Turkey

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Why visit Turkey?

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Turkey, at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest Asia; offers a wealth of destination varieties to travelers: from dome-and-minaret filled skyline of Istanbul to Roman ruins along the western and southern coasts, from heavily indented coastline against a mountainous backdrop of Lycia and wide and sunny beaches of Pamphylia to cold and snowy mountains of the East, from crazy "foam parties" of Bodrum to Middle Eastern- flavored cities of Southeastern Anatolia, from verdant misty mountains of Eastern Black Sea to wide steppe landscapes of Central Anatolia, there is something for everyone's taste—whether they be travelling on an extreme budget by hitchhiking or by a multi-million yacht.

What does Turkey bring in mind?

Bosporus Tour

Bosporus is one of the world's most beautiful and important straits. Among the must-see sites of Istanbul and adorned with lights on both sides, the amazing scenery of the Bosporus can be enjoyed by taking a refreshing boat excursion.

Eastern Black Sea The beautiful Eastern Black Sea region takes place at the top of the list of must-see natural sites with natural wonders such as Uzungöl, Firtina Creek and Ayder Highland regions. A visit to Turkey is never complete unless one makes time to see the pristine forests and highlands of the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Underwater area, Aegean and Mediterranean seas Turkey, a peninsula surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise seas, invites holiday-makers to explore the rich underwater of the area. Vacationers should seize the opportunity to explore the most beautiful diving spots of Turkey. Not only this, visitors to the Turkish Riviera should not miss the chance to join a blue cruise tour along the azure shores of Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris, Kaş and Kalkan located by the fascinating Aegean and Mediterranean seas.

Faith Centers

Anatolia is also the heart of all established religions. Vacationers should not miss the chance to trace the landmarks of the Abrahamic faiths across the natural landscape of Anatolia and sightsee major religious sites such as the House of the Virgin Mary in Izmir, Sumela Monastery in Trabzon, and the Monastery of Saint Nicholas in Antalya province.

Turkish cuisine Gourmets should definitely not miss the chance to taste the traditional kebabs, pastries, diverse kinds of baklava, Turkish coffee, ayran and syrups which are the most delicious specialties of Turkish culinary culture. Seafood lovers should not miss the opportunity to dine at the terrific fish restaurants located on the European and Asian sides of Istanbul in the districts Beylerbeyi, Anadolu Kavağı, Üsküdar, Tarabya, Sarıyer and Kuruçeşme.

Visit of the Old City

Istanbul's Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Ethnographic Museum are among the must-see sites that will complete your vacation by adding flair of antiquity. Particularly history enthusiasts will be delighted to explore Anatolia’s rich history. Not only this, but also the significant sites of the Historical Peninsula, the famous Princes Islands, Çamlıca Hill and Beyoğlu are among the most recommendable attractions of Istanbul worth seeing; and the Saint Pierre Church, which is located in Hatay, is among the major religious sites one must see before leaving Turkey.
Located in Ankara, the Atatürk Mausoleum and the War of Independence Museum are among the other must see sites of Turkey. Both places are of great historical and symbolic value denoting the hard- earned independence of Turkey commemorating the savior of the nation and founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

World Heritage List Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the extraordinarily beautiful and ancient sites of Troy, Hierapolis and Cappadocia are certainly worth the visit that will give your Turkey vacation its final touch. Cappadocia is one of nature's most exquisite and unique regions worth sightseeing by taking a hot air balloon ride over the astonishing landscape at sunrise.

Historical events

The Seb-i Aruz ceremony commemorating the death of Mevlana from December 7 to 17 in Konya every year is a highly interesting cultural event. Getting acquainted with the Mevlevi culture and seeing the whirling dervishes will provide you with unique vacation memories of spiritual and cultural significance.

Great FUN things to do in Turkey!

• Enjoy a unique experience at the quaint traditional Turkish baths.

• The thermal resources in regions such as Bursa, Afyon and Denizli are among the must- see places in Turkey.

• The Grand Bazaar (Kapaliçarşi) and Spice Bazaar (Misir Çarşisi) are among the most renowned traditional and historical shopping districts

• Vacationers looking for entertainment and activities will certainly not regret attending any of the major festivals such asIstanbul Jazz Festival, Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival or Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival.

• To make your Turkey vacation complete, make sure to take a refreshing trip to the magnificent Düden and Manavgat Falls located amidst pristine nature near to Antalya.

• Lake Van is the largest lake in Turkey.

• Turkey is a natural paradise offering convenient locations for outdoor sports. Sport enthusiasts should definitely make time and take part in a variety of outdoor activities such as mountaineering, paragliding, diving, canoeing or trekking.

• Turkey offers also a highly entertaining night life. Vacationers in Turkey should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the famous night clubs in cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya.

Top cities of Turkey

Ankara

Turkey’s capital and second largest city, Ankara lies at the heart of Anatolia. Located in the Central Anatolia Region and home to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Ankara became the capital city by the time the Republic of Turkey was established.

Istanbul

A world center of great value in the past as well as in the present, Istanbul embraces Asia on the one hand and Europe on the other. Istanbul, with its historical peninsula, numerous scenic and historical beauties is a magnificently unique city that has been capital to many civilizations.

Antalya

Antalya with a history dating back to 133 BC and a name meaning “Home of Attalos” referring to the founder of the city Attalos, is a peaceful city situated at the slopes of the Taurus Mountains rich in scenic beauties and historical monuments. Antalya which can be visited any season is an indispensable touristic destination particularly during the summer. This "blue" city enchants its guests with its beautiful beaches and has the longest coastline in Turkey.

Izmir

The pearl of the West is Turkey's third largest city and one of the most important port cities. It has a great nature and a rich historical and cultural heritage. Also known as Old Izmir, Smyrna, built on an islet of hundred acres flourished into a great center of civilization over time. The city is known as "beautiful Izmir" as it is blessed with numerous scenic beauties and is under the effect of the Mediterranean climate. The summer is hot and dry whereas the winter is mild. Lush for all seasons, Izmir is one of the biggest pine nut production areas.

Bursa

The first capital of the Ottoman Empire with a history dating back to 4000BC at the heart of the silk and spice trade and Turkey's 4th largest and advanced city. Bursa is the hub of many monuments and comprises of historical landmarks varying from mosques to madrasas and from churches to baths. Uludağ in Bursa is frequented by both winter and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Within the province of Bursa, Iznik is the most important of the 8 th Christian pilgrimage sites in Turkey.