Istanbul embraces two continents, one arm reaching out to Asia the other to Europe. In the city's heart, the Bosphorus strait, course the waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The former capital of three successive empires- Roman Byzantine and Ottoman-today Istanbul honours and preserves the legacy of its past while looking forward to its modern future. Indeed it is Istanbul's variety that fascinates its visitors. The museums, 5 churches, places, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows on the opposite shore you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At times such as these you feel that Istanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.

You could visit Istanbul for the shopping alone. The Kapali Carsi,or Covered Bazaar, in the old city is the logical place to start. This labyrinth of streets and passages houses more than 4000 shops. The names recall the days when each trade had its own quarter: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet sellers' street, the street of the skullcap makers. Still the commercial centre of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and pocket.

Turkish crafts, the world-renowned carpets, brilliant hand-painted ceramics, copper and brass ware, and meerschaum pipes make charming souvenirs and gifts. The gold jewellery in brilliantly lit cases blinds the passers-by. Leather and suede goods of excellent quality represent a relatively inexpensive purchase. The Old Bedesten, in the heart of the bazaar, offers a curious assortment of antiques. It is worth poking through the clutter of decades in the hope of finding a treasure. The Misir Carsisi or Spice Bazaar,behind the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu,transports you to your fantasies of the mystical East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice fill the air.Sultanahmet has become another shopping mecca in the old city. The Istanbul Sanatlari Carsisi (Bazaar of Istanbul Arts) in the 18th century Mehmet Efendi Medresesi, and the nearby 16th century Caferaga Medrese built by Sinan both offer a chance to see craftsmen at work and to purchase their wares. In the arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, a thriving shopping arcade makes shopping and sightseeing very convenient.

The sophisticated shops of the Taksim-Nisantasi-Sisli districts contrast with the chaos of the bazaars. On Istikial Caddesi, Cumhuriyet Caddesi and Rumeli Caddesi, you can browse peacefully in the most fashionable shops that sell elegant fashions made from Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite jewellery as well as finely designed handbags and shoes can also be found. The recently developed Galleria mall at Atakoy has branches of Istanbul's most elegant shops. Bahariye Caddesi, Bagdat Caddesi and Capitol, on the Asian side, offer the same goods.

In Istanbul's busy flea markets you can find an astonishing assortment of goods, both old and new. Everyday offers a new opportunity to poke about the Sahaflar Carsisi and Cinaralti in the Beyazit district. On Sundays, in a flea market between the Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover their wares on carts and blankets. The Horhor Carsisi is a collection of shops that sell furniture of varying age and quality. The flea market in the Topkapi district, on Cukurcuma Sokak in Cihangir, on Buyuk Hamam Sokak in Uskudar,in the Kadikoy Carsi Duragi area, and between Eminonu and Tahtakale,are open daily. After a drive up the Bosphorus on a Sunday stop between Buyukdere and Sariyer to wander through another lively market.

The city of Bursa, southeast of the Sea of Marmara, lies on the lower slopes of Uludag (Mt. Olympus of Mysia, 2443 meters). The city derives its name from its founder Prusias, King of Bithynia.It subsequently came under Roman, then Byzantine rule before falling to Osman Bey in 1326 becoming the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. Many important Ottoman buildings remain.

Known as "Green Bursa", the city ,is filed with gardens and parks and overlooks a verdant plain. It is at the centre of an important fruit growing region. Bursa was, and is still, famous for its silk trade, towel manufacture and thermal springs. You must taste locally invented Iskender Kebab, a dish of bread, tomato sauce, strips of grilled meat, melted butter and yoghurt. Candied chestnuts are another regional speciality.

