TURKEY
Escape to Turkey this vacation! Nothing less than other holiday destinations, Turkey comes as a package of east-west meeting point with natural beauty, pristine beaches, world-class cuisine, culmination of surrounding cultures, wonderful hospitality of Turks and religious ancient shrines. Did you know that Turkey has more classical ruins then Italy or Greece? This fact makes Turkey an irresistible place of travel. Tourists who visit Turkey never forget to mention the hospitality they receive from Turks which is also a major asset providing incredible friendliness over the whole holiday. Awesome blend of historic sites with natural beauty is truly an opportunity to watch the man-made marvels and god’s creations of natural wonders at one go. Popularly regarded as the birthplace of Greek civilization and ruled by other civilizations for over 500 years left an indelible mark on the country prevalent even today in the historical sights. Taking your children to Turkey gives you chance to explore practically the finest classical ruins in Peragomon, Epshesus and other cities along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts. Not only that, it’s also a place of romantic beauty visible in the coastal skylines, exhibition of harmonious minarets and domes, trendy cafes, and the icing on the cake are the kind people of Turkey. This country is attractive to any kind of tourist be it cultural tourists, young backpackers, research scholars, aristocratic travelers, beachcombers and weekend spenders. This is possible of lowest accommodation prices to resorts suitable for the sophisticates, outdoor activities for teenagers to all ages and finest the transport system. The 99 names of god inscribed on human palm, banana shaped dwellings carved in the rocks of Cappadocia, museums, unspoiled landscapes, ruins of shrines, stone kings, Islamic monuments and the imperial mosques Istanbul all make Turkey an interesting place of tourism. If you think you have had enough of site seeing then gorge on the outdoor activities like hiking, white water rafting, bicycling, yachting, skiing, hot-air ballooning, and other water sports.
CULTURE
Rich with cultural influences of Greeks, Byzantines, Romans, Persians, Phrygians and Lycians this country is synonym for the word diversity. Turkish culture is undoubtedly blended of diverse cultures from the local nomadic tribesmen (Turkoman) to the legacies of civilizations. Turkey being in a position where east and west meets its divided into western and eastern Turkey. Along the countryside Turks live a more traditional lifestyle like you can hardly see any man and woman together socializing. Hence this conservatism also affected the tourism industry majorly as until 70’s it was a taboo to hold hand or kiss your partner. But today this is not the picture Turkey has rapidly changes accepting all the pervasive social change. Islam is the major religion in addition to other religions followed in Turkey. 98 percent of population is Muslim and others are the Christians. Only from the year 2003 the Turkish women are given equal rights of their men folk. If you have enough baggage space then Turkish carpets and kilims are world-wide famous. Other work of art that allures most of the tourists is the leather goods, alabaster, Meerschaum pipes, copperware and the Turkish ceramics. Apart from oil wrestling and camel wrestling Turks engage in Football.
GEOGRAPHY
Straddling between two continents Asia and Europe it has been divided into two parts by the Dardanelles, the Bosphorous and the Sea of Marmara. The European Turkey that sums up to 3 percent of total land is called Eastern Thrace and Asian Turkey the other 97 percent is called Anatolia. Like culture Turkey’s geographical appearance is also very diverse with snowcapped mountains, 7000 meters of coastline, flowing rivers, vast lakes, beaches and the Aegean islands. The whole land is divided into seven regions – Black Sea, Southeastern Anatolia, Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, Eastern Anatolia and central Anatolia. Other than that these seven regions have about eight mighty provinces with fertile plains all over making agriculture possible. Measuring 779,452 sq. kms in land area filled with mountains by the black sea, rolling steppes in southeastern Anatolia, and snowcapped mountains in northeastern Anatolia. With beauty of the land comes as a beast to it the active earthquake fault that runs beneath the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul. The action of wind, water and volcanic eruptions formed the beautiful Cappadocia region which is now the one of the greatest tourist attractions world-wide.
WHEN TO VISIT
The diversity in geographic conditions also affects the climate with differences in weather from region to region. So a generic view is not possible though one can plan the travel according to the region visited. The coastal region in Turkey experiences mild climates whereas the Anatolia plateau sees both hot summers and cold winters. Based on your itinerary look out the climatic conditions at that particular time, though the peak season of visit marks from mid June through out mid September. The winter season is the off period making it cheap for the tourist with slashed prices everywhere, so if you can take the strong weather and travel winter season can be the best way to save some bucks. The coastal region where the average summer reaches to about 25° C is crowded by tourists to make the most of warm waters.
