Sun, sea, mountains, lakes, and that unique East meets West culture. There’s over 10,000 years of history in Turkey and wherever you are the heritage of this marvellous country does indeed seem to envelope you. It doesn’t just manifest itself in old ruins either – the culture, the people, the every day sites, sounds, and smells are evocative of all things exotic and distant, and historic. Turkey is a young country though, with population of which 70 per cent is below 35. You can be in Turkey in four hours flight time or less (from the UK), but after you’ve been in Turkey but a few hours, it somehow seems a lot further away.
Turkey is the meeting place of Europe and Asia and thus a marvellous mix of religions and customs. Turkish people are among the most hospitable you’ll meet anywhere in the world. A Mosque or a castle is round every corner in most of the cities and the coast is beautiful. There’s a huge range of entertainment so don’t worry if history isn’t for you. How about the sophisticated casinos, marvellous cafes and restaurants, or bargain basement shopping?
There’s The Grand Bazaar - known locally as ‘Kapali Carsisi’. It is indeed the granddad of covered markets too, its origins going back to 1461. It’s now comprised of more than four thousand shops stretching through a maze of sixty plus winding streets, it’s the largest covered market in the world. Yes, bigger than Meadowhall (199 shops), Bluewater, (330 shops), and Lakeside Thurrock (just over 300 shops) put together. And not a Dixons in sight.
Your Turkey holiday – Turkey overview
Ankara is Turkey's capital, not Istanbul. Istanbul ceased to be the political capital of Turkey in 1922, and so joins the legion of countries with a capital city that doesn’t have the largest population. Seeing as how you ask, that’s a list that includes China, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA, so Turkey is in good company there. Sort of.
The history that Turkey is soaked in goes back many more hundreds of years than 1922 though. In Ankara, for instance, there is Hisar, a Byzantine citadel. Byzantine? Citadel? What are we talking about? Okay, for ‘Byzantine’, think the Roman Empire (eastern branch) after the fall of Rome, and for ‘citadel’ think somewhere to shelter from a battle, and you’ll be close enough for jazz. The citadel here is on top of a hill to the east of the old city. Just to the south is Atatürk's mausoleum, which was built in the 1950s, for Atatürk of course. He’s the founder of modern Turkey, and Turkey’s first president after all. Here’s the fellow’s full name: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – before we go any further, be careful what you say, it’s a crime to say anything naughty about him in Turkey. REMEMBER that please.
Gallipoli Peninsula is known to us in the UK, vaguely, in a military infamy sense, but it’s an important and more significant part of both Australia and New Zealand’s military past. In a not entirely successful battle here in 1915 thousands of men were lost. It’s a strategic peninsula that Atatürk defended and saved, securing turkey’s position in the Dardanelles. Dardanelles being the name for the bit of sea that separates European Turkey from Asian Turkey – you really should be making notes here. Notes or no notes, a certain short German bloke with a Charlie Chaplin moustache, bad hair, and penchant for sticking his arm out was an admirer of Atatürk. Best not say anything when you’re there though, bear in mind that law in Turkey, the one we mentioned above, and keep quiet.
Istanbul while not the political capital anymore is still the city most synonymous with everything Turkish. Once known as Constantinople, the old capital of Turkey has its west in Europe and east in Asia, the two parts divided by the Bosphorus river, it’s the nearest Asian city to Europe, and a metropolitan mix of cultures and religions that’s part of the make up that makes Istanbul an unforgettable place to visit.
Bodrum is a cosmopolitan resort full of waterfront cafes, exclusive shops, and lovely restaurants overlooking the harbour. Bodrum - famous for its nightlife and attracts the young and beautiful from all over Turkey.
The coast round Bodrum Peninsula is dotted with little bays and villages. You can take a boat trip from many of the local beaches or harbours, or take the local bus called the Dolmus.
Gumbet has a shingled, sandy beach curving round the bay of Gumbet and it’s in walking distance of most of the hotels making this a great location for families with children. From ancient monuments to water parks, shopping, bars, and restaurants, there’s something here for everyone.
Bitez is a quaint traditional style Turkish village, where activity centres on the lovely beach. Take a gullet trip to smaller less developed coastal villages. Stop here to learn first hand about Turkish hospitality and discover what fantastic cooks gullet crews are.
Dalaman is stuffed between the sea and mountains and is handy for everything from the Dalyan mud baths to ancient tombs. It’s a blossoming resort, with golf courses and more on the way, and lots of Europeans buying villas here.
Marmaris is one of the most popular beach destinations in Turkey, an Ottoman fortress stands guard over the harbour, there’s a large yacht marina (for large yachts), a beach with restaurants and cafes along a waterfront promenade, and a bustling Turkish bazaar.
Icmeler is a few minutes up the road from Marmaris, and the quieter of the pair. There are gardens to explore, boat trips to otherwise hard to reach bays and beaches, or try and track down a dolmus, sit on it for hopefully not too long, and head to Marmaris for a little more shopping or nightlife variety.
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