Overview
Turkey is the traditional meeting place between East and West with a history with a diverse and storied history. From the ancient Assyrians to Persians, then to the Greeks and Romans, to the ottoman empire, clearly there is a rich cast of influences that have all contributed to what the country is today. Yet, Turkey's influence reaches into each era of human civilization and many continents, from Europe, the Eurasian 'steppe,' and even China and Mongolia.
Turkey covers a total area of 783,562 square kilometers and is the third largest country in the Middle East. It is bordered by Bulgaria and Greece to the west, the Black Sea and Georgia in the north, the Mediterranean sea and Cypress in the south and Armenia and Iran to the east. While the country lies two great seas, it experiences a wide variety of climatic conditions. However, as a general rule, the country can be divided into three distinct geographical regions: the two coasts and the mountains of Anatolia and Georgia.
The country's total population is about 80 million people, comprising of 70% Turkish descent, 19% Kurdish, and 7-12% other ethnicities. Turkey has a history filled with conquest and domination by succeeding invaders. But that is what creates the amazing amalgamation of culture over time that has produced something as unique and set apart from the rest of the world as Turkey.
While in the west we are very familiar with our own cultural roots being heavily influenced by Greece and Italy, Turkey has so much it has to offer that informs the relationship between east and west. Discovering that for yourself is an unforgettable experience.
Top Experiences
Explore the Old and New Istanbul
Never has there been such a prolific city to have gone through drastic and monumental regime changes over the thousands of years it has existed and is still inhabited in the present day. Not only does it still stand, but the remnants of each time period and culture are still there to this day and provide their own contributing flavor to Istanbul. From the forts and historical structures of the "old city" to the hip neighborhoods and modern touches in the "new city." There is a bridge that separates the two that is representative of connecting the two worlds together, and really shows the kind of place Istanbul is- A sometimes chaotic, smattering of culture and traditions blended together to create something well seasoned, interesting, but strangely familiar.
Discover the ancient world bodrum
With a private guide, discover at your own pace the site where the The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the seven ancient wonders of the world is said to be in addition to a myriad of greek mythological tribute and ancient relics that reminisce of a bygone tradition. In the spirit of the ancient influence it is only fitting to mention that Bodrum is also believed to be the birthplace of Herodotus, the great historian of the ancient world where we gather a large amount of our understanding of that age when there were so few 'reliable sources.' If history is not your thing, Bodrum is one of the hippest coastal towns outfitted with a longstanding tradition of fine food and drink, with a coastline as beautiful -and yet unspoiled- as Greece.
Sail the south eastern coast on a Gulet
Embark on a gulet, a traditional turkish sail boat, to discover the fantastic underrated turkish mediterranean coast. Rather than a private transfer by car, you can just sail to your next stop, island hop, or even combine a trip to greece in addition to your stay in turkey.
Uncover the shadows of a Holy past
While most people think of Israel when they think of the history of the Abrahamic religions, Turkey, also known in the ancient world as either Asia Minor, or Anatolia, is home to many revered sites to Christianity and Islam, as well as being home to some of the oldest Jewish synagogues outside of Israel and Jordan. There is the ancient city of Ephesus, that has a whole book in the Bible devoted to it, still standing in a way that is rare to many other Biblical finds. There is the "Meryem Ana Evi" or "House of the virgin Mary," dear to Muslims and Christians alike that is believed to be the final residence of the Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus. In addition to these sites there are the architectural masterpieces of the Blue Mosque and another simply called "The Magnificent" that leave you in awe and bewilderment at the notion of 16th-17th century engineering.
Experience Cappadocia and Central Anatolia
From the classic balloon site to the ancient village built in the side of the mountains, Cappadocia has captivated visitors and seekers for centuries with its unique and characteristic. Much like other ancient towns set in the recesses of a mountainside, it's fascinating how the ancient builders and people seem to have an understanding of nature that will lead you to question how we as a modern population are often out of touch with the way nature flows. Cappadocia was also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Acts as well as having a letter written to the ancient Church in Cappadocia by the Apostle Peter. Before the Classical period, It was known to be a region resistant, and at times briefly triumphant to the great empires of Persia, Greece and Rome and before they even existed that region was the birthplace of the Hittite empire in the 13-14th Century BCE. There is much mystery surrounding the Turkic people and how widespread their influence really is, which is more than many people really know, seeing that they are connected to many tribes in the Eurasian Steppe as well as into mongolia. The Turkic people were a thorn in the side of many many great empires and would eventually produce the Hun empire lead by Atilla the Hun.
Top Accommodations
Amanruya | Bodrum
Inspired by traditional local architecture, Amanruya’s village layout features individual contemporary stone cottages, each with a private garden and marble swimming pool, and stunning views across the forests and coastline. Combining Mediterranean design elements with contemporary Turkish features and local materials, Amanruya’s serene stone structures flow into each other, creating an organic rhythm of spaces.
Soho House | Istanbul
Ignazio Corpi, a strong Genovese shipbuilder, instructed the construction of a splendid residence in 1873, which later carried the name of his family in the area known as the European side of Constantinople. The Italian architect Giacomo Leoni of the project brought most of the materials from Piemonte rose wood to door and window frames, to Carrara marble for places, from Italy.
Argos | Cappadocia
Located in the heart of Cappadocia on the site of an ancient monastery in the Old Uçhisar Village, Argos in Cappadocia has carefully restored the remains of historical dwellings, underground tunnels and caves to offer our guests not only an unsurpassed place to stay, but a unique perspective from which to view the incredible land that surrounds Argos. A stay in this boutique-luxury hotel is not only a step back in history, as it is a luxury escape.