The Dazzling Turkey, Between East and West

Everything in Turkey is the result of fabulous blends. In Central Anatolia, one crosses steppes interspersed with verdant canyons. To the north, the lush mountains of the Black Sea host magnificent monasteries like Sumela. Plan your customized trip to discover these exciting regions.

Istanbul is a city brimming with rare beauty monuments, such as the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia Basilica, and the Topkapi Palace. However, Istanbul is not just a museum city; it is also a cosmopolitan city where each neighborhood offers a unique atmosphere, between markets, hammams, the old town, trendy cafes, and shopping temples like Istiklal Avenue. The hill of Pamukkale is famous for its hot springs and its ancient city of Hieropolis. Founded in the 2nd century BC, it was a thermal resort. Today, you can visit the ruins classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Nemrut National Park, located in southeastern Turkey, houses a funerary sanctuary from the 1st century BC characterized by giant heads representing gods and the king who ordered its construction. Izmir, Antalya, and Bodrum are three Turkish cities not to be missed. Izmir is a lively center with shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as a rich archaeological museum. Antalya and Bodrum are two superb seaside resorts on the "Turkish Riviera" where the water is turquoise and the sand fine.

Anyone who loves shopping will feel right at home in Turkey. Instead of souks, there are bazaars. The bazaar offers everything from fruits and vegetables to clothing, household goods, and typical items. The most popular purchase is carpets and kilims. Leather, copper, bronze, silver, gold, ceramics, embroidery, spices, and the famous meerschaum (magnesite) pipes are also part of the long list of handcrafted items this country of art and tradition offers. In the big cities, especially in Istanbul, far from these more traditional products, modern avenues or trendy shopping centers allow visitors to get acquainted with the best of Turkish fashion. Brands like Vakko, Sarar, or Mavi Jeans mingle with other major luxury labels.

The nightlife in the cities and coastal resorts of Turkey is extremely rich and diverse, able to satisfy all tastes. On one hand, there are traditional mezze restaurants, called meyhane in Turkey or taverna in Greece, where the meal is accompanied by singers performing Turkish music hits, with guests often dancing between courses. On the other hand, there are trendy restaurants and fashionable nightclubs. For nightlife enthusiasts, Turkey will not disappoint and has nothing to envy of its European or American counterparts. Istanbul offers the widest choice, but other places like Bodrum or Marmaris are also bustling with lively summer nights.

Vast forests cover Eastern Anatolia, the Black Sea coasts, consisting of numerous hazel trees, as well as the Mediterranean coastline. Many fruit trees grow in Turkey: fig trees, apricot trees, cherry trees, almond trees... The oleander mixed with the many palm trees on the Aegean coast evokes holidays. The steppes are adorned with a shimmering carpet of wildflowers in spring. The country offers wildlife similar to that of the Balkans: bears, lynxes, wild boars, wolves, and a few increasingly rare leopards. Horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep guarded by the Kangal, a very powerful shepherd dog, are more easily encountered. The ornithological landscape is exceptionally rich, with notably many birds of prey, including the majestic eagle. Finally, note the presence of the famous Van cat, with extremely striking heterochromatic eyes and a very high price.

Turkey is full of rare places that have retained all their charm. These can be archaeological sites where the remains of several civilizations overlap, small villages where one can observe rural life, or coves with turquoise waters. In just one day, you can go rafting down an impressive canyon, visit a Greco-Roman site, and dive into the Mediterranean.