Sumela Monastery

Located 17 km south of Macka county, the Sumela Monastery was built within a cave located in the middle of a mountain's sharply vertical slope located 250 meters up the base of a valley. After a zigzagging and challenging climb up the slope, you are rewarded with a spectacular view from the cave that is well worth the effort. There are various stories that attempt to explain the origins of the monastery. The most common of these relates to Barnabas the Monk from Athens and his nephew Sophrenius, who were said to have laid the first foundations. The legend goes that the two began to climb up the highest peak of the Kora Mountains until they found a cave with water dripping from its ceiling. The monks then supposedly fashioned the cave in two rooms [385 A.D.]. Around the year 412, after the death of the two monks, Christians of both Orthodox and Catholic denominations began visiting this monastery as a holy shrine. Whatever its origins might be, Sumela Monastery remains the Black Sea region's oldest Christian shrine and a fascinating place to visit as a result of wall and ceiling ornamentation dating back to various eras.

Safranbolu

Taking its name from the saffron("safron") grown in the region, Safranbolu is known for its uniquely preserved Ottoman Turkish architecture. Proclaimed a UNESCO Worls Heritage Site, it is one of a kind in terms of traditional Turkish buildings. Some of the more famous of these houses are the Kaymakamlar Evi, Aygiroglu Evi and the restored Asmazlar Havuzlu Konak, now used as a hotel.Among places not to be missed here: Cinci Hanı and its 17th century public bath, Izzet Mehmet Pasa Mosque, and the 17th century Koprulu Mosque with its famous library.

Urgup

Twenty miles to the east of Nevsehir is Urgup, one of the most important areas of Cappadocia. Urgup has been built on top of a stone bed that is itself honeycombed with the houses and rooms of the old settlement. Urgup is a lively tourism center and a "must see" on any tour of Cappadocia. Situated within a region of vineyards, each October Urgup hosts the International Wine Festival. Leaving Urgup and traveling due south bringsthe visitor to Pancarlık Valley and its 12th century church. Traveling from there to Mustafapasa(Sinasos) leads us to the remnants of a very different age, with its houses embellished with stone carvings.

Selimiye Mosque

The Selimiye mosque is located in the most eye-catching spot of city. This masterpiece created by Architect Sinan during his best period, is located on the summit of a hill, and is in the classical Ottoman style. With its - for its time - advanced desing, this mosque built on the orders of Sultan Selim II (1569-1575), reflects Architect Sinan's genius. This mosque, which has four minarets with three balconies each, is recognized as the greatest masterpieces of Ottoman-Turkish architecture.

Cappadocia - Balloon Tour

If you manage to spare time for a trip to Cappadocia, make sure you tke a balloon ride while you are there. There are simply no words to describe what it is like to view the awe-inspiring valleys and mysterious fairy chimneys from a balloon that is seemingly floating over the excruciatingly beautiful landscape lasts about one hour...

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is the name given to that triangle of land that lies between Nevşehir, Niğde, and Aksaray. The interesting formations of tuff called "Fairy Chimneys" have actually been formed by the effects of wind and floor waters pouring off the surrounding hills and mountains into the valley floors. The flood waters found their own paths through the steep gorges, causing deep cracks and breakages in the hord stone.In Cappadocia, the softer erodable material underneath has been gradually swept away, resulting in conical formations protected by basalt caps. These capped fairy chimneys with their conical bodies and "cap" formations are primarily found in the area around Urgup. The basalt "caps" tend to be harder and more durable then the softer tuff bodies. This is actually the first condition necessary for the creation of the fairy chimney. The life of the fairy chimney-whether long or short-depends on the durabilityof the rock at its cap. The types of fairy chimneys found in the Cappadocia Region are classified as to type or sharp rock. The fairy chimneys are primarily found in the valleys within the Urgup-Uchisar-Avanos triangle, the area lying between Urgup and Sahinefendi, the environs of Nevsehir's Cat, Soganli Valley in Kayseri and Selime Village in Aksaray.

Erdek

Erdek is a peninsule that extends towards the middle of the Marmara Sea; it is a holiday area that offers exciting holiday oppurtunities, thanks to the trekking and cycling paths in the Kapidag forest, as well as its long shores and temperate climate.

Erdek is also the name of a small and pleasant town on the south-western coast of the peninsula, with a port that is sheltered from northerly winds. The pebbly shore that gets deep at a very short distance makes it possible for ships to moor very near to the shore. For years Erdek has been an important resort for domestic tourism, and is favorite destination, especially for the inhabitants of Ankara and Eskisehir. The hotels are stung along the five kilometer long open beach, but are concentrated especially in the Cugra and Kumluyali areas.

Balıkesir - Manyas Bird Paradise

The Manyas Lake, which is reached by turning off at 16th kilometers down the Bandirma-Balikesir highway and proceeding for two kilometers towards the west, is very rich from the point of view of avian fauna, both local and migratory. This area was declared a national park in 1959. The Bird Paradise National Park near the Manyas Lake is a veritable ornithological paradise where 239 species of birds feed. More than 3 milion birds pass through this conservation area every year. The Bird Paradise, which is also home to extremely rare species, has observation towers, lakeside restaurants and picnic areas.

Balıkesir - Holiday For Four Seasons

The Marmara area is a very special geographical area, enjoying olive groves, fishing boats, and a turquoise sea. A typical architectural style and air as sweet as wine complement the pleasant restaurants dotting the shores. This is a veritable paradise for holidaymakers thanks to its establishments that are open throughout the year.

Balıkesir and its environs offer many short or weekend holiday options for those who live in big cities like Istanbul or Bursa and are very popular holiday destinations, especially with domestic tourists.

Istanbul's Environs

Buyukada (Big Island) is the largest of the clustering of island in the Marmara Sea that were once used as places of exile for Byzantine princes. Today these islands are considered excursion points that are welcoming near the city. The other island in this chain are Kinali, Sedef, Burgaz and Heybeli. Twenty-five kilometers distant from the city proper is Kilyos, a European side Black Sea town whose sandy beaches attract visitors throughout the summer.

The Belgrade Forest, Istanbul's largest forest, is inland from the Black Sea. The forest's golf course and equestrian center are popular for those searching these kinds of attractions. The town of Polenezkoy, which is also located twenty-five kilometers from Istanbul on the Asian side was founded by a group of Polish immigrants in the 19th century.

Still maintaining a kind of central European village charm, this is an ideal site for long walks and excursions and for sampling some of the delicious food of the town. Also on the Asian side is the Black Sea town of Sile, a charming resort town with sandy beaches and good hotels and restaurants.