Visit the city of the art of ceramic tiles, İznik which is located by a lake. The ceramic tiles used on historical structures and in the constructions of Istanbul were produced in İznik. Flower motifs such as tulip, hyacinth, pomegranate and clove are very common on İznik Tiles as well as animal figures such as birds, rabbits, dogs and sheep. Blue, turquoise, green and red are the most frequently used colors.
Visit the Church of St. Sophia which is situated almost in the very center of Iznik, where the two main roads meet. It was built in the Byzantine era and repaired after the earthquakes that hit in the 11th century. This church has a sacred significance for Christian pilgrims. Orhan Gazi converted the church into a mosque in 1331. Other churches in Iznik are the Church of the Koimesis, which is only ruins now and the Church of HagiosTryphonos.
Bursa has been the capitol of the Ottoman Empire in its early ages. Visit the city, take a traditional Turkish Bath and have the most famous Turkish Doner, a meat dish unique to the Turkish Cousine.
