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- Turkey – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
- 8 Reasons Why You Must Travel to Turkey
- 18 Pictures That Will Make You Want to Travel to Turkey
- Pamukkale- Turkey’s Cotton Castle
- Ephesus – Turkey’s Ancient City
- 35 Things to See and Do in Istanbul
- Olympos- Treehouses, Ancient Ruins and Beaches in Turkey
- Cappadocia – Turkey’s Magical Land of Fairy Chimneys
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- Middle East and North Africa – Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
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Turkey is a stunningly beautiful, diverse country full of fascinating history, culture and hospitable, lovely people. The country is very unique and represents many contradictions- it’s ancient, yet modern; it’s eastern, yet western; and it’s secular, yet religious.
I traveled Turkey for 3 weeks as a solo female traveler and it quickly became one of my favorite countries and Istanbul became one of my favorite cities. I also visited Ephesus, Pamukkale, Olympos, Cappadocia and I went sailing along the turquoise coast. Turkey has so much to offer and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
ISTANBUL
The famous city of Istanbul is quite literally East meets West as it bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. The city represents many contradictions- it’s ancient, yet modern; it’s eastern, yet western; and it’s secular, yet religious.
Istanbul is one of the greatest cities in the world, so it’s very easy to fall in love with it and it quickly became one of my favorite cities. This magical and unique city is full of history and culture so you’re spoiled for choice with things to see and do, the people are friendly and hospitable, the food is amazing, and there are beautiful mosques and ancient ruins all over the city.
EPHESUS
Ephesus was an ancient city built in 10th century BC on the coast of Ionia, near present-day Selçuk, Turkey. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Ephesus are the most well-known in Turkey, attracting thousands of visitors every day, and millions each year. As one of Turkey’s greatest highlights and open air museums, Ephesus is the best preserved classical city of the Eastern Mediterranean, and among the best in the world for getting a feel for the atmosphere of ancient Roman times.
PAMUKKALE
Turkey’s Pamukkale, and its unusual limestone formations and mineral hot spring pools, is by far one of the coolest and most unique natural landscapes I’ve seen on my travels to date. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pamukkale, which literally means “cotton castle” in Turkish, has been used as a spa since ancient times. The white calcite travertine terraces look like snow or salt. It’s a very unique highlight and a must while traveling Turkey!
THE MEDITERRANEAN
With the clear blue water, mountainous coastline, tiny islands, secluded bays, historic sites, stunning sunsets, sleepy fishing villages and charming towns, sailing Turkey’s Mediterranean Turquoise Coast is one of the greatest highlights while traveling Turkey.
The word “turquoise” literally comes from the French word for “Turkish”. Originally, the word used to refer to the turquoise stone, which was traded in Turkey and apparently the name was fitting, so it stuck. The word “turquoise” will definitely come to mind while sailing Turkey’s bright blue waters.
OLYMPOS
Olympos, a small, relaxed hippie haven village in a river valley that boasts lush, green natural beauty, ancient ruins, adventure activities and a pristine Mediterranean beach with turquoise water.
The ancient Lycian ruins of Olympos are in a forest and because they’re far less visited than Ephesus, the surroundings are fairly overgrown, which gives the ruins a mystical feel. It’s a short climb to reach the rest of the ruins, and once at the top, you get an incredible view of the beach.
CAPPADOCIA
Cappadocia is famous for its strange and unique landscape that will make you feel like you’re on another planet with its underground cities, ¨fairy chimneys¨, and cave houses and churches carved into the rocks. This is where you can take an iconic hot air balloon at sunrise. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Turkey’s most visited and photogenic sights, visiting Cappadocia is a must while traveling Turkey.
THE BLUE MOSQUE
An icon of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque was built between 1609-1616 by Sultan Ahmet I, who wanted a mosque that would compete with the Hagia Sophia, which is 500m away. Aside from being a tourist attraction, the Blue Mosque is still an active mosque, so it’s closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers.
TURKISH DELIGHT
Lokum (Turkish delight) is unreal and an absolute must. Proper Turkish delight consists of chopped dates and nuts, and it’s often flavored with rosewater and sometimes chocolate. And it’s quite beautiful to look at too.
THE SPICE BAZAAR IN ISTANBUL
Also known as the Egyptian Market, this is where you can load up on edible souvenirs. Built 1664, in its time, the Spice Bazaar was the final stop for camel caravans completing the Silk Route. It was, and still is, the centre for spice trade in Istanbul. Now, you’ll find piles and piles of vibrant, inviting, colorful spices; as well as Turkish Delight (lokum), nuts, dried fruit, jams, tea, coffee, baklava, and fresh food, and, of course, tourist trinkets.
THE HAGIA SOPHIA
As one of the symbols of Istanbul, the Hagia Sophia is an impressive architectural beauty, which was far ahead of its time. An important monument for both the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empires, the Hagia Sophia (which means “Holy Wisdom”) is a well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. It started as an Orthodox church, which was built by the Byzantine Emperor and completed in 537 A.D. after 5 years of construction. When the city was conquered by the Ottomans, the church was converted into a mosque in 1453. Then in 1935, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by Atatürk to symbolize secularism and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.
THE TEXTILES
The Turkish carpets, pillows and kilims are so beautiful and irresistible.
If you need more reasons to travel to Turkey:
What to Know Before You Go to Turkey
you have travelled a lot in Turkey… 🙂 have you been to Edirne? cause I’m considering a trip there soon and am looking up info…
I did not make it to Edirne, but I just looked it up and it looks really nice! Turkey is so amazing and it has so much to offer.