The different regions of Turkey offer endless holiday possibilities all year round whether you are an art and history buff, an archaeology nut or a nature lover, enjoy browsing through markets or going diving.
The different regions of Turkey offer endless holiday possibilities all year round whether you are an art and history buff, an archaeology nut or a nature lover, enjoy browsing through markets or going diving.
Turkey is no longer just about carpets, rugs and ancient ruins; it is quickly pushing the popularity barometer through the roof as one of the hottest summer holiday.
Presents mountain lovers with an incredible variety of interesting climbing opportunities that are sure to satisfy the most demanding hikers, climbers, and winter sports fans. Mountains come in all sizes, geo-morphological and tectonic structures and boast abundant wildlife and forests teeming with diverse flora and fauna.
Surrounded by four different seas, it is a beach paradise with over 8000 km of sunny strips of sand. It also has an abundance of plant and wildlife species that can be enjoyed while camping or trekking in the many national parks which are dotted around the country.
Home to more than 20 different fascinating civilisations, Turkey has a 10,000 year-old heritage, much of which is still being uncovered. Its rich history is very much part of the present, with temples, ancient theatres, churches, mosques, tombs, statues of gods, palaces and fortresses, and of course the many detailed and fascination museums which bring the past to life.
Each area has its own personality, history, landscape and even cuisine, and with so much on offer to visitors it is not surprising that one trip to Turkey is never enough.
It’s not just the long sunny days, beautiful sandy beaches and friendly hospitality that attracts people in their droves, it’s also the fact that Turkey holidays are extremely cheap for people travelling. The excellent exchange rate with the New Turkish Lira means that visitors get great value for money (although the area is a lot more expensive than it used to be).
No matter what type of holiday you are looking for, there is something to cater to everyone’s tastes, from all-inclusive package getaways, through to independent travel staying in luxurious private cliff-top villas. Visitors can spend their days relaxing on the western coast Mediterranean beaches, trolling the local bazaars for a great bargain or immersing themselves amongst the ancient ruins that date back 10,000 years.
Getting to Turkey is easy, with most of the major European airlines flying in the country, such as Istanbul and Ankara. State-owned Turkish Airlines and British Airways are the only two airlines which fly direct (a mere 4 hour flight) to Turkey. In peak season, travellers can expect to pay on average £ 200 for a return flight, and less if they are on a package holiday which uses charter flights to get to the country.
Once in the country, bus travel is by far the cheapest and most convenient way of travelling between towns, through it is possible to hire a car and drive yourself (note: that cross-country self-drive is not for the faint hearted as Turkey driving standards are dodgy compared to the UK!). While this is a massive country to get around, take heart that most of the popular tourist areas are on the west coast, and are relatively easy to get to.
For those wanting to do more than just relax on a beach, must-see tourist attractions include the mosques and museums of Istanbul; the ancient city of Ephesus; the tree houses in Olympos; the natural wonders of Cappadocia; a Turkish bath; and the raw grunt of the Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Competition.
Turkish food is a far cry from traditional British cuisine, but visitors will welcome the rich and refreshing flavours to their palettes. All the food is fresh and delicious, and takes its inspiration from parts of central Asia, Greece, Arabia and Persia, making it eclectic and exciting.
A holiday in Turkey is ideal for rejuvenating and relaxing, and has something to offer all holidaymakers.
