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Göreme Open
One of Turkeys Unesco World Heritage Sites, the Göreme Open-Air Museum is an essential stop on any Cappadocian itinerary and deserves a two-hour visit. First an important Byzantine monastic settlement that housed some 20 monks, then a pilgrimage site from the 17th century, this spl
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Mevlâna Museum
For Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the main reason to come to Konya is to visit the Mevlâna Museum, the former lodge of the whirling dervishes. Its Celaleddin Rumi (later known as Mevlâna) that we have to thank for giving the world the whirling dervishes and, indirectly, the Mevlân
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Süleymaniye Mosque
The Süleymaniye crowns one of İstanbuls seven hills and dominates the Golden Horn, providing a landmark for the entire city. Though its not the largest of the Ottoman mosques, it is certainly one of the grandest and most beautiful. Its also unusual in that many of its original küll
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Topkapı Palace
Topkapı is the subject of more colourful stories than most of the worlds museums put together. Libidinous sultans, ambitious courtiers, beautiful concubines and scheming eunuchs lived and worked here between the 15th and 19th centuries when it was the court of the Ottoman empire. V
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The Best Photo Ops in Turkey
The grand Ayasofya in Istanbul. Photo © Calflier001, licensed Creative Commons Attribution & ShareAlike.
Pack an extra camera battery and charge up every evening because Turkey is packed with gorgeous photo opportunities. Pack a tripod as well: enchanting night shots all around the country are
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Unique Places to Stay in Turkey
In Ürgüp you can stay in a restored cave hotel. Photo © LWYang, licensed Creative Commons Attribution.
From tree houses to Ottoman mansions to a cave complex that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site, Turkey offers unforgettable lodgings.
Northern Aegean Coast
Hotel Armagrandi, Bozcaada: Abandoned
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Discover Istanbul and the Turkish Coast
Istanbul and the Turkish Coast. Photo © [.O], licensed Creative Commons Attribution.Istanbul not only delineates the continental divide between Asia and Europe, it serves as a lively meeting point of the modern and traditional, and of Western, Eastern, and Middle Eastern cultures. Turkey’s crown j
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Top Outdoor Adventures in Turkey
Adrenaline junkies and nature enthusiasts will find their share of outdoor adventures in Turkey. Contact the tour agencies listed in Moon Istanbul & the Turkish Coast in advance for itineraries and departure dates as you consider the following trip ideas.
The Lycian Way can accommodate both be
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Visiting Istanbul and the Turkish Coast
The country’s most visited destinations remain the coastal provinces, with a tourist high season in June-early September. Istanbul’s humidity and long lines can be overwhelming in July and August. The western and southern coasts benefit from a seasonal Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and c
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The Best of Istanbul in Five Days
Plan for three days in Istanbul, and you’ll wish you stayed longer. A five-day itinerary will show you the best of the city that straddles two continents. Start in old Istanbul, but don’t forget the abundance of attractions outside the old city walls in Eyüp and across the Golden Horn in Beyoğlu.
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Turkish Coast Itinerary: 1 Week
Begin in the quaint town of Selçuk and tour the famed ancient city of Ephesus before continuing on to Pamukkale to laze on the white travertines. Cap off your coastal journey on the Turquoise Coast, exploring Kaş and Antalya or floating away on a Blue Cruise.
Day 1: Selçuk and Ephesus
From Istanbu
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Dolmuş—Ride-Sharing the Turkish Way
Translating literally as “stuffed,” the dolmuş—communal taxi—is one of the main modes of transportation in Turkey. The convenience and reduced price are ideal, if you don’t mind sharing a minivan or sedan with perfect strangers. Yes, it does sounds a little daunting, but go on—get in, take a seat,
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Nine Essential Tips for Traveling in Turkey
The grand Ayasofya in Istanbul is best visited either first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid heat and crowds. Photo © Calflier001, licensed Creative Commons Attribution & ShareAlike.
As an avid—and often solo—traveler in Turkey, I’ve picked up a few handy hints from local
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Turkish Coffee: A Disappearing Institution
Turkish coffee, or Türk kahvesi, is an art and ritual that is slowly entering the history books. Coffee culture actually got its start in the streets of Istanbul’s Tahtakale neighborhood around the mid-1500s. A couple of Syrians had brought coffee to Istanbul—the center of Islam at that time—and b
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Best Beaches in Turkey
With a coastline extending more than 6,700 kilometers, Turkey’s sandy expanses are numerous, and finding the “best” stretch of beach mostly depends on your itinerary. Though there are popular beaches on the southern Aegean coast by the party town of Kuşadası, the sandy beaches of the northern Aege
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Choosing a Tour in Turkey’s Cappadocia Region
Joining a tour is a better option than looking around the valley on your own, which can be a hit-and-miss experience; tours are a foolproof way to visit all the sites within a short period of time. There is a wide variety of activities and destinations around the region, so you can pick a tour bas
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Closing Days for Sites and Shopping in Istanbul
Topkapı Palace is closed to visitors on Tuesdays. Photo © Pavel Szabo/123rf.
When planning your itinerary, keep in mind the closures for these top sites:
Closed Monday: Archaeological Museums, Ayasofya, Dolmabahçe Palace, Great Palace Mosaics Museum
Closed Tuesday: Topkapı Palace and Harem
C
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Hiring a Tour Guide in Turkey
To save money and avoid traffic, consider walking tours instead of bus tours. Photo © Ievgenii Fesenko/123rf.
Deciding on a guide should involve a few checks on reputation and credentials. First, travel agencies in Turkey must be registered with TURSAB, an agency responsible for accrediting a
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The Rise of Tourism in Turkey
Tourism in Turkey has grown rapidly since the late 1990s. Anatolia’s historical sites, spanning at least five millennia and some 22 cultures, make Turkey the country with the most archaeological sites worldwide.
Developers have been quick to heed the growing interest from abroad.Turkey’s sun-kisse
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The Seven Churches of the Revelation
For thematically and spiritually driven travelers, the proximity of the Seven Churches of the Revelation—discussed in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation—offers a great opportunity to retrace Christianity’s early footsteps in Asia Minor and discover the ruins along the sinuous Aegean Coast. The
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