This week, im in turkey, where theyre gearing up for the countrys 100th Anniversary. Rising from the remains of the Ottoman Empire a century ago, turkey inherited a disparate group of cultures and began a process of rapid modernisation under its founder, ataturk. Im travelling the country to understand how all of these diverse cultures were brought together. From the Burial Grounds of the god kings of ancient anatolia. To the turquoise coast, where Queen Cleopatra is claimed to have once bathed. To an original ottoman coffee house in gaziantep, and the hotel frequented by the founder of the republic here in istanbul. Welcome to turkey. Ship horn blares. Now this has to be the best possible way to arrive in istanbul down the mighty bosphorus. Its this body of water that separates the city but also separates continents. And look at that, that silhouette with the domes, the minaretsjust popping up above the horizon. That is dolmabahce palace. Thats where the founder of the republic, Musta
Now this has to be the best possible way to arrive in istanbul down the mighty bosphorus. Its this body of water that separates the city but also separates continents. And look at that, that silhouette with the domes, the minarets just popping up above the horizon. That is dolmabahce palace. Thats where the founder of the republic, Mustafa Kemal ataturk, set about the business of transforming turkey. And from the past to the present, this is taksim district, the heart of modern istanbul. Getting an ice cream in turkey seems like a bit of an extreme sport. I mean, its very. Its for you. She laughs one vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, i pistachio. Tram bell dings these european style heritage trams have their roots back in 1871, when they were horse powered and later became electric. I love a tram. Thats notjust because im from melbourne. Something quite nice about the pace of it and also, going right through the middle of the city. Everyones scarpering out of the way. Its a really nice w
Turkey inherited a disparate group of cultures and began a process of rapid modernisation under its founder, ataturk. Im travelling the country to understand how all of these diverse cultures were brought together. From the Burial Grounds of the god kings of ancient anatolia. To the turquoise coast, where Queen Cleopatra is claimed to have once bathed. To an original ottoman coffee house in gaziantep. And the hotel frequented by the founder of the republic here in istanbul. Welcome to turkey. Now, this has to be the best possible way to arrive in istanbul down the mighty bosphorus. Its this body of water that separates the city, but also separates continents. And look at that, that silhouette with the domes, the minaretsjust popping up above the horizon. That is dolmabahce palace. Thats where the founder of the republic, Mustafa Kemal ataturk, set about the business of transforming turkey. And from the past to the present, this is taksim district, the heart of modern istanbul. Getting
Now on bbc news The Travel Show india episode two. India. More than 75 years after independence, this emerging world power of more than a billion people is still changing. Im on a journey to two extremes of this vast subcontinent. Its just crystal, its hard crystals. White salt probably taste it. I began in gujarat, in the far west. This is genuinely incredible. Im in heaven. Looks pretty crowded . And this week, ive travelled 2,000 miles over to the north east. Im on the banks of the mighty River Brahmaputra and about to go to a very spiritual place. Its one of indias lesser known regions. Were really high up. And just to my right is the border with bangladesh. 0ne. A part of the country that prides itself on its traditions. He makes it look so easy, and its incredibly difficult. But its also looking forward and embracing progress. So now, im on my way to go and see assams very own eco warrior. Its going to be an incredible adventure. Indias north east, a collection of eight states al