Istanbul, Turkey - Istanbul, Turkey 15 days trip

East meets West in a vibrant crescendo of history, culture, and cuisine, making Istanbul an unmissable destination.

A fairy tale in the middle of a modern city, this stunning castle is enveloped in legend and history, and took 500 years to build.

Stunning ancient coffins, statues and other artifacts reveal the magnificent artistic and cultural heritage of the city and region.

One of Istanbul's top sights, the magnificent interior of this former basilica is laden with fine Byzantine mosaics and designs.

Sitting on the European bank of the mighty Bosphorus, this 19C palace is an extravagant mix of styles and lavish decor.

Escape Istanbul's busy streets on these idyllic islands, dotted with picturesque villas, historic buildings, and lovely beaches.

A village comprised of 270 architecturally significant houses dating to the Ottoman Empire, home to a wonderful ethnography museum.

Get lost hunting for treasures and trinkets among the bustling market stalls of the Grand Bazaar - truly a world of its own!

Still in use today, this majestic 17C mosque is known for its sea of grand domes, six slender minarets and beautiful interior.

Soak up centuries of history as you explore the old town's lively streets, historic mosques, palaces and thronging markets.

A wander through this cavernous underground cistern, built in the 6C for the Byzantine emperor, is an atmospheric experience.

Now a bustling industrial metropolis, the Ottoman empire's first major capital is full of history, markets, parks and attractions.

A favorite retreat of locals, this nature park engulfs gorgeous forests and a small village with a fascinating history.

Now a museum, this 11C church houses some of the world's finest examples of Byzantine frescoes and mosaic work.

Art-lovers and historians should head here for the fine collections of Ottoman calligraphy, paintings and historic artifacts.

Sitting beautifully atop one of Istanbul's hills, this majestic 16C mosque is one of the city's most revered.

Taking some 60 years to complete, the domed exterior of this 17C mosque has since become a fixture of the city's skyline.

A great national park located in Western Anatolia, boasting a wide diversity of flora and fauna species, as well as a rich habitat.

Dubbed "The Bird Paradise", this park is a thriving migration stop for birds and is the perfect destination for bird-watching.

Extending for some 6.5km the restored city walls were originally built in the 5C to protect Constantinople and its people.

The Ottoman craftwork of the 17C imperial pavilion has recently been restored to its former beauty.

Delve into Istanbul's cultural heart in a district overflowing with history, architectural gems and culinary delights.

A must for army enthusiasts - weapons, attire and tools from over 1000 years of Turkish military are on display here.

The perfect destination for a day trip, this fresh water lake is a gem of natural beauty and offers many fun activities for all ages.

Dating to 8C BC, this city boasts a variety of well-preserved Roman ruins, as well as remnants from the Ottoman and other periods.

The hip, lively district of Beyoglu is the place to go for fantastic eats, drinks, shopping and trendy guesthouses.

Dating to the 13C, the remains of this former royal palace are a rare example of Byzantine architecture.

Sitting on a tree-clad bank of the Bosphorus, this 15C Ottoman fortress has three handsome towers and views out over the strait.

With everything from sports cars and submarines to old telephones, the displays here tell the story of Turkey's industrial history.

Known for its pottery-making industry, this historic lakeside town also boasts ancient sites and recreational activities.

Beautifully situated among fantastical rocky peaks, the small, laid-back town of Goreme has a unique, otherworldly feel.

Mix with the locals and experience the rustic charm of Goreme as you wind through the beguiling lanes of the old town.

A UNESCO site, this collection of religious buildings, carved from rocky outcrops by Byzantine monks, is a must-see attraction.

Over 200 villages of cavernous dwellings are carved into the rock formations of this region, evoking its millennia-long history.

A small village of stone-carved houses, famed for a surrealistically beautiful citadel set on the highest point in Cappadocia.

Spanning several subterranean levels, this underground city dates to the 8C BC and serves as a superb remnant of Byzantine ingenuity.

Offering stunning landscape shaped over centuries by erosion, this national park is home to rock hewn villages dating to the 4C.

Famed for its uncanny rock formations shaped like mushroom-topped fairy chimneys, this valley offers a glimpse into another world.

