Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims.  It is believed that he first verses of the Koran (Qu’ran) were revealed to the Prophet Mohammad during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period for Muslims.

This year, Ramadan in Turkey is August 11 to September 9.  If you will be in Turkey during this time, you are respectfully reminded to smoke, eat and drink discreetly during daylight hours as many around you will have not eaten or let anything pass their lips from before sunrise.

I love being in Turkey during Ramadan and especially for the Bayram, which follows the month of fasting and comprises a ten day feast of celebration.  My favourite memory of Ramadan in Istanbul is watching the children, sitting with their families at tables in Sultanahmet Park, beside the Blue Mosque, savouring their soon-to-be meal.  You can feel the excitement in their eyes and the pride in their parents’ eyes as they wait for the call to prayer that announces sunset … and the start of feasting.

Enjoy Ramadan in Turkey, for it comes only once a year and you are fortunate to be able to experience it during your trip!

If you love to sail, you may want to know about the the 5th International Aegean Yacht Rally, organized by Setur Marinas, from July 18 and 30 2010. I can think of no better place to sail than the crystal clear waters of the Aegean and this is why I encourage my clients to include a sailing element in their private tours.   Read more

If you would like to read more about Islamic Textiles and Dress, this link from the Victoria & Albert Museum suggests some valuable reading resources you may wish to explore before your trip to Turkey or other Islamic countries.

If you are interested in the culture of Turkey and plan to visit during 2010, you might like to check this website for news of cultural events during your stay.

Haghia Sophia by Susan McPartlan

1.    Haghia  Sophia, built originally in 537 AD as a church, that became a mosque and now a museum,  is said to have cost 361 million golden coins.

2.    The  Blue Mosque is named after its exquisite 16th century interior paneling of magnificent blue and white Iznik tiles.

3.    The Bosphorus  is a magnificent strait where two continents, Europe and Asia meet.

4.    The Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, is a masterpiece of all times.
5.    The Suleymaniye and Sultanahmet Mosques – two of the Ottoman masterpieces, still dominate the skyline of Istanbul.
6.    The Grand Bazaar, originally built in 1461, is an intriguingly exotic covered bazaar and still a vital source of trade for both locals and visitors.

7.    The Basilica Cistern, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 565 AD, is the largest underground water reservoir of the city.  A total of 336 massive Corinthian columns support the Cistern.

8.    Ortakoy, a district on the Bosphorus, is a lively entertainment area of Istanbul, and significant for its church, synagogue and mosque.

9.    The Dolmabahce Palace,  located on the Bosphorus, is where Ottoman sultans lived after the 19th century and is famous for its spectacular architecture.

10.    Cappadocia, an enchanting and mystical open–air museum, hosts around one thousand ancient chapels and houses carved into rocks. A hot air balloon flight provides the best view of the lunar landscapes for which the area is world-famous.1

11.    Ephesus, originally a bustling port city in Roman times, and the final resting place of Virgin Mary, welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

12.    Alacahoyuk,Corum:  this important city in Anatolia ruled by the Hittites four thousand years ago, proudly welcomes visitors via the sphinx gate.

13.    Fethiye Olu Deniz ( The Blue Lagoon ) offers one of the most calm and pristine waters of the Mugla region and a glorious setting for sailing the crystal-clear turquoise waters.

14.   Patara, Xanthos and Letoon, three Lycian cities dating 700-500 BC, still impress visitors to the region where Mediterranean meets  Aegean. Rock tombs carved into the hillsides immortalize Lycian kings.

15.    Pamukkale, with its hot springs and breathtaking travertines descends from the slopes of the ancient city Hierapolis, an area renowned for healing those with circulation and neurological disorders.

16.   The Celsus Library, one of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus, is admired for its magnificent architecture dating back 3000 years.

Ephesus, Library of Celsus

17.    Mevlana’s Mausoleum and the ‘ Semah’ in Konya.  The resting place of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi,the great mystic philosopher. Mevlana is commemorated every year on December 17th,with the ritual ‘ Semah ’,and this rite is accepted as a reunion with God.

18.    Turkish Cuisine is one of the most ancient cuisines in the world.  The Ottoman palaces originated more than 200 recipes for eggplant, many of them still followed by Ottoman-style restaurants today.

19.    Turkish Carpet Weaving is one of Turkey’s oldest handicrafts.  Although many of today’s Kilims and Turkish carpets are manufactured, the traditional hand-made versions are characterized by the use of wool, undyed or dyed with naturally-sourced colours and bold designs, reflecting the region of its origin.

20.    Mount Nemrod in Adiyaman is where King Antiochus I of the Commagene Kingdom of the 1st century BC is said to have shaken hands with Gods.

21.    Aphrodisiac, the capital of Curia, it is one of the most significant sites discovered by the modern archaeologists in the Aegean.

22.    The Anatolian Civilization Museum, located in Ankara,with its 200,000 pieces exhibits the treasures of Anatolia’s long history dating back to the 7th millennium BC.

23.    Saklikent Canyon offers refreshingly cool water even in the hottest days of summer.

24.    Agri Dagi ( Mount Ararat )  the legendary Noah’ Ark is believed  to have been stranded on the peaks of this mountain after the flood.

25.    The Sumela Monastery near Trabzon is truly an eagle’s nest, perched on a wall – like cliff

Sumela Monastery by Gary Black

26.    Hagia Sophia Church of Trabzon with its mesmerizingly colorful frescoes, is built in the early 13th century.

27.    Uzungol, a magnificent resort on the skirts of the Kackar Mountains in the Black Sea Region, offers a splendid green forest view.

28.    Side, a wealthy city of ancient Pamphylia, with its huge amphitheatre seating 25,000 still sits proudly overlooking the Mediterranean.The Roman-built theatre of Side is the only antique theatre in the world, which does not lean against a hillside, but is supported by many arches and columns.

29.    Damlatas Cave- the climate of this cave near Alanya, is said to be highly beneficial to asthma suffers.

30.    The Galata Tower, Istanbul- built by the Genoese in around 500 AD and used by the Ottomans as a watchtower, is still one of the dominating landmarks of Istanbul.

31.    Play golf in Turkey.  Belek,  with its deluxe holiday village and hotels,the area offers international golf courses that cater to the interest of an increasing number of golf enthusiasts from all over the world.

32.    The Ishak Pasha Palace near Agri Dagi-  was designed to control caravans traveling on the Silk Road.The Palace was completed in 99 years.

33.    Zeugma, a city built in around 300 BC,hosts one of  the greatest floor and wall mosaic artworks of the world.The works found in the Zeugma necropolis are on display in the Gaziantep Museum

34.    The Maiden’s Castle, now a solitary little islet off the shore on the road between Alanya and Silifke,the Castle was built to protect the port town of Korykos in the 12th century and was once connected to the mainland.

35.    Safranbolu, a unique Black Sea town venerated for its well-preserved historic Turkish houses.

36.    The Halil Rahman Mosque in Urfa is built on the shores of Lake Ayn Zeliha. According to the legend, the fish in the nearby pond were conceived from the ashes of the fire lit for Abraham.

37.    The houses of Mardin, at first sight appear to have been built on top of the other, and in truth are so in order not to obstruct the views of the neighbors an arrangement symbolizing mutual respect and facilitating community spirit.

38.    Harran  is a well-known religious and cultural area of antiquity. Today Harran attracts visitors for its beehive shapeddwellings.

39.    Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu- one of the liveliest areas of Europe, has been a residential area for centuries.

40.    Kumkapi area offers not only delicious fish dishes, but  lots of local color and music as well.

If you would like more reasons, click here