Istanbul has long been a crossroads for Middle Eastern, European and Asian culture, and served as the capital of both the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. One part of the city is in Europe ("Thrace") and just across the Bosporus Sea, it's Asia ("Anatolia").
The majority of attractions in Istanbul are carefully preserved artifacts from when the city was known as Byzantium and later Constantinople. Sulthanahmet District is home to architectural wonders Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. There is also the famous Grand Bazaar, where you can barter for a deal on a perfect souvenir.
Istanbul also has an active nightlife, particularly in the Beyoglu section of the city, where bars and clubs are filled with young people from across the globe. If you are a fan of soccer ("futbol"), the ultra-modern Fenerbahçe Stadium is in Kadikoy, one of the city's cultural hubs with trendy shops and boutiques.
The splendors of the western coast of Turkey can take far more than one vacation to experience, but a Blue Voyage is the perfect place to start. Aboard a large yacht, you can cruise the coastline and explore the many coves, peninsulas, rocky beaches and secluded swimming holes that the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines have to offer.
Tours can be as long as a few weeks, or as short as a few days, and are usually chartered by an experienced skipper and crew aboard a classically designed "gulet." Bodrum, Fetiyhe, and Marmaris are the central hubs of Blue Voyages, and each city offers its own attractions for a long stopover.
Bodrum, a peninsula on the Aegean coastline of western Turkey, is one of the region's major historical and resort destinations. No matter what time of year you may visit, there is sunshine, crystal-clear water and tourists from around the world exploring its narrow streets. However, ask anyone from Turkey what comes to mind with the mention of Bodrum, and you are bound to hear the same answer repeatedly: the nightlife. Offering a dynamic and round-the-clock range of activities, this former quiet fishing village is a must-see for any visitor to Turkey. The bustling marina, home to Bodrum Castle and Club Halikarnas, is home to many of the Aegean Sea's most recognizable attractions.
Found in the central Anatolian region of Turkey, Cappadocia is an ancient metropolis that only recently became a major tourist destination. With its moon-like landscape, hikes through bizarre rock formations, underground cities, local vineyards and famous early morning hot air balloon rides, there is plenty to fill several days' worth of activities. The area is brimming with rich history, from the earliest of human civilization, to early Christian settlers, through the Ottoman Empire.
The scenic coastline across the Black Sea of Turkey is not quite as well known as its Aegean and Mediterranean counterparts, but it is regarded as the more beautiful. An abundance of rain keeps the sky gray, but the landscape always green. Trazbon is the best-known city along the shore, and it is close to the alpine mountaintops and beach resorts that have become a staple of the area. The country's best milk and butter come from the well-fed cattle, and fresh sardines from the Black Sea are considered a Turkish delicacy.
Eastern Turkey is more mountainous and contains sources of rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris and Aras. Skiing is the top tourist destination, as the area contains the country highest mountain, Mount Ararat. Although it not as popular with tourists in the summer months, eastern Turkeys boasts some top-notch white-water rafting and contains an abundance of Kurdish and Armenian historical landmarks.
Accommodations are scarce, however, and many regions in Eastern Turkey have not developed active tourist stops.
