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Introducing Turkey
Turkey might be the world’s most contested country. Its landscape is dotted with battlegrounds, ruined castles and the palaces of great empires. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad, and where the Ottoman Empire fought battles that would shape the world. History buffs can immerse themselves in marvels and mementos stretching back to the dawn of civilisation.
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Then again, if you want to simply unwind, spend an afternoon being pampered at a hamam, or let the warm waters off the Mediterranean coast lap at your toes. Adventure lovers can head east to Nemrut Daği National Park. Bon vivants need look no further than İstanbul, where the markets and bars are among the most stylish and atmospheric, and the mod Ottoman cuisine rates as the tastiest, in the world.
The country’s tumultuous history has left a deep legacy. People who’ve never had to suffer for an idea or fight for a patch of land can be overwhelmed by the passion of ordinary Turks for their country. But for ordinary Turks that passion finds its outlet, not in martial ardour, but in simple pleasures: family, food, music, football, and friendship. Turks have an inspiring ability to keep things in perspective, to get on with everyday life and to have a bloody good time in the process. Sharing their joy in the simple things is a highlight for every visitor.
Treat Turkey as that most quintessential of Turkish dishes, the meze, a table piled high with scrumptious treats. Throw away the menu, order a plate of everything and feast till you can’t go on. Afiyet olsun!
Make it happen
Ready to go? These recommended tours make it easy:
- take a journey to capture the diversity of landscapes and cultural pulse of Turkey
- visit Troy and Gallipoli on a tour from Istanbul
- take a boat down the Lycian Coast
Want more? Choose from a wide selection of similar trips in Turkey
Last updated: Oct 22, 2009
Tips & articles
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Europe’s 8 best night trains
17 November 2009
The midnight thump and clunk of railway carriages being uncoupled and shunted in a station somewhere...
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Istanbul’s bath houses: a step-by-step guide
2 October 2009
Want to steam away the travel grime in Istanbul’s famed hamams – but confused by the rituals?...
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Your favourite destinations September 3rd-11th
14 September 2009
You may have noticed around the Lonely Planet website that you can save your favourite places. The destinations...
Turkey
Our Top Picks For Turkey
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1 İstanbul
Visit Topkapî Palace, the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya. Haggle like mad in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar. Float along the Bosphorus. And that's just for starters
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2 Safranbolu
Pause to admire an unspoilt Ottoman townscape, then stay in Ottoman style in a restored wooden house
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3 Pergamum
Visit the Acropolis and Asclepion and wonder at the staggering temains of a once-great Anatolian Kingdom
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4 Gallipoli
Wander the Anzac battlefields and ponder the follies of war
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5 Ephesus
Marvel at the most extensive remains of a Roman city complete with a 25,000-seat theatre
Fast Facts about Turkey
- Longest river
Kızılırmak 1355km
- Surface area
779, 452 sq km
- Average annual salary
€3500
- Percentage of population supporting Turkey’s application to join EU
73% 2004, 43% 2006
- Population
70.4 million
- Highest mountain
Mt Ararat (Ağrı Dağı) 5137m
- Life expectancy
men 68, women 73
- ‘Biggest flag flown
‘Biggest flag flown at greatest height’. Held by Turks
- İstanbul’s ranking among world’s most expensive cities
18th
Related Groups
Our favourite Turkey Blogs (beta)
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Surprised by Selçuk
Blog: Joe's Trippin' - 23 November 2009
Far too often, the cities, in developing countries, which happen to be next to some important tourist attraction have the worst reputations. I can't count how many travellers complain about Agra, India.
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In the belly of Istanbul
Blog: Joe's Trippin' - 22 November 2009
We often think of the subterranean world which lies under all cities as a mere necessity for everyday life. Either that or an excellent setting for a horror film. Well, lying under the street of central Istanbul lies a example of excellence where simple adequacy would suffice.
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Round & round & round...
Blog: Joe's Trippin' - 21 November 2009
After nearly 2 decades on the road, I have become a little jaded. It's somewhat of a challenge for me to get excited about seeing another mosque or cathedral or fort or whatever. At the end of the day, it's just another church, etc. I do my best to find things unique to a country, things you can't find other places.
