Warning: The magic method MchGdbcBasePublicPlugin::__wakeup() must have public visibility in /home1/kits93/public_html/wp-content/plugins/goodbye-captcha/includes/plugin/MchGdbcBasePublicPlugin.php on line 44 Travel Blog - Page 3 of 3 - Travel To The BEST PlacesTravel Blog - Page 3 of 3 - Travel To The BEST Places
Golden Gate Bridge. This is a favorite among tourists for many reasons. One of those reasons is the fact that it is one landmark that belongs only to San Francisco. It is uniquely an element of this city and represents, for many, your entire trip. Another reason is that there are so many methods of get there. I advise walking and if you’re up for it, try one of the guided strolling tours-this will give valuable background details about the bridge in addition to insuring that you do not get lost on the way.
Golden Gate Park. This park is larger than New York’s Central Park and in my opinion equally grand. There is so much to do and see in Golden Gate Park that you may spend a good portion of your vacation here alone.
Cable Car Museum. Kids of any age will see this museum interesting, especially big and little boys. This museum definitely offers a good deal of education and excitement for the family. Additionally discovering these neat cable cars which have become a trademark of San Francisco transportation. This is one museum I would pay to go to, the fact that it is free is a bit extra that I can’t resist and the reason it is on this particular top ten list.
Strolling Tours of San Francisco. These free walking tours are not only entertaining; they are also very informative as well. Learn about the history of the neighborhoods that this city is famous for in addition to the truly great individuals who rebuilt a grand city, literally from the ashes of what it used to be and made it even better. San Francisco has a marvelous story to tell and these guides narrate it wonderfully.
San Francisco Fire Department Museum. For the important kid in all of us that desired to grow up to be a fire fighter, this museum takes the cake. Not only does it supply great historical references and artifacts but it is also really cool! I am in a position to consider no greater compliment to give a museum than that. This one, even your children will relish and beg to go back over and over.…
The ruins of Ani, a powerful Silk Road city, lie abandoned on the plains near Turkey’s modern border with Armenia.
Ani’s golden age came to an end in the 14th century after Mongol raids, earthquake destruction, and trade route squabbling all played a role in the city’s decline.
The beautiful red-brick buildings that are still crumbling among the steppe grass captivate all who visit.
Don’t miss the Church of the Redeemer and the Church of Saint Gregory, both of which have elaborate stone masonry and fresco remnants visible; the bulky Ani Cathedral building; and the Manuçehr Mosque, which was built by the Seljuk Turks when they captured the city in the 11th century and is thought to be the largest mosque in the world.…
The Bosphorus Strait, one of the world’s great waterways, connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and separates Europe from Asia (and hence, out to the Mediterranean).
Cruising along the Bosphorus, whether on local ferries, a tourist ferry cruise, or a private boat, is one of Istanbul’s top tourist attractions. This is the most tranquil sightseeing option in Istanbul.
Onboard, it’s all about taking in the scenery from the water, with the shorefront lined with Ottoman palaces, villas, and wooden mansions out to Mehmet the Conqueror’s Rumeli Fortress and the Byzantine-era ramparts of Anadolu Fortress (further north along the strait).…
The city of Gaziantep is one of the great highlights of southeastern Turkey for a few days of guzzling baklava and strolling the alleys of its old city district, but its most famous attraction is the Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum.
The museum houses one of the world’s largest and most important mosaic collections.
Almost all of the Hellenistic and Roman-era floor mosaics on display came from the Greco-Roman ruins of Zeugma, which is now half-submerged due to the construction of the Bericik Dam. The mosaics, which have been thoughtfully curated and displayed so that they can be seen from their best angles, give visitors a sense of the artistry of the Greco-Roman era.
Despite the collection’s many large mosaics, the most famous mosaic, known as the Gypsy Girl, is one of the smallest pieces. It is displayed dramatically in its own darkened room, allowing the intricate artistry of the piece to be appreciated more fully.…
Since it was opened to the public, the hilltop site of Göbeklitepe near Anlurfa has generated hundreds of headlines worldwide, been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site (and served as the inspiration for the Netflix series The Gift).
Archaeologists believe this small site of towering T-shaped pillars inscribed with animal figures and anthropomorphic details dates from the pre-pottery Neolithic era and is the world’s earliest religious sanctuary.
Although it lacks the awe-inspiring quality of Turkey’s many later Bronze Age and Greco-Roman ancient sites, Göbeklitepe’s significance in our understanding of early human history has made it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Turkey’s southeast.…
Sumela Monastery (Monastery of the Virgin Mary) is the main attraction for visitors along the Black Sea Coast, with its stunning, lonely setting built into a cliff face.
Wandering around this abandoned religious complex, with its church interiors crammed with dazzling and vibrant frescoes, is a must for anyone travelling to Turkey’s northeast region.
The monastery was founded during the Byzantine era and only shut down as a functioning religious centre in 1923, when the monks were forced to leave as part of the Greek-Turkish Population Exchange.
It’s easy to imagine the isolated lives of the monks who once lived here as you wander through its empty cells today.
The Sumela Monastery is a museum that is open to the public. The Turkish government is funding the restoration work. [12] As of 2012, the Turkish government is funding reconstruction work, and pilgrims from Greece, Georgia, and Russia are returning to the monastery. The monastery’s primary purpose is to serve as a tourist attraction. It is popular for its aesthetics as well as its cultural and religious significance because it overlooks forests and streams.
