Fascination Turkey
~ Country between orient and occident  ~
our tour 1992 / 2003

Istanbul
Hierapolis-Pamukkale
Troy Pergamum Aphrodisias

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It is almost impossible, to resist the charm of this mysterious country, the former empire of  Byzantine emperors and Osman sultans, the country between orient and occident. 

Pergamum surroundingsLocated in the very heart of “Euro-Asia”  Turkey is the birthplace of many Pergamum  (Pergamon) Asklepiongreat civilizations. Numerous and famous archaeological sites like Pergamum and Troy bear witness of a long and turbulent history. The country has also been a prominent centre of commerce because of its advantageous land connections and the sea surrounding it on three sides: the Black Sea in the north, the Mediterranean in the south and the Aegean Sea in the west. In the north-west the straits of the Dardanelles and the Bosporus on the waterway connect Asia with Europe and Africa. 

Travertine Terraces at PamukkaleProbably it is the great variety and diversity of  attractions and cultural features, which  make the fascination of this great country. Just go there and have the Orient with its colourful bazaars, its minarets and magnificent mosques charm you; explore the amazing treasures of the ancient world; discover unique wonders of nature like the white Travertine Terraces at Pamukkale and enjoy the beauty of the varied countryside with mountains, gorges, rivers, lakes as well as fine sandy, white beaches. 

Trojan HorseAfter crossing the Dardanelles, the Trojan Horse soon welcomed us at the excavation place of Heinrich Schliemann.  What an exciting start of the trip and what a thrill, to enter the scene of the Trojan War 3000 years ago!

Aegean coastWhen we arrived at our hotel on the beach of the Aegean Sea, much to our surprise we were welcomed in German, even though the hotel was only second class. The Turkish people proved to be very polite and obliging hosts and this was not only in the hotel.  They are good at languages and also the simple people - sellers at the beach or in the shops, hawkers or waiters in small beach restaurants appreciate the nationality of their guests and make every endeavour, to please them. Most of them easily spoke 3 foreign languages -  English, French and German – isn’t that amazing?  Maybe not – the country between Europe and Asia attracts people from all over the world and is itself a melting pot for many different cultures. This makes the people open-minded. However – we didn’t find this anywhere else in the world.


 continued with Istanbul

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