Istanbul Things to Do

Few cities have grown so big, so quickly as Ankara, once known as Angora (yes, like the goats’ wool, which originated near here). It’s only been the capitol of Turkey since 1923 but the tall buildings, prestigious modern government quarters and urban sprawl which have sprung up since then can’t completely disguise the city’s ancient origins. Here’s where to encounter Ankara’s distant past:

Turkey may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of winter sports, but skiing and snowboarding centers are sprinkled across the country’s mountainous interior, offering surprisingly good runs and facilities. Turkey’s ski culture is still a work in progress so you can find some resorts running well short of capacity, and charging a lot less than their Central European equivalents.