Visitors can see the Roman Bath Section, Agora, The Basilica and The Bouleterion buildings in this ancient Roman village.

A spectacular little known multilevel subterranean monastery, featuring magnificently preserved frescoes from the Byzantine era.

A multilevel subterranean village carved into a mountain slope, riddled with caves that functioned as barns, wineries, and halls.

Favored by travelers, the town boasts boutique hotels and great nightlife along with cave dwellings and quaint handicraft shops.

Remains of the ancient Hittite city of Tuwanuwa now boast an antique Roman aqueduct and several eerie sepulchral caves.

A slice of paradise, Fethiye has stunning blue waters, pine-covered hills, beautiful bays and a laid back feel.

Stroll among the ruins of the ancient city of Telmessos, dating back over 2000 years, which pepper the historic heart of Fethiye.

Perhaps Fethiye's best-known site, this large tomb and its striking temple-front were carved into the rocky hillside in 350 BC.

Situated beside the harbor, this 2000 year-old open-air Roman theater once allowed for 6000 spectators.

The city's museum is largely devoted to Lycian relics from the ancient settlement of Telmessos that once stood here.

Let your imagination roam as you explore the ruins of this once-thriving city, glimpsing its vibrant past through cracks of time.

The former capital of Lycia, this site boasts remarkable archaeological remains, among them the wonderfully decorated Harpy Tomb.

The rolling, tree-covered hills, sumptuous sands and crystal waters of Fethiye's beach will help you forget your woes.

Zip round the colorful slides and cool down in the pools of this hotel water park, which promises to be fun for all ages.

Explore the hiking trails surrounding this abandoned village, as well as the 3,000 still standing dilapidated buildings.

Explore these ancient Lycian ruins, which are located along Turkey's longest stretch of uninterrupted beach.

Ruins of an ancient Lycian city popular with travelers, where one can find an Ottoman citadel, a grand theater, tombs, and more.

Dating to 4C BC, this marvelous tomb boasts intricate ornamental stone carvings, an inner burial chamber, and a few statue ruins.

Surrounded by sea and mountains, the large port city of Izmir is becoming known for its lively, forward-thinking cultural scene.

Explore the ruins of an ancient Roman settlement, built for Alexander the Great and rebuilt in 2C after a huge earthquake.

Wander the streets and take waterfront strolls as you spy out ancient relics and sample the restaurants and bars of the city.

Relics from millennia of history in the Izmir Gulf can be seen at this museum, including ornate coffins and ancient statues.

Built in the 16C, the city center's largest mosque has some interesting interior design features typical of Izmiri style.

Turkey's most famous historic site, this ancient city dates to 10C BC and is home to several illustrious archaeological findings.

Little known and marvelously peaceful, this is the site of an ancient Greek city with several well-preserved ruins.

One of the Izmir's main attractions is the lively city bazaar, with its abundance of fine Turkish goods and culinary delicacies.

A museum showcasing historical art and craftwork from the region, including treasures from the Roman and Neolithic eras.

Located in an exquisite early-20C building, the gallery has a range of changing exhibitions from Turkish and international artists.

A blue-tiled mosque with examples of both Iznik and Izmir tiles adoring its pretty interior and good views over the local area.

Saturated with history and mythology, this national park is full of animal, lush verdure, and spectacular mountain routes.

Once a thriving ancient city, this village is dominated by the majestic Besparmak Mountains that offer great hiking and climbing.

Built in 1901, the historical clock tower that sits at the center of bustling Konak square was designed in an ornate Ottoman style.

Head to the bustling historic district of Alsancak for great shops, eateries, bars, city squares, museums and hotels.

Dating to the 17C, this beautiful church is Izmir's oldest Christian house of worship, and boasts a stunning ornate interior.

Home to a huge range of animals from around the world, Izmir's wildlife park is fun day out for adults and children alike.

Blending Greek, Roman, and Byzantine architecture, this ancient city boasts a theater with remarkable friezes, a library, and more.

Ruins of an ancient city dating to the 13C BC, excavated over the past century to reveal a theater, arches, and a few other curios.