Guide to Turkey With its important geographical position as a link between Europe and Asia, Turkey has, over the centuries, developed a unique blend of east and west. From early Roman rule, through Byzantine and Seljuk to the vast Ottaman Empire, Turkey has absorbed the best of some of histories greatest nations. This can still be seen today in its food, dance and architecture, and in its many ancient monuments. Highlights Istanbul - Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar Gallipoli - World War I Battlefields and Memorials Ancient Ruins - Troy, Ephesus, Bergamma, Antalya, Izmir, Natural Sites - Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Beaches - Fethiye, Ephesus, Bodrum, Antalya, Foca, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Assos,   Geography Although part of it sits in Europe, the vast majority of Turkey lies within Asia. The Asian part, Anatolia, consists of a huge central plateau, bounded to the north and south by mountain ranges, that rises eastwards towards the high Caucasus Mountains. To the southeast, bordering Syria, lies a wide, steppe-like plain. Turkey's 6000km + of coastline shelters some of the Mediterranean's most idyllic beaches. Weather & Climate Turkey's weather varies considerably both throughout the year and throughout the country. The interior experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters, becoming more severe the further east you go. The coastal regions generally receive more rainfall and milder winters. The wide southeast steppe has a desert-like climate with very hot summers and cold winters. Western Turkey: Spring (late March to May) brings average temperatures of around 15C before the weather gradually warms up with sunny days interspersed with rain showers. The summer (June to the end of October) is hot and sunny while the winter (November to March) is cool and wet. Western Turkey's beaches are some of the Mediterranean's finest in the summer. Central Turkey: Winter here (November to March) is cold with regular snowfalls. The weather warms in spring though it remains cold at night and first thing in the morning. Summer (June to September) is hot and dry here with temperatures reaching the mid 30°C's. Eastern Turkey: Summers here are also hot (from June to September) but by the end of October you can expect the first of the snows which can get quite heavy in the middle of winter (November to March), bringing quite severe weather conditions the further east you travel. Winter skiing can be good in places like Erzurum Bring light clothing during the summer and warmer clothing during winter and very warm and protective clothing if visiting the interior or mountain regions during winter.   Religions Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (Christian and Jews). Send me an email

Interior, Virgin Mary's House.

Touristic Information About Turkey Istanbul and Marmara Region General Palaces Mosques MuseumsMonuments Bosphorus Yachting Shopping Art, Culture and Amusements The Environs of Istanbul Izmit, Iznik, Bilecik Bursa Edirne Balikesir, Bandirma Canakkale (Troy) Behramkale (Assos) Antalya and Mediterrianean Region General Antalya Daily Excursions Kemer and Theme Park Kas Alanya Phaselis and Olympos Perge and Aspendos Cavus Bay, Kekova Kalkan, Patara, Xanthos Altinkaya, Manavgat, Side Koprulu Canyon Altinbesik Cave Izmir and Aegean Region General Izmir Museums Monuments Shopping Art, Culture and Amusements The Environs of Izmir Ephesus Foca and Bergama Mugla Bodrum Marmaris Gokova, Gulluk, Milas Datca, Knidos Koycegiz, Dalyan, Gocek Saklikent Fethiye and Oludeniz Aydin, Kusadasi Denizli and Pamukkale Manisa and Sardis Usak and Afyon Kutahya Ayvalik, Edremit Ankara and Central Anatolian Region General Ankara Places of Interest Places of Historical Interest and Monuments Museums Mosques Parks Arts and Culture The Environs of ankara Eskisehir, Sivrihisar Cankiri Corum, Hattusas Sivas Amasya, Tokat Kirsehir, Nevsehir Urgup Goreme Avanos Valleys and Underground Cities Kayseri Nigde, Aksaray Ihlara Valley Konya Beysehir, Catalhoyuk Karaman Nemrut and Southeastern Anatolian Region General Gap Project Adiyaman, Nemrut Gaziantep, Kahramanmaras Sanliurfa Diyarbakir Mardin, Midyat Batman Siirt, Sirnak Agri and Eastern Anatolian Region General Agri Erzincan Erzurum Kars Malatya Elazig and Tunceli Bingol and Mus Bitlis Van Turkish Cuisine The Story of Turkish Food: A Prologue A Nurturing Environment Kitchen of The Imperial Palace A Repertory of Food at The Great-Good Places Grains: Bread to Borek Grilled Meats "Meze" Dishes to Accompany The Spirits Vegetables Fishes and Other Seafood The Real Story of Sweet: Beyond Baklava Beverages: Beyond Turkish Coffee and Ayran Food Protocol for The Culturally Correct Turkish Carpets and Rugs History of Rug and Kilim Weaving Expansion And Development of Turkish Rug Techniques of Rug And Flatweave construction Materials used in Rug And Flatweave Weaving Dyes Used For Rug Yarns Their Characteristic Language of Motifs Cleaning and Daily Care Carpet Sizes Carpet Classification by Region BergamaAntalyaHerekeLadik KarsKayseriKozakKulaKulluce MilasTaspinarYahyaliYagcibedir