Kariye museum

he Aviation Museum in Yesilkoy traces the development of air flight in Turkey. (Open every day except Monday.)

The great field tents used by the Ottoman armies on campaigns are displayed in the Military Museum. Other exhibits include Ottoman weapons and the accoutrements of war. The Mehter Takimi (Ottoman military band) perform Ottoman Marshal music between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. (Open every day except Monday and Tuesday.)

The house in which Ataturk lived in sisli now serves as the Ataturk Museum and displays his personal effects. (Open every day except Saturday and Sunday.)
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Yerebatan palace

The Mosaic Museum preserves in situ exceptionally fine mosaic pavements of the fifth and sixth centuries which remain from the Great Palace of the Byzantine emperors. (Open every day except Monday.)

The 11th century church of St. Savior in Chora, the Kariye Museum, is, after St. Sophia, the most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul. Unremarkable in its architecture, inside tne walls are decorated with superb l4th century frescoes and mosaics. Illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, these brilliantly colored paintings embody the vigor of Byzantine art. Restored wooden houses in the area surrounding the churcn offer tea and coffee in a relaxed atmosphere far removed from the city's hectic pace. (Open every day except Tuesday.)
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Topkapi Palace

The Archaeological Museums are found just inside the first court of Topkapi Palace. The newly renovated Archaeological Museum includes the celebrated Alexander Sarcophagus among its treasures of antiquity. The Museum of the Ancient Orient displays artifacts from the Sumerian, Babylonian. Assyrian, Hatti and Hittite civilizations. (Open every day except Monday.)

Originally built as a kosk or pavilion by Mehmet the Conqueror in the 15th century, the Cinili Kosk. which houses the Museum of Turkish Ceramics. contains beautiful lznik wares from the 16th century and fine examples of Seljuk and Ottoman pottery and tiles. (Open every day except Monday.) kasikci Diamond
Kasikci Diamond
in Topkapi Palace
Like the Ayasofya Museum, the St. Irene Museum was originally a church. It ranks, in fact, as the first church built in Istanbul.Constantine commissioned it in the fourth century and Justinian later had the church restored. Reputedly the building stands on the site of a pre-Christian temple. (Open every day except Monday.)
Yerebatan
Yerebatan Palace The dark stone building that houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art was built in 1524 by Ibrahim Pasa, Grand Vizier to Suleyman the Magnificent, as his residence. It was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire. Today it holds a superb collection of ceramics, metalwork, miniatures, calligraphy, textiles, and woodwork as well as some of the oldest carpets in the world. (Open every day except Monday.)

Across the street from the Ibrahim Pasa Palace is the Museum of Turkish Carpets which contains exquisite antique carpets and kilims gathered from all over Turkey. (Open every day except Sunday and Monday.)

Near St. Sophia is the sixth century Byzantine cistern known as the Yerebatan Sarayi. Three hundred and thirty-five massive Corinthian columns support the immense chamber's fine brick vaulting. (Open every day except Tuesday.)
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Çanakkale turkey

Theses two little towns are separated by the straight that joins the Sea of Marmara and the Agean. More importantly, they are the gateway to two famous battlefields in history: Troy and Gallipolli.

GETTING THERE: Overnight express bus from Istanbul.
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Bodrum in turkey

GETTING THERE: Flights from Istanbul daily, but sell out early in summer so its best to book ahead. Overnight bus trips are popular. Express buses from Istanbul take 12 hours. Buses from Cappadocia take a little longer. Selcuk (Ephesus) is just 3 hours away. Izmir is 4 hours. Ferries usually run daily from the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos.
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About bodrum

Bodrum is well known for its Medieval Castle as well as the place to lay on the beach all day and party until dawn. The Turkish Ministry of Tourism pages not only give a good overview on Bodrum town, but also on all the surrounding villages. Bodrum is also the home of the Blue Voyage: charter a wooden gulet for a slow relaxing journey along the shores of the Mediterranean.
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About istanbul

All roads lead to this historic city and there's lot to see and do! The Turkish Ministry of Tourism's pages includes listings and photos of the key sites including Palaces, Mosques and Musuems to visit. Time Out Istanbul is also another interesting site to visit.
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