the 3.5 meter high statue of Athena that is now in the Berlin Museum.

Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is certainly the most important historical site to be visited in Istanbul. In 1924, it was turned into a museum upon the orders of Ataturk. The Palace is a complex of buildings spread out over one of the seven hills of Istanbul. The total area of the Palace is twice the area of Vatican and half of Monaco in size. Besides being the official residence of the Sultan, the Topkapi Palace served as the headquarters of the government. It also housed the state treasury and the archives. The mint, as well as the highest educational institution were located on the Palace grounds. On exhibitions are the imperial collections of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain; imperial handmade costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury; the richest collection of clocks in the world; the sacred relics of Islam including the swords of Muhammed, his bow and his mantle; priceless collection of miniatures and many other priceless objects. One of the largest diamonds in the world, the Spoonseller Diamond, is displayed in a special showcase in the hall. The rooms are exquisitely decorated and tiled.

Ancient City of Troy
Ancient city of Troy is located 30 km south west of Canakkale province in the Marmara Region of Turkey. This is one of the most important historical cities of Anatolia. Archeological excavations have revealed nine separate periods of settlement at this site, including ruins of city walls, house foundations, a temple and a theater. The earliest settlement dates from five thousand years ago and the last coincided with the late Roman period. Famous Trojan wars, depicted in Homer’s epic Iliad took place here at about 1200 BC. A symbolic wooden horse at this site commemorates this legendary war.

Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani
Denizli – The “white heaven” Aegean district of Pamukkale, which is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the most popular spots among Indian filmmakers. The travertine, a type of crystallized rock, of Pamukkale attracts at least five Bollywood films a year. Prominent Indian film companies and producers choose central Anatolian Cappadocia because of the interest it generates among audiences. Musical scenes from the film “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani” have been shot in the district’s white travertine. The film stars actor Raj Kapoor’s grandson Ranbir Kapoor and the famed actress Katrina Kaif. In recent year’s film companies from Japan and India showed great interest in Pamukkale and Cappadocia.

Ek Tha Tiger
The movie was shot in Turkey at the below mentioned locations:
• Maiden’s Tower for the introductory scenes of Istanbul
• Mardin Zinciriye Medresesi, for the scenes at the start of the movie
• Mardan Palace in Antalya for the scene of the UN Foreign ministers meet
The plot of the movie : A scientist from Trinity College is suspected of being involved in the selling of missile technology to Pakistan. The Indian government decides to send out their secret agent, codenamed Tiger, to check if the allegations are correct or not. During his mission, Tiger falls for the professors caretaker Zoya, and this is when the two embark on a rollercoaster journey that begins from Dublin and takes them to different cities of the world.

Game
The movie was shot in Turkey at Ortaköy Mosque, Besiktas in Istanbul for the song – Maine Yeh Kab Socha Tha

The plot of the movie: A wealthy man invites four people to his private island to blame three of them for his daughter’s sudden death. The next morning, the wealthy man is found murdered.

Guru
The movie was shot in Turkey at the below locations:

• Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Istanbul, for the song Mayya Mayya

• Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey for the introductory scenes of Istanbul The plot of the movie: A villager, Gurukant Desai, arrives in Bombay 1958, and rises from its streets to become the GURU, the biggest tycoon in Indian history.

Race 2

• Mardan Palace, Antalya, Turkey: Depicted as John Abraham’s palace
• Remains Of The Large Public Roman Bath, Perge, Turkey for the song : Be Intehaan.
• The plot of the movie : Ranvir treads through the world of the Indian mafia in Turkey as he looks to avenge the death of his lover and partner in crime.

GÖREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Located in Central Anatolia, this open air museum has the greatest concentration of rock-cut chapels and monasteries in Cappadocia. Dating back to the 9th century, some of these churches were built by cutting rooms out of soft volcanic substance. They feature Byzantine frescoes depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments and depict scenes from the life of Christ. UNESCO has declared the Goreme Valley as a World Heritage Site. Since the most ancient of times, men have been carving dwellings in this soft rock, the early Christians made countless cave churches, chapels and monasteries in this way. The ones in Kaymakli and in Derinkuyu are the most famous of all.

PAMUKKALE
Also known as cotton castle for its white travertine terraces due to the calcium carbonate formations, Pamukkale has been Turkey’s most photographed sight. The Bollywood movie “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani” has been shot in the district’s white travertine. The terraces are over 300 feet in height and layers of the accumulated limestone sediment have been gradually formed in the course of the ages. For thousands of years a deep underground spring on the hills above has poured out streams of hot, mineral-saturated water. As the water has flowed down the mountainside, the water’s rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of white calcareous rock. Several Roman emperors came to bathe in these thermal pools. The area is one of the leading hot springs in Turkey and it is believed that Cleopatra used to bathe in the bathing pool. Even today you find tourists who wish to bathe in the remains of this sacred pool which is associated with the Temple of Apollo.

Kus Cenneti National Park, Bursa For Bird Watching
Over 255 species of birds visit Kus Cenneti National Park Turkish for (Bird Paradise National Park), located at the edge of Kus Gölü, the lake which is located on the great migratory paths between Europe and Asia. Breeding times are between March and July and birds either head south in November or north around April or May. The endangered Dalmatian Pelican, the great crested grebe, herons, spoonbills are some of the birds that you find here. Over 3 million birds fly across the area on the migratory routes. You will also find 20 species of fish in the area and there are restaurants that serve fresh trout as well. Bird watching experiences can also be found in deserts, forests, steppes, marshes, and parks within the cities. Both the season and the timings for bird watching (ornithology) can be done 365 days into 24 hours. The bird diversity in Turkey cannot be matched by any European country and 450 kinds of bird species have been registered up to date.

