A guide to Turkey holidays

Most UK holiday companies offer some sort of Turkish city, beach or sailing holiday, many targeting the coast between Alanya and Cesme or Istanbul. However, there are so many reasons to visit Turkey, which is situated at a point where Africa, Asia and Europe are the nearest to each other. There are many extraordinary holiday cities, resorts and magnificent landscapes and numerous regions to choose from including:

Aegean, Black Sea, Mediterranean, Turkish Riviera, Van Golu, South Eastern Anatolia, Marmara, Cappadocia, Central Anatolia

There are not many countries that can lay claim to clean beaches, ancient ruins, Byzantine aqueducts and hippodromes, tangled bazaars, underground cities, well-designed mosques and churches, a volcanic landscape of fairy chimneys and a full-size model of the Trojan horse.

Istanbul is where the Ottomans built hundreds of mosques and many tours start here in the old capital. Blue Mosque and Haghia Sophia lie across the street opposite one and another. It costs nothing for visitors to the mosque, but women will be expected to cover their knees, shoulders and head and men will be provided with a sarong. This no longer applies to the Haghia Sophia, as it has been converted into a museum. Across the street are the Roman Cisterns and the remnants of the Hippodrome. Further on is the extravagant sultans palace of Topkapi with its archaeological museum with tea gardens and an excellent view. A few minutes ride on the tram to Beyazit station will take you the enormous shopping mall, the amazing Grand Bazaar. It looks like a maze of markets and you are well advised to take a map with you.

Istiklal Caddesi in Taksim offers a more western shopping experience with European boutiques, some excellent kebab shops and a good nightlife. The Bosphorus Strait is a really busy waterway and it is possible to take the ferry from Eminonu to the Black Sea. Anadolu Kavagi is a fantastic place for a seafood lunch before climbing to the 14th century Byzantine fortress.

The St Saviour at Chora church is a wonderful example of Byzantine architecture. It is situated in a remote corner of the city and has anunspoiled selection of mosaic art. Further out is the Domabhce Palace, which is worth a visit although being a little more expensive than some other tourist spots. If you are looking for something off the beaten trail, many visitors opt for special interest trips including:

Archaeological tours led by guides.
• Botanical tours to the Kackar Mountains.
• A holiday on a yoga farm that includes personal growth themes, walking, shiatsu and painting
• Green holidays to the Van basin and Kackar foothills to study butterflies, orchids and watch birds alongside an enthusiastic English guide.
• Natural history holidays in the mountains close to the deltas and lakes.

The people of Turkey are really friendly and this country has so much to offer, as well as all the historical and cultural sites, and the traditional Turkish cuisine is not to be missed – rememeber to take your diet pill though!.

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