For a taste of local flavor, stroll the streets of Cerkezhoy, where you’ll find charming shops, kebab restaurants, and the beautiful architecture of the Osmanli Mosque, as well as a statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who was the first president of Turkey. Venture outside the town for a picturesque picnic in the village of Kiyikoy on the coast of the Black Sea. Founded by a Roman emperor, the city of Edirne is home to the striking 16th century Selimiye Mosque (a World Heritage site), the Grand Synagogue of Edirne (commemorating a community of 20,000 Sephardic Jews that once lived in the city), and the Museum of Health (chronicling the history of Islamic medicine).

And of course, you can head into magical Istanbul, full of Turkish taverns, tea gardens, and coffee houses that will please your palate. Don’t miss iconic attractions like the Blue Mosque, decorated with blue tiles and still in use today; the Basilica Sistern, an impressive underground water source dating back to the Romans; and the ornate Süleymaniye Mosque, a city landmark that dominates the skyline. Peruse the sprawling Grand Bazaar for leather, jewelry and other locally-made souvenirs, see the breathtaking mosaics at the Hagia Sophia Museum, and discover the many Ottoman treasures at the extravagant Topkapi Palace Museum.