Turkey Archives - Planet Whitley

What is the best entry gate for Ephesus?

The north gate at Ephesus is busier and has better facilities. The south gate is quieter and allows for a downhill walk through the ancient city. How many entrance gates does Ephesus have? The extensive ruins of Ephesus are one of Turkey’s tourist highlights. Thousands…

Ephesus, Turkey

The best time to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, Turkey

Beat the cruise ship passengers on the giant tour buses and get to the House of the Virgin Mary near Ephesus as soon as it opens. What is the House of the Virgin Mary? The House of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic shrine near…

Christianity, Ephesus, religious sites, Turkey

The Nike relief at Ephesus, Turkey: Why see it?

On Curetes Street in the ruins of Ephesus, Turkey, a carved marble panel of the goddess Nike is one of the site’s most recognisable features. Propped between two stone supports, the relief shows the winged goddess holding a laurel wreath and a palm branch, both…

art, Ephesus, Turkey

Why the Library of Celsus is the real highlight of Ephesus

The Library of Celsus is widely considered the most remarkable monument in Ephesus. Built between A.D. 100 and 110 by Gaius Iulius Aquila to honour his father, the Roman senator Tiberius Iulius Celsus Polemaeanus, the building served both as a library and as a memorial.…

Ephesus, Turkey

Türkiye vs Turkey: When do you start using a country’s new name?

Türkiye vs Turkey A couple of weeks ago, I watched an episode of the Apprentice. The two teams were selling team-building days in Cappadocia and Bodrum. The Turkish authorities – probably the tourist board – had obviously spent a considerable amount of money to make…

language, Turkey

Me, posing on a quad bike before things got scary.

Terror on a quad bike in Cappadocia

Quad biking in Cappadocia turned terrifying as I tried to keep up with a reckless young guide on a muddy, dangerous off-road tour. The view from the top of the hill It’s the hill that marks my passing from youth into middle age. Emre ploughs…

adrenalin, Cappadocia, Turkey