Ataturk Buz Bateni, Ankara

Advantages: Important and interesting historic monument, great kitsch souvenirs
Disadvantages: None

...In modern Turkey culture and pride revolve around one man: Kemal Mustafa Ataturk. He was the founder of the Turkish Republic, having proved himself during the First World War as a commander of the Turkish armies during the Gallipoli campaign. All Turkish towns and cities have a statue of Ataturk, all schools have a bust of him by the entrance, as do all army barracks, police stations and other civic buildings. Nowhere is Ataturk more celebrated than in Ankara, the city chosen by the great man to replace Istanbul and become the capital of the Republic of Turkey. Until then Ankara was a rather modest town with a population of around 30,000; today Ankara is home to some four million people. He chose Ankara because he wanted to leave behind the associations with the Ottomans and Istanbul just had too many reminders of the old regime... Read review

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Advantages: History, Everything is Cheap, Easy to Reach
Disadvantages: Very Cold in Winter

...can also use Turkish railways to reach a number of cities. In Ankara, the summers are long and very hot. Nights are generally cool in Ankara in the summer time. Humidity level is very low. The winters are pretty cold with some rain and snow. When travelling, you should bear these factors in your mind. AVERAGE TEMPERATURES IN C Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul -1 1 5 11 16 20 23 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 23 18 13 8 2 The most interesting place you can see in Ankara is ANITKABIR, which is the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic MUSEUMS The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations The Ethnographical Museum The Painting and Sculpture Museum The Museum of Liberation The Museum of the Republic Ataturk's House The Natural History Museum The Ankara Citadel The Temple of Augusts The Roman Bath The Column... Read review

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Advantages: Something for everyone; easy to get around
Disadvantages: Very cold in winter; wine is expensive and can double the cost of your meal

...We have been travelling to Ankara at least twice a year every year for nearly nine years now, and I have grown to love the city even more than Istanbul. Ankara is very, very different to Istanbul and, in many ways, it is unfair to compare the two. So, why do I love Ankara? Basically because it provides all the things I want in a city (given that I'm not really a "city person"). Truly, it has something for everyone. If you want history, it's got it - from Roman ruins, to the Citadel (Castle), to Ataturk and the War of Independence, which lead to the founding of the modern Republic of Turkey. If you want grandeur, it's got it - even if you don't know the history, who can fail to be moved by Anitkabir, the imposing mausoleum built to honour Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. If you want iconic, modern buildings, it's got them... Read review

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