Destinations
With a plethora of destinations listed below, where does one begin? Often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Civilization’ because of it’s ancient history, Turkey attests to be home to the earth’s oldest known settled civilization at Catalhoyuk in southern Anatolia. Straddling two continents, Istanbul will bedazzle you with its striking monuments, vibrant bazaars and opulent palaces. Leave the city behind and follow the Aegean coastline taking in Gallipoli, Troy and Pergamon before reflecting on life in ancient Ephesus. If relaxing by the Mediterranean is high on your wishlist, the long white beaches at Marmaris, Fethiye and Antalya will not disappoint, or better still, dive into the tranquil waters from the deck of a gulet whilst cruising from Fethiye to Olympos. For the adrenaline seekers, take an early morning balloon flight over the surreal landscape of Cappadocia, scuba dive in Kas, paraglide in Oludeniz or hike some of the testing trails in the Trabzon Province. Whilst in the Black Sea region, a must see is the Sumela Monastery which clings to a sheer cliff high above a deep gorge and forests. It is unquestionably one of the region’s highlights. All this, and so much more…..contact Turkey Travel now!
The region of Cappadocia is located in the middle of a once-active volcanic area of central Anatolia..
The ancient city of Ephesus is Turkey’s most important ancient city, and one of the best preserved and restored. One can still stroll for hours along its streets passing temples, theatres, libraries, houses and statues. It contains such grand public buildings as the impressive Library of Celsus, the theatre, the Temple of Hadrian and the sumptuous Temple of Artemis which is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Didyma, an hour’s drive from the city of Aydın, is one of Turkey’s prime holiday destinations. It has a rich cultural heritage, golden beaches, and a coast of intricate coves, each a wonder of nature. The Temple of Apollo in Didyma is one of the largest and best-preserved temples of the ancient world.
Pamukkale appears in almost every list of places to be seen before you die and visited by almost two million tourists each year. Pamukkale is a place where nature assumed the role of artist and created such majestic beauty. The white travertine cascades resembling frozen waterfalls and terraces of shallow pools were created by the waters of thermal springs reacting with the air.
Lycian Tombs and Sunken Cities
Kas (pronounced Kash) is a small fishing village and tourist town located 170 kms west of Antalya. Built on a hill running down to the Mediterranean Sea, it has hot dry summers and mild winters which makes it ideal for growing fruit and vegetables. Although it is still a source of agriculture, tourism now provides its main income.
Çatalhöyük is a city founded 9,000 years ago, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is well-worth visiting to see the remains of an ancient (like, REALLY ancient) city. But what makes it so incredibly special? Well, at the moment, Çatalhöyük is the first known city in the world – the first place where surrounding villages came together and formed a central location and began the sort of urban civilization that dominates the modern world.
In the 18th century, it was one of the seven largest cities in Europe. Set on a verdant plain of poplar trees near the junction of the Tunca and Meriç rivers, this gracefully historical city welcomes visitors as they make their way to İstanbul and other points east. The people of Edirne trace their origins back to the rule of the Macedonians.
It is the traditional houses of Safranbolu that have earned the city a world-wide reputation and inscribed it on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, with many trailing back to 18-19th century, however, the fact that the locals manage to keep the traditional lifestyle alive takes the visitors on a journey back in time.
Located within the boundaries of Boğazkale District, southwest of Çorum, Hattusas had served as the capital of the Hittite Empire for 450 years, between 1650-1200 BC, extending over a 180-hectare rough and rocky terrain. During the Hittite Empire, this magnificent city used to be surrounded by 6 kilometers long city walls with high towers at certain intervals.
Bodrum is a port city located south west of Ephesus at the point of where the huge Gulf of Gokova begins. Formerly called Halicarnassus in ancient Greek times, it was famous for housing the Mausoleum of Mausoleus one of the wonders of the ancient world The area was fırst settled by the Carian peoples and the harbour area by the Dorian Greeks.
