Turkey

Beautiful and bold, Istanbul stands astride the continents of Europe and Asia. Start your day with a silky Turkish coffee before making your way to the Byzantine basilica of Haghia Sophia. With its gold mosaics and awe-inspiring dome, this is one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. Follow this with a visit to the Blue Mosque, the grand project of Sultan Ahmet I, and a tour of the harem at the opulent Topkapi Palace. In the afternoon, take a boat trip between Europe and Asia or practice your haggling skills at the colorful Grand Bazaar.

Simple seaside pleasures – a waterfront promenade, open-air cafés and some gorgeous beaches – are the focus of life in the resort town of Kuşadası. This modern port is the gateway to Ephesus, one of the great cities of antiquity, which lies just 10 miles inland. Founded by the Ionian Greeks, Ephesus flourished as a provincial capital of Imperial Rome. Wandering around its agoras, baths, libraries and mosaic-adorned houses is an experience you’ll never forget.

Located on Turkey’s sun-drenched Aegean coast, the town of Bodrum effortlessly blends seaside chic with ancient history and a relaxed beach scene. The town is the hub for boating on the peninsula, and traditional wooden gulet boats will take you along the coastline to idyllic hidden coves to swim in sparkling turquoise waters. Bodrum’s 15th century St. Peter’s Castle stands guard over the old bazaar district’s narrow cobbled streets, quaint cafés, artisan workshops and bougainvillea-draped whitewashed walls.