Black Sea
Lying in the north, this is Turkey’s least visited but most scenic and picturesque region with a blend of culture, landscapes, historic coastal cities such as Trabzon and the amazing Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Primarily a summer destination for the Turkish, the province has the sea of Marmara and the Black Sea bordering it. It has many interesting sites to explore including the church of Haghia Sophia and the Sumela Monastery, as well as Georgian churches and monasteries in the Artvin area along with Lush tea and hazelnut plantations, Pontic mountain ranges and peaks that attract trekkers and mountaineers from world over. With its mild climate, it is a year round destination and the best time to visit is the spring season where the mountain valleys are carpeted with wild flowers. The Black Sea is an inland sea covering an area of about 420 thousand square kilometres reaching 2206 meters at its deepest point. It is one of the youngest seas on the Earth, it used to be a big fresh water lake some 8000 years ago. The name is probably derived from the colour of its deep waters.

Sea of Marmara
The sea of Marmara is an inland sea within the Marmara region and connects the Black Sea to the Bosphorus strait in the north east and to the Aegean Sea with the Dardanellles Strait in the southwest. There are many marble sources on its islands which gave its name to the Sea, marble is Marmaros in Greek and Mermer in Turkish. Some of the main islands in the Sea of Marmara are Avsa, Marmara, Imrali. The Princes Islands are an archipelago consisting of nine various sized islands, Buyukada, Heybeli, Burgaz, Kinali, and Sedef are near Istanbul and have permanent residents.

Aegean Sea Region
The Aegean region starts from Canakkale on the Dardanelles to the finger land of Marmarisand and has 5000 years of Greek and Roman history attached to it. Fortunate to have a Mediterranean climate of relatively mild winters and very warm summers, the Aegean region has the ancient Ephesus as one of the must visit sights. It was home to two of the ancient seven wonders of the world – The Mausoleum at Haliccarnassus and the Artemis Temple. The Seven Churches of the Apocalypse mentioned in the Book of Revelation surround Izmir and the last resting place of the Virgin Mary is found on the outskirts of Ephesus

Mediterranean Sea Region
Turquoise seas, sun and blue skies with a wealth of ancient remains is synonymous with the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The Greco-Roman influence has been extremely strong in this region giving rise to some classical sites. From the highlands of Lycia between Fethiye and Antalya, to the city of Antalya – the Turkish Riviera that boasts a spectacular cliff top setting, here you will find romantic mountain top ruins and the Roman remains at Perge and Aspendos. The Cave of St. Peter in Antakya which was used by the very first Christians, is one of Christianity’s oldest churches and is believed to be the birthplace of the Apostle.

Spice Bazaar
A short walk from the Grand Bazaar, is the 17th-century Eminönü Egyptian Spice Bazaar, open seven days a week. It is another favourite of the camera-wielding, souvenir-seeking tourist. A bustling gastronomic paradise since 1664, this is the best place to pick up dried fruits and nuts, spices, olives, Turkish delight, oils and essences of the finest order. Bronze curios glint in the sun, torpedo-sized dates are stacked to the rafters, and the decadent scent of freshly ground Mehmet Efendi coffee merges with the aroma of fresh fish.

Ayder
Ayder comes as a surprise—a Turkish alpine village! Surprising but true: Turkey’s eastern Black Sea coast resembles noplace so much as mountainous Central Europe with its thick stands of evergreen trees, cascading streams of water, high mountain pastures and hearty, ruddy-complexioned high-altitude folk. More surprises: the citizens of Ayder, perched on the slopes of the Kaçkar Mountains, are famed throughout Turkey as pastry chefs. Many move to the cities to ply their trade in fancy hotels or their own little pastane(pastry shops), returning to Ayder to vacation or retire. A dip in the thermal baths of hot springs bursting from the earth, is worth an experience.

Grand Bazaar
Constructed in 1461, the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarşi), boasting 5,000 shops, is one of the largest covered markets in the world. Once a vibrant hub of international and local trade, recent decades have seen this labyrinth of glittering delights win the hearts, minds and wallets of wide-eyed tourists in search of the ultimate oriental shopping experience. With beckoning sellers peddling exquisite textiles, pottery, spices, jewellery, lanterns and souvenirs, bartering is an absolute must. To get away from the rush 22 ancient gateways offer ample escape routes.

Cuisine
Turkish cuisine is largely the heritage of Ottoman cuisine, which can be described as a fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. The Ottomans fused various culinary traditions of their realm with influences from Middle Eastern cuisines, along with traditional Turkic elements from Central Asia (such as yogurt), creating a vast array of specialities—many with strong regional associations. Similar to India, Turkish cuisine varies across the country. The cooking of Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, and the rest of the Aegean region inherits many elements of Ottoman court cuisine, with a lighter use of spices, a preference for rice over bulgur, and a wider use of seafood. The cuisine of the Black Sea Region uses fish extensively and includes maize dishes. The cuisine of the southeast—Urfa, Gaziantep and Adana—is famous for its kebabs,mezes and dough-based desserts such as baklava, kadayıf and künefe (kanafeh). Especially in the western parts of Turkey, where olive trees grow abundantly, olive oil is the major type of oil used for cooking. The cuisines of the Aegean, Marmara and Mediterranean regions are rich in vegetables, herbs, and fish. Central Anatolia has many famous specialties, such as keşkek (kashkak), mantı (especially from Kayseri) and gözleme.