Holidays In Turkey

It is said that Turkey is the gateway to Asia. In fact, part of the country is in Asia and part is in Europe. Every visitor on a holiday in Turkey will agree that it is one of the most fascinating places on the planet, steeped in history, magnificent architecture and culture. Shopping, eating out and seeing the sights will leave memories forever.

Istanbul is the country's largest city and it has many historic attractions. It is easier to get around on public transport than by car due to the large volume of traffic. Taxis are another option on holidays in Turkey and they are inexpensive. Topkapi Palace was the palace of the Ottoman Emperors and is admired for its opulence. It contains the State Treasury, which houses an exhibit of weapons, and the Imperial Treasury. Chora Church was not uncovered until the middle of the 20th century. It is a Byzantine Church, dating back a thousand years and has beautiful mosaic frescoes.

Bodrum is a village on the Aegean Coast and is a popular tourist spot. Bodrum Castle began construction in 1402 and now houses a museum with displays on underwater archeology. There is also the Uluburun, a well known shipwreck. The area is not just about history however. Visitors can stroll round the pretty marina or have fun on the beach. There are opportunities to dive and windsurf. Boat tours are a very pleasant way of exploring on holidays in Turkey and these can be booked from Bodrum.

Safranbolu in Central Anatolia is a Unesco World Heritage Site, famous for its houses from the Ottoman era. Some of the houses are open to the public. Olympos, in Mediterranean Turkey is popular with young people who like to party and travel on a budget. There is a vibrant nightlife and lots of backpacker hotels. In addition to the bars, there are Ancient Greek ruins and a pebble beach. Bus trips go to Mount Olympos.

Accommodation also includes 5-star hotels in tourist locations and cities. When shopping, there is a lot of fun to be had, haggling with the vendors. Bargaining is an accepted part of the culture and holidays in Turkey provide an opportunity to browse the colorful markets. There are many interesting souvenirs to give as gifts. Leather clothing is inexpensive and pottery and hand woven carpets are popular buys. Since 2005, the currency has been the New Turkish Lira. Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most places. Visa requirements vary according to which nationality is applying for a holiday in Turkey.