Turkey
A vibrant, modern country of great diversity, not only rich in natural beauty with breathtaking waterfalls and mountains, pristine beaches and lagoons, it is also steeped in historical and archaeological treasures dating back to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empire when the capital Istanbul was known by the exotic name of Constantinople. It is also a site of religious significance for a multitude of faiths such as the "tomb of Eyup" one of the holiest Islamic sites, the purported last destination of the "Noah's Ark" and the final resting place of the Virgin Mary to name but a few. Over the last few years it has steadily become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The capital Istanbul is world famous for the "Sultan Ahmet Camii" known as the "Blue Mosque", renowned for its size, elegance and beauty and its unique position as the bridge between two continents divided by the Bosphorus River, endowing a unique character to this gateway city with one toe in Europe and the other firmly in Asia. With the good fortune of being surrounded by the Mediterranean, Aegean and Black Sea, Turkey has miles of sandy beaches, islands, caves, rocky peninsulas and busy sea ports threaded along its shores.
The most popular tourist destinations are Istanbul, a vibrant cosmopolitan divided between Europe and Asia, with a thriving economy offering all manner of historical, architectural, cultural and gastronomical delights. The region of Antalya, known as the Turkish Riviera is renowned for its fantastic marina, the "old quarter" and 630km of clean sandy coastline and the Aegean Coast currently the most visited region, is lined with big named resorts such as Izmir, Bodrum, Marmaris and of course Fethiyë popular with locals and tourists alike for the nearby "blue lagoon" of Ölüdeniz.
Most coastal resorts are equipped with sea buses, ferries or hydrofoils offering trips to Rhodes, Kos and other Turkish ports along the coast. Transport links within the country are good with regular day trips available from the main resorts to attractions such as the white calcium steps and thermal springs of Pamukkale or the ancient city of Ephesus.
The Turkish climate can vary wildly from the cooler Black Sea region to the more temperate central region and as expected typical Mediterranean weather towards the Aegean and Mediterranean coast, perfect for all types of outdoor pursuits. Whether indulging in a spot of sunbathing, fishing, taking a boat out to one of the islands, enjoying one of the many water sports available or heading inland to ski or mountain climbing, this country offers something for everyone.
Recently there has been a concerted effort on behalf of the Turkish authorities to step up the modernisation process, investing in the tourist infrastructure, hotels, private accommodation and facilities available with further development is eagerly anticipated in order to meet the demand.