When you think of Turkey, you immediately think of Istanbul – a city steeped in history full of fabulous palaces and ancient churches surrounded by an increasingly cosmopolitan population.
When you think of Turkey, you
immediately think of Istanbul – a city steeped in
history full of fabulous palaces and ancient churches surrounded by an
increasingly cosmopolitan population.
The most visited region is its Aegean
coast which possesses some of the most spectacular of Turkey’s Roman and Greek
archaeological sites such as those at Bergama and Ephesus. It is also known for
its stunning coastal scenery, long sandy beaches, pine trees and extensive
olive groves. Thousands of tourist flock each year to the popular resorts of Bodrum and Kusadasi. The city of Izmir is the capital of the region and a major port with
excellent hotels and restaurants. For something quieter there is the beautiful
family resort of Altinkum.
Turkey’s Mediterranean coastline is renowned
for its magnificent scenery with picturesque coves and rocky headlands,
turquoise waters, golden beaches and pine forests. Where the Aegean meets the
Mediterranean is the beginning of the Turquoise Coast, dominated by the
mountains of the Taurus range whose cliffs plunge into the sea creating a
stunning backdrop to resorts such as Fethiye and Marmaris.
Further along the Mediterranean coast
resorts such as Antalya, Alanya, Belek, Kemer and Side
lure holidaymakers to their shores each year offering many opportunities for sunbathing,
swimming and numerous water sports.
But there is more to Turkey than just a
stunning coastline. Inland the geography varies enormously. The calcium-rich
mineral springs that surge over the edge of a mountain plateau at Pamukkale
form Turkey's leading mineral spa. Further north, around Bursa and along the
Black Sea Coast, the high ranges are home to Turkey's best ski resorts. In the centre of the
country, Konya (home of the whirling Dervishes) is
surrounded by a vast fertile plain and the bizarre rock formations of
Cappadocia.
To the east, the arid semi-desert of
the regions along the Syrian and Iraqi borders contrast with the lush greenery around
Lake Van and the thickly
forested mountains to the north.
The currency in Turkey is the New
Turkish Lira. Cash can usually be exchanged commission free in currency
exchange offices (döviz bürosu). With regards to credit cards, Visa is
the most popular, closely followed by MasterCard. American Express is accepted
in top-flight hotels, restaurants and some gift shops and ATMs are widely found
in most areas.
Before travelling to Turkey you should check the Visa and Passport requirements at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
