Raahe Guide Raahen Esittely
Turkey is a country of diversity, wonderful landscapes, warm hospitality and a wide variety of vacation destinations and activities for every taste. Turkey is a country that spans two continents, where east meets west and 10,000 years of civilization, Turkey is a treasure trove of history and culture. Its area is about 779,452 square kilometers, the population is about 84.8 million, and the official language is Turkish.
Turkey stretches from the Anatolian Peninsula in Southwest Asia to the Balkans to Southeast Europe. Turkey borders the Aegean Sea in the west, the Black Sea in the north and the Mediterranean Sea in the south. Turkey has 8 neighboring countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Greece and Syria.
Attractions in Turkey
Turkey is the land of awe-inspiring landscapes, splendid beaches, flavorful food, and attractive architecture that combines Ottoman, Roman and Greek styles. If you plan to travel to this country, here are some top attractions to add to your bucket list.
Cappadocia
With its moonscape rock formations and colorful hot-air balloons soaring through the sky, Cappadocia is one of the most photogenic places in Turkey. The region is dominated by tall cone-shaped pinnacles and cliff ridges with rock-cut architecture that stretches back to the Byzantine era.
Travelers come here to admire the surreal landscape and take photos. Also, Cappadocia is a popular air-balloon destination. You can take an air-balloon ride to explore the fantastical rock formations from above. Another fun thing to do is riding a horse at sunset, taking in the beautiful valley panoramas.
Hagia Sophia
The famous Hagia Sophia Mosque is one of Istanbul’s and Turkey’s stellar attractions. Built in 537 CE, it has retained the title of the world’s largest church for 1,000 years. When the Ottomans took over, they added several minarets, turning the church into a mosque. The sumptuous frescoes found inside are a surviving reminder of the Byzantine Empire power and grandeur.
Antalya
With a myriad of sunny beaches and pretty cityscape, Antalya is a haven for holidaymakers from across Europe. Antalya beaches, including the province ones, are famous for their breathtaking scenery, large size, and a multitude of amenities such as seafront cafés, snack bars, hotels, and water sports operators offering jet skiing, parasailing and kayaking.
The city is a tourist attraction itself. Walking along the atmospheric cobbled alleyways lined with Ottoman mansions is a perfect pastime. The Antalya Museum boasts a stunning collection of marble statues of Greek Gods and Roman Emperors. A popular day trip from the resort city is the Roman amphitheater of Aspendos with 15,000 seats.
Ölüdeniz
Turkey has many picturesque beaches, but this one is hard to beat. Ölüdeniz has conquered the heart of beachgoers, photographers and nature lovers with its hypnotic blend of turquoise and blue water, white-sand beach and lush green hills. Due to its postcard beauty, the place is popular with paragliders.
The Bosphorus
One of world’s vital waterways, the Bosphorus Strait is the natural border between Europe and Asia. It plays a crucial role for trade by connecting the Black Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. You can take a ferry cruise or private boat to explore the Istanbul shorefront. As you cruise along the strait, you will see Ottoman palaces, lavish mansions and the mighty Anadolu Fortress.
Istanbul bazaars
Turkey’s main shopping hub, Istanbul boasts a large number of bazaars with all kind of goodies. Walking around these buzzing markets goes beyond the commercial part, being a great sightseeing experience and a chance to familiarize yourself with the Turkish culture. The most famous shopping destination is Grand Bazaar where you can find Turkish carpets, handcrafted golden jewelry, textiles, ceramics, lamps and perfumes.
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar offers a wide selection of aromatic spices, dried fruit and nuts. Istanbul is packed to the brim with shops offering traditional sweet food like lokum and helva, and intense Turkish coffee. There are also plenty of restaurants and street food stalls where you can indulge in local savory delicacies.
