Resting between Europe and Asia, or Europe and the Middle East, Turkey has long been a nation of two worlds. The Anatolian peninsula, which comprises most of modern Turkey, has been continuously inhabited for longer than almost any other region in the world. From the ancient city of Troy to the Roman and Ottoman Empires, Turkey's long history as a nation that bridges East and West makes it a fascinating place to visit for anyone interested in world history. Meanwhile, for those less interested in history and more interested in lounging on the beach, Turkey will definitely satisfy these visitors, too.

Culture and History

To speak of Turkey's rich culture, it is impossible not to first speak of it as a meeting point between the world's three biggest monotheistic religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Turkey is one of the Middle East's only remaining nations that is both predominantly Muslim and secular at the same time, and many Turks are working hard to keep it that way. In Turkey, you'll find both beautiful, ancient mosques, as well as home to many famous Christian landmarks, and a small Jewish community. Two of the most famous sites are the Hagia Sophia, at one point the largest church in the world, and the Selimiye Mosque, the masterpiece of the Ottoman Empire's most famous architect.

There are many more ancient churches and beautiful mosques to be found in Turkey, but faith is not its only hallmark of culture. Everyone who visits Turkey with any interest in world history should definitely make a stop in Istanbul. At different points in history, Istanbul was the site of the capital of Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. Home to 12.8 million people who live in a sort of blender of times, cultures, and faiths, Istanbul is the fifth largest city proper in the world. In 1985, Istanbul's historic areas were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Turkey's Resort Areas

Turkey isn't a land just for fans of high-brow museums and explorations into world history. Honeymooners, mountain climbers, bird watchers, yachters, and divers also deeply appreciate all that Turkey has to offer. Here's a quick look:

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<li><b>Honeymoons and Beach Getaways:</b> Ah, the warm, calm Mediterranean Sea. Turkey has beautiful beaches, classy resorts, and plenty of places to have a fantastic honeymoon. Holidaymakers will also enjoy shopping during their relaxing visit to one of Turkey's coastal resort towns. From gorgeous carpets to silk scarves and dresses, shoppers will find Turkey delightful.
<li><b>Eat:</b> While you're in Turkey, don't forget to eat. Combining Central Asian, Mediterranean, and Arabic influences, Turkey's cuisine will satisfy even the hardest-to-please food connoisseur.
<li><b>Dive:</b> Scuba divers from around the world come to Turkey for diving in the Mediterranean.
<li><b>Sport:</b> Turkey's inland area is dotted with ski resorts, which become popular with foreign visitors from October through April.
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The above attractions barely scratch the surface when it comes to Turkey, which overall is exotic enough to give holidaymakers the feeling of being far from home, yet European enough to still be comfortable. Without a doubt, Turkey should be near the top of the list for any globe-trotting traveller.