DESTINATION   INFORMATION

Destination - Turkey

Turkey’s opulent imperial past combined with breathtaking scenery and unique geographical location spread over 2 continents makes it a vibrant and fascinating country. It’s a land bursting with character, countless historical and natural attractions - on land and sea, not to mention its seriously appetizing cuisine. All in all, it offers a truly engaging, relaxing and exotic holiday experience…

Locations on Turkey Map

TURKEY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

TURKEY INFORMATION

Turkey is the only country in the world to sit astride two continents: a unique position that has given rise to a culture that reflects both East and West. It is a country where European aspirations sit comfortably alongside Asian traditions and the volatile atmosphere of the Middle East morphs seamlessly into the relaxed outlook of the Mediterranean world.

Turks have only lived here since medieval times when they arrived as land-hungry nomads from Central Asia. Before that it was Byzantine territory and Istanbul - then Constantinople - was the political centre of a vast Christian empire. Romans, Persians, Lycians and Phrygians were former occupants of the same territory, and earlier still, Hittite tribes had built an Anatolian empire before collapsing around the time of the Trojan Wars.

Such a rich history has left an indelible mark and Turkey abounds with historic sites and archaeological wonders set in a varied and beautiful landscape. The Mediterranean coastline is punctuated with well-preserved Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamom and Ephesus, while the austere and rugged Anatolian plateau has cave churches hidden away in the improbable fairytale landscape of Cappadocia. Istanbul, still very much the pulse of the nation, has even more to offer, with Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques and palaces.

With history at every turn, it is tempting to portray Turkey as a quaint, time-locked country that adheres to tradition but this is far from the truth. The modern republic's first leader, Kemal Atatürk, saw to it that Turkey was reinvented as a modern secular state following the demise of the Ottoman Empire. What you see today, thanks to Atatürk's comprehensive modernisation, is a healthy combination of ancient tradition and contemporary outlook. This outlook sees little contradiction in having modern European ways tempered by Islam and time-honoured traditions of hospitality

MAIN TURKEY HIGHLIGHTS

Istanbul, on the waters of the Bosphorus, historically an imperial capital and seat of the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires. Here alone resides some of the most striking excesses from the past – Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Museum. 

The Aegean Coast is crisscrossed with ruins of a multitude of Greco-Roman ancient cities, and by far the most amazing is the beautiful white marbled ancient city of Ephesus, one of the world’s grandest and still most intact Greco Roman city. (Also Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Bodrum).

Dramatic geological contrasts and spectacular conical rock formations of varying colors embellish the volcanic landscape throughout the Cappadocia Region in Central Anatolia – home of St. Basil, explore Byzantine rock-cut churches with stunning frescoes and valleys honeycombed with underground cities - stay in a cave style hotel and enjoy the local art, dancing and wine.

Discover the myriad of ancient city rock tombs, shore side ruins and exotic flowers toppling over whitewashed houses that speckle the scenic mountainous coastline of little inlets, private coves and dazzling white sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Coast. Soak up warm rays aboard a relaxing ‘gulet’ yacht cruise with many available water sports along this sparkling turquoise coast. A perfect region to extend or conclude your trip.

A wild and contrasting landscape is the series of lush verdant plains, tobacco and tea plantations set among the snow-capped peaks of the Black Sea Region, where the traditional rural village life high up on the surrounding mountain plateaus can be experienced. The coast is dotted with beautiful stony white beaches, old castles, abandoned churches, picturesque villages with traditional wooden houses, and the surreal cliff-clinging Sumela Monastery.

For more adventurous and off the beaten track itineraries, discover the mystique and ancient civilizations of
East & South-East Anatolia. Climb mountain peaks with colossal standing stone heads at sunset, explore ancient kervansarais along the old Silk Road to China, the abandoned ruins of ancient Armenian, Urartian and Selcuk cities, isolated hilltop palaces, stunning archeological mosaics and bee-hive style houses...