Istanbul Bursa Trabzon
Istanbul
is the largest city in Turkey and the heart of the country. It is also one of the largest agglomerations in Europe and the fifth largest cityin the world in terms of population within city limits. Interestingly, Istanbul is a transcontinental city as it is located on the Bosphorus waterway in northwest Turkey between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. This means the commercial center is in Europe while the rest of the city is in Asia.
Bursa
Known as “Green Bursa”, the city is filled with gardens and parks and overlooks a verdant plain. It is situated at the centre of an important fruit-growing region. Bursa was, and still is, famous for its peaches, silk, towels and thermal springs. Make a point to try the locally invented İskender Kebab, a dish of bread, tomato sauce, strips of grilled meat, melted butter and yogurt! Candied chestnuts are another regional specialty. The tour of the city begins on the east of the city at the Yeşil Türbe (Green Mausoleum).
Trabzon
retains much of its old charm, and many parts of city offer reminders of its past. The 13th Century church of St. Sophia is one of the most notable of the Byzantine monuments and it contains excellent examples of Byzantine painting. The Monastery of Sumela, built into the side of a high cliff in the mountains outside of Trabzon, within the National Park of Altindere, is must to see..