It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a strictly travel piece. (It’s been awhile since I’ve travelled!). After watching a mini-series on the Ottomans and becoming acquainted with tidbits from the Topkapi Palace on the t.v. show Museum Secrets I was inspired to repost my travel primer for Turkey entitled Turkish Delights.

WHERE IS IT?

• Turkey is located on 2 continents. Three per cent of it is in Europe while 97% is part of Asia. The Asian part is known as Anatolia.

WHY GO THERE?

• History! See the ancient sites of Troy, Ephesus, Pergamon, Mount Olympus…
• Relaxation! Enjoy the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea and Mediterranean coasts.
• Culture! Check out the many mosques and museums of Istanbul.
• Eat drink and be merry! Enjoy the food, coffee, and  Turkish arts and crafts.
• The unusual! See the heads of Mt. Nemrut and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.

WHAT IS IT?

• Turkey is a democratic and secular society. The majority of people are Muslim but others are free to practice whatever religion they like.
• The country is run based on the nationalism of Ataturk.

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE?

• The population of Turkey is about 70 million.
• The people considered to be ethnically Turkish emigrated from Central Asia.
• There are also a number of other groups living in Turkey including the Kurds and Roma people.

WHEN TO GO?

• Turkey has a varied terrain and therefore a varied climate. It can get quite cold with snow and be very hot depending on where you are in the country and what the time of year you are there.
• Generally spring and fall are ideal as the weather is decent and the crowds reasonable.

HOW TO GET THERE?

• Air: There are 2 international airports in Istanbul with connections to major cities around the world. Internal flights can also be done through domestic airports.
• Land: Turkey is joined by land to 8 countries and can be reached by car, bus or train. Come via Serbia, Hungary, Romania, Syria, Bulgaria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, whatever border is safe and open.
• Sea: Sail into Turkey from ports in Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Russia and the Ukraine.

HEALTH CONCERNS

• The usual precautions apply with food, climate and sanitation/hygiene.
• Routine vaccinations are recommended. Click here for a complete list.
• The southeastern part of Turkey is reported to have malaria. Click here for precautionary measures.

MOD CONS

• Wifi: Can be found many places and connection is generally good.
• Flush toilets: Abundant.
• ATMs: Plentiful.

Information compiled from Go Turkey and CDC. It is accurate at time of original publication (June, 2011).

THE 5 SENSES OF TURKEY

• Sight: the many minarets of the mosques; crimson poppies; turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea
• Sound: the call to prayer
• Taste: sweet, syrupy baklava; salty cheese borek; nutty simit
• Smell: freshly caught fish in the Golden Horn; sewage; cigarette smoke
• Touch: tightly woven kilim carpets; silk