| The stunning nation of Turkey is the one | | | | to bob about on the Mediterranean and Aegean |
| country in the world where east truly meets | | | | seas whilst basking in the summer sunshine. |
| west - because the country is located in | | | | |
| South-eastern Europe and spans such a large | | | | 3) Castle hoping. Along the south coast in |
| geographic landmass that it also reaches into | | | | Turkey there are crusader castles in towns |
| South-western Asia. | | | | such as Bodrum and Alanya and you can explore |
| | | | these stunning ruins and the museums they now |
| As a result, Turkey is a nation of mixed | | | | house...getting to learn more about how this |
| cultural and historic flavours, a country | | | | is one nation that has been fought over for |
| where the modern skyscrapers of Istanbul | | | | generations because of its stunning beauty, |
| stand alongside the minarets of ancient | | | | its geographic importance and because of the |
| mosques, and where holiday makers can | | | | wealth of natural resources it is home to. |
| experience a whole host of flavours, sights | | | | |
| and events in just a short visit. | | | | 4) Sun, sea and sand sampling. Turkey's |
| | | | Riviera is world famous as a summer holiday |
| If you're thinking about where to go for a | | | | destination and it's not |
| weekend break, a summer holiday getaway or | | | | surprising...enjoying a summer season that |
| for a holiday of a lifetime, there are a | | | | spans from March through to November and an |
| million reasons to visit Turkey - and in this | | | | extremely temperate winter season, you can |
| article we will explore five of the best | | | | enjoy the beaches, the surf and the stunning |
| reasons for you to look a little more closely | | | | sunshine when on holiday in this part of the |
| at this country of contrasts. | | | | nation. |
| | | | |
| 1) Culture and retail therapy in Istanbul. | | | | 5) Sumptuous cuisine and excellent wine. |
| Side by side on the streets of Istanbul you | | | | Turkish cuisine is all about using the very |
| have the most luxurious shopping malls in the | | | | best locally grown produce and cooking it |
| world with grand bazaars where peddlers vie | | | | simply to ensure the natural flavours are |
| for your trade as they sell locally grown | | | | maintained. You can enjoy a meze, which is a |
| produce. As a backdrop to the eclectic mix | | | | meal of many tiny offerings of local dishes, |
| of retail delights on the streets of Istanbul | | | | followed perhaps by a traditional fish dish |
| you have legendary landmarks such as the Blue | | | | or kebab, and you can wash the whole lot down |
| Mosque and Hagia Sophia - and so no matter | | | | with a bottle of Turkey's finest red or white |
| what you prefer doing when on holiday, you | | | | wine. The food and drink available in Turkey |
| are sure to find thrills and experiences to | | | | is exquisite and of very high quality...but |
| delight you in Istanbul. | | | | watch out for the deserts which are highly |
| | | | addictively sweet! |
| 2) Sailing the sun-drenched seas off the | | | | |
| south coast. The southern coastline of | | | | If you're looking for a stunning nation in |
| Turkey is known as the Turkish Riviera. It | | | | which to explore history, culture, leisure |
| is home to famous resorts such as Bodrum, | | | | pursuits and landscapes, give Turkey a look |
| Alanya, Antalya and Side and from each of | | | | in 2008. |
| these beautiful towns you can charter boats | | | | |