Planning your next holiday but can’t decide on a place? We suggest you take a trip to Turkey. It has a lot on its plate and something to offer everyone; it is after all where the East and the West meet, literally. We love Turkey, and here’s why you will love it too:

1. Turkey is beautiful. There is so much to see that pleases the eye

It is as if God has blessed the country with all of nature’s beauty. There are alluring coast lines with vast stretches of golden sands, hidden coves that offer you those private moments you desire, ragged mountains and blue waters. Turkey is an all-in-one package when it comes to scenic beauty.

2. So many historical sites that one would take weeks to visit them all

Turkey is replete with historic monuments. One of these sites is Ephesus housing ruins of a Greco-Roman city of the past, an important center of trade, culture and the flourishing economy of those times. There are also Troy and Pergamon, which hold the ruins of nine different periods of settlement, including temples, theatres and house foundations.

3. Hills, canyons and extraordinary rock formations of Cappadocia

Hills, canyons and extraordinary rock formations – this is what Cappadocia showcases. The strange rock formations have been carved by rain and wind erosions. There are volcanic mountains in this region and a sprinkling of troglodyte rock dwellings. One would also find remnants of ancient underground cities. The place is very interesting and a must visit for the globetrotter.

4. Turkish Bath

Turkey is most sung about for its ‘hammams’, the traditional Turkish bath houses. Turkish baths have been around for years and offer tourists a great way to relax and bathe. Steam rooms, spas, body peels, facials, scrubs are all available in the baths and, for some extra pay, you can have someone give you a nice massage and scrub before your bath.

5. The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul

If you love shopping then the Grand Bazar of Istanbul is the place to be in. It is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4000 shops and an array of attractive wares –spices, teas, curios to name a few – the Grand Bazar is a shopper’s paradise where one can spend hours without getting bored and indulge in the excitement of haggling for a good bargain. But, one has to be wary and not fall prey to the sales tricks of the shopkeepers here.

 

6. Hagia Sophia - The building with history & mystery

It is the only building in the world that has housed three different religious orders – pagan, Christianity and Islam. The building also shows a synthesis of two ruling cultures of the past – the Byzantium and the Ottoman – in its architecture. The Hagia Sophia has earned itself a mysterious connotation since its mention in Dan Brown’s thriller‘Inferno’. Definitely a reason to visit Turkey, we say!

7. Adventure Sports in the Koprulu Canyon National park

The Koprulu Canyon and national park in Antalya, Turkey is lovely – blue waters running down a winding path in between steep cliffs, offering opportunities for adventure sports like water rafting and trekking and lots of excitement. One can take a walk down the national park and enjoy being with nature while camping among the cedar and cypress trees. If you’re lucky, you might end up spotting an array of wild animals - deer, bears, goats, foxes, wolves, rabbits, etc.

8. Topkapi Palace, Istanbul - Official residence of Ottoman sultans

This place of history draws visitors in large numbers and is definitely a place worth visiting. The palace played to the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years. It still has its old artifacts in place, exhibited for the tourists to give them an idea of how the sultans lived and the kind of a culture prevailed in those days. The Topkapi palace museum has an imposing architecture with vast collections and archived papers.

9. Beautiful mountain views of Turquoise Coast

The Turkish coastline commands special mention. Also known as the ‘Turquoise Coast’, the southwestern shoreline of Turkey boasts of stunning beaches and beautiful mountain views. This place also has an interesting history. In olden times this region was known as Lycia, home to a fiercely independent people. The beaches are still dotted with ruins dating back to Lycian times.

10. The impressive architecture of The Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque is a beautiful building with large domes and tall minarets. The colour of the tiles is blue and hence the name. The impressive architecture of the mosque is a must see and draws many visitors and worshippers alike. Sultan Ahmed I had built this mosque with the intention of making it the most important and impressive place of worship in his kingdom.

11. The Food

Turkey is a place where one will get to taste lots of good food! Due to its location, Turkey has developed as a hub for fusion cuisine with an intermingling of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. You can indulge in yummy kebabs and the ‘mezze’ platter and wash them down with some great flavoured drinks like the Raki. Fish is also plentiful and fish lovers would find a palatable treat here.

12. Turkey is Affordable

A trip to turkey is more affordable than a trip to any European destination. This is because the Turkish Lira is weaker as compared to the Euro and the Dollar. Once in Turkey, it is advisable to convert all foreign currencies into the Lira and pay for everything in the Lira. There are endless choices in Turkey for a budgeted travel. Of course, one also can explore Turkey in style if one wants to.

13. Friendly People

It is always a pleasure to travel to a place with friendly people and the Turkish fit the bill very well indeed. Tourists are welcomed with open arms. You will find people willing to show you around and introduce you to their way of life. You stand a good chance to make a few friends, who might then invite you to cultural gatherings, so that you get to experience the culture up close.

We did warn you that Turkey was a charmer. If you have any trouble planning, just give us a shout!

Anjali Nayyar

Anjali loves to read, philosophize, travel and spend time with her family. With a Masters in Sociology, Anjali ended up as a writer instead of a sociologist. She believes that writing is a channel through which one can express one's innermost self and express one's uniqueness, the gift of life, for all to savor.

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