TURKEY

Turkey is a cultural amalgam of East and the West. One of the few countries which straddles across two continents, it has absorbed the cultures of both continents within itself and yet managed to retain a unique identity of it’s own. Istanbul, the capital, is divided into two different regions by the river Bosphorus, and presents us with varied cultural landscapes as you wander through this lovely city.

There is so much to do and see in Turkey, every visitor can find something to keep him or her fascinated. The mosques in Istanbul and throughout the country have a charm of their own and carry within them centuries of religious history. The Mediterranean coastal towns are popular tourist destinations, renowned for their beaches and spectacular luxury hotels.

Warm beaches, winter sports, historical tours, luxury cruises, boat rides down the Bosphorus, Turkey offers you all this and much more. For the food enthusiasts, Ottoman cuisine is considered to be among the finest in the world. For the shopping enthusiasts, the markets are full of bargains and crafts. For those who would rather do nothing more than sit back and relax, then the many resorts which dot the coastline are the best places to visit.

Many of the package holiday operators focus on the warm southern coast of Turkey with many of the best beaches in locations such as Dalyan, Fethiye and Antalya.

Visitor Suggestions:

Must See:  Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Aya Sofiya (right) in Istanbul – excellent examples of Turkish religion and culture

Must Do: 

A boat ride down the Bosporus if you are in Istanbul.

If you are close to Dalyan try the famous mud baths. 

Worth a visit: The hammams in Turkey (Turkish baths) are an unusual experience. Do try one out.

When to visit:

April to October are the best times to visit northern Turkey. The weather during these months is perfect for sightseeing, although it can be very hot in July/August.

The southern resorts such as Dalyan have visitors all year round, and the climate is much warmer than the north,particularly in winter. In the south the winters are mild with daytime temperatures typically reaching 12-18 degrees centigrade. The peak tourist season in the south is from May to September. Durring these months rates are likely to be on the higher side.

How to get there:

The busiest airport in Turkey is the Ataturk International Airport at Istanbul. There is also a smaller airport here, Sabiha Gokcen International, which caters mainly to the cheaper flights from Europe. You can also fly into the country to the airports at Antalya, Dalaman and Bodrum (Milas Airport).

Many people also like to drive into Turkey since it is adjacent to eight other nations.  But some of these nations may not give you a visa easily since their relationship with Turkey is generally tense and strained, so do check that out before you leave.