The Facts
Capital: Ankara
Currency: New Turkish Lira
Time Zone: GMT +2
www.tourismturkey.org
Introduction
There is nowhere else that meshes the culture, history and religions of Asia and Europe quite like Turkey. In buzzing Istanbul east meets west and this cosmopolitan city straddles two continents, fusing a minaret-spiked skyline, the Grand Bazaar and the mosques of Sultanahamet with the modern chic of the Beyoglu district. This fusion of cultures is ever present throughout the country. Romans, Persians, Lycians have left their mark with a wealth of historic sites and archaeological wonders like Ephesus and Pergamon. For natural beauty explore the Anatolian Plateau where the rock spires of Cappadocia will beguile, go west and the warm waters of the Mediterraean will entice. Or simply stop, head to the nearest hamaam and experience a real Turkish delight, a truly good scrub down.
Where To Go
Known officially as the Republic of Turkey the country straddles two continents and is bordered by eight countries. The Sea of Marmara and the Turkish Straits (the Bosporus and the Dardanelles) are commonly reckoned to mark the border between Asia and Europe.
Bulgaria is to the northwest, Greece to the west, Georgia to the northeast, Armenia, Azerbaijan 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.
What To Eat & Drink
Turkey's most well know dish must be the kebab or kebap. This includes the famous doner kebab (made from meat shaved from a rotating spit) and shish kebab skewered meat).
Köfte are spicy sausage-shaped meatballs made of minced lamb. Baklava is a layered pastry with ground nuts and filo pastry soaked in honey and spices. Apple tea or Elma cayi, is a relatively recent phenomena in Turkey but is served widely in little tulip shaped glasses. Vine leaves stuffed with pine nuts and currants are known as Dolma.
Turkish Delight is perhaps the country's most famous sweet/desert. Known as Lokum it was originally made from dates, honey, roses and jasmine to sweeten the breath after coffee). If you need something refreshing try Ayran a cooling yoghurt drink. Turkish coffee comes strong, black and served sweet.
Unmissable Turkey
5 things you really should do in Turkey
1. Bridge the gap
Explore Istanbul and bridge two continents where east meets west. The highlights include the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya and the Topkapi Palace. You can also shop till you drop in the Grand Bazaar, reputedly the world's biggest covered market.
www.istanbulcityguide.com
2. Spring into action
Visit Pamukkale an other-worldly site of cascading hot springs which has been a natural spa since Roman times. The extraordinary hot mineral rich waters pour over cliffs creating a collection of remarkable white calcium pools.
www.turizm.net/cities/pamukkale/
3. Go underground
Explore the remarkable subterranean cities of Cappadocia where people once lived in rock-hewn communities. Above ground folds of soft rock pour like gentle waves and surreal honeycomb pillars and clusters of conical formations rise upwards. www.cappadociaturkey.net
4. Get a scrub down
Enjoy a traditional Turkish bath and hamman where you will be scrubbed clean. www.cagalogluhamami.com.tr
5. Roam some ruins
Explore one of the most ancient sites in the world and explore the remains of the roman city of Ephesus, considered to be the best-preserved classical city of the Eastern Mediterranean. www.ephesusexcursions.com
