Welcome to Turkey

Turkey a country where eastern and western civilizations meet in harmony is like an open-air museum of various important civilizations which flourished on this land since 9,000 BC. A modern state and republic today, Turkey’s culture, history and archaeological sights reflect it’s ancient past: Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans have all held important places in Turkey’s history and its people’s culture.

Variety in the form of environment and climate is vast. Four seasons can be experienced in one day: it is possible to ski in the morning and bathe in the warm turquoise waters of the eastern Mediterranean in the afternoon. The lush green forests and mountains of the Black Sea region in the north with its myriad varieties of flora, challenging mountain passes and fine white beaches are in complete contrast with the somnolent Mediterranean coast in the south with its typical sub-tropical vegetation and equally different culinary habits and traditions. The temperate Aegean coast in the west, the central plateau inhabited by nomads, and the eastern region with its continental climate and rugged mountains are again set off by the hot south-eastern area where life is regulated by tribal custom.

There are ancient empires and centuries-old battlefields to be explored. Starting with the fascinating city of Istanbul, previously known as Constantinople, many wonders will unfold for the traveller as he proceeds on his journey to Cappadocia with its treasures of art and amazing lunar landscape, to the mysterious Mount Nemrut with its gigantic sculptures and the boundless silences of Mount Ararat with its yet to be uncovered secret of Noah’s Ark. One can relax on the sun-soaked beaches of western and southern Turkey as well as dance the night away in the swinging night-life Mecca of Bodrum, take up challenging hikes or perhaps sea kayaking over submerged ancient cities; go mountain-biking on the hills of the south coast enjoying splendid panoramic views, choosing from many other sporting activities including canyoning and diving, or just take a break from the civilized world and cruise around the many sheltered coves in a hand-made wooden gulet with nothing but splendidly untouched nature and crystal-clear seas to soothe you as you enjoy being pampered by the crew.

A traditional Turkish gulet is a hand-crafted wooden boat originally built for fisherman and sponge divers. A gulet takes more than a year to build. Gulets are now motor-cruisers, but they are equipped to sail when the weather and itinerary permit. These broad-beamed boats have been transformed into floating hotels.

A journey through this wonderland continues to the legendary city of Homer’s Troy, just across the Dardanelles from the tragic battlefields of Gallipoli with their touching inscriptions and striking memorial to the fallen, the amazing ruins of Antiquity’s grand city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary nearby; the birthplace of Homer, now called Izmir, the Hellenistic splendour of Pergamum are but a few the most remarkable archaeological sites scattered around the country which one cannot help but marvel at and admire.

Shopping is a treat for visitors to Istanbul where fine hand-made carpets can be purchased as well as leather garments, jewellery and precious stones, pottery, articles made from copper and brass, onyx, Meerschaum pipes, just to name a few.

The hospitality of the Turkish people is legendary, and a journey through this unique country with its mosaic of history, culture, traditions, culinary delights, art, music, entertainment, sunshine and nature is an opportunity not to be missed!