Turkey is considered one of the most amazing tourist destinations of the world with a reputation amongst travel enthusiasts for greeting visitors with friendly smiles and open arms. With a rich historical heritage and blessed with majestic mountains and a magnificent coastline, Turkey has something to offer everyone.
Today Turkey is a modern European nation and has protected its historical treasures to share with those lucky to visit. It is a country of bustling cities, rugged landscapes, beaches with fabulous views and many attractions that are well worth exploring. Turkey is also a great winter destination with numerous ski resorts and offers adventure activities for those interested in watersports, hiking, horse riding, bird watching, etc. There is also the option for sailing holidays, on a traditional gulet.
Istanbul
One of the largest cities of Turkey and known as the only city in the world to bridge two continents. It is here that you can see all contrasts of Turkey. Though it is one of the ancient cities with its own cultural significance it is at the same time also a cosmopolitan and global city. The most famous and fascinating attractions include Topkapi Palace, St Sophia, Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Dolmabahce Palace, to name but a very few. For shopping enthusiasts it is an ideal destination with the Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, markets and modern shopping malls.
Cappadocia
This area has become one of the most popular tourist destinations of Turkey and has a fascinating blend of truly magnificent scenery. With its stunning geological formations, particularly its fairy chimneys and its many valleys and rock-hewn churches and monasteries with age old frescoes, it is a destination not to be missed. It is also excellent for all those who enjoy outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking and horse riding. Here you can also add a very special memory to your vacation with a hot-air balloon ride over the Cappadocia valleys.
Ephesus
One of the most well-known archaeological sites of Turkey and said to be one of the world’s best preserved examples of a Greco-Roman City. Here you have the chance to walk down marble streets, view the magnificent Celsius Library and the Grand Theatre, just a few of the many buildings and fountains that can be found in this open air museum. In the area you will also find the site of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Temple of Artemis and the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.
Antalya
A tourism capital of Turkey, this region has many beautiful beaches, many of which are counted among the cleanest in the Mediterranean. In addition, it also has a rich archaeological heritage with Perge, Side, Aspendos to name but a few. Some of the great architecture in Antalya boasts of Lycian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences.
Ankara
The capital city of Turkey is host to many impressive tourist attractions such as the Anitkabir Museum that also acts as a mausoleum of Turkey’s founder, Kemal Ataturk; Hisar- a Byzantine Citadel sitting on top of a hill, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic era and continue chronologically through the Neolithic, Early Bronze, Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuq and Ottoman periods.
These are some of the major tourist places that you should visit while travelling in Turkey. Adding to this is the friendliness of the locals along with some great cuisine made from fresh and local ingredients.
[green_box]With all these, and many other attractions and things to do, a holiday tour in Turkey is sure to be an unforgettable experience![/green_box]