A tour of the city begins in the eastern section at the Yesil Turbe (Green Mausoleum). Set in a garden and distinguished by its paneling of blue tiles, the mausoleum holds the tiled cenotaph of Sultan Menmet I. Across the street, the Yesil Mosque of 1424 reflects the new Ottoman,as opposed to Seljuk, aesthetic. A medrese nearby completes the complex which is also home to the Ethnographical Museum. Before exploring this area, stop for a glass of tea in one of the traditionai tea houses. Uphill, to the east, you pass by the Emir Sultan Mosque in its delightful setting, and after walking through a district of old houses you reach the Yildirim Beyazit (1391).

Now make your way to Cumhuriyet Square(known locally as Heykel) and stroll along Ataturk Avenue to Koza Park where outdoor cafes are set among flowers and fountains. At the back of the park, a long building. the Koza Han (1490), houses the trade in Silk cocoons. From here you proceed to the covered bazaar area, with its narrow streets, caravanserais and bedesten. On the other side of Koza Park stands the Orhan Gazi Mosque built in 1413 and one of Bursa's oldest religious buildings. Nearby the large UIu Mosque was constructed in the Seijuk style. A finely carved walnut mimber and impressive calligraphic panels decorate the mosque. The sadirvan (ablutions fountain) lies unusually within the mosque it self under the ceiling of twenty domes.

Walking west from the Ulu Mosque you arrive at Hisar,an old and picturesque quarter of Bursa. In the park that overlooks the valley are the mausoleums of Osman, the founder of the Ottoman Empire, and his son Orhan Gazi who commanded the army that conquered Bursa.The cafes of Tophane offer a good place to stop for refreshment. Nearby in Ressamlar Sokak (Artists Street) local artists work in the open air.

At the Yildiz Park Tea Gardens in the Muradiye quarter, you get a superb view of the Muradiye Complex. The compound, in a tranquil park-like setting, contains the Mosque of Sultan Murat II. (1426) built in the style of the Yesil Mosque and the tombs of Murat II, Cem and Sehzade Mustafa. These contain some of the loveliest decoration and tile work. The nearby Ottoman House Museum in a restored 17th century dwelling provides an interesting glimpse of the lives of wealthy Ottomans.

Other places of interest in Bursa include the Culture Park with the Bursa Archaeological Museum and the Ataturk Museum on the road to Cekirge.

The western suburb of Cekirge has been known since Roman times for its warm, mineral-rich springs. Many modern hotels have thermal bath facilities and you can as well visit the old hamams. Yeni Kaplica (New Spring) was built by Suleyman the Magnificent's Grand Vizier, Rustem Pasa, in 1552. The Eski Kaplica (Old Spring), built on the site of the original Byzantine baths, is the oldest bath. The Karamustafa Pasa baths are reputed to have the best hot mineral waters in Bursa. Buildings of interest in Cekirge include the Mosque and Mausoleum of Murat I. and the tomb of Suleyman Celebi, a religious poet. The monument to Karagoz commemorates the character whose humorous antics are immortalized in Turkish shadow puppet the alter.

UIudag is the largest winter sports center in Turkey and offers a variety of activities, accommodation and entertainment. Thirty-six kilometers from Bursa, the slopes are easily reached by car or cable car (teleferik). December to May are the best months for skiing, although the area, which is a national park, is well worth a visit at any time of the year for the lovely views and wonderful fresh air.

A seaside resort town 25 km from Bursa, Mudanya's fine fish restaurants and nightclubs are popular with the residents of Bursa. The Armistice Museum is worth a visit. Just 12 km from Mudanya, Zeytinbagi (Tirilye) exemplifies the architecture and layout of a typical Turkish town.

The Gulf of Gemlik, 29 km from Bursa has wide sandy beaches; Armutlu and Kumla are the favourites

On the border between Greece and Turkey, Edirne was for some years the Ottoman capital, and in the 18th century one of the seven largest cities in Europe. On a verdant plain of poplar trees near the junction of the Tunca and Meric Rivers, this graceful historical city welcomes visitors as they make their way to Istanbul and other points east. The people of the Edirne area trace their origins beyond the rule of the Macedonians. The Roman emperor Hadrian rebuilt the city and renamed it Hadrianople after himself. With the division of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines claimed Edirne and in 1361 Sultan Mural I added it to his empire.

