If you need a break from the frosty mornings as winter takes a grip here at home, a holiday in sun-soaked Turkey may be just what you need. Turkey offers a unique blend of European sophistication and Asian mystery with its vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty.
From the bustling bazaars of Istanbul to the sun-drenched shores of the Turquoise Coast, it’s a destination that caters to every kind of traveller.
Istanbul is a good starting point, like all great cities, it developed around a waterway.
The Bosphorus Strait, which forms a continental boundary between Asia and southern Europe, splits the city, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
Possibly the best example of the ancient cultural mix in Turkey is the Hagia Sophia, an architectural masterpiece, once a Byzantine cathedral, later an Ottoman Mosque, and today a museum-mosque hybrid.
The awe-inspiring blend of Christian and Islamic artistry sits under the massive central dome, which was built by 10,000 men in the 5th Century. The decorated walls show the history as golden mosaics of Christ and the Virgin Mary peer out from beneath layers of Islamic calligraphy. If history and architecture are your thing, then a visit to the nearby Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace will not disappoint.
On the other hand, if you need some retail therapy, a visit to the city’s famous Grand Bazaar will be enough for any shopper. The covered streets and alleyways house over 4000 shops and stalls offering everything from kilim rugs to Turkish delight, locally made ceramics, jewellery and clothing.
When you have had enough of the city’s hustle and bustle, you can chill on the beaches of the Turkish Riviera, a sun-drenched stretch of Mediterranean shoreline. This breathtaking coastline, winding from Marmaris to Antalya, is dotted with ancient ruins, charming harbours, and secluded bays that invite endless exploration. The calm, clear waters and hidden coves are best experienced on a leisurely cruise on a gullet, a traditional wooden sailboat.
For those with itchy feet, a trip to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia is a must. The landscape is covered with towering rock formations, sculpted over millennia by wind and volcanic activity into a dreamlike landscape.
The area offers adventure in every direction: wander through the surreal rock-cut churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum, trek the scenic Rose Valley, or descend into the subterranean cities of Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, where early Christians once sought refuge.
Foodies will tell you that no trip is complete without sampling the local cuisine, and Turkey will satisfy the most adventurous tastebuds. Kebabs cooked on an open fire and fine mezze spreads are rounded off with sweet baklava and a cup of strong Turkish coffee.
So, whether you’re drawn to its archaeological wonders, natural landscapes, or the warmth of its people, Turkey is a land where every corner tells a story, one that will stay with you long after the journey ends.