Located in the Nevsehir Province of Turkey, the town of Uchisar lies just east of Nevsehir. Perched on a clifftop, the town marks the highest point in the Cappadocia region. The undeniable highlight of this town is the incredible Uchisar Castle, which provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding landscapes including Mount Erciyes. Home to trendy hotels, dreamy fairytale chimneys, and offering an authentic Cappadocian village experience, it is a summer vacation favourite with locals. Uchisar serves as an excellent base from which to explore the region, including the vast valley crowned by pink-and-yellow-hued sand dunes and the pigeon houses of Pigeon Valley.
Antalya, the largest Turkish city on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort hub blessed with beautiful beaches and lush mountains. Both classically beautiful and stylishly modern, it is a multicultural community where Turkey’s Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths intersect. At the heart of Antalya lies the old city district of Kaleici, with narrow winding cobblestone streets that wrap around the old Roman-era harbour. Some of the other numerous historic sights include the distinctive Fluted Minaret (Yivli Minare), a prime example of Seljuk architecture; and ancient Roman buildings such as the Aspendos Roman theatre, believed to be the most well preserved in the world. Gorgeous white-sanded beaches like Konyaalti and Lara provide idyllic spots to spend the day, fringed by luxurious resorts, hotels, and restaurants. Make sure to visit the glorious Karst Springs, Karain Cave and Koprulu Canyon National Park.
Linking Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait in northwestern Turkey, Istanbul, the country’s largest city, is a beguiling cultural blend of East and West. Visit the twin architectural gems of Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque – masterpieces of Byzantine design, decorated with exquisite inlaid mosaic patterns; take in the lavish quarters and dazzling gem collection of the Topkapi Palace, home to Turkey’s sultans and their families for centuries; or visit the enthralling Basilica Cistern, Istanbul’s ancient water reservoir, now evocatively revamped with ethereal lighting and background music sources. More frivolous pursuits include trawling the Grand Bazaar’s stash of beautifully crafted goods for traditional Turkish kilims and wooden backgammon boards inlaid with mother-of-pearl detail or indulging in fine dining or Mediterranean meze at one of the many eateries in trendy Beyoglu.
