The old adage about Turkey that it’s the land where east meets west still rings true to this day. Split across two continents, the country is the gateway to both Europe and Asia. The liberal western flank of Turkey, including cosmopolitan Istanbul is largely very European, but as you venture to the east you find a very different Turkey. A more conservative and religious region, it’s no less captivating. The centre and east of Turkey offers a mix of strong culture, intriguing history, fine cuisine as well as some fantastic natural attractions.
Turkey’s real attraction is it’s breadth of attraction and it has something to offer everyone. There are countless fine beaches on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts with white sands and azure waters. There’s the rich history of Istanbul and other historical sites such as Ephesus and Termessos. There’s also plenty of incredible natural wonders such as the thermal waters of Pamukkale, the distinctive rock formations of Cappadocia and the deep blue waters of Lake Van. Lastly and by no means least, there’s some wonderful city life and cuisine to experience. Turkey’s size means you can’t fit it all into a single trip, but after your first visit you’ll be itching to come back again.
Turkey’s location between Europe and Asia has always made it a strategic gateway country. The country resides in both Europe and Asia with the lions share of the country within the Asian continent. The mighty Bosphorus which passes through Istanbul and connects the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea is the formal boundary between the two continents. Turkey shares a border with Bulgaria and Greece in Europe, Georgia and Armenia in the Caucasus’ and Syria, Iraq and Iran in the Middle East.
As with most destinations, the climate is the biggest factor in determining when to visit Turkey. The climate varies dramatically across the country, particularly between west and east. While almost the entire country is hot and often humid during the summer months, the story is very different for winter, spring and autumn months. Generally speaking, the western, Aegean and Mediterranean coastal areas stay mild and pleasant throughout the non-summer seasons. The story is very different for central and eastern Turkey with snow and negative temperatures from November through to April. Therefore it’s generally considered best to visit Turkey between May and October. If you’re not coming to visit the beach, it’s better to come early or late in the season to avoid the summer heat. If you’re visiting one of the countless beach resorts, June through September is the best time to visit.
Turkey draws visitors in with a combination of amazing natural beauty and fine historical sites. The legacy of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires is a wealth of amazing historical attractions throughout the country. In the south and along the Mediterranean coast, visitors flock to Turkey to enjoy its fine beaches and holiday resorts. Visitors are also attracted by some of the more obscure and unique natural attractions such as Pamukkale and Cappadocia. Whatever your motivation for visiting, you’re in for a treat.
While Istanbul is undoubtedly Turkey’s finest city, there’s plenty more great cities to discover. From the coastal cities of Antalya and Izmir to the historic city of Mardin, there’s plenty of variety and great things to discover.
Our top 5 cities to visit in Turkey are:
Such is Turkeys wealth of historical sites that picking just five is an incredibly difficult task. Istanbul alone has more than five world class historical sites, however we’ve tried to mix it up a little with the inclusion of some other sites from the east and the south of the country.
Our top 5 historical sites in Turkey are:
Turkey has over 5000 miles of coast line across the Mediterranean, Black, Aegean and Marmara Seas. It’s therefore no surprise that the country has a wide array of spectacular beaches.
Our top 5 beaches in Turkey are:
From mountains to forest and from lakes to plains, Turkey’s landscape is both varied and spectacular. The country is home to some unique natural wonders that you’ll not be able to see anywhere else in the world.
Out top 5 natural wonders in Turkey are:
You can drive to Morocco from the neighboring countries of Spain and Mauritania, but not Algeria, despite a nearly 2000 km long border between the two countries. Travel between Morocco and any of its neighbors comes with its fair share of challenges. At first glance, you could be mistaken for
If you love solitude, amazing landscapes, and vast open spaces, you’re going to love Western Australia. This amazing land, and the northwest in particular, is often referred to as the ‘Last Frontier’. It’s a land of endless remote possibilities and nowhere showcases this better than the amazing array of national