Turkey is a transcontinental Eurasian country, lying in part in the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia and part in the Balkan region of south Eastern Europe. It has the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Aegean sea to the west, and the Black sea to the north. Through out its history, Turkey has been home to many different civilisations each of which has left behind a fascinating historical and archaeological heritage making it a Mecca for tourists. However, as well as all this, Turkey has become very much part of the modern world as well, and so modern beach resorts happily sit side by side with history and culture.
Taking a holiday in Turkey currently remains one of the most affordable destinations in the Mediterranean in terms of costs. A warm welcome awaits all visitors who travel to Turkey, as a strong tradition of friendliness and welcome abounds here. The Climate around the sea areas of Turkey is temperate, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters, while the interior of the country experiences colder harsher winters.
Istanbul is one of the top destinations in Turkey, and being the largest city in Turkey, it holds a wealth of historic sights and culture, from the Blue Mosque built in the early 17th century, which Is known for the blue tiles adorning the interior walls, to the Dolmabahce Palace which was the first European style palace to be build in Istanbul and was built in the mid 19th century at a staggering cost of five million Ottoman gold pounds (the equivalent of 35 tons of gold!). Fourteen tons of gold leaf were used to gild it’s ceilings, and the centre hall holds the worlds largest bohemian crystal chandelier which was a gift from Queen Victoria.
Turkey’s history really does go back a very long way, in fact, the worlds oldest known human settlement which dates back to 6500 BC is in Turkey, and can be seen at Catalhoyuk in Konya. Turkey was also home to two of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum and the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus.
Turkey’s coastal regions are beautiful and relaxing, and with tranquil sandy bays and beaches, and also modern beach resorts which are full of life and brimming with entertainment day and night, you can enjoy the best of everything here. The cuisine is very fine, and it’s quite possible to stay at one of the many holiday locations near the sea, and still take wonderful trips inland to some of the many Turkish cities to see the sites. Most cities are dotted with spectacular mosques and on the Aegean Coast in particular there is much of historical interest to see and many museums from the Archaeology Museum which houses an impressive collection of statues and other finds recovered during the excavations at Ephesus, to the Turkish Bath Museum, which is housed in a building from the 16th century and shows what it was like in a Turkish hamam or bath.
Like many other Mediterranean countries, Turkey also has on offer a wealth of water experiences, from diving to fishing and, if you prefer to go outward rather than inland for your sight seeing, then you could always take to the seas and enjoy a relaxing cruise down one of the Turkish coastlines. Along the Aegean Coast in particular, you can see many beautiful landmarks from the water.
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