Fethiye is built over the ruins of what used to be the ancient city of Telmessos, whose ancient theater is still located right in the city center. Nowadays, the city is surrounded by some of the world’s most stunning beaches, has a harbour with many boats, a vibrant city life, and delicious cuisine.
There are a lot of cities that claim to be a “crossroads of civilization,” many even in Anatolia. But Hatay really has as good a case as anywhere in the world to be given the term. Hatay is home it ancient Mesopotamia, where multiple religions rose up, and where civilization as we know it today originated.
For centuries Gaziantep has become a meeting place for the naturalists, historians, archaeologists, enthusiasts of adventure and for the ones who are in love with art, devotee of nature and wanderers of cultural values. It is particularly well-known throughout Turkey for its excellent pistachios and rich gastronomy. Its gastronomic connections to the ancient past have contributed much to the formation of the city’s cultural identity.
The haunting sculptures overlooking Mount Nemrut are some of the most magnificent that you’ll find anywhere in the world. Giant heads built in the 1st century B.C. under the Commagene Kingdom look out over an incredible sunrise and sunset every day. These massive sculptures are like just about nowhere else in the world, weighing at 6 tons and are a full 10 meters tall.
The City That Changed Human History
Predating Stonehenge by 6000 years, Şanlıurfa’s Göbeklitepe upends the widely-held views on the rise of civilization.
With a history of 12,000 years, Şanlıurfa, thought by some to be the ancient city of Ur, proudly exhibits the legacy of all the civilisations that have prospered in the region.
First Temple of the World
There are substantial grounds to claim that the most significant archaeological discovery of the 21st century is the Göbeklitepe. First of all, it dates back to 12 thousand years ago. In other words, it’s approximately 8 thousand years older than the pyramids and 7 thousand years older than the Stonehenge. Furthermore, it is even older than the human transition to settled life.
Mardin is one of the few cities in the world wherein the entire city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is because just about every inch of the city oozes history and culture, and these lands along the Tigris River have been the crossroads of civilizations since the dawn of civilization itself.
9th century BC Assyrian tables refer to Midyat as Matiate or city of caves because its earliest inhabitants lived in nearby caves. Many different empires have ruled over Midyat – the Mitannians, Assyrians, Urartus, Persian Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Abbas’da Seljuk and finally the Ottomans. Its Syrian name was Tur-Abdin.
Being famous for its distinctive domestic cats, Van offers a ferry trip to a sacred destination- an evil eye bead for Turkey’s largest lake.
This remote but important city is settled in a verdant oasis at the foot of a rocky peak. An imposing ninth century BC citadel overlooks the new and old parts of the town.
Doğubazit is Turkey’s most eastern district bordering Iran and close to Mount Ararat. The town stands on a plain and is surrounded by Turkey’s highest mountains, including Mt Ararat which stands out majestically. The area has a rich history and monuments dating back to the Uratu Kingdom 2700 BC. Before the Turkish Republic the town was an Armenian stronghold and was referred to by its Armenian name Daroynk.
Kars, a transit point between Anatolia and the Caucasus, has an outstanding beauty in itself, magnified by Ani Ruins- a medieval city once called “City of 1001 Churches”.
Kars is located at the transit point from Anatolia into the Caucasus. Visitors can enjoy its monumental structures and historical fabric. However, when making your travel plans, consider the season as it is covered with snow for much of the year!
From Troy to Gallipoli
Çanakkale is an honourable resting place for the soldiers who lost their lives in Gelibolu.
The city of Çanakkale lies at the narrow 1200m entrance to the Çanakkale Strait (Dardanelles) that connects the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Passenger and car ferries run daily between Çanakkale on the Asian side and Eceabat and Kilitbahir on the European side.
An inspiration for world-renowned travellers like Xenophon, and Evliya Çelebi who immortalized Trabzon in his travel book.
Trabzon, whose history stretches back into very early times, is a hub of cultural and natural riches in the eastern Black Sea Region. Located on the historic Silk Road, the city has been a melting-pot of religions,
