Many who have travelled to Turkey previously
have become enchanted by the country and return again and again. For those
traveling to
Turkey for the first time it is an unknown destination and in these
pages we hope to give you an idea of the lifestyle, the culture and the myriad
of possibilities available.
As a country that spans two continents and 10,000 years of
civilization Turkey
is a
treasure trove of history, fine remnants of a bygone age and
magnificent sites. It is the land of the
Trojan wars and the exotic sultans of the Ottoman
Empire. Turkey is a magnificent country with
incomparable scenery of majestic
pine-clad mountains, spectacular rushing rivers and a
stunning coastline with
crystal clear waters, The countryside is lush with fertile plains of cotton,
grain, sesame and tobacco, tended by women wearing the brightly hued traditional
costumes of their region.
One of the comments that we repeatedly hear is how
Turkey suits the whole family, there is something for everyone, the hustle and
bustle of the main resort towns, the peace and
quiet of the countryside and the
unforgettable natural beauty. Alongside this, the most striking impression of
the country is made by the people, with their incredible Turkish hospitality and charm,
great love of children, great national pride and a great joy in welcoming you to
their country.
There are several
International
Golf Courses within easy driving and they are excellent value for money.
For sun lovers there is plenty of opportunity to
swim and sunbathe and locally there are
boat trips that allow you to stop in little coves often
accessible only by sea.
The weekly markets are a must, fine shows of local
produce, beautiful fabrics and stalls heaped with tee shirts, sweat shirts and
jeans. Hours can be spent in the
bazaar-like shopping streets of the towns,
Turkish rugs, gold jewellery, leather goods, CD's, and all at a fraction of the
price back home.
For nature lovers the best time to visit Turkey is in the springtime. After the
heavy winter rains the lush greenery of the
southwest coast is at its best with
the glorious aroma of the pine forests, the colourful wild flowers covering the
hill sides and the chance to watch animals and birds in the wild. For the
history enthusiast whichever area you select will be near some of the world's
greatest
archaeological sites and historical monuments.
Some of the better known
sites have been
extensively excavated and are best enjoyed with the services of
a guide but there are numerous smaller sites, where, armed with a guide book and
the help of the site watchman (and it is very likely that you'll have the whole
site to yourselves) you can delve into the colourful past of these ancient
settlements.