Turkey is without-doubt, one of the world’s most interesting and well-traveled destinations. From the historic cities of Troy and Ephesus, on through the many layers of its ancient archaeological past, Turkey boasts some of the finest white sand beaches anywhere, fishing and scuba diving venues, beautiful national parks, skiing resorts, outstanding food, hilltop castles, golden mosques, exotic shopping bazaars and stunning mountain scenery that almost defies description.

The historic palette of Turkey is traced to Stone Age settlements constructed in 7500 BC, and here, today, unforgettable names like Troy and the Trojan War, Homer, Cyrus the Great, Alexander the Great, the Holy Roman Empire and the Medieval Crusades leap from the pages of its ancient history, and many relics and ruins of same still stand for all to view in Turkey. Major attractions for visitors in Turkey include the caves and landscape at Cappadocia; the biblical and Islamic past of the eastern provinces; the sophistication and historic sites of Ankara, the capital city; the sunshine and therapeutic waters of the Mediterranean coastline and its Roman history and ruins; the major beach resorts of the southwestern and western coastlines, and then there’s Istanbul, a mysterious and modern city that’s divided by the Bosphorus, and stands on both the Asian and European continents. We are proud to present a series of well planned independent programs exploring Turkey. So if your idea of a Turkish holiday vacations is exploring its history, cruising or just relaxing on a sundrenched beach, we can arrange it for you.

Istanbul is Turkey’s cultural and business center. It is set in a stunning location, surrounded by water – the narrow strait of the Bosphorus and the serene Sea of Marmara separating Europe from Asia. As Byzantium, Constantinople and finally, Istanbul, it has been the capital of three Empires, each leaving their mark in the form of stunning palaces, castles, mosques, churches and monuments. Some of the highlights include the Topkapi Palace and the intriguing Harem.

The Church of Agia Sophia as you marvels at its stunning mosaics and the incredible free-standing dome. The Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.

Nightlife in Istanbul is a unique mix – you can find the latest chic clubs or a traditional café with cushions on the floor, where you can smoke a hookah pipe or nargile. Wherever you choose to eat, you are likely to find delicious food made from fresh ingredients, and can expect good value for money. The variety and standard of restaurants is excellent with stunning views as standard.

Cappadocia is a stunning area of Central Turkey famed for its other-worldly rock formations, subterranean churches and underground dwellings, the scale of which is over-whelming. Some 30 million years ago, a series of volcanoes erupted in this area, the largest of which was the now extinct Mount Erciyes, one of the highest in Turkey at 3916 metres. They spewed lava and volcanic ash over the landscape which, as it solidified, turned into a soft stone known as tuff. Tuff is easily eroded by the elements, and over millions of years, the wind and the rain have formed the strange rock shapes which can be seen today. Man has added to the work of nature, the softness of the tuff allowing it to be easily carved out and excavated to form subterranean dwellings and troglodyte villages, as well as underground churches. The area of Cappadocia is also famous for its carpet-weaving, wine and the distinctive red pottery of the Avanos area.

Cappadocia was a refuge for the early Christians, who escaped persecution by living and worshipping underground. There are an estimated 3000 rock churches in this region, not all of which are open to the public. Some have amazing frescoes, which have been extremely well preserved. Some of the highlights include Göreme where some of the most impressive of the churches are located in the Göreme Open Air Museum, which, for the most part, date from the 9th-11th centuries. The village of Göreme itself is at the heart of the area’s tourist industry, and many of its villagers still live in cave dwellings, some of which have been converted into pensions. Surrounding the area are the amazing rock formations known evocatively as Peri Bacaları or ‘Fairy Chimneys’. For panoramic views over the scenery of the Göreme Valley, visit the citadel of Üçhisar, the huge rock tower, which is the highest point in the area. Üçhisar and Ürgüp are two of the most popular vacation places to stay in the area, where in recent years, a number of chic boutique hotels have opened in the old buildings and rock dwellings.

Located to the west of Niğde, the Ihlara Vadisi gorge is 10 kms long and some 80 metres wide. Popular for trekking it is home to over 60 churches, the majority of which were built in the 11th century. Most of these are not open to the public but of the 12 or so which are, some of the most important are the Eğritas Kilesesi. There are hundreds of underground cities in the regions. Two of the most impressive are Kaymaklı, which has 8 levels, and Derinkuyu, which reaches down to 55 metres. They were used by the Christians fleeing persecution in the 7th century, who created a self-sufficient environment, underground, including bedrooms, kitchens and storage rooms.

The Aegean region extends from the Gulf of Edremit in the north along Turkey’s western coasts as far as Fethiye in the south. It encompasses the regions of Izmir, Manisa, Aydın and MuÄŸla, sweeping inland to include Denizli, UÅŸak and Afyon. The Aegean coast is perhaps best known for its dramatic scenery, shimmering turquoise waters and wide choice of holiday resorts from the bustling yachting center of Marmaris, and the busy cruise port Kusadasi to more serene, traditional fishing villages such as those that dot the Bodrum and Loryma Peninsulas. Ephesus – is the area's most prominent attraction. Known as Efes locally, the site is quite probably the best-preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean and Turkey’s most visited place after Istanbul . The majestic Library of Celsus and the 25,000-seater Great Theatre are among its most memorable attractions. The city also housed the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World though unfortunately, little remains of the once-impressive marble structure. Pergamum – the breathtaking ancient Greek city perched precariously atop a plunging promontory. Located near the city of Bergama, in the North of the region. Ölüdeniz – Arguably the finest beach in Turkey, a spectacular natural lagoon backed by magnificent mountain and forest scenery. Thrill-seekers will delight at the opportunity to tandem paraglide from the 2km-high summit of Mt. BabadaÄŸ. 

Tags: Trips to Greece, Turkey Vacations, Greece Vacations, Weddings in Greece, Greece Honeymoon, Honeymoon in Greece, Honeymoon in Turkey, Turkey Honeymoon, Greece Vacation Packages, Greek Island Holidays