Discover Istanbul's intoxicating mix of sights: from the stunning basilica of Aya Sofia, the Blue Mosque and vast underground cisterns of Yerebatan Sarayi to the rich treasures of the Topkapi Palace, bustling Taksim Square and the frenetic Bosporus River, where an evening cruise is perfect for gaining a different perspective of the city.

Visit the memorials of Gallipoli at the Dardanelles. Discover Cappadocia's fascinating lunar landscape at Gorême, clambering around the underground houses and Christian churches there and at Kaymakli. Then wander amid the ancient rock cones, capped pinnacles and fairy chimneys of the Karst Mountains.

Explore the sprawling ruins of Greco-Roman Ephesus, its amphitheatre where St Paul once preached and the marble streets where Anthony and Cleopatra once strolled. Visit the dazzling white limestone terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient Roman Amphitheatre in Aspendos. Then head to the Turquoise Coast to swim beneath crusader castles in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. En route discover the legendary hospitality of the Turkish people and their unique cuisine.

Highlights

Discover some of Turkey's finest attractions.

Istanbul -Founded by Emperor Constantine in 326 AD on an even older settlement, Istanbul remained the capital of the Ottoman Empire until 1923. The world's only city to straddle two continents offers an intoxicating mix of palaces, museums, churches and mosques, bustling bazaars and lively crowded streets. Discover the Topkapi Palace, overlooking the Bosporus and the Sea of Marmara, once the sumptuous home of the Ottoman sultans and filled with 600 hundred years of accumulated treasure. Admire the vast interior domed ceiling of Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia), built in 536 AD as a Christian (Byzantine) cathedral then later converted into a mosque and now a museum. Admire the hundreds of stained-glass windows of the intricately decorated Blue Mosque, the only mosque in the world to have six minarets. Descend into the cool temperatures of Yerebatan Sarayi, a huge underground cistern supported by more than 300 Corinthian columns, built under the Justinian basilica in the 6th century.

Climb to the top of the 14th century Galata Tower for panoramic views over the Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara. Then cruise the overcrowded waters of the Bosporus, the narrow strait that divides Europe from Asia. Marvel at the sultan's 19th century Dolmabahae Palace and visit the 15th century Rumeli Fortress, one of several Byzantine and Ottoman waterfront castles that line the shore. On the Asian side of the Bosporus, discover Uskudar (Scutari), where Florence Nightingale nursed the sick during the Crimean War.

Browse the infamous Kapali Carsi (Grand Bazaar), a labyrinth of covered narrow lanes crammed with more than 3000 shops selling a huge variety of carpets, ceramics, silver and gold jewellery, leatherware and Islamic crafts. Sip a cup of strong Turkish coffee at a traditional café beneath the Galata Bridge while watching the sun set, then head to a steamy hammam (Turkish bath) in Beyoglu or Sultanahmet for an invigorating scrub followed by a relaxing massage.

The Sea of Marmara -Head to the towns of Gelibolu and Canakkale, which mark the entrance to the Dardanelles, the site of the infamous Gallipoli landings during World War I. Visit the memorial and pay your respects to the nearly 250,000 ANZAC, British and Turkish troops who died here. Inland lies the Uludag National Park, a forested mountain reserve offering excellent hiking trails in summer and skiing in winter.

Troy -South of Gallipoli lie the ruins of ancient Troy. For anyone who has ever read Homer's Iliad or who has heard the tales of the Trojan wars, this is a site not to be missed. Excavations have revealed nine ancient cities on the site, dating back to 3000 BC, with Troy VI (1800-1275 BC) the city of Priam, believed to be the setting for the Iliad and the one that engaged in the Trojan War.

The Aegean Coast -Discover small fishing villages interspersed between rocky cliffs and golden beaches, perfect for snorkelling, diving and sunbathing. Explore the ruins of the ancient city of Bergama (Pergamon), including the Sanctuary of Asclepius, a tribute to the ancient Greek demigod of healing, and the 3rd century BC Theatre of Pergamon, one of the steepest theaters in the world. Then head to Bodrum, home in ancient times to the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the birthplace of Herodotus, known as the father of history. Visit Bodrum Castle, a magnificent 15th century crusader fortress, now home to the Museum of Underwater Archaeology, a vast collection of amphoras, glass, bronze, clay and iron items from a pre-14th century shipwreck. Take a cruise to the nearby Greek isles of Kos and Rhodes. Visit the ruins at Knidos and Kaunos or discover cliff-side Lycian rock tombs near the small port of Fethiye. Hike the excellent trails through the Olympus National Park or walk the Lycian Way through stunning scenery between Fethiye and Antalya. Discover the famous ruins of the Roman city of Hierapolis at Pamukkale, where calcium-rich mineral springs have turned the landscape into a brilliant white series of ridges and terraces. The bubbling pools, once a sacred site and the weekend retreat of kings and emperors, is the perfect spot for a relaxing therapeutic soak.

Ephesus -Discover the largest and one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. Visit the Grand Theatre, where St Paul preached to the Ephesians; the elegant facades of the Temple of Hadrian; and the Library of Celsus. Nearby lies the holy shrine of Meryemana (reputed to be the house of the Virgin Mary) that attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. Be sure to visit Selcuk, home to the Ephesus Museum and 6th-century Basilica of St John, said to be the last home of John the Baptist and the grand fortress set atop Ayasoluk Hill. Wash the dust off with a swim in the Mediterranean at nearby Kusadasi, a beautiful spot surrounded by fine sandy bays and explore the nearby ruins of the Temple of Athena, built in 323 BC at Priene, a former deep-water port, but now totally land-locked.

