Bursa

Also known as the Green Bursa, Bursa is situated at the foothills of Mount Uludag in Anatolia's Marmara region. Bursa is one of Turkey's most important historical cities, with a rich Ottoman history. It is known for its picturesque parks and gardens, vintage Ottoman houses and ornate tombs of Sultans. Bursa was awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status for being the birthplace of the Ottoman Empire.

Bursa is home to several hot springs that tourists can enjoy for a relaxing retreat. Located in the Inegol district of Bursa, Oylat Thermal Springs is considered to be the most significant thermal springs of the Marmara region. With healing sulfur and iron properties, these baths are natural sources of hot springs. In addition, Uludag mountain, situated 36 kms from Bursa, is a hub for winter sports activities like skiing, ice hockey, cable car rides and paragliding. Bursa is an excellent holiday destination for seekers of history and architecture owing to the numerous tombs and mosques around the city embellished with Ottoman and Turkish designs. Moreover, Bursa houses the world's largest 360 degrees panoramic museum, i.e. the Panorama 1326 museum.

Bursa is very easy to navigate as most of the main attractions are in the city centre. Public transportation takes about half an hour to get from one end of the city to the other. A popular day trip from Istanbul, Bursa is an ideal getaway for people who enjoy historical towns with numerous picnic spots. It is worth visiting to experience the real Turkish culture.