The City of Ankara:

Having been the cradle of the Hatti civilization during the Bronze Age, this historic city has had a painful and tumultuous past, and somehow survived. Now it is one of the most commercially important cities in Turkey and only second in size to Istanbul with a population of 3.5 million. It is a university town featuring many concerts and festivals. In this capital city, you will find delicious Mediterranean-style food that will satisfy every one of your taste buds. If coffee or tea is your thing, then soothe your throat and make new friends by accepting Turkish tea or coffee during your stay. This offering is an important sign of friendship and hospitality among the Turkish people. For relaxing, you might want to try smoking tobacco by using a multi-stemmed water pipe called a hookah, in which the moisture filters the smoke out making your smoking experience less irritating.

Ankara’s Highlights:

• Hattusha: This rich archaeological site has uncovered Hittite Empire structures such as royal buildings and temples, Lion’s Gate, Royal Gate and an ensemble of rock art. It’s evident that this place had once been a major influence in the city.

• Atakule Tower: This structure which stands 125m tall is one of the highlights of the city because it can be seen almost anywhere with its towering height.

• Roman Bath: This bath was built during the Roman Empire to worship Asclepios, the God of Medicine. Just like any classic roman bath, it has a cold room, a warm room, and a hot room.

• Alaaddin Mosque: The Alaaddin Mosque is a great masterpiece of Turkish art and was built in the 12th century by a Seljuk ruler.

• Kocatepe Mosque: Among the many other mosques in Turkey, this mosque is said to be the largest and most prominent. Because of its size, it can be seen almost anywhere in Central Ankara, making it the primary landmark of the city.

• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: This museum has a splendid array of artifacts from the many civilizations that flourished in the region.