TURKEY

Geographically, aesthetically, culturally and historically the beautiful country of Turkey lies between Islamic Asia and Christian Europe. The country’s rich history has left it with an impressive array of monuments, cathedrals and palaces that are a history buff’s paradise. Other than that, Turkey shares its coasts with two of the most beautiful seas on Earth- Mediterranean and Black Sea. These two have provided Turkey with a coastline that has very few competitors in beauty and adventure. Regions like the Turquoise coasts off the Mediterranean, Istanbul and Cappadocia, etc. are hugely popular travel spots that are regularly featured on must visit places across the planet.

With its distinctive European modernity and Middle Eastern culture, Istanbul is truly one of the ‘World cities’ that defies segregation on cultural grounds. This is because the culture of Istanbul has been influenced by both Europeans and Islamic regions of Asia. The city was formerly called Constantinople (324 AD) and was the capital of the Byzantine Empire or New Roman Empire. During this time, the city was a great center for Christianity under the Emperor Constantine the Great. The Emperor and his successors left the world with several monuments like the Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome and Old Walls of Istanbul, etc.

These historical monuments are must visits during the Istanbul city breaks or tours of the city. The city also served as a seat of the Ottoman Empire and they left the world with impressive buildings like Sultanahmet Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Even with all its majestic beauty, the true taste and smells of Istanbul can be found in its narrow alleys. If you are adventurous enough, then take a tour of the city by foot, try out its cuisines and shop for trinkets at the Grand Bazaar. When shopping in the Grand Bazaar make sure you bargain and bargain well!

Cappadocia is a beautiful and enchanting travel destination in Central Anatolia region of Turkey. The area is quite arid and dry but its popularity lies in its awe-inspiring natural beauty. The stark landscape of the region only highlights the wonders of the region. One of the oldest inhabitable locations of the world, Cappadocia has been recognized as a historical heritage. The natural wonders consist of legendary fairy chimneys, the rocks of Goreme and Urgup, etc. that leave tourists dumbstruck. There are also several rock cut cathedrals and underground settlements that only add to the appeal of the region.

For guaranteed autumn sunshine, mouth watering food and excellent value for money, it doesn’t get much better than Turkey for family activity holidays.

You can learn how to SCUBA dive and go sea kayaking, mountain biking, sailing or trekking. Before heading off to explore ancient ruins and tuck into great mounds of delicious food in the local restaurants. As more and more travellers are discovering, Turkey holidays really do have it all. Decide which part of the country you want to visit with our handy guide below:

Best for… intrepid teenagers

Need something that will distract your teens from their smart phones for a moment? How does a week in a fairy chimney sound? Travel to magical Capadocia in the heart of Turkey and you’ll discover a strange and surreal land filled with bizarre rock formations, fairy chimney caves and underground cities. Not exciting enough for you? Well saddle up, because family activity holidays here will also take you on horse treks into the remote mountains, to wild camps where you can watch out for meteors and mountain biking through Love Valley.

Best for… water babies

If your dream holiday is sun, sea, sand a little adventure, the dazzling Turquoise Coast in Turkey is for you. You can stay at any one of a number of resorts along the Mediterranean but our favourite spot is Kas, a pretty former fishing village with bags of charm, which boasts some of the clearest waters in Turkey. It’s the perfect place to learn to SCUBA dive and you can also go snorkelling, sea kayaking or even hop aboard a gulet cruise. If you’re lucky you may even spot a sea turtle! And don’t forget to visit the local amphitheatre.

Best for… culture vultures

Istanbul is endlessly explorable and there is absolutely tons of stuff for kids to see and do in this fabulous city. There’s the main sights of the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace tempt you. And the Grand Bazaar is treasure trove of sweets and nick nacks for intrepid shoppers. If trekking around the many mosques and palaces becomes too much, we recommend the cisterns below the city, whose submerged hall and marble pillars might remind you of the caves in the Lord of the Rings. Feeling peckish? You cn try some brilliant food here, from the fresh fish at the restaurants lining the Bosphorus to the small eats you get at the buzzy, bright eateries of modern Beyoglu.