Linking Europe and the Middle East, suspended between the new and the long-established, Turkey retains a disconcerted balance of both east and west, representing a cultural mix with many discrepancies and contradictions. Modern city boutiques and exotic bazaars clamour for customers, the weekly tolling of church bells interrupts the daily call of the muezzin, and Roman ruins and the beginnings of Christianity compete for attention with the history of the Ottoman Empire and modern secularity.

The different regions of Turkey offer an assortment of landscapes, activities and characters, and whether one is a history or archaeology enthusiast, a sun-worshipper, sailor, or city-lover keen on shopping, there is something on offer for everyone. Istanbul, with one part in Europe and the other in Oriental Asia, is a fascinating city with its frenzied market places, imperial residences and minarets, and sporting a lively ambience of contemporary art and musical entertainment. Cappadocia in Central Turkey offers an astounding landscape of eroded volcanic rock cones and fairy chimneys, remarkable subterranean cities and rock-hewn houses that merge harmoniously with the ochre-coloured landscape; while further south the 'Turquoise Coast' is a haven for boat cruises. One can enjoy a variety of water sports, sunbathe on golden sands, or explore the wonderful ancient cities of Troy and Ephesus on the shores of the Aegean Sea.

Most visitors concentrate on Western Turkey, with its picturesque seaside resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, scenic and recreational attractions, well-preserved archaeological sites and fascinating museums that bring its rich history to life. Wherever one ventures in Turkey there is certain to be a warm welcome and traditional hospitality, making this a deeply satisfying corner of the world in which to travel.

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)

Address: Sultanahmet Square Istanbul

Admission: 15 YTL Open daily except Mondays from 9:30am-4:30pm

Telephone: (212) 518 1802

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

Address: Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Istanbul

Admission: There is no charge for visiting the mosque, but the museum has a small entrance fee Open daily, access restricted during prayer times, especially at midday on Fridays. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm

Telephone: (212) 518 1319 or (212) 518 1330 (for museum information)

Topkapi Palace Museum

Address: Topkapi Sarayi, Sultanahmet Istanbul

Admission: US$10 -15 depending on exchange rate; concessions available. The Harem can only be visited on a guided tour and a separate ticket is required for $10. Open daily except Tuesdays from 9am-5pm

Telephone: (212) 512 0480

Turkish and Islamic Art Museum

Address: Ibrahim Pasa Sarayi, Atmeydani 46, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Istanbul

Admission: 10 YTL Open daily except Mondays from 9:30am-5:30pm

Telephone: (212) 518 1805

Covered Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi)

Address: Kapali Çarsi, Beyazit to Eminönü Harbour Istanbul

Admission: Free Open daily except Sundays from 8.30am to 7pm

Ephesus

Address: Selçuk-Ephesus road Aegean Coast

Admission: Museum: 2 YTL Museum: daily 8:30am to 6pm

Telephone: (232) 892 6402 or 892 6940

Pamukkale

Address: Aegean Coast

Admission: Open daily. The Pamukkale Thermal is open 8am-8pm (closes 5pm in winter)

Telephone: Pamukkale Thermal: (258) 272 2024

Olympos and the Fires of Chimaera

Address: Çirali Mediterranean Coast

Goreme Open-Air Museum

Address: The museum is about 1 mile (2km) outside the town Cappadocia

Admission: 15 YTL Daily 8am-5:30pm

Telephone: (0)384 271 2167

Underground Cities of Cappadocia

Address: Cappadocia

Admission: Daily 8am-5pm

Ancient Troy

Address: 340 km (211 miles) west of Istanbul on the highway to Izmir Aegean Coast

Goreme

Address: Cappadocia

Anitkabir

Address: Entrance on Akdeniz Cad, Anitepe Ankara

Admission: Free 9am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday

Telephone: (0)312 231 7975

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Address: Old city (Ulus) near the entrance to the Citadel Ankara

Admission: 15 YTL Daily except Monday 8:30am to 5:30pm

Telephone: (0)312 324 3160

Temple of Augustus

Address: Ulus Square Ankara

Ethnographic Museum

Address: Talat Pasa Boulevard, Namazgah Ankara

Admission: Daily except Monday 8:30am-12:30pm, and 1:30pm-5:30pm

Natural History Museum

Address: Eskisehir Road Ankara

Admission: Weekdays 9am-5pm, weekends 10am-3pm

Telephone: (0) 312 287 3430

Sunken Palace

Address: Istanbul

Admission: 9am-5pm daily except Tuesday

Telephone: 212 522 1259

Galata Tower

Address: Galata Kulesi Sokak Istanbul

Admission: 9am-6pm daily

Telephone: 212 293 8180

Dolmache Palace

Address: Sultanahmet Istanbul

Istanbul Dolphinarium

Address: 2 – 4 Silahtaraða Caddesi, Fulya Istanbul

Admission: 25 TL (adult), 20 TL (child), free for children under 3 Shows: Tuesday to Friday 1:30pm; weekends 2pm and 5pm; closed Mondays.

Telephone: (212) 581 7878

Sisli Science Centre

Address: Sisli Belediyesi Bilim Merkezi, Fulya Istanbul

Admission: 5 TL (adult), 4 TL (child) Daily 9am-6pm

Telephone: (212) 266 00 46

Discovery Sphere Planetarium

Address: 5 Hasköy Caddesi, Hasköy Istanbul

Admission: 11 TL (adult), 6 TL (child) Daily; 10am-5pm on weekdays, 10am-7pm on weekends.

Telephone: (212) 369 6600

Hippodrome

Address: Meydani (Horse Plaza), Sultanahmet Istanbul

Yacht cruises

Hot Air Ballooning

Horse Riding

360 Istanbul

Address: Misir Apartmani K8, 311 Istikal Caddesi, Beyoglu Istanbul

Food Type: Fusion

Cezayir

Address: Hayriye Cad. 16, Beyoglu Istanbul

Food Type: Turkish

Asitane

Address: Kariye Camii Sokak 6, Edirnekapi Istanbul

Food Type: Turkish

Çintemani Restaurant

Address: Ritz-Carlton, Askerocagi Cad. 15, Sisli Istanbul

Food Type: International

The House Café (Ortaköy)

Address: Salhane Sokak 1, Ortaköy Istanbul

Food Type: Café

Körfez

Address: Körfez Cad. No:78 Kanlýca Istanbul

Food Type: Seafood

Feriye Lokantasi

Address: Çýraðan Cad. 40 Ortaköy Istanbul

Food Type: Local

Mikla

Address: Mesrutyiyet Cad. 167, Tepebasi Istanbul

Food Type: Mediterranean

Saf

Address: Club Sporium (Mayadrom Arkasý), Cumhuriyet Cad. 4/8 Akatlar Istanbul

Food Type: Organic