Its position for almost 100 years as capital of the Ottoman Empire accounts for its many historically and architecturally important buildings. With its mosques, religious complexes, bridges, old bazaars, caravanserais and palaces, Edirne is a living museum.

The Selimiye Mosque is the city's focal point. Occupying the top of a hill, Sinan's design reflects the classical Ottoman style. Built on the orders of Sultan Selim II, (1569-1575) it testifies to the technological abilities of the day and the genius of the Ottoman's master architect.

Built between 1403 and 1414 by Mehmet I, the Eski Mosque is the oldest Ottoman structure in Edirne. The white marble of the portal contrasts with the building's cut stone and brick masonry. Calligraphic inscriptions of Koranic verses decorate the interior..

The Uc Serefeli Mosque, built between 1438 and 1447 by Mural I, presages the great period of Ottoman mosque architecture under Sinan and embodies both a new freedom from restraint and advances in engineering. The northwest minaret has three galleries, hence the mosque's name and was the highest minaret until those of the Selimiye Mosque eclipsed it.

Towards the end of the 15th century, Beyazit II commissioned the architect Hayrettin to build him a complex in Edirne which includes a mosque, Darussifa (hospital), medrese, kitchen and store rooms. The mosque is square in plan and covered with a deep dome; over 100 domes roof the remainder. The most important of the other buildings is the Daruissifa which stood out in its time as a modern hospital with a unique and humane architectural design.

Little has changed in the Kaleici section of Edirne since the middle Ages. Narrow streets lined with houses wind through the area. The number of small restaurants and cafes reflect the district's renaissance.

Sinan built several of the famous baths in Edirne including the Sokollu, Tahtakale, Mezit Bey, Beylerbeyl and Gazi Mihal hamams. His work is also seen in the Ahmet Pasa Caravanseral and the Rustem Pasa Caravanserai of 1561. The last has been renovated and serves as a charming hotel. The old bedesten of the early 15th century still functions as Edirne's main market. As you drive around the area you should notice the many lovely Ottoman bridges which grace the Tunca and Meric Rivers.

Edirne has retained many of its colourful traditions and customs. Every summer where the Tunca River divides an emerald green meadow is created called Sarayici, where the Kirkpinar Greased Wrestling Contests are held. Shiny, slippery bodies grapple to determine who will emerge as champion.

As you walk through the city and peer into the corners of the grocery stores, you see blocks of white feta cheese, a local speciality. Hardariye, another of the city's delicacies, is a grape drink mixed with mustard and marzipan. Scented soaps, earthenware pots and straw baskets from Edirne make good souvenirs. You will find it dirticult to resist the beautiful embroidery work of the local women.

The Archaeological and Ethnographical Museum traces the history of the area from prehistoric to Byzantine times and exhibits clothing from the late Ottoman period. At the Turkish Islamic Art Museum, examples of Ottoman architectural details, calligraphy, manuscripts, Korans, weapons, glass and an imperial tent used on military campaigns are displayed.

On the way to the Saroz Gulf in the Aegean Sea, you can stop at Uzunkopru to see an interesting bridge spanning the Ergene River, nuilt by Murat II in 1444. Its 174 arches, the highest of which is 12.28 meters, make up its 1354 meter length. The mild climate and beautiful surroundings on the Saroz Gulf invite holiday makers for a break of relaxation. Whether here or in Edirne, the hotel and guest-house facilities are plentiful and reasonably priced.

The Turquoise Riviera

In Antalya, the pine-clad Toros (Taurus) Mountains sweep down to the sparkling clear sea forming an irregular coastline of rocky headlands and secluded coves. The region, bathed in.sunshine for 300 days of the year, is a paradise of sunbathing, swimming, and sporting activities like windsurfing, waterskiing, sailing, 'mountain climbing and caving. If you come to Antalya in March and April, you can ski in the mornings and in the afternoons swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Important historical sites await your discovery, amid a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus groves and palm, avocado and banana plantations. The Turkish Riviera is Turkey's tourism capital. Its full range of accommodations, from tourist class to deluxe hotels, and the hospitable people of Antalya will make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable.

