Turkey's West coast is full of picturesque resort towns, offering visitors both a vibrant nightlife
and some great historical sites. Although most American tourists spend most of their vacation
time in Istanbul, few are aware of the hidden gems on the West coast. Don’t get me wrong,
Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. You can really find anything you are looking for in this
thriving metropolis: amazing Anatolian cuisine, modern, chic cafes and bars, and some of the
most hospitable people in the world. I would recommend staying in Istanbul for four or five
days. You will definitely have to go back again to explore the rest of city. However, after five
days, you may want to get out of hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the resort towns before
you leave the country. Here are some must dos in both Istanbul and Olympos, one of my
favorite cities bordering the Mediterranean. You can call this an itinerary, lacking a bit of detail.
Happy travels, or Iyi yolculuklar (as you would say in Turkish)!

Istanbul

Sultanahmet (Old Istanbul): This area holds some of Istanbul's most prized historical treasures.
Be sure to check out the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
Try to do all of these in a day, as this disctrict is very touristy. With the large number of tourists,
food and drink can be pretty expensive here!

Taksim Square and Beyoglu: Be sure to take a stroll on Istiklal Caddesi, one of the most
cosmopolitan streets and centers in Istanbul. Try some Turkish liquor called Raki and some
seafood appetizers (mezzes) at Cicek Pasaji (Flower passage), located in the center of Istiklal
Caddesi. Beyoglu also hosts some of the best museums in the region. Two of my favorites are
the Istanbul Modern (an art museum) and Pera Muzesi (a history and art museum).

Bebek: Bebek is one of the richest neighborhoods on the European side of Istanbul. The
neighborhood has beautiful cafes and bars, with breathtaking views of the Bosphorous! Another
great neighborhood, which is a must see in Istanbul, is Nisantasi.

Fish Market on the Asian Side: Take a ferry from Europe to Asia, and try out some restaurants
close to the Balik Pazari (fish market). If you are a seafood lover, Turkish calamari (kalamar)
and the catch of the day/season will never disappoint!

Antalya

Ok, once you see and do those activities in Istanbul, take a bus or plane to Antalya! Turkish
buses are reasonably priced and can be more luxurious than actual airplanes. However, the travel
time by bus from Istanbul to Antalya can be long, anywhere from 5-7 hours (depending on
number of stops). My favorite bus companies are Kamil Koc or Ulusoy, and tickets are usually
less than 40 dollars each way. Once you get to Antalya, check out the kale (old castle) and the
main city center, or downtown. This should take about half a day. Then take the next bus to

Olympos, which is about an hour and a half outside the city.

In Olympos, you will find old ruins from the Roman Empire, beautiful views of the
Mediterranean, delicious fish restaurants and a great nightlife in the summertime. All of this is in
a concentrated area, so your hotel concierge can give you more details, if necessary.

Bon Voyage, and enjoy your time in Turkey!


Guest Blogger: Alvina Lopez
is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online degrees.
She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.