Markets

One of my favorite things to do when I travel--and wherever I travel--is visit local markets. Some are beautiful, and others downright disgusting, but common across all of them is the art of the dramatic haggle. Improbably, every vendor who can speak English seems to have a brother in America, three kids to put through school, and a special discount for lucky American tourists like me.

Clockwise from top left: Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, Hijab shop in Sana'a (Would you like black or black? Large or large?), Birqash Camel Market in Cairo, Lalibela's weekly market

Istanbul & the Bosphorus

Istanbul was lovely and easy to travel, if you can evade the occasional tout. The Blue Mosque (top four photos) is the most beautiful building I've ever seen, and I spent most of my time in Istanbul there.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is one of the most touristy places I've visited, but in a good way: someone before you has already made--and the well-developed tourist infrastructure accommodated--every reasonable request for activities and amenities. You can explore the region by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, horse, car or hot air balloon. You can sleep in a cave, a fairy chimney, a hotel, or a tent. I almost wouldn't be surprised if you could get wifi 20 stories underground in Derinkuyu Underground City.

See here for more on Cappadocia's Hittite, Persian, Macedonian, Roman, Armenian, Byzantine, and Turkish history (!).