24 HOURS IN ANKARA
Turkey’s capital and the country’s second largest city boasts some incredible sites, open spaces and old, unspoiled quarters
SPEND THE NIGHT IN…
ANGORA HOUSE HOTEL This boutique-style hotel, which is based inside the citadel, is a short walk from the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. There are six individuallydecorated rooms. Kalekapisi Sokak 16-18, tel: +90 (312) 309 8380EAT AT…
ZENGER PASA KONAGI Set in a traditional Turkish house, this quirky restaurant is also a private ethnographic museum. It offers beautiful views of the city and reasonably priced traditional dishes. There’s also live music every evening. Ankara Kale, üstü Doyran Sokak 13, tel: + 90 (312) 311 7070FIT IN WITHIN AN HOUR…
ZMuseum of Anatolian Civilisations Home to the world’s richest collection of Hittite artefacts, this is considered one of the finest museums in Turkey. Hisarparki Caddesi, tel: +90 (312) 324 3160AND IF YOU’VE AN EXTRA 1/2 HOUR…
Mausoleum of Atatürk This huge construction (above) overlooks the city from Rasattepe. It is the eternal resting place of the father of the nation Kemal Atatürk (1881- 1938), who was the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey. Roman Ruins There are some surprisingly well-preserved Roman Baths 500m north of Ulus Meydani. Further east you’ll find a Column of Julian and a Temple to Augustus and Rome set around a square.TAKE HOME…
CARPETS FROM KERIM SEFER A great place to buy beautiful handwoven carpets as the owner is an expert in everything from the history, design and manufacture to the sale of these traditionally made items for the home. Kerim Sefer, Kalekapisi Sokak No: 2, Kale, tel: +90 (312) 310 6971; www.hitit.co.uk/kerimseferLONG WEEKEND IN ABERDEEN
The Royal Family and the whisky trail are just up the road, but the Granite City of Aberdeen and its surrounds have plenty else to keep you
entertained, so if you’ve got time to head out of the city for a long weekend try the following.
To enjoy an aerial view of the city and plan your escapades book a Helicopter Sightseeing Trip (www.hjshelicopters.co.uk), to soak up some of the city’s culture. Before leaving the city, it’s worth checking out the likes of Aberdeen Art Gallery (www.aagm.co.uk), home to great British painters such as Reynolds and Augustus John. Satrosphere (www.satrosphere.net), meanwhile, is an entertaining science and technology centre.
If you want to get closer to nature, wildlife is attracted to this wild coast all year round. Winter draws bottlenose dolphins to the harbour, deer to the lowlands surrounding the city and don’t miss the incredible phenomenon of thousands of wintering pink-footed geese (http://www.rspb.org.uk) gathering at Loch Strathbeg (an hour away).
If you’ve time to explore further afield, head to the hills for a wee dram. The Malt Whisky Trail (www.maltwhiskytrail.com) guides visitors through 70 miles of some of Scotland’s most breathtaking countryside, while taking in the traditional and distinctive distilleries, such as Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and Benromach.
Take a stroll through Queen Victoria’ s “dear paradise in the Highlands” at the Royal Family’s Scottish residence, Balmoral (an hour from Aberdeen). You can take guided tours of the grounds, gardens and exhibitions (www. balmoralcastle.com), or if you fancy keepingup with the Windsors, you can rent out a charming cottage on the breathtaking estate. For more about visiting Aberdeen go to www.visitscotland.com/citybreaks
ACTION STATIONS
Words: Emma Juhasz. Photography: Kamin Mohammadi Ditch the Alps and make tracks at some exotic locations this winter
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| Val-d’Isère? Old news. Whistler? Forget it. Today’s savvy skier knows that even greater delights await them in locations more normally associated with sun and sand… |
ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN
With guaranteed sunshine 90 per cent of the year, skiing
in Kazakhstan means that not only do you get to cruise
the slopes but you’re guaranteed a tan, too. The main
resort, Chimbulak, is only 30 minutes from the city centre
and offers good snowfall and a special snowpark for
snowboarders. If that doesn’t tempt you, then perhaps the
disco-bar will. Visit 
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