Europe : Turkey

Spanning Europe and Asia, Turkey has long been a cultural crossroads of two continents, inhabited by humans as early as 7,500 BC. Because of its strategic position surrounded by three seas—the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Aegean—it has also been a historical battleground where great civilizations rose and fell, most notably the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Although it is home to many ethnic groups, Turkey is primarily an Islamic nation with deep roots in Arabic traditions. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, successfully separated religion and state after the fall of the Ottoman Empire and today, Turkey thrives as a modern nation state.

Most of the country’s landmass is contained in the Anatolian peninsula and its geography varies widely, from the sparkling Turquoise Coast of the Mediterranean to the dramatic Taurus Mountains. Turkey holds boundless cultural and geological attractions for the visitor: the bazaars and minarets of Istanbul; Cappadocia’s “fairy” chimney peaks and hidden underground cities; Sufi mysticism and Whirling Dervishes. A temperate Mediterranean climate, fresh, sumptuous cuisine and friendly people add to the country’s appeal. Discover Turkey’s captivating cities, striking landscapes, cobalt blue waters, and unrivalled reputation for hospitality.

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