Adana

Turkey's 4th largest city is most well-known as the home of a savory dish known as the Adana Kebab. Considered 'biggest village' over one million inhabitants live in this beautiful Mediterranean town where citrus abounds. Although its origins date back to the Hittites, little of its ancient past is still standing aside from the Roman bridge built in the 2nd century.

Alanya

Known as the 'Pearl of the Turkish Mediterranean' is nominated by a massive Seljuk fortress from the 13th century. It is a favourable tourist destination because of its immaculate sandy beaches and good hotels.

Anamur

In the middle of Turkey's finest coastal scenery sites town Anamur is the most southern town of Turkey. Ancient Anemurium was a Phoenician trading city, although with little remains, most notable and picturesque-one is the magnificent Crusader Castle right on the Mediterranean Sea. 

Ani

Ani now deserted located very near the Russian border, was once the capital of the Armenian Bagratid Princess. The city said to have had 100.000 inhabitants and 1.000 churches at the height of its power, is beautifully sited on a triangular plateau, bordered on both sides by the deep valleys of the Arpa Cayı and its tributary the Alaca Suyu. Thus only the open N. side had to be artificially protected, and for this purpose a land wall,a kilometre long, was built under Smbat II and later improved by Georgians and Seljuks. 

Antioch

One of the great cities of antiquity, Antioch was known throughout the ancient world for its nearby Grove of Daphne, a massive temple and oracle complex to the god Apollo. It was also the base from where Peter, Paul and Barnabas started their preaching and the Romans first referred to the followers of Jesus Christ as Christians. Just outside of town is a cave where St. Peter is said to have first celebrated the mass.

Antalya

The main city along the Mediterranean coast, Antalya is a major seaside resort with a beautiful harbor. Still standing on the cliffs which surround Antalya are the ancient city walls and ramparts built by the Greeks. A top a craggy peak to the west of Antalya, like an eagle's nest, are the ruins of Termessos. On the coastal plains are the Pamphylian cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side. The Major resort city of region, which possesses one of the finest settings on the Mediterranean, with the crescent of Konyaaltı Beach sweeping away to the precipitous Lycian mountains in the west. To the east of the city is the Lara Beach, near where the Duden Waterfalls plunge off the cliff into the sea. Founded in the 2nd century B.C., this town, with its pretty yacht harbour, is dominated by the curious Fluted Minaret. West of Antalya is the attractive resort of Kemer, where pine woods stretch right down to sandy shore, and near which are the ruins of ancient Phaselis. East of Antalya is a whole string of resort beginning with Side. Further along the coast is the former pirate stronghold of Alanya which the Seljuk Sultan Alaeddin Keykubad made his winter residence.

Aspendos

Just 25 miles east of Antalya lies the remains of one of the best preserved theaters in the world. Built in the 2nd century, it seats 15,000 people. So perfect are its acoustics that even today a coin dropped from the orchestra pit can be clearly heard in the top row. Just beyond lie the remains of the acropolis, agora and a Roman aqueduct.

Cappadocia 

In the heart of Anatolia lies a rugged, winding landscape where the intricate carvings of nature and man have been recorded for centuries. Above ground, the extremely malleable volcanic tuff has been shaped by the elements into a balancing act of cones and "fairy chimneys." Explore the valley of Goreme where churches were carved into the stone of the region between the 7th and 13th centuries. At its height, Goreme is said to have had a church for every day of the year. The interiors of the caves are decorated with colorful, biblical frescoes celebrating the beliefs of early Christians. Descend beneath the surface of the earth and visit cities as deep as 140 feet underground where early Christians fleeing persecution could live for months at a time undetected. Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu underground cities, Zelve and Ihlara valleys, Ortahisar, Uchisar and Avanos villages are very important visiting places.

Ephesus

One of the five largest cities in the Roman Empire, Ephesus reached its peak as capital of the Roman Province of Asia. Located off the Aegean coast, today it is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. Stroll the marble roads past the remains of Roman terrace houses, the Temple of Hadrian, the library of Celsus and sit in the same theater where St. Paul preached and Roman drama was performed. Ephesus Harbor Road was one of the few lit streets of antiquity. Today, Ephesus is one of the few ancient sites in the world that comes to life not only by day, but also by night when music and drama is still performed in its theater.

Hittite Sites Hattusas and Yazılıkaya

A mighty empire that stretched as far south as Cyprus and all the way to the Aegean. The empire reached its peak around 1400 BC when Hattusas was its capital. Located just a couple of hours outside of Ankara, many of the remains of this fascinating civilization can be found in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.

