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Turkey Vacation Guide
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 28 June 2009 12:41 |
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Water sports are available in just about every beach resort in Turkey, with more than 8000km of stunning coastline and 235 blue flag beaches. Boasting a myriad of sandy bays and beaches, hidden coves, calm turquoise waters and windy shorelines, Turkey can cater for almost every type of activity from swimming, snorkelling and canoeing to windsurfing, water-skiing and kite-surfing. Scuba Diving Turkey’s clear warm waters and visibility of up to 30m make it an ideal place for diving. The best places for both learners and experienced divers are off the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, in particular Fethiye. It is also possible to dive at Gallipoli, Canakkale, to see World War I wrecks with permission from the local authorities but for this divers should have their training documents and must be accompanied by a licensed Turkish guide. |
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Turkey Vacation Guide
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 28 June 2009 12:41 |
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Turkey is one of the world's great shopping destinations. Located at a historic trade crossroads linking to the Silk Road, the country has been a shopper’s paradise for centuries, offering everything from hand-woven Turkish carpets and kilims to jewellery, antiques and Iznik ceramics, carved meerschaum and a growing number of designer brands including Mavi Jeans, Vakko and Beymen. You will also delight at the diversity of culinary shopping, including fresh fruit and vegetable markets in every city, sweet treats, nuts and spices, Turkish tea, coffee and alcoholic tipple. Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and the country’s cultural and business capital, offers the greatest variety; from its atmospheric bazaars to more than 135 modern shopping malls dotted around the country. The legendary Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi), near the historic centre of Sultanhamet, which first opened its doors to traders in 1461, is a vast labyrinth of 61 covered streets encompassing 4,400 shops selling everything from jewellery and carpets to leather and antiques - intermingled with cafes, restaurants and beautiful ancient architecture. Although bargaining is still the norm, the Grand Bazaar today is a much calmer, less-crowded environment than yesteryear as many shoppers have migrated to the modern malls and high streets around Istanbul. On Wednesdays, you may like to visit the kilim auction at the Sandal Bedestan. The nearby Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Misir Çarsisi; closed Sunday) is another favourite with shoppers for its enticing array of exotic spices, jams, dried fruits, nuts, tea, coffee and of course, lokum, or Turkish Delight, in its multitude of flavours. For handicrafts, ceramics, calligraphy and miniatures, head to the nearby Istanbul Handicrafts Center, Istanbul el Sanatlari Çarsisi – or the book bazaar for rare and interesting finds. |
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Turkey Vacation Guide
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 28 June 2009 12:35 |
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As the historic capital of major Christian and Muslim empires, and a land where the world’s three monotheistic religions have long coexisted, Turkey has a rich cultural and religious heritage. Given the historical ties amongst different religions in this region, whatever one’s faith, visitors travelling through Turkey will find much to discover, with a plethora of superb mosques, churches and synagogues, including more than 200 practicing churches and 24 synagogues. The secular constitution of the Republic of Turkey guarantees freedom of worship and those of all faiths are welcomed – continuing in the Ottoman tradition of diversity and tolerance, where many different faiths lived in harmony. In south-eastern Turkey, Sanliurfa is said to be the birthplace of Abraham, the patriarch of Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The town draws visitors of all three faiths, particularly Muslims who revere Abraham as a prophet, to see the cave where Abraham is said to have been born and to the Hazreti Ibrahim Halilullah mosque complex built in his honour. In the surrounding region are other sites connected to Abraham, including the town of Harran, mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Early Christian History Anatolia is of special importance in early Christian history. From the missionary journeys of the Apostles, to the role of Christianity in the Byzantine Empire and the early Ecumenical Councils, many key developments in the spread and organization of the faith took place in Anatolia. |
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Turkey Vacation Guide
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 28 June 2009 12:34 |
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Turkey is a Mediterranean country with a lively culture of eating, drinking, and entertainment, with nightlife and eating-out possibilities to suit every preference. During the summer months, al fresco dining is the norm, particularly along the coastal areas and along the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Turkish nightlife has traditionally centred around meyhanes, similar to taverns, where an assortment of mezes (small plates or appetizers), often followed by a meal of fish, is consumed with rounds of raki, the aniseed-flavoured national spirit. Still extremely popular with all ages, the meyhane is a social affair, where dining and drinking is often accompanied by live music played on traditional instruments. |
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Turkey Vacation Guide
