Turkey

Brace yourself for an incredible journey to the cradle of civilization, the Republic of Turkey. Once home of the epic Ottoman Empire, it is the midpoint of Europe and Asia. From monumental churches to grand mosques, Turkey is the ideal destination for families, couples, and friends.

Some of the great attractions include sophisticated Islamic domes, natural hot springs, enormous malls, and the remarkable Topkapi Palace exhibiting Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)’s sword and cloak. With all the great landmarks of Turkey, it is no surprise that it is ranked the sixth most popular holiday destination in the world.

History

Historical evidence prove that the Turks have been around for over 4,000 years. Settled in Anatolia, the Turks established the Anatolian Seljuk State spanning some of modern day Turkey as well as Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Mongolian invasion in 1243 scattered the Turks into numerous Turcoman principalities. The Ottoman Empire, also known as the Turkish Empire, rose from within one such principality in the 1300s. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Ottoman empire resulted in many scholars fleeing to neighbouring European countries; consequently being one of the flames that started the European renaissance.

Though historians disagree about exact reasons for the decline of the Ottoman Empire, what is agreed is that the World War I era marked the end of the Empire leaving behind ruins in different countries of the Middle East. Due to its defeat in WWI, the empire was under the occupation of France, Britain, Russia, and Greece. However, the Turks fought for independence, establishing the Republic of Turkey on July 24, 1923. It has a democratically elected regime, and Racep Tayyip Erdogan as the current president. Home to over 75 million citizens, the Republic of Turkey accommodates Middle Eastern and European elements with ease.

Natural Wonders

Pamukkale

Dip your toes into the pools of the natural white wonderland, Pamukkale terracesl, a UNESCO world heritage site. Among the green landscape in the Southwest of Turkey, lies a “cotton castle” or a landscape filled with travertine. The surreal white rocks mimicking snow are one of the remarkable attractions of Turkey. Tourists can walk through the pools formed from the hot springs or even bathe in the deeper pools for an extra price. Travel with family or friends to witness this spectacular gift from above. It is a great sight for pictures. Stay comfortably in one of the hotels nearby and enjoy the luxurious view.

Food

The mouthwatering dishes of Turkey will have you drooling. Choose from the variety of vegetable and meat dishes influenced by the Ottomans and the Balkans. Start with the vegetable wrap called Yaprak Sarma rolled with rice, mint, pepper, and cinnamon. If you love meat, try Karniyarik, a meat dish with fried egg plant, garlic, parsley and onion. Much like pizza, Lahmacun is meat and vegetables on a thin piece of dough. Some common dishes of Turkey include Kebabs, meat grilled over charcoal and pilav or Turkish rice with yogurt poured over in generous amounts. Savour delicious meatballs called kofte, meat mixed with bread, onions and spices. Kofte can also be served with yogurt. For dessert taste Borek, a savoury flaky pastry filled with spinach and meat, and if you’re in the mood for a sweet – nothing beats Baklava, a rich sweet pastry made with layers of filo and filled with chopped nuts, held together with honey or syrup. The variety of Turkish dishes requires an empty stomach, treat yourself!

Attractions

Hagia Sophia

Fall in love with the striking church, mosque and now a museum, the incredible Hagia Sophia. One of the most famous historical sites in Istanbul, Hagia Sophia was commissioned by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 CE. It served as a church until 1453 CE when the Ottomans occupied Istanbul. Led by Mehmed the Conqueror, the church was converted into a mosque. It was then secularized almost 500 years later by the late President Ataturk, who converted the mosque into a museum due to its historical, religious and architectural significance. Rebuilt three times at the same site, Hagia Sophia houses the museum with an outstanding mosaic and cultural collection. You will see a mixture of Christian and Islamic traditions, such as the minbar, where the Imam delivers sermons in the center of Hagia Sophia. You will catch glimpses of Christian icons revealing themselves through the restoration process. This gorgeous structure reflects the marvellous Byzantine architecture. It is the second most visited museum in Turkey attracting 3.3 million visitors. This phenomenal museum is one of a kind, your trip will not be complete without a visit to the Hagia Sophia.

The Grand Bazar

Shopaholic? No worries, the Grand Bazaar is regarded as one of the largest and oldest shopping centers in the world. It has a thriving and lively atmosphere that is lost today in many of the modern shopping malls. The Grand Bazaar consists of 61 streets with over 3,000 shops employing 26,000 people with approximately 300,000 daily visitors. Everything is up for bartering and you should never pay full price for anything. The Turkish shop owners in the Grand Bazaar are some of the best sales people so be sure to put them to the test. You can find pretty much anything from European clothes, gold jewelry, Turkish carpets, souvenirs and accessories. Buy gifts for your loved ones at the Grand Bazar of Turkey.

Topkapi Palace

Explore the show stopping Topkapi Palace built to house the mighty Ottomans for 400 years. It is strategically located alongside the Bosporus. Transformed into a museum after the decline of the Ottomans, Topkapi Palace showcases Prophet Muhammed’s (SAW) sword, cloak, beard hair, tooth and Musa’s (SAW) staff. Topkapi is one of the best preserved examples of the Ottoman Palaces that we have today and it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jewellery, shields, weapons, and armour from the Ottomans is also displayed for the public eye. Let the Bosporus breeze refresh your face while you admire the architecture of the museum. The interior of the palace includes gorgeous patterns representing the elegant styles of the Ottomans. Spend a full day to truly appreciate the atmosphere of the palace that will keep you intrigued from one building to the next. Topkapi Palace was once home to 4,000 people and is now destination to 3.1 million tourists every year. You can be one of them, plan your trip to the world famous palace today.