Overview of Turkey
A hidden gem along the Mediterranean, Turkey is often over-looked in favour of more traditionally popular spots like Italy and Greece. The preconceived notions about what to expect in the country are often as much of a deterrent as any other factor, but it’s time to give Turkey a chance—after all, there are few places in the world that embrace tourism and treat visitors as well as the Turkish people do. Not to mention the country itself is full of rich layers of history, culture, gastronomy and more that will invariably keep you coming back. Travellers who choose Turkey as their holiday destination will find a surprisingly unspoiled and innocent country full of natural wonders and friendly faces to guide them through their time in Turkey.
Things to see and do
Take a hot air balloon over Cappadocia
Take to the skies in the early morning via hot air balloon for a unique and breathtaking view of the landscape of Cappadocia in central Anatolia. You’ll see the bizarre-looking, other-worldly peaks and valleys dotted with small villages—sometimes built directly into the rock formations. Head out early in the morning for a sunrise view unlike any other and wave to your ballooning neighbours as you watch the sun crawl across the terrain.
Visit Bodrum
Bodrum is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, or more specifically, the Mausoleum of Mausolus. The Mausoleum was built between 353 and 350 BC by Greek architects Satyros and Pythius of Priene. The finished structure was such a triumph aesthetically for the time that it was identified by Antipater of Sidon as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was then destroyed by successive earthquakes in the 12th and 15th centuries. Today you can visit the site of the Mausoleum, where just the foundation remains and is joined by a small museum detailing the history of this spot.
Discover Istanbul’s Old City
Istanbul is the most popular tourist destination in Turkey and within the borders of the city lies a historical jackpot. Istanbul’s Old City was the capital of the Christian Byzantines and later on the Islamic Ottoman Empire. As such, the remains, history and artefacts from this part of Istanbul have played a pivotal role in telling the stories of the city and its place in history. Today, you can visit the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the city’s archaeological museum and the Aya Sofya Museum for a modern take on the history of the Old City.
Relax in a Turkish bath
Take a break from all the sightseeing by relaxing in a steaming hot Turkish bath. Locally they are known as a hammam and while you are there, you can get a scrub and a massage as well. The most popular historic baths in Istanbul are the Galatasaray Hammam in Beyoğlu and Cağaloğlu Hammam in Sultanahmet. Don’t fret if you can’t get to these baths, local establishments are often just as good.
Hike the Kaçkar Mountains
If you prefer adventure to history, head into the wild Kaçkar mountain range in the north-eastern part of Turkey. Here you’ll be able to trek through trails of dense forests and wide open pastures before you reach the real challenge. To reach the highest altitudes, you’ll be climbing almost 4000m though these higher routes which are only open in the summer since the extreme winter weather prevents anyone but the experts from continuing up the mountains.
Seasonality
While technically Turkey has seven distinct climate regions, there are two general ones that you should really pay attention to. The coastal cities tend to have mild winter temperatures and very hot, humid summers. The inland cities and areas tend to have extremely cold winters and brutally hot summers. Head to Turkey in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for the perfect sightseeing weather in Istanbul and along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts.
Travel tips
- There are no required vaccines to enter Turkey, though if you are travelling off the beaten path within the country, you may want to consider an anti-rabies jab as rabies is endemic in Turkey.
- Turkey is generally a safe country to travel in, though it’s always smart to be cautious and keep track of your belongings when travelling through crowded places or markets.
- General upkeep to the streets and buildings seems to be a low-priority for the country so beware of pits in the pavement, unsafe driving habits, a lack of oversight for public safety—especially if you are travelling with little kids.
- Australians visiting Turkey for tourism or business for less than 90 days in a 180 day period are required to obtain an e-visa. It’s simple: apply, make a payment, and download your e-visa. The visa itself costs around A$70.
Medical care in Turkey is pretty variable, though as you may expect the world-class hospitals are the most expensive to use. To ensure you’ll get the best care and the most help in the off-chance you were to become ill, always travel with a travel insurance policy in your back pocket.