Tourism in turkey

Turkey's largest city and one that brings the East to the West, Istanbul is making a name for itself as a popular city break destination of the world. The city attracts millions of tourists every year who enjoy the bustling vibes, exotic ambience, and sheer size of the region to explore. More often than not, first time visitors find themselves returning every year, and some even purchase a second home in the city - giving you a perfect place to getaway to enjoy some Turkish culture. So, for those who already know Istanbul or have been before - what is there to do? after the touristic sites? Actually, in this blog we will show you that there is a lot to put on your bucket list, from the less well-known attractions to places where the locals hang out - have a read.

A country so diverse and widespread, Turkey hosts over a thousand festivals every year - giving you a wealth of options to explore and embrace some Turkish culture while you are here. As expected, summer is prime festival season. While cosmopolitan Istanbul is the cultural centre of it all with several hundred festivals in the city alone, you can also venture out to destinations in Cappadocia or the sunny Aegean coast for a range of festivals and sunny delights to enjoy. We’ve narrowed down the list of options to give you our highlights of what to expect and what to put on your list to visit this summer. From live improvised jazz, oiled-up men wrestling like gladiators, and fun activities - these are just a few offerings in a mixed lineup of events

Stretching an impressive 500km, the Lycian Way is the perfect trek for those adventurous souls out there looking for something incredible to do whilst in Turkey - a hands on opportunity to really get up close and personal with mother nature. Named after the Lycia peninsula where it begins, the trail was officially marked in 1999 by the Turkish government from the Southern East coast of Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea - a true long distance trail to test even the most hardened of hikers. Get those hiking and trekking boots at the ready, the Tekke peninsula awaits, just remember to bring your camera with you, the views and photo opportunities are spectacular.

Planning a trip to Fethiye anytime soon? Make sure you do not miss out on the Nomadic Museum, dedicated to the Yoruks. Local Turk, Enver Yalcin realised the importance of the historical nomadic tribes of this region in Turkey and decided not to let their rich culture go unnoticed by the tourists and travellers who come to this part of the world. He developed the first museum of nomads in Turkey, with particular homage to the Yoruk nomads of his native Fethiye area. You won’t want to miss this important cultural time capsule if you are in the Fethiye region - a must see for anyone who appreciates history.

Turkey's largest city, Istanbul is home to many gems and beautiful sites that attract millions every year to the city. However, not many are as grand as Topkapi Palace - designed and built by Sultan Mehmed II in 1459 and completed some six years later, the palace, when it was completed, was surrounded by five kilometres of walls and occupied an area of 700,000 square metres - a stunning site back then, and still today. Any visit to Istanbul is an empty visit unless you take in the breathtaking Topkapi Palace. Here is our total guide to getting the most out of your visit. 

Anyone who has been to Turkey will know one thing - Turks know how to cook, and cook well. From authentic Turkish dishes to extravagant modern twists in cuisine, food in Turkey whets the appetite as much as any dish from around the world. In this blog we present our top five Turkish food tours in Istanbul, as well as a range of different places where you can try your hand at learning how to cook in Istanbul and prepare your very own Turkish dishes. Put your chef hat on and prepare to feel very hungry, an empty stomach is not advised when reading this. 

Who hasn't dreamed of packing up and roadtripping around the world for a period of time? With over 300 days of sunshine per year, Fethiye is arguably Turkey's top tourist destination - why not spend your summer uncovering some of the hidden gems and landmarks that this fascinating and diverse part of Turkey has to offer? Our guide to travelling around Fethiye will not leave you disappointed, in fact, it just might leave you heading for the airport this summer. Take a look at our best things to do in Fethiye and beyond with this comprehensive guide to roadtripping around Fethiye. 

Every true traveller or backpacker knows that there is no better way to really see the world than through the window of a train - taking in the scenery and getting up close and personal with views that you could never witness from a plane. With some of the best routes throughout Europe, in this blog we present the five best sleeper trains in Europe, taking you from Spain, to Scotland, from Turkey to Italy and Russia. As Paul Theroux once said: 'You never know what to expect on a train.' - we love travelling by train, what about you? Have you experienced the world via a sleeper train? 

Taking a look at Turkey's weird and wonderful, here are 11 travel destinations you might not have heard of, but are definitely more than worth a visit when in Turkey. From the spooky, to the weird, to the wonderful, there are many Turkish gems to gaze upon or experience in this vast nation. With many historic and ancient monuments, there was bound to be some with more than just a back story that attracts the tourists every year. Before you read, write down some of the weird destinations you know in Turkey or have experienced first hand when in Turkey and see if your list matches up with ours - or if we have left anything out! Let us know. 

One city, two continents. Centre of the old Roman Empire, the Byzantine fortress and playground of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace for over five centuries. Ranked the top tourist destination in the world by the TripAdvisor based on reviews of travellers themselves, ahead of London and Rome.  Yes, you got it, it's Istanbul, where east meets west, where you shop till you drop, where the heartbeat of ancient civilisations stand side by side with the new towering skyline made of steel and glass, all in perfect harmony. It's 'Istanbul we love you' according to over 36 million who visited Turkey in 2013

A tradition dating back more than 300 years, Turkish Hamams are found all over the country and enjoyed by millions of people every year. Offering the ultimate in relaxation and an intimate experience in bathing, the Turkish bath has historically been not only a place to cleanse and ease muscle pain, but a core nucleus to social life in Turkey - a place where political opinions were aired, news is shared, and more. A trip to Turkey without experiencing the pleasure of the Hamam would be a trip wasted. A guide to Turkish Hamams and what makes these amazing baths just that - amazing. 

How many celebrities can you think of that have visited or travelled to Turkey in the last year alone? Want to know where they all go? We have the answer: Bodrum. From Royals, to Models, to global superstars, our who's who guide to celebrities in Bodrum will leave you wanting to catch the next flight out to this sunny Turkish peninsula. From mega yachts, to huge private villas and luxury escapes, join us on an adventure through Bodrum looking at luxury living at its finest - be warned though, you might get a serious case of envy after reading this blog.