As far as history and culture goes, there’s no country in the world that’s quite like Turkey. The one time centre of the Ottoman Empire, the modern country is home to a number of ancient wonders and stunning historical structures. Holidays to Turkey can offer experiences that can’t otherwise be replicated – but exactly how do you get the best from them?
Begin in Istanbul: Byzantium to Ottoman grandeur
The most iconic and impressive building in the entire country is probably the Hagia Sophia. This sprawling Byzantine mosque began life as a church, in AD 537, and has been gradually expanded over the centuries – most notably with the addition of minarets, signifying its conversion to a mosque.
There are a number of other buildings worth visiting during a visit to the Turkish capital. These include Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. If you want a deeper understanding of these structures, and how they came to be, then a guided walking tour with an appropriate expert is a great way to enjoy it.
Ancient wonders of Ephesus, Troy & Pergamon
As well as well-preserved structures, there are also a number of classical ruins to uncover, especially along the country’s Mediterranean coast. These include the ancient city of Troy, whose entrance is now marked with a wooden horse. There’s also Pergamon, the Hellenistic capital of the city of the same name, and the grand amphitheatre at Ephesus, which dates back thousands of years to the Roman Emperors, and even before that, to the Hellenistic period. Ephesus is fascinating, in that it’s the result of one civilisation building on what was left by another – in the same way as much of Turkey.
Mystical Cappadocia & Anatolian inland heritage
If you’re looking to explore the Turkish countryside, a balloon trip over Cappadocia might be exactly the way to do it. You’ll get an overview of the various rocks, orchards, vineyards, and chimneys that are strewn throughout this part of the world.
Or, to take another perspective, you might venture underground to the buried city of Kaymakli, which is one of several hundred to have been discovered in the region.
Coastal itineraries & immersive gulet voyages
Some of the most impressive natural wonders in Turkey, of course, are to be found in the sea. A so-called ‘blue cruise’ of the Turkish coast will allow you to see all of the coastline from the deck of a gulet – and to enjoy many Greek islands at the same time. There’s a tremendous variety of sights to be seen when you travel in this way. Some ports teem with activity; others are sleepier. You can tailor your itinerary according to your taste, and even find time for a few of the ruins we’ve mentioned.
Photo by Mar Cerdeira on Unsplash