Istanbul

The only city in the world that lies on Europe and Asia, Istanbul truly bridges East and West, past and present. A sprawling metropolis of over 10 million inhabitants, today is a city filled with mosques and cathedrals, palaces and fortresses, luxury stores and covered bazaars, cafes and nightclubs. Here you can visit some of Turkey's most world-renowned treasures including the Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. 'There God, Man, Nature and Art have together created and placed the most marvellous point of view that the human eye can contemplate on earth'. Lamartine's words are a fitting tribute to this unique city, rising from the sparkling waters of the Bosphorus into a striking skyline of domes and minarets, linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. This strategic setting has dictated the city's destiny as an imperial capital for nearly 1.600 years. Founded 2.600 years ago, the city was made the Roman capital by the Emperor Constantine, and following the division of the empire it became the Byzantine metropolis. Then, in 1453, the city that possessed the mightiest fortifications of the Western world fell to the Ottoman Turks, le by their tempestuous young Sultan Mehmet II. Byzantine brilliance and Ottoman opulence blend into this bustling port city, with its great liners at anchor and its little fishing boats bobbing on the waves. Everywhere the city's contrasts are apparent; from the sirens of ships to the timeless sound of muezzins calling the faithful to prayer, and from the sunlight flashing off the golden crescents on the domes of mosques to the hypnotic gaze of Byzantine mozaic figures.

Suleymaniye Mosque

Built in the 16th century during the time of Suleyman the Magnificent. Matches the splendor of Suleyman's age masterpiece of Sinan the Great, greatest of all Turkish architects. Suleymaniye crowns the third hill of the old city.

Underground Cistern

Built in the 6th century. One of the most preserved Byzantine water reservoirs of the antiquity.

Chora Church

World famous monument of Byzantine art for its unique golden mosaics and frescoes. 

Izmir

Izmir, the birth-place of Homer. This modern city with its large hotels and palm lined avenues, possesses one of the five finest natural harbours on the Mediterranean. Overlooking the city is Kadifekale or the Mount Pagus, originally built by one of Alexander the Great's generals. To the north of Izmir is the resort of Ayvalık, near which is the high escarpment known as Satan's Table, from which there is splendid view of the Aegean coast and islands. Further to the south is the little resort town of Foca, whose inhabitants founded such towns as Marseilles and Nice. To the west of Izmir is the resort of Cesme, famous for its crystal sea and thermal springs, and to the south is the attractive resort of Kusadası, surrounded by many sandy bays. In the south - west Aegean are the resort of Bodrum, Marmaris, Datca and Fethiye. Bodrum the ancient Halicarnassus, was here that one of the seven wonders of the World, the tomb of Mausolos, once stood. Marmaris is set in a deep  fjord - like inlet, where the pine woods come right down to the shore. Fethiye also lies in a deep bay, in the hills above which are intriguing Lycian rock tombs. Close to Fethiye is the turquoise lagoon known as Oludeniz. Located on a scenic bay of the Aegean coastline, Izmir (ancient Smyrna) is Turkey's second largest port and third largest city. A beautiful, cosmopolitan city, is often used as a launching point for exploring two of the world's greatest ancient sites - Ephesus and Pergamum.

Konya

Alone in the midst of the Anatolian steppe, the Hittites named this place Kuwanna almost 4,000 years ago. Konya was the capital of the Seljuk Empire between 1071 and 1308. Today it is known throughout the world as the home of the Whirling Dervishes. You can visit the Mevlana Museum named for its 13th century founder and the Slender Minaret Medrese.

Mersin

A lively port town on the Mediterranean that abounds with oranges and lemons of the region, Mersin also abounds with archeological treasures. Just a mile from shore is Yumuktepe, a huge mound where excavations have revealed remains that date back to the Neolithic Age and an important Hittite town.

Mt. Nemrut

The pride of Eastern Turkey, Nemrut Dagı was constructed by Antiochus I who believed himself to be the descendent of Apollo. He built for himself an enormous tumulus 7,000 feet above the upper Euphrates with the colossal heads of the ancient gods Apollo, Zeus, Tych and Hercules flanked by a lion and eagle lie scattered at the summit of the mountain.

Pamukkale

Famed for the immense tiers of white limestone which cascade down the hillside, it was once filled with mineral water thought by the ancient Greeks to have healing powers. Nearby the beautiful terraces are the remains of Roman baths, theater and necropolis of the ancient town of Hierapolis.

Perge

A city of considerable importance during the Hellenistic period, Perge is where St. Paul preached his first sermon. Located inland from the Mediterranean, Perge's ruins are vast, including an agora, theater, stadium and baths. Many of the statues and relics are now housed in Antalya.

Sardis

The capital of the Lydian empire, Sardis has been occupied for over 5,000 years. It was here the first coins were made and where the Pactolus stream was said to have been affected by Midas "golden touch." You, however are sure to be more affected by the spectacular remains of its Temple of Artemis.

Tarsus

The birthplace of St. Paul, Tarsus was also the place where Anthony and Cleopatra met. Much of the ancient city is now buried 15-20 feet below the present city, although a few of the remains can still be seen.

Trabzon

Located in Eastern Turkey along the lovely Black Sea Coast, Trabzon was founded in the 7th century BC by Miletian colonists. Much of its eclectic past is still present from the old port dating from the time of Hadrian to city walls erected during the reign of Justinian. Many of its churches were converted to mosques after the Ottoman conquest of the city.

Urfa

Located in Eastern Turkey, Urfa was originally inhabited by the Babylonians. Controlled by the Hittites around 1370 BC, an alliance with Egypt during the reign of Amenhotep IV produced a manner of sun worship similar to that of Ra, the sun god.  Today this city is most known as the birthplace of Abraham. A famous mosque complex remains with Abraham's cave.