Visit Trabzon

Rumi's tomb and the whirling dervishes, the Seljuk capital in the middle of Anatolia.

Honey-coloured stone houses stepping down a hill above the Mesopotamian plain, with Syriac monasteries.

Colonial city of churches and murals.

Visit Istanbul, Turkey's historic city straddling Europe and Asia. Explore the Hagia Sophia (a 6th-century Byzantine cathedral turned mosque and museum), marvel at the Blue Mosque's six minarets and 20,000 Iznik tiles, wander the Grand Bazaar (one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets with over 4,000 shops), and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for views of palaces and bridges linking continents.

Visit Antalya, a coastal city in Turkey known for its ancient ruins and Mediterranean beaches. Explore the well-preserved Roman theater of Aspendos (one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world), wander through the historic Kaleiçi district (Ottoman-era houses and narrow streets), and relax at Konyaaltı Beach (a long pebble beach with views of the Taurus Mountains).

Visit Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city on the Aegean coast. Explore the ancient Agora of Smyrna (one of the best-preserved Roman marketplaces in Anatolia), stroll along the Kordon promenade (a lively waterfront with cafes and sunset views), and see the historic Asansör (a 19th-century elevator connecting neighborhoods with panoramic vistas). Don't miss trying local specialties like boyoz (flaky pastry) and kumru (grilled sandwich) at the Kemeraltı Bazaar.

The first Ottoman capital under Mount Uludag: the Green Mosque, the silk bazaar and Iskender kebab.

The Castle of St Peter built from the Mausoleum's stones, wooden gulet cruises and the Aegean nightlife.