Turkish Delight

You may be familiar with the beautiful resorts of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast – but with a rich history, vibrant culture and incredible cuisine, Turkey is so much more than just a beautiful beach.

Combining influences from the Middle East, the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Central Asia, here you’ll find a captivating mix of the exotic and the familiar that makes for a perfect touring destination.

Whirling Dervishes dance in Istanbul

Ancient Wonders

Modern-day Turkey rests on the shoulders of some of the ancient world’s most powerful empires with the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans all leaving their mark.

The roll call of ancient wonders is quite simply astounding. You can walk in the footsteps of Achilles in the ruins of Troy or those of legionaries at Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Istanbul is a beguiling mix of glorious Byzantine and Ottoman architecture; lonely caravanserai guard the old Silk Road and the WWI memorials of the Gallipoli Peninsula are testament to more modern cataclysms that have rocked this nation.

The Library of Celsus in the ancient city of Ephesus

Fantastical Landscapes

The diversity of Turkey’s landscapes is quite extraordinary. From the olive groves that fringe its Mediterranean coast to Cappadocia’s otherworldly ‘fairy chimney’ rock formations, the country’s terrain takes on a different persona at every turn. Alpine landscapes offer breathtaking beauty and hold legendary secrets; Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey is said to be the landing place of Noah’s Ark after the flood, and the country’s 1,600 kilometres of coastline is host to sparkling seas, golden beaches and striking forest-clad cliffsides.

The fairy chimneys of Cappadocia

Culinary Delights

The incredible history may be what draws you to Turkey, but it may well be the food that leaves you with the fondest memories. Come for the battlefields and stay for the baklava you might say.

The broad sweep of the Ottoman empire has left its impression on the plates of Turkey, and you’ll find culinary influences that stretch from Western Europe through the Balkans to the Middle East and even North Africa. Sample the classic meze and kebab dishes, accompanied by oil-grilled Aegean vegetables and washed down with a tulip-shaped glass of çay. And of course, you’ll need to save some space for dessert, no Turkish meal is complete without a bite of sweet baklava.