Turkey is one of the favorite tourist destinations in the world because Turkey offers so many unique and once in a lifetime travel experiences. From stunning sceneries, the history, the fantastic food, shopping, incredible hotels & seaside resorts; it is no surprise that Turkey is growing in popularity as an exciting and affordable vacation hotspot.
Pamukkale, meaning the “cotton castle” in Turkish, is an unreal landscape in Western Turkey, famous for its white terraces. The terraces are made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water with a very high mineral content from the hot springs. People have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. The ancient Greek city of Hierapolis was built on top of the hot springs by the kings of Pergamon. The ruins of the baths and other Greek monuments can still be seen at the site.
Perched on the strategic hilltop overlooking the plains of Mesopotamia in southeastern Turkey, Mardin is one of the oldest settlements of the region. Mardin is best known for its Old City of sandstone buildings that cascade down the hill. The maze of meandering streets in the Old city leads visitors along with terraced houses, mosques, churches, and mansions. Many boutique hotels, fashioned from the charming old buildings, have opened in recent years, along with few upmarket hotels.
One of the oldest cities in the world, Konya prospered as a capital city under the rule of the Seljuk Dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries. Today, buildings from that era can still be admired such as the Aladdin Mosque and the ruins of Seljuk Palace. Konya was also the home of Persian theologian and Sufi mystic, Rumi. Rumi’s followers founded an “order” known as the “Whirling Dervishes” due to their religious ceremonies in which they spin around and around on the left foot while wearing the white billowing gown.
One of the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Edirne’s grand past is visible everywhere, as fantastic old imperial buildings, palaces and mosques are scattered around. The Selimiye Mosque, for instance, is a must-see in this delightful city, and the Old Quarter is lovely to wander around. Due to its strategic location and its proximity to Greece and Bulgaria, Edirne has a European feel about it and there are a lot of delicious cuisines on offer. A great time to visit is in summer when the traditional oil-wrestling festival takes place.
A major port city in ancient Greece and occupied by Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, Side today is a picturesque town of classic ruins and modern-day resorts overlooking sandy white beaches. Located on a small peninsula, Side offers fantastic dining and nightlife. Its star attraction is an excavated site of ancient Hellenistic and Roman ruins that include the remnants of a colossal amphitheater and various temples. Featuring narrow streets and attractive gardens, the charming town of Side offers many restaurants ranging from delis and pizza shops to upscale dining in a variety of cuisines.
Turkey is a special destination that will charm you and always leave you wanting more.