Hoşgeldini! - Welcome to Turkey! The Republic of Turkey is surrounded on three sides by the sea, where the sun dances off the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and welcoming smiles abound. Turkey is a delight to the senses; delicate tea cups whisked through the streets and trays of simits held aloft on vendors' heads. The cry of the water vendor and the fish monger, mixed with the languages of a dozen nations at once and the inviting scent of a spice market a thousand years old. Have your fortune read in the bottom of your coffee cup and enjoy the haunting notes of the ney flute. Admire the colors of Iznik tiles, like semi-precious stones, their traditional designs an age-old architectural element still current today. Turkey is a mosaic of East and West. No other country has been such a pivotal focus of history and culture for two continents and thousands of years. Once the capital of the world, its empires spanned centuries. Thirteen civilizations trace their fascinating history across this country like an artisan's illumination, their cultures interwoven as colorfully as its traditional carpets. Turkey is as intricate and surprising as the beauty of its marbled papers, as magical as its monuments. A hypnotic blend of standing stone monuments, rising minarets, flashing tiles and Byzantine gold, Turkey holds two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the world's first cathedral at St. Peter's cave. It minted the first coins, and is the site of the legendary city of Troy. A millennium and more of rich cultural life has inspired an incomparable cuisine. Heady scents of kebab, baklava, dolma, meze and pilaf waft from restaurants and homes. You will feel like a guest of the Sultan's court whether at a local restaurant, one of the many tea houses that dot the country, a small kebab stand or quaint fishing village. From high granite peaks through lush, fertile valleys, rugged coastlines and breathtaking beaches the landscapes of Turkey are incredible. Sea turtles populate the warm waters off Turkey's beautiful beaches, while angora goats roam the arid high plateaus and eagles soar in the high mountain peaks. The opportunities for travelers are as diverse as the landscapes; trekking, skiing, swimming and diving, rafting and spelunking for the adventurous, touring fabled historic sites, local villages or hot springs, taking a gulet sailing cruise or visiting its bustling cities. Istanbul is… More