THE GREAT ANATOLIA

  

Asia Minor... Land of Sunrise... Land of Hatti... Center of first holly Temple dated back to 10.000 BC... Here is great ANATOLIA...

            If you just wish to explore new beauties of your life, without doubt you are at the true address where is possible to come across traces of whole history. Sometimes you will find yourself in the scent of a flower, sometimes you will loose yourself in a glass of tea while watching Bosphorus. While scoutting the ruins in urban areas you will be surprised by the attitude of local citizens.

            Mountains, rivers, wide plains, high plateaus, lovely cities, various vegetation, memorable sights, luxury resorts with long beaches and the most friendly peaople...

Just some notes...

            Let's have a trip with our guidance...

                                                                                                              Professional Tour Guides

                                                                                                           Oya Kara

ABOUT ANATOLIA

Turkey, Anatolia  is  transcontinental Eurasian country made up largely of Anatolia including 97% of the country, is separated from European Turkey by the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles European Turkey  comprises 3% of the country.

The territory of Turkey is more than 1,600 km long and 800 km wide, with a roughly rectangular shape which is the world's 37th-largest country in terms of area. The country is encircled by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean to the south. Turkey also contains the Sea of Marmara in the northwest. Eastern Turkey has a more mountainous landscape and is home to the sources of rivers such as the Euphrates, Tigris and Aras, and contains Lake Van and Mount Ararat, Turkey's highest point at 5,165 metres.

NORTHWEST ANATOLIA TOUR

BITHYNIA

It can be easily said that one of the most important city is Istanbul in Anatolia mainly in border of Bithynia. This largest city having today around 20 million population which is 16% of Turkey's population. And the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encricles the natural harbour known as the Golden Horn, locating on the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European and on the Asian sides of the Bosphorus thereby it is the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents.

The history begins around 660 BC when the settlers from Megara under the command of King Byzas established on the European side of the Bosphorus. The city experienced a brief period of Persian rule around 5th century BC. Byzantium officially became a part of the Roman Empire in AD 73.  Finally in 330 AD it was officially declared the capital of the Roman Empire. Although the city was initially called the Second Rome or New Rome, these names were soon forgotten to be replaced by "Byzantium" and in later ages by "Constantinopolis". 

The Latin invasion was a dark page in the history of Istanbul. It started with the invasion of the city by the armies of the Fourth Crusade in 1204. increasing threats of the expanding Ottoman Empire finally came to an climax when, following a siege of fifty-three days in 1453, the city was captured by the Turks. The Imperial Topkapi Palace built on the site of the old acropolis commands an extraordinarily beautiful view of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. As a result of closer contacts with the West, mosques and palaces in European style were built along the shores of the Bosphorus by the 19th century. Till Republic Era it was capital city of Ottoman Empire.

After having some information about İstanbul we can start our trip. Almost from any country there is a direct flight to İstanbul. It would be offered to arrive at night so you refresh yourself for morning program. Be ready to spend whole day in Sarayburnu. Sarayburnu is a promontory separating the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul. The area is where the renowned Hippodrome, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Cistern locate.

ANATOLIAN TOUR ROUTES

If you feel like to enjoy sightseeing included visiting  ancient greek and roman ruins, remarkable landscape of seas or to perceive natural beauties giving much power to you than anything or to find out Antolian life style and Ottoman culture by most significent historical places, you should follow alternative tour routes compiled and advised by me. Ancient Anatolia allows you to see numerous ancient sites & ruins from prehistoric era to modern Turkish Republic era. While selecting routes, undoubtably it will be ideal to classify according to the ancient regions' borders consisted of well - preserved cities. Mostly you are going to see that some major regions' names with explanations shown down. From start till end of  the routes you will witness never - ending history of  regions of Anatolia where you likely loose yourself in astonishing relics. You can make a trip just in one region or you can make it longer visiting more regions.





We would like to introduce to you some specially prepared and suggested tour, treekking, camping and blue voyage spots of Anatolia for your pleasure. These selected destinations are definitly preferable and well-known places.

WEST ANATOLIA TOUR

GATE OF LEGENDARY AEGEAN 

When we follow the route from North to South along the coastline of Aegean we will witness a large quantity of traces Anatolia history in Aeolia, Ionia, Caria. 

