Top destinations in Turkey and Ephesus

Fabulous Turkey … the location at the intersection between East and West influences. Ayasuluk Fortress sits on the hill high above Selçuk. This hilltop site has been settled since the Neolithic period, but the fortress dates from the Byzantine era and the fortifications were extended by the Seljuks. The mighty enclosure wall had 15 rectangular towers. Within the walls are several remnants of houses and a small Seljuk mosque. The views over town and the surrounding countryside are wonderful from the hilltop, making a trip here well worth the uphill walk. Archaeologists are still excavating the site, so it is sometimes closed to visitors.

Nemrut is a 2,134 meter (7,001 ft) high mountain in southeastern Turkey, near the city of Adiyaman. In 62 BC, King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene built a tomb-sanctuary flanked by huge statues of himself, two lions, two eagles and various Greek, and Persian gods on the mountain top. Since their construction, the heads have toppled from the bodies and lay scattered throughout the site. The summit of Mount Nemrut provides a great view of the surrounding mountains. The main attraction is to watch the sunrise from the eastern terrace which give the bodyless heads a beautiful orange hue and adds to the sense of mystery of the place.

With its stunning, lonely setting, built into a cliff face, Sumela Monastery (Monastery of the Virgin Mary) is the star attraction for visitors along the Black Sea Coast. Wandering around this abandoned religious complex, with its church interiors crammed with dazzling and vibrant frescoes, is a must for anyone who makes the long journey to Turkey’s northeast region. The monastery first opened during the Byzantine era and was only closed in 1923. Today, wandering its empty cells, it’s easy to imagine the isolated lives of the monks who once lived here.

One of Turkey’s most famous tourist attractions, the story of Troy has had everything from Homer’s ancient yarns to the full Hollywood stylings. Yet to truly get a feel for this legendary city you need to explore its walls and take a stroll around its streets, homes and theatres. Did the famed events described by Homer take place here? There’s simply no definitive answer, but as your mind wanders while you stroll through this timeless place you might just find yourself happily believing the legends…

The region where Ephesus is has dry and warm summers, mild and sometimes rainy springs and autumns and short, cool winters. This means you can visit Ancient Ephesus all year round. Ephesus visiting time is between 8.00am to 17.00pm in the summertime and between 8.00am to 19.00pm in the winter time. We suggest you start your Tour of Ephesus early in the morning when it is cooler, an not so much sun, wear protective cream and cover up from the sun. Entrance fees to Ephesus are approximately $11.00 per person, and an entry fees of $7.50 is charged for The Church of the Virgin Mary these prices can fluctuate seasonally and depending on exchange rates. Many Ephesus Tours will include both entrance fees and usually include lunch. Souvenirs are typically priced in USD, and they are not cheap at the sites, water and food are also a little more expensive around $5.00 – $10.00 for a sandwich. Extra details about https://www.goodmantours.com/ephesus.

One of the most important museums in Turkey, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is actually three museums: the Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum and the Tiled Kiosk Museum. The three museums combined contain more than 1 million objects from civilizations around the world. Founded in 1891, it was the first Turkish museum, and was located on the Topkapi Palace grounds. The Tiled Kiosk dates back to 1472. The museums contain thousands of precious artifacts, including the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great.

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