Izmir
Horseshoed around sparkling Aegean waters, the overlooking Velvet Castle attests to the archaeological wealth of this Turkish city. Greek, Roman and Ottoman treasures and landmarks spread across its face, from the Church of St. Polycarp to Ephesus’ august ruins, vestiges of a fabled history. From the many modern developments to the shrewd liveliness of the bazaars in Konak, Izmir continues to wield precious empirical wisdom befitting of its pearlescent moniker.