Turkey is an excellent choice for a vacation because it offers the best of both worlds, in so many ways. It is both European and Eastern, both old and new, and its landscapes have been influenced by both man and nature. Turkey is a country that has something to offer every traveler, from the family looking for a comfortable beach resort to the intrepid adventurer who wants to explore a new culture.

It straddles the continents of Europe and Asia, and it has been under the influence of both cultures during its long and interesting history. Turkey is known as much for its Classical European ruins as for its beautiful mosques and links with the East.

Turkey offers both a long and varied history and a modern, thriving country. Istanbul is one of the most exciting cities in the world, with restaurants, museums, galleries and clubs that can rival any other major city. Modern Istanbul has a lot to offer a visitor who is interested in enjoying city life and it has a vibrant culture that is unlike that anywhere else in the world. However, Turkey also has a lot of historical interest to offer, with important historic sites that date from thousands of year ago all the way up to the present. Two of the Seven Wonders of the World were once located in Turkey, and although these wonders have now been destroyed, Turkey still has some amazingly well-preserved historical sites, buildings and monuments. Many date from ancient times, such as the city of Ephesus or the Nemrut Dagi burial mound. Others have more recent historical interest, such as the Gallipoli region, which was the scene of significant battles between Turkey and the ANZAC forces during the First World War.

Although Turkey has so much of historical and cultural value to interest the visitor, it is also rich in natural beauty. The landscapes in Turkey are incredibly varied. There are the hot volcanic springs at Pammukkale, the unique rock towers of Cappadocia, the beautiful sandy beaches along the Aegean coast where the warm summer sunshine can be enjoyed, and the mountainous inland regions where it is possible to ski during the winter months.

As well as being a country of contrasts, Turkey is also an excellent choice as a vacation destination because there is such a huge wealth of things to see, do an experience in this varied country. It is possible to go on a cruise along the coast, or to try your hand at sailing or other water sports. Scuba diving is popular in many coastal areas, such as Bodrum. Other popular activities include shopping in a local bazaar or market, sampling the local delicacies, including the many sweet foods such as Turkish Delight (known as lokum in Turkey), and even visiting a Turkish bath or hamam.

Turkey can be the perfect vacation destination, whatever type of holiday you want to enjoy. Its contrasting nature, which is a blend of different cultures and of modernity combined with tradition, is one of the best reasons for visiting Turkey, but the many individual attractions of the country also provide some great reasons for choosing Turkey as your destination.