Time to talk Turkey. The country of course. Past posts on Istanbul and the Mediterranean and Aegean Coast, or Turkish Riviera as it were, were affirmations that indeed, this is one brilliant tourist destination.
But Turkey is much, much more than beach resorts and Istanbul, as we well know. The nation of over 75 million people has a rich, venerable history and culture, is home to some of the most ancient heritage sites on the planet and lest we forget, is the land bridge between Asia and Europe, the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea. What a country indeed! Oh and the food!
As we start to salivate, here are some superb destinations to consider in beautiful Turkey.
The lynchpin of the central Ancient Region of Anatolia, Cappadocia is veritable time warp to a bygone era. Simply put, the place feels almost Biblical. Indeed, from Herodotus to the New Testament, references to this mystical place abound. For tourists, UNESCO World Heritage Goreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is the principal draw.
The third most populous city in Turkey is a port city first and foremost, with access to the Gulf of Izmir and Aegean Sea. Throw in thousands of years of history and a population well over 2.6 million and you have a first-rate destination. Overall, Izmir offers a diverse mix of old and traditional, modern and cosmopolitan.
The capital of Adana province, just inland from the Mediterranean in south central Turkey is a big city. Adana in fact, has well over 2 million people. Fine points of interest in and out of the vibrant metropolis include the Taurus Mountains, Tuzla Bird Heaven, Love Island and Bazaar of Kazancilar.
Eastern Anatolia is not often the destination of choice with mainstream tourists in Turkey for the first time. People should definitely give the region a hard look however, for it offers some of the most unique places to explore in the country. Erzurum for one, has over 350,000 people and a lineage that runs from Arab to Roman to Byzantine. Kurdish culture, brilliant natural scenery and winter sports on Palandoken Mountain are some of the highlights.
Hierapolis-Pamukkale is one of the paragon UNESCO World Heritage Sites in all of Turkey. The country is no stranger to inscription after all, with no less than nine on the official list and dozens more on the tentative list. As a landmark that fits both natural and classification, Pamukkale is quite special. UNESCO describes the landscape as “unreal”, with mineral baths, Greek and Roman ruins on display. Check out the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum on site.
Another Central Anatolia gem, Nevsehir is so old it dates back to the Hittites. Par for the course in this part of Turkey but still, to outside visitors, remarkable. A popular destination on the way to or back from Goreme National Park, the town of 100,000 plus people is a good place to relax for a few days. Beyond Cappadocia, the region is worth a deeper look as well.
A short drive east of the Euphrates River, Sanliurfa is another city in Turkey that feels, well, Biblical. With over a million people, the historic city has a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-faith population. As a result, Sanliurfa has rich culture, beautiful architecture and of course, superb cuisine to enjoy. The sanctuary of Gobekli Tepe, built in the 10th millennium BC, is a must-see attraction.
The twin towns of Selcuk and Ephesus in Izmir Province date back to the Neolithic Age, with all the requisite ruins, landmarks and attractions one would expect as a result. There are more Roman ruins in Ephesus in fact, than anywhere in the eastern Mediterranean. The collection of sights in store are magnificent and range from the Library of Celsus to the Grand Fortress of Selcuk.
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