There's a lot to do in Istanbul but more you should not miss outside of the city too. If I was to recommend just three day trips i'd make them Cappadocia, Ephesus and Bursa and throw in Troy just for the romance of it.
Ephesus has an appealing vintage charm and is one of the best preserved cities on the Mediterranean from the classical days of the Romans. Visit its ruins and the last house that the Virgin Mary apparently resided in.
Cappadocia is my personal favorite - with 36 discovered underground cities, fairy chimneys, hot air ballon rides over a terrain filled with natural wonders and beauty, the Byzantine churches of Gerome carved out of cliff with colorful frescoes, you might even feel like staying on longer than a mere day.
Bursa is called the 'green city' of Turkey with its diverse natural beauty and vivacious gardens and parks. Once the capital of the Ottomon empire, there is much to see from the Green Mosque to the Yesil tomb, visit the silk markets while you're there too. The 15th century Muradiye mosque might also interest you as will the mausoleums of Osman and Orhan. If you haven't yet explored the Turkish baths in Istanbul be sure to get one in Bursa.
Visit Troy if you're a mythology freak and would actually like to believe that the Iliad happened and that Helen, Achilles and Hector actually lived. Why not?There are other places you might travel to as the wind moves you. Do that.
Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com
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