Turkey’s history of human habitation goes back 25.000 years. The Hittits, Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans as well as a great number of other civilizations rose and fell here, leaving behind a multitude of important historical sites.

There is so much to see and savor in Turkey, that go beyond the famous historical landmarks and architectural wonders.

Istanbul, the historic and cultural capital of Turkey, is the only city in the world that sits on two continents that you can cross by ferry, Europe and Asia.

Its powerful location is the main reason why Roman and Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans ruled the world for more than 1.600 years.

In Sultanahmet, the historic center of Istanbul, look for the Million pillar, used as a marker for the starting point of all roads leaving Constantinople in the Byzantine era.

Today, it marries a myriad of cultures together in a truly magical and utterly unique visitor experience.  According to the Turkish traditions, the foreigner who comes to their door is considered a “guest sent by God”, and welcoming visitors is a cornerstone of Turkish hospitality, which extends to cats and dogs that are lovingly cared for by locals in the streets of Istanbul.

Traditional Turkish breakfast.

Start your day with the quintessential Turkish breakfast, with a variety of eggs, cheese and breads, honey, olives, tomatoes, cucumber, and freshly brewed Turkish tea.

The oriental skyline of domes and minarets will lure you, while you get lost among the fascinating cobblestone streets of Sultanahmet, and the colorful neighborhood of Balat and Fener, where echoes and scents of the past mix with the voices and smells of today.

Succumb to the tradition of the Turkish bath, the Hamam, an important part of daily life in Istanbul since Roman and Byzantine times, but equally important today, as a social hub, where you can “scrub the day off” while indulging in socializing with your friends, or solitary contemplation, wrapped in dreamy vapors.

Turkish coffee.

Once you’ve emerged all cleaned up and relaxed, it’s time for a Turkish coffee and pastry, another important part of social life in Turkey. While the first cup of coffee in the history of mankind was brewed in Ethiopia, it was during the 16^th century ottoman Empire that the coffee shop culture started, as a meeting place for travelers and merchants, philosophers, artists and high level bureaucrats.

Try something different than baklava, choosing from a vast array of deserts with origins from all of Turkey’s regions:  Şekerpare, the little almond based cakes drenched in sugar syrup, Revani, a syrupy semolina cake fragranced with rose water, or Künefe, composed of two layers of crunchy kadayıf shredded pastry with a thick layer of melted cheese in between and soaked with sugar syrup.

In Beyoğlu, look for the buildings that carry the history of the past on their beautiful Art Nouveau facades, wander around Sishane, Galata, Cukurkuma, and Cihangir, for great designer and antique shops, vintage and traditional neighborhood stores, and immerse in the buzzing energy of Beşiktaş, and work up your appetite for dinner.

As with coffee, dinner time in Turkey is more than satisfying your appetite, it’s mostly a social event, an invitation to conversation, and a chance to pour your heart out while raki flows around the mezze plates.

Visit a traditional meyhane, or a more modern version of it, in Asmalımescit area, to get a real feel of the Turkish dinner culture.

You need to spend at least 5 days to fully appreciate what Istanbul has to offer, but the rest of Turkey is full of surprises too.

The well-known and established areas of the Aegean coast, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Antalya, and Marmaris will welcome you all year round with sunshine and crystal-clear waters, vast and pristine beaches, idyllic harbors, and a base for exploring the lesser known, but equally appealing Şirince, Bademli, the unspoilt nature of Datça, and the fascinating ancient cities of Bergama, the ancient Phocaea, Foça, Ayavalik, ancient Anatolia Assos, Ephesus -once the commercial center of the ancient world, Ayidin, where the archaeological site of Aphrodisias and the ancient city of Magnesia can be visited, down to Bodrum antique theatre, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, and the Museum of Underwater Archaeology. Further South you will reach the province of Denizli Pamukkale, to visit the old historical artifacts and ruins of Hierapolis, but also the healing springs and the iconic thermal pools.

Inland Turkey, the rich architectural history and the genuine warmth and generosity of its people, will keep you occupied for days. Horse riding and hot-air ballooning over the fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia is a must in this area, as well as exploring the unique historical and cultural heritage of underground cities and rock-cut churches.

Did you know Turkey is also a great place for skiing and winter sports, as it is covered by high terrain with forested peaks and mountain ranges. Visit the popular ski resorts that spread from the Black Sea through Cappadocia to Southeast Anatolia, to combine culture and sports in Uludağ, Erciyes, Kartalkaya, Kartepe, Palandöken and Sarıkamış.

If golf is your passion, Tukey is increasingly becoming a top golf destination that combines luxury accommodation with some of the most interesting and varied, most state-of-the-art courses, and the stunning seascape as a backdrop.

But apart from the epic history and art that unravels before your eyes on every corner, the stunning nature of the beach and the mountains, the unparalleled architecture, the rich and varied gastronomy, the mystical atmosphere, come to Turkey for the true hospitality.

You are God’s guest!