Things to Do in Turkey

Up until 1871, when amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann started excavating the ancient city, Troy (and Homer's epic poem, The Iliad) were assumed to be merely a legend. His findings revealed that there was, in fact, a major battle between the Greeks and the Trojans in the 13th century BC.

By day, this pretty seaside resort is popular with swimmers, boaters, snorkellers and scuba divers. By night, it lives up to its reputation as Turkey's party capital, with clubbers reveling until dawn.

The number one sightseeing stop in Istanbul, the palace was the centerpiece of the Ottoman Empire and contains untold riches in gems, gold and works of art. It's worth getting here early, though, as queues can become interminable by mid-morning.

A staple of travel brochure covers, this beautiful inland bay is famed for its clear, calm waters and glittering white sands. Despite being a conservation area, there are parts of the beach where you can scuba dive, canoe and even use pedaloes.

Founded in 1973, this park has archaeological sites dating back to 4000 BC, plus World War One artifacts and various international war graves and memorials.