Turkey is a mixture of identities, uniquely situated
between east and west. Although aspiring to be western in its outlook,
it has many contradictions: mosques co-exist with churches, and
Roman remnants crumble alongside ancient Hittite sites. The modern
day Turkey was primarily created by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and the
majority of its citizens are Muslim. Most of the modern developments
have taken place in the west of this large country, offering the
tourist a great combination of stylish resorts and stunning beaches
surrounded by ancient sites and a traditional eastern culture.
Istanbul
This is a vibrant city the cultural and commercial centre of Turkey. Places
for the visitor to see include the Aya Sofya, a stunning
sixth-century Byzantine cathedral which is massively domed, the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
In the north west area there is the Suleymaniye mosque complex
which incorporates the Covered Bazaar with its thousands of shops,
stalls and workshops and a great place to go haggling for a
bargain. Finally,
a visit to a Turkish bath remains a must and the most celebrated
is the 400 year old Cemberitas Hamam on Divan Yolu in the centre
of the city.
The Mediterranean Coast
This area is very popular with tourists because of its stunning beaches
and unspoilt coastline. Antalya, one of Turkey's fastest-growing
cities, is where the main airport in the region is located.
The resorts of Belek and Side are well catered for by the package
tour operators and have beaches which are very safe and are perfectly
suited to accommodate families. In this region several
golf courses are situated designed to suit players of all abilities. Inland,
there are a number of ancient archaeological sites, most notably at Perge, which was founded in 1000 BC. Also a
'must see' are
the spectacular attractions of Cappadocia, with its lunar landscape,
famous rock churches, subterranean cities and landscape studded
with cave dwellings. To get a real understanding of this geological
phenomena, it is well worth taking a hot air balloon ride to get a
proper perspective.
The Turquoise Coast
This area is known for its beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery
with many resorts to choose from, one of the most popular being the
resort of Olu Deniz with its famous Blue Lagoon and
one of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. Nearby is the
resort of Calis Beach which is a perfect place for a relaxing holiday
in Turkey.
Situated between these two resorts is Fethiye which gives access
to many of the region's ancient sites, dating back to the time when
this area was known as the kingdom of Lycia. This is a great place
to come and visit the markets and do some shopping.
The Aegean Coast
To many people the Aegean Coast is Turkey’s most exciting
destination and offers the holidaymaker the most interesting resorts
together with the best of its classical antiquities. The cosmopolitan
town of Bodrum is the focal resort of the area and in addition
to its imposing castle and yacht harbour boasts a vibrant
atmosphere and is sometimes referred to as the Turkish Riviera.
For those looking for excellent sandy beaches, then close by are
the resorts of Bitez and Gumbet. In particular Gumbet also offers
plenty of water sport facilities and has an excellent nightlife.
Bitez is a quieter resort and has miles of scenic walkways both
on the coast and inland. Other places of interest include Assos
a tiny stone hillside village built in the sixth century BC and
once the home of Aristotle. The temple of Athena has had its Doric
columns re-erected and from there you have breathtaking views the
Greek island of Lesvos.
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