Asia

I will be traveling to Turkey for a week and would appreciate some help. I know turkey has a lot of places to visit and since I’ll be there for about a week I am confused as to which ones I should visit, how much they might cost, and how to get there.  I will be staying in Istanbul and also wanted an idea about the hotels and prices, etc. Response: Turkey has a few fascinating places to see like no other. Outside of Istanbul I recommend you look up and consider visiting Pamukkale and the area in Cappadocia with the unique stone formations and caves. In Istanbul there is of course the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace where you can view and learn about thousands of years of history. Depending on your budget, you might want to check the hostel sites. We used them and had a nice hotel (not hostel, but booked through a hostel site) down near the water in the historic area. The hotel was walking distance to the palace and everything Istanbul mentioned above. Staying in a tree house in Antalya (seasonal) and Fethiye are also popular. There are also a number of travel agents around the area I mentioned in Istanbul that can help, and of course your hotel concierge should be able to assist. If you stay at a hostel, there will be people there to guide you via cheaper routes.  

Yes, I have been to Antalya. Antalya is by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, in the southern part of Turkey and is a popular destination for tourists in the summer. Just look at images of Antalya on Google and you will understand the attraction. Clear blue water and numerous hotels and resorts competing in eye delighting modern architecture including spectacular pools. Yet, Antalya is an old city with a long history and you can see the old Hadrian’s Gate, an old town and mosques. Trips outside the city will take you to many remarkable places in this amazing region. In Antalya and around you can visit Pamukkale, Düden Waterfalls, Antalya Museum, Ulu Cami, Konyaaltı Beach, Köprülü Canyon, Hadrian’s Gate, Hıdırlık Tower, Karaalioglu Park, Murat Paşa Mosque, Atatürk’s House Museum, Tekeli Mehmet Paşa Mosque. My favorite city in this region is Fethiye but everyone has their own taste. You can take a great three day cruise between Fethiye and Olympus (for me, the memorable place of tree houses). Here are a few links: http://www.antalyamuzesi.gov.tr/en http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/med/Antalya/sights/hadrian_gate.html http://www.funtouristattractions.com/a/duden-waterfalls-antalya-turkey/4812 http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/485 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/bestbeaches/7634770/Best-beaches-in-Turkey-Konyaalti-beach-Antalya.html