TOP ATTRACTIONS
Turkey the most feasible option of travel because of diversity in land, climate and natural wonders which makes it easy for a tourist to spend the vacation in a convenient way. Wide range of options in one country results in the difficulty of travelling to the best. From the vast list of cities like Istanbul, Sanhurfa, Diyarbakir, Anatolia, Cappadocia, Aegean, the Black Sea Coast, the Sea of Marmara and Ankara decide on two to three cities as covering the whole of Turkey would require ample time. The main point of attraction is Istanbul, followed by the European Turkey called Thrace that has magnificent mosques, battlefields of Gallipoli and the Edirne as major attractions. For quality resorts Aegean coast serves you with the best and archeological sites are found in the northwest Anatolia.
ISTANBUL
The empire of the Sultans that is spread from Gates of the Vienna to the Indian Ocean, Istanbul is a land locked by water on three sides. Tourist is sure to be spellbound by the majestically built domes and minarets, the natural sunsets from chic Bebek, and the marvelous islands. Not to miss on itinerary is the Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque, the Dolmabahce Palace, and the city walls. The city is full of Ottoman Empire legacies- the hamams (exclusive bathhouses like the modern day spas), man made mosques, and palaces around every part of the city. The popular Topaki Palace like that of Buckingham and Versallies, built in the 15th century when the Turks conquered Istanbul. A palace from where the Sultans ruled with fabulous courtyards, unsymmetrical complexes, pristine throne room, treasury and surprisingly a library. Then the Aya Sofya massive red church standing on the Sultanahmet Square and built in Roman times. All in all Istanbul is a place that offers a host of marvelous sights.
CAPPADOCIA
Any one reading Bible would have come across this region, as it is standing there from the Hittite period which occurred much before the time of Jesus. This region is a true combination of natural and man made wonders. The landscape is a result of Volcanic eruptions that occurred 30 million years ago forming tuffs in the surrounding areas. Tuffs are soft porous rocks easily eroded by water, salute to man’s intelligence as the early people made use of these tuffs by carving dwellings within the hills and valleys. Also there are Byzantine churches and monasteries in the Ihara valley. One more wonder is the boulder cap made of harder resistant rock, these formations are called fairy chimneys. The noted towns here are the Goreme, Urgup, Avanos, Uchisar and Mustafapasa.
THARCE AND MARMARA
Though among the least visited sites in Turkey, it receives tourists in quite good numbers yearly to catch the glimpse of historically famous battlefields of Gallipoli. The Gallipoli peninsula is at its best in Summer and Spring with blossoms all over the land. The city of Edirne is adorned with caravanserais, mosques, and exclusive baths. Other attractions of this place include the finest work of Mimar Sinan called the Selimiye Camii in Edirne, picturesque harbor at Gelibolu, and the eternal sunset at the Dardanelles. The Marmara Islands though the road that is less travelled presents a horizon studded with islets famous for giant marble quarries.
NORTH AEGEAN COAST
The main attraction of tourists after Istanbul offering the variety tours of the archaeological sites and fabulous land along the Mediterranean coast. This place promises of the best accommodation in whole of Turkey with major resorts in the midst of Mountains and beaches. The major attractions here are Troy and the city of Pergamon. Troy that is repeatedly part of literature and history, this sight is remarkably famous from the time of Alexander and why not, thanks to the wrath of Achilles, the eternal beauty of Helen, and the wooden horse all is subject of great interest. The Trojan horse not the famous virus but historic one (the replica) is still standing there at display. At Pergamon the dramatic ruins of acropolis and the Asclepion are the major attractions.
GETTING HERE
If one is on European tour UK or Ireland would the best place to board a flight to Turkey. Popular is the THY the Turkish Airlines destined to major regions in Turkey- Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, Trabzon and Dalaman. The busiest international airport being the Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport, so planning your travel in advance will help you have a hassle free holiday. Regular flights from other parts of the world fly to principal international airports; only thing you have to look for is special offer and package tours available throughout the year.
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