TURKEY: Crossroads of Civilizations - The Dream Land to Have Unforgettable Vacations

Everyone who dreams to experience anabout a decade ago.
unforgettable vacation to remember must go toIf you missed this opportunity, don't worry! You can
Turkey. Once you have a vacation in Turkey youattend the next performances of the opera and
would most probably want to go there over andballet festivals in this beautiful Roman theater
over again as most of its tourists do.Aspendos, in the month of June every year. When
You might need to get some information beforeyou are there remember to visit the small museum
going there, so here it is: Turkey is a land surroundednext to the stage where you can see some of the
by seas on three sides.masks and clay tickets used in the Roman times.
Turkey is a natural bridge linking Asia to Europe.Nearby also stand the ruins of a basilica, an agora and
On the North Western corner of the Country youthe largest aqueducts in Anatolia, built by Romans.
can visit magnificent Istanbul, the city extending onThe Northern region of Turkey stretches along the
the two sides of the Bosphorus Strait, offering aBlack Sea. This is a land of legendary Amazon
natural beauty and mixing the modern times withwomen. This region is covered by Hazelnut bushes
remains of far-reaching history, the famous cityand tea groves. The Black Sea coast is a paradise for
which was the capital city of the Ottoman Empire forvisitors who prefer to have vacations at places a
hundreds of years.little away from crowds and noise of big cities.
The internal Marmara Sea, and the Uludag MountainTurkey offers numerous natural wonders, among
which is a popular ski center are also in the Norththem are the unique scenery of travertines of
Western part of Turkey.Pamukkale (cotton castle) and the ancient city of
Izmir is the largest city located on the sea-coast ofAphrodisias with its beautifully carved statues, which
Aegean Sea which lies along the western coast ofare among the best of the ancient world.
Turkey.In the central Anatolia, the amazing moonlike
Here there are many peaceful bays and modernlandscape of Cappadocia with its houses and early
holiday resorts, such as Kusadasi and Bodrum on thischurches carved in the huge rocks offering
coastline.unforgettable sceneries. Visitors would remember this
The remnants of the famous ancient city of Troy lievolcanic region with its fairy chimneys wearing rock
along the northern and central areas of this Aegeanhats, showing different formations in different parts
region. In fact, there are 9 Troys, all were built onof this vast region, and cities carved up to ten or
top of the older one in different periods of history.more flats under ground, with surprising natural
You know the famous wooden horse and the loveventilation systems.
story of beautiful Helen and Paris lived in Troy whichThis is a place offering modern facilities, but seeming
caused wars in this region in ancient times. You canas an enchanting place out of this world. Tourists can
see the replica of the historic horse here.also enjoy ballooning, seeing the story-book sceneries
Pergamon stands on this region's high mount.and volcanic rock formations in many amazing shapes
Ephesus, called as Asia Minor in Roman times, famousfrom above with a bird's eye.
with its gorgeous library which still stands here, andTurkey has many mountains and rivers perfect for
enormous open-air theatre, houses Ephesus peoplewhite water rafting. Koprucay near Antalya and
lived in, harbor and other remains attracting greatCoruh near Erzurum are top choices of experienced
number of tourists every year. The most importantrafters.
site to visit in this region is the last home of VirginIn the Eastern and central parts of Turkey there are
Mary on Bulbul Dagi near Ephesus. This holy shrine ispopular ski centers. Gorgeous remnants of statues of
visited by tens of thousands of Christians andgods, godesses and kings on the Nemrut Mountain,
Muslims every year. The nuns serving there provideremains from the Commagene Kingdom reigned in
visitors with the information they need about thisthis region in the 1st Century B.C., then fully owned
shrine.by Roman Empire, are also among the important
The grave of St. John the Evangelist who came totourist attractions in Turkey.
Ephesus with St. Mary in her last years is in thisTourism has been playing an important role in
region, too, not very far from St. Mary's last home.Turkey's recent and very rapid economic and social
The remains of Priene on its mountain side is anotherchanges. The number of tourists visiting Turkey has
location of ancient times attracting hundreds ofa steady increase, growing from one million in 1975 to
thousands of visitors year after year.annual 21 million in 2005. Eventually, the annual tourism
In the south, Mediterranean coast stretches to therevenues have dramatically increased in 30 years,
Aegean Sea along the South Western part ofespecially in the last 10 years.
Turkey, mixing the green pine forests with theNow Turkey has world class modern tourism facilities,
beautiful bright blue color of the sea, giving thisoffering a wide variety of hotels and resorts,
spectacular sea-shore its name; the Turquoise Coast.accommodations ranging from small and clean rooms,
Numerous small islands and coves along the coast,some located in volcanic caves, to 4-5 star luxury
with breathtaking pristine sandy beaches make thishotels, including beautiful Golf and Beach Resorts in
seacoast ideal for sailing and yachting. Actually, youAntalya and Belek region, and in other popular regions
can find numerous yacht charter bureaus therealong the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea coasts of
offering crewed yachts and yacht vacations alongTurkey.
the charming Turquoise Coast.Turkey offers the most inexpensive vacations
You might want to visit the historic city of Antalyawithout sacrificing quality. In other words, you will
which is located at the centre of the Turquoisehave an unforgettable dream vacation in Turkey
Coast, under spectacular coastal mountains. The oldenjoying world class quality on almost everything
city situated on a hill top overlooking a busy harbor.from start to the end, at the lowest prices in the
In Antalya you can ski on mountain tops in theworld.
morning and swim in the Turquoise waters at aIt is worth to visit Turkey, enjoy not only sun and
pristine beach in the afternoon the same day.swim, but also many other outstanding attractions,
Near the eastern part of the city, 18km from Antalyanatural wonders and others including two of the
lie the ruins of another ancient city, Perge, which wasseven wonders of the world, historic places carrying
an important city in Pamphylia, a Hittite city aroundthe atmosphere and remains of ancient times to us,
1,500 B.C. It's known that St. Paul stopped here onsecretive holy shrines, temples, agoras, aqueducts,
his way to Rome in 46 A.D.kingdoms, palaces; then coming to the modern times,
You would also visit the restored remnants of theluxury hotels and resorts, beautiful golf resorts, beach
magnificent Roman theater Aspendos nearbyresorts, ski centers, white water rafting, ballooning,
Antalya, built by the renowned Roman architecthiking, walking, backpacking, modest and clean
Xenon on the 2nd Century, A.D. with a capacity ofaccommodations, warmest hospitality and smiling
an audience of 15,000 people, still famous for itsfaces of local people, and much more.
outstanding acoustics, and still hosting opera andNo wonder millions of tourists and guests in growing
ballet festivals, and similar performances every year.numbers are rushing to this dream land to have
You should have attended Verdi's superb opera AIDAdream vacations every year. Visit Turkey now and
when performed in this gorgeous Aspendos theaterenjoy!