Most popular cities: Belek; Istanbul;
Begin by exploring this magnificent country that is a bridge between Europe and Asia. Walk around the Sultanahmet, view the Blue Mosque. Spend the day shopping in the Covered Bazaar View the ancient City Walls and if time permits, visit Chora Church, known for its Byzantine mosaics. Explore the Basilica Cistern, a marvel of civil engineering, and the Hagia Sophia, one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. In the afternoon, privately cruise the Bosphorus and dine at a local restaurant.
The Anatolian peninsula comprising most of modern Turkey, is one of the oldest continually inhabited regions in the world due to its location at the intersection of Asia and Europe, bordering the Black Sea, Aegean Sea and Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean coastline is dotted with well-preserved Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamom and Ephesus, while the austere and rugged Anatolian plateau has cave churches hidden away in the improbable fairytale landscape of Cappadocia. Istanbul, quintessentially Eastern is at the heart of the nation, with historic Roman aqueducts, Byzantine churches, glittering Ottoman mosques and palaces on offer, contrasting with the modern glamorous bars, restaurants and the new Istanbul Modern Gallery.
The coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Med have hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters. Conditions are harsher in the more arid interior, with average temperatures in Istanbul ranging from just above freezing in January to around 30˚C in August.
December thru February: 8-26° Fahrenheit
March thru May: 33-55° Fahrenheit
June thru August: 51-86° Fahrenheit
September thru November: 35-62° Fahrenheit
Language: Turkish
Time zone: GMT +2 hour
Currency: Turkish Lira
Country code phone: +90
Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Bodrum.
Turkish Culture and Tourist Office
www.tourismturkey.org