Turkey is a dualistic country, where we find the ancient world and the contemporary side by side – East and West, Europe and Asia. Due to this, it becomes an impressive and must-see destination for those who enjoy history, culture, art, nature, gastronomy and so many other attractions and entertainment.
The country has approximately 78 million inhabitants and offers good infrastructure to move around internally, either by air or by land, with buses that connect the cities and trains that run for more than 780 thousand km of the territorial surface.

The most common destinations when thinking about Turkey are: Istanbul, a city of great political, economic and historical importance; Ankara, which is the capital and Cappadocia, famous for the beautiful balloon rides, plus the coastal areas like Antalya and Bodrum, with turquoise blue beaches, always listed among the most beautiful in the world. In addition, it has a rich geography, full of mountains and a Mediterranean climate, which allows a very hot summer. Turkey is divided into more than 300 cities, and some of them are worth exploring, see below some located alongside the sea, inland and in major centers of Turkey.

Coastal cities:
Dalyan: The city is linked to the Mediterranean by a canal that leaves the river Koycegiz, which allows a breathtaking landscape. The area still has fjords and small islands. The region is environmentally friendly, and turtles lay their eggs every year on the spot.

Kalkan: It’s a city full of history. It was once inhabited by fishermen, its port was once one of the most important in the region. Today it is a big tourist spot and welcomes many Brits.

Oludeniz: The Oludeniz Spa is famous for the Blue Lagoon (Blue Lagoon), a lake of crystal blue water that is in a preservation area. On the beach it is possible to take advantage of the paraglider flights and to practice water sports in the calm waters of the place.

Antalya: It is an ancient Turkish city, which became the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It currently has more than 900 thousand inhabitants. Its size makes it a busy life, full of restaurants and bars. Its past allows a walk through history, with visit to several ruins and constructions. The legend of the city tells that King Attalus II in the year II a. C ordered his soldiers to find paradise on earth, and then found Antalya.

Islands:
Located in the east of the country is Akdamar Island. In it is the cathedral of the Holy Cross, an Armenian temple built between the years 915 and 931, having a sight not to be missed.

Inside:
Manavgat: It is in the province of Antalya, and is cut by a river of the same name. Along the way of the river you can find beautiful waterfalls, in addition, the city has a beautiful natural landscape, full of mountains and vegetation.

Simena: Inside the island of Kekova lies the ancient city of Simena, now Kaleköy. The city is one of the most beautiful historical sites in Turkey, because it is located underneath the remains of a crusader castle. Some of the ruins, dating from the 4th century BC were partially submerged by the Mediterranean due to several earthquakes that occurred 1800 years ago. In the city there is also the Lycian cemetery and large sarcophagi. Simena is a protected place, but it is possible to explore the graves and the semi-submerged houses by boat or canoe trips.

Metropolis:
Bursa is the fourth most populous Turkish city, surpassing one million inhabitants. Like every big city, you can find several dining options and try the delicious local food. During the winter snow lovers can ski in Uludag, a mountain located to the south of the city.

Mountains:
The Kaçkar mountains are great for those who enjoy sports and beautiful scenery. They are famous for trekking and are located to the east of the Black Sea, favoring the landscape full of glacial lakes and surrounded by a forest listed by UNESCO.

About Turkey:
Located in the Mediterranean, divided between the Asian and European continents and separated by the famous Strait of Turkey, its geography is rich and allows different climatic models, ranging from oceanic to Mediterranean. Turkey is bordered by 8 countries and has Ankara as the capital, while Istanbul is the largest city and main cultural and commercial center, housing the Grand Bazaar, a tourist hub that gathers more than 4,000 shops and several visitors a day. With a population of approximately 80 million, the country is home to several charming cities such as Bodrum, Antalya, Kusadasi, Göreme, as well as having an affectionate and hospitable people and rich gastronomy.

Photos: Reproduction