Turkey offers a heady mix of stunning architecture, superb museums,
wonderful vistas - as well as the extraordinary and quite unique
landscapes of Cappadocia. Starting in Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire for over 450 years, we spend five full days really getting to grips with this wonderful city, which has so many places of interest to see. We explore the splendid Topkapi Palace, Haghia Sofia and the Basilican Cistern - and we also head out to the Theodosian Walls to visit the stunning Kariye Cami (Church of St. Saviour in Chora). In addition to the major sights we also take you to a number of places that are off the 'tourist trail', including the fabulous mosques of Rustem Pasa and Sokullu Mehmet Pasa, which together contain some of the finest Iznik tilework ever produced. We also include several museums, notably the outstanding Museum of Islamic & Turkish Art, the Mosaic Museum and the superb Pera Museum - with its wonderful permanent collection of Orientalist paintings. We then take the sleeper train to Ankara and continue to Goreme, in the heart of Cappadocia, our base for the next five nights. While here we enjoy a number of day walks, following ancient riverbeds, exploring nearby valleys, visiting local villages and experiencing the dramatic landscapes for which Cappadocia is justly renowned. We return to Istanbul by train, for a final day of exploration. Turkey: Istanbul & Cappadocia Best Travels, 82 Bellevue Street, CAMMERAY, NSW
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