Gaziantep

Gaziantep, the economic capital of Turkey's southeast, has an inviting mix of modern vitality and ancient tradition. Responsible for a good chunk of Turkey's industrial output, from bulgur wheat and pistachios to car parts and textiles, the city's modern part is lined with wide boulevards and ever-expanding housing tracts. At the literal and figurative heart of the city, however, lies a narrow-laned old town lined with graceful stone houses, a bustling bazaar filled with the sound of hammering coppersmiths, and a collection of restaurants and baklava bakeries that are considered among the best in Turkey. Only 65 km (40 mi) from the Syrian border, Gaziantep also has a distinctive Middle Eastern feel to it, from the historic homes with their large interior courtyards to the red-pepper paste and cumin used in the local dishes. You could easily spend two days exploring the city and its sites.