Dreams are made in Turkey – a cultural heavyweight that unites Europe and Asia, geographically, culturally and historically. The entertainment is diverse; the adventures never ending. Here you can trace the rise and decline of empires, scale mountainous landscapes and unwind on stretching coastlines.
The cultural hub is, undoubtedly, Istanbul – the one-time capital of the Ottomans. You’ll never explore its many wonders in one trip, so make a beeline for the architectural marvels: the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace complex. A glass of çay, Turkish tea, will prepare you for a shopping trip in the Grand Bazaar.
You can then expand your adventure, perhaps with a visit to Ankara, the modern capital. Here you’ll tour the Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkey founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, before exploring the winding alleys of the ancient citadel.
Then, leave the urban wonders behind for Cappadocia, where fairy chimneys (really, spired rock formations) create an otherworldly landscape. Though there are many ways to explore this magical site, none is more spectacular than taking an early-morning hot-air balloon ride.
For a more laid-back getaway, head to the Mediterranean city of Antalya, where you can kick back on Konyaaltı Beach, admiring views of the Taurus Mountains. It’s also a starting point for an adventure into the Koprulu Canyon National Park where rock climbing, swimming and river rafting will inject adrenaline into your fly-and-flop vacation.
With so much to explore, planning a trip to Turkey can be… overwhelming. So forget the endless days of planning and join one of our Trips by Culture Trip. Led by a Local Insider, you’ll see the authentic side of this magnificent, diverse and endlessly fascinating country, all in the company of a small group of like-minded travellers.
