Page 5 - Flipbook

aBOVe: TuRKEY - View from Sofya
BeLOW rIGhT: TuRKEY - Ancient statues on top of mount Nemrut in South East Turkey
TuRKEY
No visit to modern-yet-ancient Turkey is complete without at least a few days in Old İstanbul. From the gargantuan Blue Mosque to Topkapı Palace and the markets, east meets west in a dazzling show of sights, smells and colours.
The mesmerising Aya Sofya is a good place to start - prepare to be dazzled by the stunning interior. Hagia Sophia too is a photography hot spot from which to marvel at both Ottoman and Byzantium contributions under one magnificent dome. There are mosaics inside over 700 years old.
Modern Beyoğlu on the European side of İstanbul is the centre of the city’s buzzing nightlife. Pedestrians stroll at all hours along Istiklal Caddesi (the Grande Rue) in search of the chicest cafes, bars, bistros and restaurants. For an historical walk, explore the hidden Ottoman hans (caravanserais) and the cinnamon-scented labyrinthine of shopping streets on your way to the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı).
If you’d rather soak up the sights without moving your feet, take to the water for a boat ride on the Bosphorus. There are lots of companies offering dinner and sunset tours, many of which begin in Eminönü.
On the south bank of the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Eminönü has been a major shopping area for centuries. This was the spot from which the Byzantines bought their fruit, vegetables and grains, although these days, a fake Rolex is perhaps easier to come by than an apple. Sophisticated shoppers head to Kanyon, a multi-purpose complex in the Levent financial district.
Looking for adventure? In 1987, Mount Nemrut was made a World Heritage site by UNESCO. This 7000-ft mountain is the site of an impressive amount of ancient statues at the summit, all erected around what’s presumed to be a royal tomb from the 1st century BCE. For a hire car, bus or even helicopter up to the top, the nearby town of Adiyaman will cater to your needs. There are also overnight tours running from Malatya.
Another World Heritage site to take in is Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, in Central Anatolia. Explore the lunar-like landscape and gaze in awe at mushroom-shaped rock formations known as fairy chimneys. Hierapolis-Pamukkale too, is a preserved site offering spectacular snow-white limestone with thermal springs, which the Romans thought to be therapeutic.
buLGARIA
From monasteries and churches over ten centuries old, to ancient tombs and sanctuaries, majestic mountains and exceptional local wines, Bulgaria’s turbulent history has done nothing to harm its attraction as a holiday destination. Sitting between Europe and Asia, Bulgaria offers endless options for luxury and vast landscapes at a fraction of the price you’d pay for the same in its neighbouring countries.
Wine production has a long history in Bulgaria, dating back to the times of the Thracian. A wine-tasting holiday will cost you less here than in the Mediterranean and will buy you more fun, too.
ENDLESS VACATION 04