Antalaya

Southern Turkey, on the Med...

Boat to Kekova Island from Demre

Amidst pristine blue waters and nesting turtles, forgotten ancient cities appear both above and below the water line along with the 4th C. BC Byzantine Simena medieval castle on the hill.  

Cappadocia above and below ground

Beneath the fairy chimneys, part of a volcanic landscape carved millions of years ago, lie hidden places of worship including early Christians escaping the Roman Empire. Today the properties hold precious carved ceilings and religious cave art not to mention built-in wine cellars and free cold storage.

Cappadocia

Turkish Cuisine

The food in Turkey is cheap and delicious. Shish kebabs (lamb, chicken and beef) are served with pita bread along with sliced onions, green olives, hot peppers, hummus and/or salad. Or how about bbq meatballs, freshly grilled fish, pizza, and ceramic pot stews with the pot broken away before serving. Cucumbers and tomatoes with local cheese, olives, and pita bread for breakfast.

Where Ataturk is Honored

Ataturk lies in Ankara, the capitol city, and is revered as the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey after WWI. (1881-1938) While he was a famous general, Ataturk was more an intellectual who managed to create a secular country after the collapse of the Ottoman empire and also defeat in WWI, including internal conflicts and tragedies. He turned westward and advocated education, a common language with a Romanized alphabet for use amongst many ethnicities in Turkey, equal rights, a separation of church (mosque) and state, and other significant changes.

Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

The Topkapi Palace, overlooking the Marmara Sea and Bosphorus Strait, was constructed by Mehmed the Conqueror starting in 1459, six years after the conquest of Constantinople. It served as the residence and headquarters of the Ottoman sultans for 400 years before they moved to the Dolmabahcę Palace.

Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul

Often referred to as the eighth wonder of the World, the Hagia Sophia Church was completed in 532 AD under the direction of the Byzantine emperor, Justinian I. It took just five years and the manpower of nearly 11,000 people to erect the structure that was the largest Christian church in the world for nearly a thousand years. Following the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, Mehmet the Conqueror declared the Hagia Sophia a mosque, and it remained that way for nearly 500 years. The massive dome of the Hagia Sophia was considered a revolution in the history of architecture, and today, is supported by the four minarets built during the Ottoman period. In 1935, 7 years after the Republic of Turkey became a secular government, esteemed leader Ataturk opened the Hagia Sophia as a museum for all and a symbol of harmony.