Turkey

Turkey is a country that serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia and is also one of the most visited countries in Europe. It has been part of different empires: Ottoman, Roman, and Byzantine. This provides a cultural mixture that makes it unique in the world. Istanbul is probably the dream of every traveler. The meeting point of the occidental and oriental cultures, Istanbul was established in 660 BCE and was known as Constantinople before the Ottomans conquered the city. No traveler to Turkey will skip Istanbul. The city has a unique mixture of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, tasty middle eastern food, nice weather, and lots of friendly cats and dogs freely wandering across the city. Travelers interested in history in particular visit the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, the Cappadocia rock valleys, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, the ruins of the former Armenian capital Ani and much more. A huge share of the total number of annual tourists traveling to Turkey goes there to spend their vacations in one of the numerous luxury hotels which you can find in most of the bigger cities.

Turkey is unique in the world, and incomparable. Take time to discover it and be surprised by the beauty and richness of this country. Ordering a meze is a great way to try a few things in one swing, with pita bread and flavorsome dips to equal the perfect combination of flavors and texture. Then there are the beautiful beaches, which until recent years, have remained somewhat of a tightly held secret by their locals. Then there are the Turkish baths, archaeological sites, epic museums, markets, and most importantly, the friendly locals who are more than happy to show off their heritage, culture, and customs. Some of Turkey’s most beautiful landscapes are Patara beach and Lake Egirdir. It also offers a vibrant city life in its capital, Istanbul, the old capital of the Byzantine empire.

• International tourist arrivals: 45.7 million visitors/year in 2020