| Turkey is a very popular historically significant | | | | in Ulus near the Citadel, it was built in the late 14th |
| destination. It is frequented by archaeologists, history | | | | and early 15th centuries. Its finely carved walnut |
| buff and classics students dying to see some | | | | member pulpit is of particular interest to tourists. |
| Byzantine architecture out of text books and in real | | | | Moving out of Ankara and into the region of |
| life. It is also a tremendously beautiful country, rich in | | | | Cappadocio, we find several interesting underground |
| art, culture and atmosphere and is therefore not lost | | | | cities. They are Kaymakli, Mazi, Derinkuyu and |
| on us regular folks either. Which is most fortunate | | | | Ozkanak. They were built in the 7th century when |
| seeing as how we have helped to make it one of | | | | Christians were fleeing persecution from the |
| Europe's most popular tourist destinations. In addition | | | | Byzantines and needed shelter and sanctuary. The |
| to being avid tourists, we are also turning into avid | | | | caves were built to be completely self-sufficient. |
| property buyers in Turkey. International property | | | | There are rooms for grain, stables, and storage, |
| sales in Turkey are on the way up, so are property | | | | sleeping chambers, kitchens and there are airshafts. |
| prices. So far the market is still affordable but it | | | | These days, as part of tour package deals they hold |
| won't stay that way forever. | | | | discos in the vast underground chambers, something |
| Turkey has something for everyone and that is its | | | | that the Christians never foresore. |
| major appeal. In the capital, Ankara, there are many | | | | If big cities and major sightseeing is not for you then |
| things to see and do. Many of them are history | | | | there are many small and picturesque villages for you |
| related and just as many hold interest for the | | | | to lose yourself in and rediscover your soul. Bergama |
| modern sightseer. | | | | is a lovely small town whose primary attraction is its |
| There is the Ankara Citadel, which was built by the | | | | market place. Donkeys and their owners park next |
| Gelatians, completed by the Romans and then | | | | to their stalls of fresh produce. Carpets hang from |
| restored by the Byzantines and Sejuks. It is situated | | | | awnings on houses to provide some protection from |
| in the oldest part of the city and within its walls one | | | | the sun and a quaint yet lively atmosphere |
| can find many houses of traditional architecture. The | | | | permeates the day. Pergmum is near to one of the |
| citadel is within a region of Ankara that was known | | | | finest archaeological sites in antiquity. Sirince was |
| as the cradle of vino and many of the traditional | | | | originally used as a sanctuary for Greeks. It is on a |
| houses round about have been restored and turned | | | | hillside and consists of densely packed houses |
| into cafes and restaurants that sell local dishes and | | | | enclosed within grape orchards. You may enjoy |
| wines. The Temple of Augustus, which can be found | | | | excellent local wine and take a break from historical |
| in the Ulus quarter of the city, was built by a Galatian | | | | sites of any kind, as there are none in the vicinity. |
| king in the 2nd century. The Roman Bath on Conkiri | | | | Kalekoy or Simena is a seaside village snugly nestled |
| Avenue in the Ulus quarter was built along the typical | | | | against an outcrop of rocks. It has roughly 300 |
| roman bath design. It has a frigidarium (a cold | | | | inhabitants and is too small for any streets or roads |
| section), a tepidarium (a cool section) and a caldarium | | | | to speak of. It has a few random, twisty, windy |
| (a hot section). It was built in the 3rd century in | | | | paths interconnecting houses to each other and that |
| honour of Asclepios, the god of medicine. | | | | is all. Visitors are most welcome. |
| Turkey is also well known for its many beautiful | | | | The best time to visit Turkey is in the spring, which |
| mosques. Many can be found in Ankara. Perhaps the | | | | is from April to mid-June, and the second best time is |
| most renowned of late is the Kocatepe Mosque, | | | | Autumn, which is from mid-September to October. |
| which was built relatively recently. It is enormous and | | | | Of course if you're going to move there then the |
| built in the Ottoman style with four minarets. Its | | | | time of the year becomes inconsequential and you |
| great size and situation have helped to make it the | | | | have to put up with the weather, whatever the |
| well-known land mark that it has become. Back to | | | | weather. For some of those little villages, it would be |
| history again and we have the Ahi Elvan Mosque, also | | | | worth it. |