Discover the city of Ankara, Turkey
The capital of Turkey and the second largest city in the country, Ankara is not what you'd typically expect from a Turkish city. Though there are touches of the more traditional Turkish elements, Ankara has a somewhat uniquely European flair. It is modern and caters to the many universities and businesses in the district, as well as provides a good base for most tourism agencies working the surrounding areas.
For most of the year, you'll find the streets bustling with students who flood the city to study at the universities and language schools in the area. Since there are many military wings based in the area, you will also find military personnel flooding the parks on weekends as they enjoy some leave. Though the city has a modern flair, it also has a lot to offer. If you wish to travel Anatolia, Cappadocia or the Black Sea Coast, then Ankara is the perfect starting point. It is for this reason that so many tourist agencies are based here.
Ankara was initially established over 3000 years ago at a point where two trade routes intersected. It was initially given the Hittite name of Akuwash. As the years went past, it underwent various changes and it lost importance under Ottoman Rule. However, with the birth of the Turkish Republic, things started looking up and it soon progressed into an impressive city. It was eventually redesigned to resemble a modern city - resulting in the spacious European-style parks and boulevards that dot the city today.
Ankara is perhaps best known for its Angora wool as well as the Angora sheep from which the wool is derived. Besides this, the Ankara Cat, certain pears, honey and Muscat grapes as well as the white rabbit (sometimes called the angora rabbit) all lend Ankara its fame.
Apart from discovering the interesting origins of these and other Ankara delights, you will be able to visit the ruins of the old castle, the Atatürks Mausoleum as well as a variety of musuems. Baths, temples, theatres and citadels will also serve to transport you back in time while modern monuments will keep you in the present. There are also beautifully decorative mosques and picturesque parks that are worth a see if not more. Shopping is a welcome leasure activity in Ankara.
Only a visit to this fabulous city will truly do it justice - there is so much to see and do and the culture is vibrant and varied. Don't wait any longer to book your trip to Ankara.
