A Holiday of Turkish Delights

Turkey is a Eurasian country which stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in south eastern Europe. It is geographically divided into Asian Turkey (which makes up 97% of the country), and European Turkey (making up 3% of the country), with beautiful coastal areas touching the Mediterranean Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Its coastal regions are perfect for luxury holidays in Turkey, with the Mediterranean climate providing hot, dry weather ideal for basking in the sun on the beach.

Intriguing in its own right, the arid inland area of Turkey has a harsh, continental climate, with sharp contrasts between the seasons. Though not designed for a typical Mediterranean Turkish holiday, the stark beauty of the plateau is breathtaking.

The Grace and Beauty of the Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque of Sultan Ahmet Camii is situated in Istanbul, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful mosques in the world. It is a truly unique site to visit while on a Turkish holiday, and is also a place of spiritual worship.

It was completed in 1616 by the architect Mehmet Aga, who was a student of the famous and brilliant architect, Sinan. It gets its name from the beautiful blue tiles which decorate the inside, and when the light filters through some 260 windows, the blue and green Iznik tiles lining the walls create a glorious spectacle of light.

It was the Supreme Imperial Mosque of the Ottoman Empire, and its beauty, grace, and elegant proportions represent the Islamic religion. It is a great way to experience the spirituality of the land, and is a beautiful addition to a Turkey holiday.

In the evenings, light and sound shows are held in the grounds, providing night time entertainment for you on your Turkish holiday.

The Ancient City of Pergamum

This intriguing city was established during the 8th century BC, when Aeolian Greek colonies settled in the area. As a result, its architecture is superb, and its hilltop position affords stretching views over the Caicos plain.

It was during the reign of Eumenes II in the 2nd century BC that Pergamum established itself as one of the great cultural and intellectual centres of the day. This was largely owing to the invention of pergamena (parchment) which significantly enlarged its library, the great library of Alexandria. This is an ideal place to include on a Turkish holiday as it is such a culturally rich city.

It is home to some historical greats, such as the famous Roman physician, Galen, who was born and studied in Pergamum. It is also the home of the Altar of Zeus, adding to its rich cultural history and providing some great sightseeing while on a Turkey holiday.

The Spectacular Commagene Kingdom

Situated in Mount Nemrut, the Commagene Kingdom houses one of the most spectacular sights to be seen on a Turkish holiday. In 62 BC, Antiochus I became King of Commagene, and established the region as an important destination on the central trade route, generating an interest in the area.

He decided to build a grand funerary monument for himself, now considered a famous sanctuary. The colossal heads of Apollo, Zeus and Antiochus I rise out of the ground, along with giant conical pillars of 50m in height and 150m in diameter. This magnificent spectacle is an excellent addition to any Turkey holiday, and it is sure to be an awe-inspiring site.

Jane Wilkinson is the marketing manager for Cadogan Holidays. This multi award winning travel company has been providing tailor made Turkey holidays [http://www.cadoganholidays.com/destination.aspx?Id=F516853E-8911-49CB-B3FB-90180B00618B&show-tips=false&type=country] with inspirational experiences and the very best luxury hotels in Turkey.

Turkish Delights- Take a Holiday of a Lifetime in Turkey

As one of the world's most culturally unique holiday destinations, it's hard to pin down Turkey into any specific continental camp. On one hand, it's strongly rooted in its Middle Eastern origins and still basks in its rich Ottoman heritage. On the other, Turkey is a fiercely modern, secular state that bridges the divide between Europe and Asia with ease. However, the only real way to evaluate this intriguing country's significance to the modern world is to visit - and any holiday in Turkey is guaranteed to be an unforgettable one.

Turkey's diverse geographical regions mean that a visit to the country could incorporate a city break, mountain trek and seaside holiday all in one. Fly to Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, and experience its stunning cityscape, vibrant arts scene and exciting café culture. Take in Turkey's diverse museums and art galleries, including the Istanbul Modern, Istanbul Archaeology Museum, the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and the Pera Museum.

Or if you're interested in finding some valuable antiques while you're on your holiday in Turkey, don't miss The Grand Bazaar, which dates back to 1455. Of course no trip to Istanbul would be complete without a visit to the Haghia Sofia, a spectacular building which was one of the greatest Christian Cathedrals of the Middle Ages before being converted into an imperial mosque in 1453. Today, it is known as the Ayasofya Museum.

Additionally, make sure you visit Turkey's often-overlooked capital of Ankara. Although smaller and less cosmopolitan than Istanbul, Ankara is home to many museums, important Roman archaeological sites and a range of public parks. Moreover, Ankara is home to Turkey's foremost performing arts organisations, including the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, Turkish State Theatre and the Turkish Presidential Symphony Orchestra.

And if fun in the sun is what you're after, make sure that you spend some time on the "Turkish Riviera". The Turkish Riviera is the name used to denote Turkey's Antalya Province and Mugla provinces, and offers tourists several hundred kilometres of sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters. With a range of ancient fishing towns, harbours, memorial tombs and coves found along the shore, the Turkish Riviera is one of the country's most beautiful - and most visited - destinations.

As a result of Turkey's newfound popularity with holidaymakers, its beach resorts and city hotels tend to be quite costly. So if you're hoping to take a trip to Turkey without blowing your bank account, it's probably a good idea to look up villas in Turkey, which you'll often be able to rent for a lower price than other forms of accommodation. Many villas in Turkey come complete with swimming pools, gardens and space to sleep upwards of four people, so can come in especially handy of you're on holiday with a large group of friends or family - so you'll all be able to enjoy the magic of Turkey together in comfort.

Adam Singleton is an online, freelance journalist and keen amateur photographer.