Cappadocia Discover a surreal landscape of cones, capped pinnacles and fretted ravines. Stroll the fascinating pointed rock formations known as the Fairy Chimneys and explore the open-air museum of more than 30 elaborately frescoed Byzantine rock churches at Goreme.

Head underground to experience the underground complex at Zelve, which was an important Christian enclave in the 9th century. Since 400 BC the region has been known for its elaborate network of caves and hidden tunnels that have been hewn from the soft, volcanic rock, creating homes, churches and sanctuaries that have sheltered generations of early Christians fleeing persecution. Within this region lie more than 400 underground cities: two of the best lie at Kaymakli and Derinkuyu. Here you can clamber down into an underground labyrinth of narrow passageways nearly eight floors deep, consisting of apartments, storerooms, churches and streets that were once home to hundreds of people. From the towns of Nevsehir and Urgup, it's easy to explore the region on foot or bike or to take to the skies in a hot-air balloon. The nearby Uchisar Castle offers some of the best scenic views over this unique landscape. Further south, in Konya, tour the Mevlana Tekkesi, the monastery and mausoleum of Mevlana Celâddin Rumi, one of Islam's most celebrated mystics and founder of the Whirling Dervishes. Catch an evening performance of this 700-year-old dance.

The Mediterranean Coast -The jagged southern coast of Turkey, a region known as the Turquoise Coast, offers spectacular archaeological sites and great medieval castles steeped in history and legend, set amid a landscape of rocky headlands, pine forests, picturesque coves and white-sand beaches. Explore the cliff-top town of Antalya, which boasts an atmospheric walled old town and harbour and the monumental Hadrian's Gate. Tour the nearby Roman cities of Termessos and Perge, where streets still bear the marks of chariot wheels. At Aspendos, watch live entertainment in probably the best-preserved 2nd century AD amphitheatre in Asia Minor. In Side, explore the agora, Roman baths, theatre and virtually undamaged city walls. On the scenic road from Alanya past Anamur to Silifke, discover several huge and well-preserved crusader castles, and in Antakya, the biblical city of Antioch where St Peter founded the first Christian community, visit the grotto where he once preached. Board a wooden gulet (traditional broad-beamed boat) and cruise the azure waters of the Turquoise Coast past towering cliffs; explore ancient Lycian rock-cut tombs in the pristine waters of Kekova.

Eastern Turkey -Discover a vast, empty landscape of red plains, desert, lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. Explore the biblical Mount Ararat where, according to legend, Noah's Ark lies at rest. At Dogubayazit, see the striking 18th century Ishak Pasha Palace and at Kars visit the 12th century Georgian fortress and ruins of the 10th century medieval city of Ani, both on the border with Armenia. At the walled city of Van, explore the ancient citadel and archaeological site of Cavustepe, where inscriptions date back almost 3000 years. Then cruise across Lake Van to the island of Akdamar to see the charming 10th century Armenian Church of the Holy Cross. Further south at Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nimrod), discover an artificial mountaintop framed by two huge open-air temples scattered with colossal limestone statues to the ancient gods, erected by King Antiochus I in the 1st century BC.

South-eastern Turkey -At 600m in height, this region is characterised by an arid flat plateau bounded by the twin rivers of the Tigris and Euphrates, Biblical Mesopotamia and, some would argue, the original Garden of Eden. Here at the crossroads of ancient civilisations lie dramatic walled cities, fascinating bazaars and Syriac monasteries where religious services are still conducted in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. At Sanliurfa (Urfa), discover the reputed birthplace of the Patriarch Abraham, a cave that is visited annually by thousands of Muslim pilgrims. Explore the medieval bazaar, museum and the ancient fortress, with its sacred pool built by the crusaders, who once called the city Edessa. Discover the warren of beehive-like mud houses at Harran, where, according to the Book of Genesis (Chapter 11, Verse 31), the Patriarch Abraham lived for a time “in the land of Canaan”. Nearby lies the 11th century Fatimid fortress and ancient caravanserai. Stroll around the massive black basalt walls of medieval Diyarbakir, built in the 4th century. Explore the lush green gardens along the banks of the Tigris River and discover Chaldean churches and ancient Arabic-style mosques. In the historic town of Mardin, perched at the edge of a plateau overlooking the Mesopotamian plain, explore the medieval Sultan Isa Medresesi, built in 1385 AD, and the Kasim Pasha Medresesi and the Ulu Cami (Great Mosque), built around 1000 AD. At the Deyrul Zafaran (the Saffron Monastery), built in 495 AD, you can walk across mosaics that are more than 1500 years old and listen to Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, at the weekly church services.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn, with temperatures between 16C and 25C, are the best times to visit Turkey - unless you love hot weather, in which case summer is best. The peak tourism season is in summer from July to mid-September, when most Turks take their holidays. Turkey is a huge country with varying regional climates. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, wet winters. Antalya on the south coast enjoys average summer temperatures of around 30C. In Istanbul, summer temperatures average around 28C; winters are chilly, wet and sometimes with some snow. Summer on the Anatolian plateau is very hot and very cold in winter. In Ankara, winter temperatures average -4C and summer 30C in summer. The Black Sea coast is wet year round, mild in summer and cold in winter. Eastern Turkey is very cold with snow in winter but sweltering in mid-summer. The east of the country is mountainous with warm summers and very cold, snowy winters.

Shopping

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar has a huge range of jewellery, carpets and antiques for sale. Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather and suede products, jewellery and, above all, carpets and kilims. Other cities and larger resorts have markets where you can buy souvenirs and handicrafts.