Article by Chris Miles
The setting for the Illiad and home to the once-powerful Ottomon dynasty, Turkey is a country rich in history. A holiday in Turkey provides tours to some of the world’s oldest and well-preserved monuments, including the ancient city of Troy and evidence of the Sumer, Babylon and Assyria cultures. These 10 000-year-old civilisations have long inspired writers and philosophers in the West.
In addition to its historical roots, Turkey is a religious centre, where devotees from the Christian and Islamic faiths may enjoy beautiful structures and sites of worship that range from shrines to ruins. Other religions, both recognised and forgotten, vie for space in Turkey’s pluralistic world. Be sure to pay a visit to Mount Ararat, of Noah’s Ark fame, which is the highest mountain on the continent.
Turkey is also a melting pot of bazaars, fashionable nightclubs, restaurants and bars. Its renowned Ottoman cuisine includes succulent lamb and doner kebabs. Aubergines, onion, garlic, olive oil and tomatoes are staples. Influences from France and Italy have dissolved and been reinvented to make a truly unique, truly world-class cuisine. As one of the country’s lucrative exports, Turkish produce is fresh and has a high cultural value.
The climate and geography is excellent for those who choose to travel cross country. Long, summer days – lasting up to eight months every year – provide a great backdrop to explore the beaches, islands and peninsulas that surround Turkey from three different seas. The warm Mediterranean Sea is an excellent location for water sports such as scuba diving or swimming.
Istanbul is the capital and a must-see city in Turkey. Among its major attractions, the Haghia Sophia or ‘Divine Wisdom’ is a cathedral that was dedicated in AD 537 and later topped by Michelangelo’s intricate dome. The Grand Bazaar has more than five-thousand shop keepers jostling for tourists’ attention in a multitude of languages. The underground of Yerbatan Sarnici has hundreds of columns and eerie statues that litter its cool, darkened walkways.
Ideal for family travel as well as honeymooners and pensioners, Turkey provides tours of ancient cities, quaint fishing villages, broad and untouched beaches as well as world-class restaurants and nightclubs. Those seeking a tour of the ancient world can also enjoy gastronomic novelties that are unique to the country where three major continents converge. Hospitality and kindness to strangers is a cornerstone of Turkish culture, meaning that tourists often enjoy a smiling welcome and offers of refreshment. Click here to book your holiday and relish the rich history and culture that is an integral part of Turkey.
