Ankara is the city of politics - and this alone guarantees a lively intellectual culture - and an international atmosphere as well. But another thing is also true: Ankara is at least as historic as Istanbul. Over the course of the last two and a half millennia, it has belonged to many empires, including Greece, Rome and Byzantine. Therefor, one would expect an abundance of monument - and in doing so one will not be disappointed. Ankara offers buildings from all ages. For example, there is a Roman amphitheatre, or the impressive Column of Julianus, erected in 362. Further, there are many Islamic monuments, like the Alaaddin Mosque from the 12th century.

If Ankara were a part of Europe (which is is not, being located in the Asian part of Turkey), it would be one of the continent's top capital cities.

Not everybody knows that within the last decade Turkey has become an economic power house both for Europe and for the Middle East - but when you come to Ankara, you will certainly believe it. The truth of the matter is that Ankara is not only an important ancient site still existent today, but also a shining business center. Turkey's versatility is huge at the moment - and one witness of this are Ankara's flashy business districts, both modern and post-modern in appearance.

Ankara's subway system, by the way, is fully automated. This is just one example of how the Turkey of today has turned into a trendsetter for the world.