Turkey is a dazzling destination that straddles Asia and Europe, brimming with ancient monuments left over from a parade of empires and endowed with showcase scenery that never fails to impress. And who wouldn’t love to visit Turkey?
Its vibrant culture, famous food, and vast history captivate all who visit, while its magnificent landscapes, ranging from the sun-drenched Mediterranean to the mighty mountains and arid steppe, are tourist attractions in and of themselves.
Whether you want to soak up the Byzantine and Ottoman glories of Istanbul on a city break, relax on the beach, delve into history by visiting ruins like Ephesus, or see some of the world’s most surreal landscapes in Pamukkale and Cappadocia, this country has something for everyone.
1. Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya) Mosque
The Hagia Sophia Mosque (Aya Sofya), renowned as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, is not only one of the top things to do in Istanbul, but also in Turkey.
Built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE, it is regarded as the greatest architectural achievement of the Byzantine Empire and has remained the world’s largest church for 1,000 years.
The massive exterior is framed by delicate minarets added after the Ottoman conquest, and the sumptuous and cavernous frescoed interior is a grand reminder of old Constantinople’s might and power.
This famous monument is a must-see for any visitor to the country.
2. Ephesus
The mighty ruin of Ephesus is a city of colossal monuments and marble-columned roads that should not be missed.
This is one of the most complete, still-standing famed antiquity cities in the Mediterranean region, and it is the place to experience what life must have been like during the Roman Empire’s golden age.
The city’s history dates back to the 10th century BCE, but the major monuments you see today are all from the Roman era, when it was a bustling commercial centre.
The Library of Celsus, the complex of frescoed terraced houses, and the Great Theater, in particular, attest to Ephesus’ wealth and importance during the Roman period.
A sightseeing trip here will take at least a half-day to cover the major highlights, and longer if you really want to explore, so plan your visit accordingly.
3. Cappadocia
Cappadocia’s surreal, swooping rock valleys are every photographer’s dream.
Rippling panoramas of wave-like rock or wacky-shaped pinnacles formed by millennia of wind and water action can be found on cliff ridges and hill crests.
If you don’t want to hike for the views, this is one of the best places in the world to take a hot-air balloon ride.
The frescoed rock-cut churches and cave-cut architecture of the Byzantine Era, when this area was home to monastic Christian communities, are nestled in this unique lunar-like landscape.
Some of the best examples of surviving mid-Byzantine-era religious art in the world can be found in the multiple cave-churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum and Ihlara Valley.
Cappadocia’s villages, half-hewn into the hillsides where visitors base themselves to explore the surrounding countryside, are an attraction in and of themselves, with boutique hotels that allow you to sleep in a cave with full modern comforts.
4. Topkapı Palace
Topkap Palace in Istanbul transports you to the fantastical, opulent world of the sultans.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Ottoman sultans carved out an empire that would extend up into Europe, down through the Middle East, and into Africa.
The interiors, with their decadently exuberant tiling and lavish jewelled decor, provide an unforgettable glimpse into Ottoman power.
Don’t miss the Imperial Council building, where the Grand Vizier conducted the empire’s business; the Imperial Treasury’s arms collection; the world-class collection of miniature paintings; and the dazzling Harem rooms, designed by the famed Ottoman architect Sinan.
The surrounding public gardens, which were once the exclusive domain of the Royal Court, are now open to the public and offer a tranquil, green respite from the city streets.
5. Pamukkale
Pamukkale (“Cotton Castle” in English) is one of Turkey’s most famous natural wonders, with its pure white travertine terraces cascading down the slope like an out-of-place snowfield amid the green landscape.
The vast and rambling ruins of Greco-Roman Hierapolis, an ancient spa town, lie scattered across the summit of this calcite hill, and are a highlight of any Turkey trip.
After exploring the ancient theatre and the remnants of the city’s agora, gymnasium, necropolis, and grand gates, you can swim in the mineral-rich waters that made this ancient spa town famous in the antique pool.
Wading through the pools of water in the upper terraces, walk down the travertine hill to the small modern village of Pamukkale below.
Visit at dusk, when the travertines glow as the sun sets below the horizon, for the best photos.
6. Antalya
This thriving Mediterranean crossroads has something for everyone.
In the summer, the two main beaches outside of town are sun-sloth heaven, attracting visitors from all over Europe. While the old town area, nestled right in the centre of town, is a wonderful place to explore, with its cobblestone alleyways rimmed by creaky Ottoman-era mansions.
The Antalya Museum is regarded as one of the best in the country, with an incredible collection of Hellenistic and Roman marble statuary, and there are numerous attractions outside of town for visitors who wish to use Antalya as a base.
Antalya, in particular, is an excellent base for day trips to some of Turkey’s most famous Greco-Roman ruins, including Aspendos and Perge, which are just outside the city, and Side, which has a plethora of ruins.
7. Cruising the Mediterranean
There are numerous ruins and activities along Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, but for many visitors, it’s all about soaking up the sun and admiring the stunning coastal views.
For good reason, yachting is the most popular activity for visitors to Bodrum and Fethiye. The steep forest-clad slopes, hidden coves with tiny white-sand beaches, and hundreds of scattered islands are ideal for sea exploration. Even the most ardent landlubbers will be impressed.
The Blue Cruise, which travels from Fethiye south down the coast until disembarking near Olympus, home to the famous natural phenomenon of the Chimaera, is one of the most famous trips.