• Istanbul, Turkeyistanbul image by Bahattin ERKOL from Fotolia.com
  
  Turkey is torn between the traditional and the modern, between a glorious past and an unknown future, which makes for a colorful travel experience. Visitors to Turkey will find a variety of archaeological and historical sites, along with modern cities and vacation resorts.
  
  

Istanbul

• Inside the Blue Mosqueinside the blue mosque, istanbul image by Fyerne from Fotolia.com
  
  As a link between East and West, it is the only major city in the world that sits on two continents. In its past existence, it was the capital of both the Christian Byzantine Empire and the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Discover its history in the Old City's main attractions: the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
  
  

Cappadocia

• Cappadociasandstone formations in cappadocia, turkey image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
  
  For millions of years this expanse of volcanic rock has been shaped by rain and wind, resulting in one of the greatest geological spectacles in the world. From above, you see a vast array of interesting canyons and rock formations, but on the ground, the human history is equally as rich. For Early Christians, it served as a place of refuge, and you can still discover over 600 hundred rock-cut churches.
  
  

Ephesus

• Library of Celsusthe antique library image by Valentin Mosichev from Fotolia.com
  
  During the first century BCE, this city had the second largest population in the world and was an important trade and religious center of the Roman Empire. It boasted the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as one of seven churches of Asia that are addressed in the Book of Revelation. When visiting this classical city on the Mediterranean, the Library of Celsus, the Odeon, the Great Theater and the Temple of Hadrian are all worth exploring.
  
  

Safranbolu

• This Ottoman town is one of the best-preserved architectural sites in Turkey. Today, the town is an UNESCO World Heritage site, a connection to a bygone age.
  
  

Bergama

• Famed for its collection of ruins, this Aegean city lies near the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Pergamum. Visit this historical center of Greek culture, where parchment was invented and where one of the Seven Churches of the Book of Revelation once stood.
  
  

Amasya

• This city, once the capital of the Pontic Greek Empire, is situated in a narrow river valley high in the mountains just above the Black Sea. Although the city itself features mosques, mausoleums and other examples of Ottoman architecture, the surrounding area should not be missed.
  
  

Ankara

• The capital of the Republic of Turkey is a modern metropolis complete with high-rises, shopping centers, universities and an exciting nightlife. However, the historical sites are also ample, and include the Ankara Citadel, the Temple of Augustus and Rome, the Roman Bath and plenty of mosques.
  
  

Bodrum

• This bustling resort town on the Aegean attracts artists, poets and singers. The harbor is dominated by Bodrum Castle, a medieval edifice constructed by the Crusaders, which today contains the Museum of Underwater Archeology.
  
  

Gallipoli

• This thin peninsula between the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles is now a Historical National Park, but in 1915, it was a place of monumental importance. The Allies landed here during World War I and launched a campaign of battles lasting eight months, which resulted in high casualties on both sides.
  
  

Konya

• Situated in Central Anatolia, this former capital of the Seljuk Turkish Empire is one of oldest cities in the region. As a religious center, it was the home of the poet and mystic Mevlana Celâddin Rumi, who founded the Sufi Mevlevi order, famous for the Whirling Dervishes.