Turkey’s rise to tourism superstardom has received another boost after the actor Nicholas Cage arrived in the country to start filming scenes for the sequel to “Ghost Rider”. The Oscar winning actor met the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, in the western province of Denizli.

It is the 47-year-old star’s first visit to Turkey. He told the Prime Minister that he regretted leaving it so long to visit Turkey, a country which he had great admiration for. In particular Cage said he was keen to pay a visit to İstanbul and Konya and is particularly curious about the Sufi lifestyle.

Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage’s starring “Ghost Rider 2” continues to film the final shots.

Cage filmed some parts of “Ghost Rider 2” in the Cappadocia region, which is famous for its bizarre stone formations, including houses carved from rock. Pamukkale in Denizli is known for its white travertine terraces, which will form the backdrop to the new Hollywood blockbuster.

(Istanbul is enjoying an unprecedented revival)

Istanbul – Europe’s coolest city break

Istanbul is rapidly forging a reputation as one of the world’s great city break destinations, as well as a high-profile international congresses and events destination.

International leisure tourism arrivals continue to show steady year-on-year growth as growing number of travellers discover the joys of a city that oozes centuries old appeal as a meeting place of continents and cultures.

Istanbul’s current renaissance was reflected in it being chosen as the 2010 European Capital of Culture, and in the same year it was also voted “Europe’s Leading Destination” by the World Travel Awards.

(Sn Hamdi Topcu, Chairman, Turkish Airlines picks up “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class” at 2010 World Travel Awards. Pictured with Kevin Taylor, Group Vice President, World Travel Awards)

Turkish Airlines has played a pivotal role in the city’s emergence as a business hub. This was reflected at the 2010 World Travel Awards when the national carrier was voted “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class”, following a year in which it grew market share and continued to upgrade its fleet despite a backdrop of one of the harshest downturns in aviation history.

Istanbul.Mobi for everything to do in the capital

As well as the many exquisite Ottoman mosques, the city is buzzing with happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs, and sense of energy and innovation not seen since the days of Süleyman the Magnificent.

For the lowdown on what’s hot, City.Mobi offers the best mobile guide to the capital. Istanbul.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up of city guides, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

The guide offers click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers. Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

(To get the local lowdown visit Istanbul.Mobi)

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport. City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.

Ottoman opulence

The capital’s most famous place to stay, Hôtel Les Ottomans, reflects the grandeur of the Ottomans whilst offering today’s luxury and comfort.

Occupying the Muhsinzade Mehmet Pasha Mansion, the hotel is located at the most magnificent section of the Bosphorus, and its lavish architecture and gardens are considered some of the finest examples of the Ottoman period. The hotel’s splendour was acknowledged at the 2010 World Travel Awards when it was voted “World’s Leading All Suite Hotel & Spa” and “Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel”.

(Hôtel Les Ottomans holds an unrivallaed position on the banks of the Bosphorus)

Hôtel Les Ottomans will be hoping to repeat the success at the World Travel Awards 2011 European Ceremony, which is being hosted in Turkey for the second year running.

In September, Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa will step up to host the prestigious event, dubbed by the media as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”. The luxury resort is located in Antalya, next to the beautiful beach of Iskele Mevkii.