Set amid amazing scenery of sharp contrasts, Antalya, Turkey's principal holiday resort, is an attractive city with shady palm-lined boulevards and a prize-winning marina. On the picturesque old quarter, Kaleici, has narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls.

Since its founding in the second century B.C. by Attalos II, a king of Pergamon, who named the city Attaleia after himself, Antalya has been continuously inhabited. The Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks successively occupied the city before it came under Ottoman rule. The elegant, fluted minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque in the centre of the city, built by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat in the 13th century, has become Antalyas symbol. The Karatay Medrese (theological college) in the Kaleici district, from the same period, exemplifies the best of Seljuk stone carving. The two most important Ottoman mosques in the city are the 16th century Murat Pasa Mosque, remarkable for its tile decoration, and the 18th century Tekeli Mehmet Pa5a Mosque. Neighboring the marina, the attractive late 19th century Iskele Mosque is built of cut stone and set on four pillars over a natural spring. The Hidirlik Kulesi (tower) probably was originally constructed as a lighthouse in the second century. The Kesik Minaret Mosque attests to the city's long history in its succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman renovations.

When Emperor Hadrian visited Antalya in 130 A.D. a beautifully decorated three-arched gate was built into the city walls in his honour. Near the marina the two towers flanking the gate and other sections of the walls still stand. The clock tower in Kalekapisi Square was also part of the old city's fortifications.

In the Ataturk and KaraaIioglu Parks, with their colourful exotic flowers and the bay's shimmering water in front of you and the mountains behind, you will have no doubt why Antalya has become such a popular resort. Aqua Park, on the eastern coast, has every kind of water sport, including many interesting water-slides.

The award-winning Antalya Kaleici Marina and Leisure Centre is considered one of the loveliest marinas in Turkey. This centre can well meet every tourist's need with its many souvenir shops, friendly cafes and restaurants as well as yacht moorings and services. Sail in the morning and enjoy the restful peace of the marina in the afternoon. The old city walls, lit at night, lend an atmosphere of serenity and timelessness. The Archaeological Museum, with remains from the Paleolithic Age to Ottoman times, offers a glimpse of the area's rich history. The Ataturk Museum displays objects used by the founder of the Turkish Republic. (Both open weekdays except Monday).

The Antalya Altin Portakal (Golden Orange) Film and Art Festival, held in the autumn, attracts both participants and visitors. The ancient theatre in Aspendos makes an impressive setting for some of the festival's plays and concerts. Antalya also hosts annual jewelery fairs.

The mountains of the Toros (Taurus) Range rise up immediately behind the coast; the whole length - from Konyaalti Beach to the Kirlangic Peninsula-is a national preserve, the Bey Daglari (Olympos) National Park. The history of this area, the ancient Lycian Peninsula, can be traced back to the Neolithic Age to the settlements at Beldibi.

The 42 km of road from Antalya to Kemer pass through spectacular mountain scenery. This resort town has been carefully designed to blend in with the surrounding scenery and offers an ideal environment for a wonderful holiday. A fully equipped Kemer marina has facilities for all activities so that yachtsmen can enjoy the unspoilt bays and beaches south of the town. Shoppers will delight in the wonderful range of high quality souvenirs for sale. A beach promenade north of the marina has steps leading down from its cafes and shops directly to the beach.

Kemer Beach is a Blue Flag beach. The term "Blue Flag" coined by the European Union means clean beach.

