There are so many spectacular sceneries which can’t be miss while touring or driving along the countryside, farmland, lakes and mountain roads in Turkey. Every town does have a unique spot to enjoy its beautiful view, so is worth the time and stop along the freeway to snap some photos.
Canakkale
Canakkale is a city and seaport located on the southern coast of Dardanelles. Just like Istanbul, its territory is located in both Europe and Asia side. Sea transportation plays the important role for the people to travel both sides.
Travel back in time to 3,000 BC and explore the ancient city of Troy. Located in Hisarlik, it was the setting of the Trojan War described in the Greek Epic Cycle. In the Iliad, the Achaeans set up their camp near River Scamander and docked their ships.
Troy city itself stood on a hill across the plain of Scamander, where the battles of the Trojan War took placed.
The Trojan Horse which was displayed at the entrance of this archaeological site of Troy. You can climb up this two-level ‘wooden horse’ to view the ancient city and its surroundings.
The view from Hisarlik across the plains of Ilium to the Aegean Sea at the far end.
One of the ruins that had been dug up by archeologists belonged to Troy VI.
As we drive from Canakkale to Izmir to visit Asklepieion, passing through the grassland with many wind turbines along the highway.
Asklepieion
Asklepieion was used as a healing temple, sacred to the Greek god of medicine named Asclepius. Many patients would visit to seek treatment either physical or spiritual healing.
Patients will undergo a series of bath or purge their emotions through arts. An offering will then be made by the patient such as money or prayer to the temple, therefore to Asclepius. The temple’s priest then prays for the patient to ease their mind and create a more positive outlook for them.
Next, the patients will then go through incubation or dream therapy where they would the night here. During the night, they would be visited by a god or Asclepius himself. The patient would then receive the proper treatment through in the dream or receive guidance from Asclepius to treat their illness.
Natureast Anatolian Taste
We arrived at Natureast Anatolian Taste and buy some Turkish delights and local coffee beans for ourselves, relatives and friends. We get free tasting for each flavor and manage to choose my favorites.
Location: Cumhuriyet, Atatürk Cd. No:59, 35925 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey
Ephesus
The ancient Greek city on the coast of Ionia, Izmir was built in the 10th century BC. The city also was under the control of Roman Republic in 129 BC. It was destroyed once by the Goths in 263 and again in 614 AD by an earthquake.
Ephesus is one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean, where the visible ruins give tourists the idea of the city’s original splendor and its former life.


The Library of Celsus was built in memory of Tiberius Julius Celsus, an Ancient Greek governor of Roman Empire. It was constructed using his own personal wealth and was buried in a stone coffin beneath it.
This open-air theatre (far right) was believed to be the largest in the ancient world with an estimated 25,000 seating capacity. It was originally used for drama, but later gladiatorial combats were held here as well during Roman times.
House of Virgin Mary

This shrine is located on Mt Koressos near Ephesus, Selcuk. It is believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken here by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption.
The preserved stones and construction was dated back to the Apostolic Age, with minor additions such as the garden landscapes outside the shrine. Inside you would see the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary displayed in the center and also outside of the chapel.
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Read On
Click here to continue reading Part 2 of Magnificent Turkey and also a visit to Istanbul city. Also, see the article “Visit Turkey During Winter Time” and read some tips what to carry during the cold weather.