We, a group of students, parents and faculties, headed to Turkey for a week-long international trip and arrived in Istanbul on March 26. Turkey is one of the most dynamic and exotic destinations and travelling in Turkey is like a voyage in time, passing from one scene, legend or world to another.

Turkey offers something for everyone; history, archeology, sunlight, crystal clean sea shores, delicious cuisine, shopping… During the trip, we also had a chance to visit some schools, family houses and a national newspaper. So, we learned a lot about local education system and Turkish culture. Kids had a wonderful time in amusement park and go kart race.

Everything was so wonderful and we had a great time. We enjoyed the weather, sightseeing and historical places and delicious foods. Let pictures to tell us the rest of the story.

Mr. Yakup and Mr. Celen

Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey, which is Ankara, but it is the historic centre that bridges the two continents of Europe and Asia. Visiting the historic city of Istanbul, where Romans and Ottoman Sultans once lived, left us breathless! The ruins of more than ten ancient civilizations make the country the world’s largest open-air museum. 

Dolmabahce Palace built in 19 th century is one of the most glamorous palaces in the world. It was the administrative center of the late Ottoman Empire with the last of Ottoman Sultans was residing there. 

Bascilia Cistern. This is a large, underground cavern that was built in Justinian's day to store water brought in from an aqueduct outside the city. It is dark and damp and filled with large columns. You walk a dimly-lit path around the area. The highlight being two huge Medusa heads used to prop up columns. They are massive and very cool looking.

Blue mosque is Istanbul's best-known, and finest, mosque dazzles with its stacked shining gray domes and piercing minarets.

Hagia Sophia museum which is a stunning piece of architecture! There is a famous mosaic that has been partially recovered of Empress Zoe and Emporer Constantine flanking Mary holding Jesus. The Statue of Liberty could easily fit inside. 

Miniatürk is a miniature park situated at the north-eastern shore of Golden Horn in Istanbul. It is the world's largest miniature park with its 160,000 sq ft model area.The park contains 45 of the structures are from Istanbul, 45 are from Anatolia, and 15 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. Also featured are historic structures like the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus and the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus.

It was nice to discover the wealth of impressive sights all along the shores in a Bosphorus boat trip along Istanbul's famous waterway dividing Europe and Asia.

Turkey's Aegean shores are among the loveliest landscapes in the country. The magnificent coastline, lapped by the clear water of the Aegean Sea, abounds in vast and pristine beaches surrounded by olive groves.

The House of the Virgin (Meryemana in Turkish), located in a nature park between Ephesus and Seljuk, is believed to be the last residence of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.

Ephesus is the best preserved classical city of the Eastern Mediterranean, and among the best places in the world enabling one to genuinely 'soak in' the atmosphere of Roman times.

Düden Waterfalls in Antalya formed by the Düden River which ends, where the limpid waters of the Lower Düden Falls drop off a rocky cliff directly into the Mediterranean Sea in a dazzling show.

The aspendos theatre which was built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) spectacularly well-preserved. It is one of the best examples of Roman theatre construction in the world. 

Centuries of tradition! A kaleidoscope of cultures! The name says it all! On Turkish Cuisine witness an unforgettable dining experience served with legendary hospitality.

Istiklal Avenue (Independence Avenue) is one of the most famous avenues in Istanbul. It is an elegant pedestrian street which houses exquisite boutiques, music stores, bookstores, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, cafés, historical patisseries, chocolateries and restaurants. 

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.