Holidays in Turkey

With origins from the word 'strong' in the old Turkish language, Turkey has been home to human habitation for longer than anywhere else on earth. The area has been settled since Neolithic times by a range of peoples. The original land of the Turks stretched across Central Asia, and today's culture has Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and European influences.

One major story of the history of Turkey is the Ottoman Empire - A Turkish empire that at the height of its power in the 16th and 17th Centuries stretched across 3 continents, It gradually lost power during the 19th Century and what was left of it became the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Today Turkey is a thriving democracy, and for decades has been a favoured holiday destination for people wanting to combine great Mediterranean beaches, varied and cultured towns and cities, with a fantastic range of places to visit and explore.

The capital of Turkey and its largest city is Istanbul. Often regarded as the place where East and West meet and infuse. It is extrovert in character - its unique identity of colourful history and dynamic contemporary style reaches out to the visitor. These contrasts don't collide, they converge, with the Bosphurus - a wide river that divides the East side with the West - marking out this almost momentous indicator of where one huge culture meets another. Two big bridges cross the river and each side has its own myriad of characteristics, with the old town in the European side popular for tourist accommodation, and famous sites such as the Blue Mosque well worth visiting.

Away from the bustle of city life, Turkey boasts a variety of outstanding national parks, with the Kacker Mountain National Park, by the Black Sea coast, featuring a variety of wildlife and some stunning scenery. Alpine villages offer quality accommodation for hikers and offer a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the area. Other national parks feature A wide diversity of geological wonders, nature reserves, and tranquil lakes.

With a proud tradition of dance and music, Turkey's folk culture plays a huge role in daily life that varies from region to region. With influences from the west and the east, Turkish music blends European classical tones with Eastern styles. Fine art is evident around Turkey, with museums and art galleries offering a range of works for visitors and locals alike.

For food lovers, holidays in Turkey mean the visitor is treated to a unique blend of Eastern and Mediterranean recipes, and truly deserves its status as one of the world's best. The great feature of Turkish cities is, as they have grown and drawn in people from the regions, they have also drawn in the fabulous variety of local cuisines. Vine leaves, bread and rice are a staple accompaniment to some excellent, and often rich, lamb and fish dishes. Istanbul is especially regarded for its seafood restaurants.

The Turkish way of life is just as varied and colourful, with Eastern and Western - or the familiar and the less familiar - blending to form a welcoming and extrovert culture. Uniquely for a country with a huge and fascinating Islamic influence, in Turkey religion is celebrated yet kept private, and tolerance and diversity prevail.

Hotels in Turkey range from the stylish to the sublime, each with their own charm and take on their surroundings. With a fine climate all year round and some fascinating sights and sounds, Turkey's appeal extends far beyond the coastal holiday areas and warm Mediterranean waters.

For a relaxing, warm weather break holidays in Turkey combine great weather, reasonable prices and plenty of culture.