Turkey

Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye), known officially as the Republic of Turkey (Türkiye Cumhuriyeti), is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia and Thrace (Rumelia) in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey borders eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the exclave of Nakhichevan), and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. The Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus are to the south; the Aegean Sea and Archipelago are to the west; and the Black Sea is to the north. Separating Anatolia and Thrace are the Sea of Marmara and the Turkish Straits (the Bosporus and the Dardanelles), which are commonly reckoned to delineate the border between Asia and Europe, thereby making Turkey transcontinental.

Due to its strategic location astride two continents, Turkey’s culture has a unique blend of Eastern and Western tradition. A powerful regional presence in the Eurasian landmass with strong historic, cultural and economic influence in the area between the European Union in the west and Central Asia in the east, Russia in the north and the Middle East in the south, Turkey has come to acquire increasing strategic significance.Nominally, 99% of the Turkish population is Muslim of whom over 75% belong to the Sunni branch of Islam.The biggest city and the pre-Republican capital İstanbul is the financial, economic and cultural heart of the country. Other important cities include İzmir, Bursa, Adana, Trabzon, Malatya, Gaziantep, Erzurum, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Konya, Mersin, Eskişehir, Diyarbakır, Antalya and Samsun.

Location: Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria.

A highlight of any trip to the Cappadocia region is a breathtaking balloon flight in the calm still air over the fairy chimneys at dawn followed by a champagne breakfast. There are many companies that offer such trips and these can be booked easily locally.

Climbing & Trekking
Turkey is ideal for those who like to walk and at the same time take in spectacular scenery. Marked pathways include, on the Mediterranean coast, the Lycian Way between Fethiye and Antalya and the St Paul Trail between Perge and Yalvac. There are many short trails in the Cappadocian landscape and for serious trekkers the Kackar Mountains in the northeast of the country can be recommended.

There are also many mountain ranges in Turkey suitable for climbing, including its highest Mount Ararat at 5137 metres and the Cilo-Sat mountain range and the Kackar mountains in the east of the country. The west also offers opportunities with the Taurus mountain range that stretches from the east along the south of the country and includes the Beydaglari and Aladaglari Mountains of the Antalya province.

Golf 

Turkey has risen to become a world class player in golf, with the Belek region near Antalya on The Turkish Riviera leading this revolution with 14 of its own courses. The region was also awarded Europe’s 2008 Golf Destination of the year at the golf industry’s prestigious annual IAGTO Awards, the golf industry equivalent of the Oscars. With 19 world class courses across Belek, Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia and the Mugla region, a fantastic climate and high quality yet affordable hotels situated close to some very impressive courses, Turkey is ideal for year round golfing holidays.

Horseriding

Horseriding holidays and short day treks are available in various resorts around Turkey, including Antalya, Marmaris and Fethiye, and there are even horseriding clubs in Istanbul and Ankara. The Cappadocian valleys are ideal for trekking by horse and there are many companies offering rides and tours around the region. Paragliding & parachuting It is possible to paraglide, parachute and even fly single engine flights in many resorts around Turkey, including Bodrum, Fethiye, Pamukkale, Eskisehir and Istanbul. Oludeniz in Fethiye is particularly well-known for paragliding for its fantastic views of the lagoon.

Winter Sports

Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports in Turkey; Uludag in Bursa is Turkey’s oldest established ski resort and conveniently close to Istanbul. Kartalkaya in Bolu close to Ankara and Palandoken in Erzurum with Turkey’s longest run at 12km are also popular. Other resorts include Erciyes, Sarikamis, Zigana, Davraz and Saklikent near Antalya, where you can swim and ski in the same day in certain seasons. Heli-skiing is also gaining in popularity, particularly in the Kackars.

Nightlife

Turkey is a Mediterranean country with a lively culture of eating, drinking, and entertainment, with nightlife and eating-out possibilities to suit every preference. During the summer months, al fresco dining is the norm, particularly along the coastal areas and along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

Turkish nightlife has traditionally centred around meyhanes, similar to taverns, where an assortment of mezes (small plates or appetizers), often followed by a meal of fish, is consumed with rounds of raki, the aniseed-flavoured national spirit. Still extremely popular with all ages, the meyhane is a social affair, where dining and drinking is often accompanied by live music played on traditional instruments.

A great way to explore Turkey’s culture is through its music. The big cities attract both well-known and up-and-coming musicians, DJs and performers from around the world and music festivals are now a popular feature of the summer months, ranging from hard rock and classical to electronic and jazz. Traditional music is also still popular in Turkey, ranging from Anatolian folk music to Turkish-style classical music to lively, Balkan-influenced “fasil” music, and experiencing it live is the most enjoyable way to hear it.

The drinking scene is as diverse as the music scene, with options ranging from low-key bars to trendy clubs featuring local as well as international DJs. In the summer, especially in the coastal areas, many of these venues are water-side and open-air, allowing revellers to party under the stars.

Istanbul is one of the world’s hottest city-break destinations, in part due to its nightlife. Many of the hip new hangouts, chic restaurants and rooftop bars are all a stones-throw from the energetic Istiklal Caddesi in Taksim and nearby Tunel, as well as many dotted along the Bosphorus; enjoy sophisticated cocktail-sipping in trendy bars to clubbing all night to global beats. In the summer, Istanbul also revels in water-side fun, with plenty of open-air entertainment against the stunning backdrop of the Istanbul skyline.