I have been to Turkey twice on business during the past year and I am going there again this Saturday. Amazing place, great food and nice people.
Since I was there for work, I could not go everywhere, but here are some tips on the things I liked (some pics of me there are on the pictures thread):
Ankara
- Not too much to see. If you want, spend a day there when you are going from Istanbul to Cappadoccia. If you are around, you could see the Ataturk monument and museum.
Cappadoccia
- Must see. This is the place where the Christians, running away from the Crusades, built chapels inside mountains since it is mostly volcanic stone. Very unique and fascinating. Urgup is a very nice little town.
Istanbul
- Sultanahmet (old neighborhood). Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar (and I also recommend the Suleymaniye Mosque, even though it is a little bit separated).
- Definetly visit the Underground cistern
- Dolmabahce Palace next to the Bosphorus.
- Take the regular ferry that goes up the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea and makes stops in small little towns along the way. Have lunch at the last stop (gorgeous fishermen little town).
- Also take the regular ferry that goes to the Princes' Islands and have a beer and a fish by the sea. Gorgeous.
What to buy in Turkey:
- Carpets (of course, but expensive... do not buy them at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul as you will likely get ripped off... choose less touristy locations like Ankara).
- Tea glasses. You will be amazed at the amount of tea that Turks drink.
- Spices at the spice bazaar, if you like cooking.
What to eat and drink in Turkey:
- Efes beer
- Kebabs (I would be careful with chicken now but lamb kebaps are just
).
- The 20-plus different types of baklava.
- For breakfast, try Salep, a white warm beverage, especially if it is cold outside.
This time I am going to a town near Ephesus, so I will try to save a day to visit the ruins.
I am a huge fan of the country. If you need to know anything specific just ask.
Have a great trip!