Theme Park you can watch traditional craftspeople at work. The adjoining bay is a charming and delightful spot with many sports and daily entertainment facilities discreetly hidden among the pines. April is the month for the colourful Kemer Carnival. Also in the spring are the yacht races between Kemer and Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Kiziltepe, Goynuk (Blue Flag) and Beldibi(Blue Flag) north of Kemer and Camyuva and Tekirova (Blue Flag) to the south, are tourist centre full of various activities. The holiday villages are all designed to blend into the forest that encircles them.

Northeast of Antalya, at the turn off for Tasagil and Beskonak, is the scenic route that leads to the Koprulu Canyon National Park. The twisting road criss-crosses over mountain streams and passes through virgin forests. It is often a slow drive as the view at every turn is more beautiful than the last. The park, 92km from Antalya, is a valley of wild beauty rich in flora and fauna. The canyon stretches for 14 km along the Kopru River and is 400 meters deep in some places. Fish restaurants dot the rest areas. The Roman Oluk Bridge, which spans the canyon, and the Bugrum Bridge over the Kocadere stream, are engineering feats of antiquity. From this park you can make two possible excursions to the ancient city of Selge and to the Dedegol Mountains. Dedegol Mountains, the highest peak in this mountain range rises to 2,992 meters.

One of the most interesting and well known caves in Turkey is located in Altinbesik Cave National Park situated 12 kilometres southeast of Aydinkent (Ibradi) and 55 kilometres north of Manavgat. Lakes and interesting rock formations witnin the cave area as well as travertine’s and streams make this area especially fascinating. Altinbesik Cave is situated on the western slopes of tne Manavgat River Valley and can be reacnea via the village of Urunlu which is an authentic village t hat is a must-see when travelling through this area.

The 13th century caravanserai. Alarahan, wasbuilt by the Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubat on the banks of the Alara River. On the top of a nearby hill the Alara Fortress commands a View of the whole area.

The large popular resort centre of Alanya lies at one end of a rocky promontory which juts out into the Mediterranean between two long sandy beaches. A 13th century Seljuk fortress-one of the most magnificent sights on the coast-crowns the headland. About 150 towers punctuate the walls of the well- preserved, double walled citadel. Within the outer walls are ruins of mosques, a caravanserai and a covered bazaar; in the inner walls are a ruined cistern and a Byzantine church. Although Alanya's history dates back to Roman times, it rose to prominence under the Seljuks, when in 1220; Alaeddin Keykubat made it his winter residence and naval base. The surviving buildings reflect the importance of the city in Seljuk times. Besides the impressive citadel tourists should explore the unique dockyards and the octagonal Kizil Kule(Red Tower). Alanya is a beautiful holiday centre of modern hotels and motels, numerous fish restaurants and cafes and bars. The cafes that ring the harbour have become popular gathering places for tourists. From the town's lovely park, the road runs along the coast to the harbour, lined with countless boutiques that tempt tourists with handicrafts, leather, clothes, jewellery, handbags and the amusing painted gourds, a symbol of the area. In August, Alanya hosts a colourful International Folklore Festival the atmosphere is charged with vitality and gaiety.

If you enjoy exploring you should visit the Damlatas Cave to see the eerie misshapen rock formations. Nearby is the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, (Open weekdays except Monday). A boat can take you to the three sea grottoes: Fosforlu Magara with its phosphorescent rocks, the Kizlar Magarasi, where pirates imprisoned their female captives, and the Asiklar Magarasi.

If you enjoy exploring you should visit the Damlatas Cave to see the eerie misshapen rock formations. Nearby is the Archaeology and Ethnography Museum, (Open weekdays except Monday). A boat can take you to the three sea grottoes: Fosforlu Magara with its phosphorescent rocks, the Kizlar Magarasi, where pirates imprisoned their female captives, and the Asiklar Magarasi.

When the intense sun overpowers you, take a day trip to the Dim Cayi Valley, 15 km east of Alanya, where you can relax in the shade of this scenic valley and listen to the stream rushing by. Avsallar (incekum), about 25 km from Aianya to the west, is a holiday resort center with fine sandy beaches. If you travel east from Alanya towards Gazipasa you will discover and no doubt linger on the exceptional beaches. 30 km east of Alanya, Aytap, the historical harbor city Lotape, is a great excursion site, with Roman ruins, secluded beaches and bays.

The Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves, rocky crags and pine woods.

Whether you prefer idyllic fishing harbours, popular holiday villages or the remains of ancient civilizations attesting to more than 5, 000 years of history, culture and mythology, this region offers a holiday with something for everyone - nature lovers, sun worshippers, photographers, sports enthusiasts, sailors and archaeologists -. Along the whole length of the coast, accommodation to suit every taste and price range can be found.

Known in Turkish as "Beautiful Izmir" the city lies at the head of a long and narrow gulf furrowed by ships and yachts. The climate is mild and in the summer the constant and refreshing sea breezes temper the sun's heat. Behind the palm-lined promenades and avenues which follow the shoreline, the city, in horizontal terraces, gently ascends the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey and its port is second only to Istanbul. A cosmopolitan and lively city all year round, Izmir bursts with an added vibrancy during the International Arts Festival (June/July) and the International Fair (August/Sept). The original city was established in the third millennium B.C. (at present day Bayrakli), at which time it shared with Troy the most advanced culture in Western Anatolia. By 1500 B.C. it had fallen under the influence of the Central Anatolian Hittite Empire In the first millennium B.C. Izmir, then known as Smyrna, ranked as one of the most important cities of the Ionian Federation.

During this period, one of the city's most brilliant, it is believed that Homer resided here. Lydian conquest of the city, around 600 B.C. brought this period to an end. Izmir remained little more than a village throughout the Lydian and subsequent sixth-century B.C. Persian rule. In the fourth century B.C. a new city was built on the slopes of Mt. Pagos (Kadifekale) during the reign of Alexander the Great. Izmir's Roman period, beginning in the first century B.C., was its second great era. Byzantine rule followed in the fourth century and lasted until the Seljuk conquest in the 11th century. In 1415, under Sultan Mehmet Celebi, Izmir became part of the Ottoman Empire.

In the streets of the Kemeralti Market area, it is possible to find fascinating antiques, both fine and fun jewellery, a great variety of clothing, and the dried figs and raisins for which Izmir is famous. The fish restaurants in this colourful area serve up the local specialities of tranca and cipura, two types of sea bream. The best modem and most elegant shops are on the Kordon Promenades in Alsancak and Karsiyaka and on Cumhuriyet Avenue and in Passport.

A visit to Efes (Ephesus) - once the commercial centre of the ancient world - is a highlight of any visit to Turkey. The city, whose wealth and patronage supported its splendid architectural program, was dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Her enormous temple, once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and rebuilt several times, dates in its latest form from the third century B.C.

The ruins also include a theatre, gymnasium, agora and baths, as well as the Library of Celsus, The nearby town of Selcuk is dominated by a Byzantine citadel which stands close to the 6th century basilica of St. John built on the site of the Apostle's tomb. The 14th century Isa Bey Mosque, next to the basilica is accessed through its typical Seljuk portal. The Archaeological Museum houses an impressive collection of statues and other finds recovered during the excavations of Ephesus. The nearby Turkish Bath Museum, built in the 16th century, shows Turkish life at the hamam (bath). The Ephesus International Festival is held annually in May.

It is recorded that St. John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after the death of Christ and that she spent her last days in a small house (Meryemana Evi) built for her on Bulbuldagi (Mt. Koressos). Now a popular place of pilgrimage for Christians and Muslims the house has received the official sanction of the Vatican and Christians observe a commemoration ceremony every year on August 15th.

Near Selcuk in Camlik is a TCDD Open-air Steam Locomotives Museum. 9 km east of Selcuk is Sirince, known for its traditional 19th-century village houses, some of which have been converted into guest-houses. Wine is produced in this small hillside Turkish village, which itself resembles an open-air museum. 18 km from Selcuk are wine-houses, for tasting the wines.