Istanbul

This centuries old capital guards the slender waterway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and is the doorway between the East and West. Visitors can explore remnants of Byzantine Constantinople in the Sultanahmet district, where you will have the chance to see ancient splendors, such as the Haghia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. At night the city boast a lively nightclub scene and excellent Turkish dining options that may include cultural entertainment and dancing. Istanbul also features splendid shopping malls, boutiques, and hand crafted items can be found all over the city.

Konya

Ivriz is a relief representing a king and fertility god of the Hittite period. Eflatun Pinar is a holy Hittie monument fountain. A Byzantine church and several rock chapels can be seen in Sille, where the first rock carved monasteries of the world were built. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Konya acted as capital of Seljuk Turks and advanced rapidly to become a cultural center. The most famous building is the Green Mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, now a museum housing Mevlana's works. Alaeddin Hill's mosque and palace are fine 13th century monuments built during the reign of the famous Seljuk Sultan. Karatay Medresse is a museum holding the best examples of Seljuk tiles and ceramics. The Ince Minareli Medresse, the Sircali Medresse, and the Iplikci Mosque are other Seljuk works. The various museums housing historical finds are other interesting sights. The Archaeological Museum should be visited for its charming pieces. The Koyunoglu Museum, with Izzettin Koyunoglu House, is beautiful; the Ethnographical Museum and Ataturk's House are for history lovers.

Cappadocia

The underground cities of Cappadocia give you an idea of the sensation of what living in a labyrinth felt like. Derinkuyu is one of the 40 subterranean settlements in this area. It was at one time the home for up to 20,000 people. Its 18 stories descend into the Anatolian plateau south of Goreme. The ventilation shafts, circular and descending from the surface to the lower levels, and the massive circular doors remind you of the motivation for moving underground in the first place – to guarantee a degree of protection. There are eight floors of tunnels open to the visitor. Not for the claustrophobic.