Aeolis or Aeolia was an area that comprised the west and northwestern region of Asia Minor, mostly along the coast and also several offshore islands where the Aeolian Greek city-states were located in Aegean Reagion. Aeolis incorporated the southern parts of Mysia which bounded it to the north, Ionia to the south, and Lydia to the east.

Aeolis was an ancient district on the western coast of Asia Minor. It extended along the Aegean Sea from the entrance of the Hellespont, now the Dardanelles south to the Hermus River, now the Gediz River. It was named for the Aeolians, some of whom migrated there from Greece before 1000 BC. Aeolis was, however, an ethnological and linguistic enclave rather than a geographical unit. The district often was considered part of the larger northwest region of Mysia.

Ionia is an ancient region of central coastal Anatolia, the region nearest İzmir, which was historically Smyrna. It consisted of the northern territories of the Ionian League of Greek settlements. Never a unified state, it was named after the Ionian tribe who in the Archaic Period 600–480 BC, settled mainly the shores and islands of the Aegean Sea. Ionian states were identified by tradition and by their use of Eastern Greek. According to Greek tradition, the cities of Ionia were founded by colonists from the other side of the Aegean whose settlement was connected with the legendary history of the Ionic people in Attica.

Anybody wishing to visit Anatolia absoluetly should see Aegean coastline. Without doubt Ephesus is one of the most popular ancient cities in the World. It will be unforgettable experience of your trip to start with Ephesus.

CENTRAL ANATOLIA TOUR

GALATIA

Let's strat to explore central highlands of Anatolia in which unforgettable memories are inevitable. We are going to visit in this beautiful land Ancyra (Ankara), Hattuşaş (Alacahöyük) which was prior Hatti land.

Galatia was enclosed on the north by Bithynia and Paphlagonia, on the east by Pontus and Cappadocia, on the south by Cilicia and Lycaonia, and on the west by Phrygia. Now we will visit Galatia's capital city Ancyra. Let’s ow nhave some notes of Ankara.

ANCYRA, ANKARA

Today's also capital city in Turkey in which history dates back to the Bronze Age. 2000 years B.C. the Hittites become the dominant power of the region and were then followed by the Phyrgians, Lydians and Persians. In the 3rd Century BC, a Celtic race known as the Galatians. The name Ankara comes from the word 'Ancyra', which means 'anchor' in that era.

Ankara in history gained its fame actually when it was under the leadership of Ataturk during the national resistence which followed World War I . It was announced as the capital of the new Turkish Republic on October 13th 1923 when the National War of Independence freed Turkey from foreign occupation.

When we visit here firstly it is suggested to see Anıtkabir, occupying one of the most prominent parts of the city, the magnificent mausoleum constructed to honour Atatürk. This structure which was completed in 1953, is a synthesis of antique and modern architectural themes. 

MAUSOLEUM OF ATATÜRK, ANITKABIR

 
The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, locates in Ankara designed by architects Professor Emin Onat and Assistant Professor Orhan Ardaç. His proposal beat 48 other entries from several countries in a competition held by the Turkish Government in 1941 for a "monumental mausoleum" for Atatürk.

Anıtkabir consists of the same characteristics of this period and is considered as one of many ultimate monuments of the era. In addition, Anıtkabir features Seljuq and Ottoman architectural and ornamentation features. There are four main parts to Anıtkabir to be visited; the Road of Lions, the Ceremonial Plaza, the Hall of Honor (location of Atatürk's tomb) and the Peace Park that surrounds the monument.

As second it issuggested to visit the oldest parts of the city, the Castle.

ANKARA CASTLE

Ankara castle is a fortification from ancient era. It was under control of Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans locating near Ulus in Altındağ. The Alaaddin Mosque found inside its walls is still one of the best examples of Seljuk art and wood craftsmanship, in spite of the fact that it was restored by the Ottomans. 

The area has experienced a rejuvenation with the restoration of many interesting old Turkish houses and the opening a several art galleries and fine restaurants which feature examples of traditional Turkish cuisine.

Near the gate of the castle is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which is a beautifully restored portion of the old bazaar. It contains priceless artifacts belonging to the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras as well as the Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartu and Roman civilizations. Now let’s visit Anatolian Civilisations Museum.