Minarets and mosques, sultans and samovars, the chaos of the bazaars and the glow of the Bosporus. Just a hint of what awaits you when you arrive in Turkey, the magical country that straddles both Europe and Asia. For four centuries twenty-five sultans ruled the vast Ottoman Empire. They filled palaces with treasures of unbridled opulence, as well as exotic tales curbed only by the limits of your imagination. Various cultures have mixed and mingled here. And in what was once the old Greek city of Byzantium, the ancient warmly embraces the modern. Today, Istanbul is one of the world’s most vibrant cities having recently hosted their second design biennial which was visited by architects and designers from all over the world. And while most visitors are surprised if not overwhelmed by Istanbul’s leap into the 2lst century with innovative philosophies and designs, they wish to step back in time to the Byzantine capital of Constantinople. The Hagia Sophia, once the greatest church in all of the Holy Roman Empire built by Justine in the 6th century, became this hauntingly beautiful mosque when it fell to the Ottoman Turks in l453. Although it is no longer used as a place of worship and is today a museum, it is a place of spiritual wonder and reflection as well as a masterpiece of art, history and architecture. An example of classical Turkish art is the Sultanahmet, one of the most famous landmarks of the Islamic world. Known as the Blue Mosque because of the magnificent tiles that decorate the interior it stands out on the city’s skyline and is known for a grand exterior as well. Along with the eye-popping Topkapi Palace, the frenetic, fascinating Grand Bazaar, the two synagogues where services are held regularly, and a cruise on the Bosporus, visitors will only touch on the glories of this modern/ancient city. If you would like to live like a pasha for a few days, check into the Ciragan Palace Kempinski. This exquisite hotel offers old world charm with every modern convenience. When you first arrive in Cappadocia you may think you are on a lunar landscape or in a setting found in a storybook. At Pasabag Fairy Chimney Valley there are tall, ancient pillars and minaret-like towers carved into the stones. The forces of nature, monks, priests and stonecutters took millions of years to accomplish this. In Dervent Valley you will come upon the Zelve Open Air Museum, one of the earliest inhabited and last abandoned monastic settlements in Cappadocia. And while in Avanos which is a center of terracotta art since 2,000 B.C, there is the rare opportunity to see and purchase exquisite ceramics at Sultans. Hot air balloon rides, open air art museums, underground cities with rock-cut frescoed churches and carpet making demonstrations are a part of the Cappadocia experience. But the chance to stay at the Argos, a hotel built from ancient ruins, caves and underground tunnels is beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Bodrum is one of the most spectacular resorts in Turkey. Situated on a beautiful peninsula, it is a former fishing village jutting into the Aegean Sea that has lost none of its old world charm. The atmosphere is relaxed, with palm-lined streets and houses with whitewashed, flat-roofs dotting the terraced hillsides, however the trendy nightclubs, chic boutiques and fantastic beaches speak 21st century. Bodrum is an encyclopedia of ancient history with the Castle of St. Peter and the famous Amphitheatre as well as the great museum of Underwater Archaeology which includes one of the richest troves from modern excavations. However, most visitors come to Bodrum for rest and relaxation. They head to the Casa Del’Arte for a luxury vacation surrounded by contemporary art, sculpture and one of the most beautiful architectural experiences anywhere. You can hire the luxury sailing yacht docked at the harbor for a cruise on the dazzling blue sea, dine on the sun deck, and enjoy the luxurious lifestyle of the privileged few. Turkey has many secrets The Casa Del’Arte may be one. Travelscape by Roberta Graff Roberta has lived at the North Shore Towers for almost a year and has been published in The New York Times, Newsday, and Travel Holiday Brides magazines. 16 North Shore Towers Courier n February 2015
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