A Turkish Delight is Within Reach
Turkey is one of the first countries to welcome Americans during the COVID pandemic. Turkey offers historical cities, port cities with great beaches, and destinations for adventure seekers. Here we are tell you about our thoughts as to the places in Turkey that will afford you a Turkish delight.
Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, is both exotic and approachable. It is loaded with ancient history (“Oh take me back to Constantinople”…) and was the former capital of four different empires (Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman). At the same time, Istanbul has become quite cosmopolitan and it mixes many different cultures and influences. Its restaurants, many of which are quite good, reflect these various cultural influences. Istanbul is where east meets west literally. It is the only city that falls within two continents, Europe and Asia. The Bosporus (a narrow channel of water connecting the Black and Marmara Seas) divides the two continents with Europe lying to the west, and Asia to the East. Highlights here include the famous Blue Mosque and Haja Sophia. Shoppers and bargain negotiators should also not miss the market.
Kusadasi
Kusadasi is a port on the Mediterranean Sea. It is primarily known as the home to Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient Greek city was built in the 10th century B.C. It is filled with centuries of history from Ancient Greece through the Holy Roman Empire and to Christianity. In addition to Ephesus, sweet wine enthusiasts also go outside to the neighboring village of Sirince to sample the town’s famous sweet fruit wines.
Bodrum
Located on a small but picturesque peninsula off the Aegean Coast of Turkey, Bodrum has developed a great deal since the 1960’s when it was just a fishing village. While Bodrum is now known as one of the most popular and gay-friendly summer destinations for jet setters from Turkey and abroad, it has a long history. The famous historian Herodutus and the speaker/teacher of rhetoric, Dionysius were born here. Bodrum was also said to be a destination for Antony and Cleopatra. Bodrum now mixes old historic sites, including its famous castle, with a metropolitan and bohemian resort vibe. It offers good restaurants, beaches with pretty blue water, and even a couple of gay nightclubs/bars. While the island looks Greek with its white washed buildings surrounded by purplish-pink bougainvillea, it still maintains a Turkish feel with bazaars and exotic character.
Cappadocia
This region in central turkey is arid and known for its cone-shaped rock formations called “fairy chimneys” and rock cut temples. Hot air ballooning is very popular here and a great activity for thrill seekers. The region is composed of four main cities: Navesehir, Kayseril, Aksaray, and Nigde.
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