Ankara

Ankara Turkey is a 20th century modern city through and through. One just might be able to see a little touch of the mystical east here and there, but on the whole the major part of the city resembles a European feel. Tourism is beginning to make an impact on the map of Ankara which is visible in the various aspects of the city. Ankara is a convenient place to base oneself to travel to various parts of Turkey such as Anatolia, Cappadocia or the Black Sea Coast. Here one gets a good useful transport hub with just about a bus available for any destination. Accommodation is also available for all ranges and prices below those of Istanbul.

There are a number of activities to indulge in while in Ankara. An interest in the country’s history should see you heading towards the Museum of Anatolian Civilization. The museum is a charming building and is easily accessible from the town centre. The Presidential Mansion set within landscaped parkland and Ataturk’s one time country retreat provides the 1930’s flavor of the place. To get inside for a view you need to swap your passport for an ID badge. Another favorite attraction of the tourists is the ‘Museum of Ethnography’ perched between Ulus Mevdani and the Sihhiye Bridge which holds an attractive collection of some nice woodwork and fine calligraphy. A visit to the Old Turkish House Museum reveals a jumble of tiny streets and ramshackle houses and was at one time the heart of the city’s previous incarnations. The Old Locomotive Museum is a little bit of fun for the kids with a car park like area with scruffy trains scattered about. For a more modern experience one will like the Museum of Painting and sculpture where a major collection of modern Turkish paintings are found. It is situated right beside the Ethnography Museum works of Osman Handi, Hikmet Onat, Turgut Zaim, and Bedri Rahmi Eyuboglu amongst others. Not to be missed on the map of Ankara is Ataturk’s Mausoleum which is visible from most high points of the city. Many tourists do not forget to buy a certificate that they were there.