Antep is known for its delectable foods which are widely influenced by southern neighborhood cuisines. Antep is famous for its kabab known as Antep Kababi; it’s little spicy but too mouthwatering in taste. Ayran is must eat side dish with kabab. In addition to kabab, lahmacun, pistachios, spicey nuts, pistachios, hot desserts with one scoop ice cream at topping, etc are most famous delicacies here.

Those who are planning to visit Antep as part of their vacation in Turkey, must book their hotel accommodation before landing here. Online window shopping is the best way to bag cheap hotels deals in Turkey.

There are many interesting stories surrounding Turkey which adds to its charm for instance it is believed that Noah’s Ark landed on Mount Ararat which is Turkey’s highest point. Mount Ararat is located amongst the easternmost mountain ranges of Turkey. Turkey was built on the remains of the Ottoman Empire and one can find traces of the once great empire in Turkey. The minarets and dome style Islamic architecture are still very much visible in Istanbul. Those interested in ancient and medieval architecture are in for a treat in Istanbul.

Those interested in viewing the remains of Medieval Armenia must pay a visit to Ani, located in the easternmost part of the country. Ani was once the capital of the great Armenian empire. Once one of the most powerful cities, today Ani looks like a ghost town. Ephesus, located on the western part of Turkey, is an archeological site for Roman ruins and a major tourist attraction. Aphrodisias is another Roman ruin located in the western part of Turkey close to Ani. One can go to Ephesus from Selcuk. The city of Urfa has many old buildings which have a middle-eastern look to it. The bazaar of Urfa is a good place to shop for souvenirs.

While planning a visit to Turkey one must keep as many days in hand to visit Istanbul as possible. Istanbul is the cultural centre of Turkey. Located on the sides of Bosphorus, the city is a bridge between Asia and Europe both literally as well as metaphorically. Since it was the capital of the great Ottoman Empire, one can find many monuments of the period like the blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and many more. Besides art and architecture of medieval age, Istanbul is a thriving centre of art and culture in modern times as well. While in Istanbul, one must experience a bath in Hamam or a Turkish bath, Nargile or a Turkish water pipe, Bosphorus cruise and the Theodosia wall walk. The best way to explore Turkey is on foot. While in Turkey one must try the delicious Turkish cuisine, it is varied and can fit any budget.

A cheap holiday destination
One of the main reasons behind the popularity of Turkey holidays is that they are extremely affordable. With the Euro still higher than the Pound, travellers conscious of their budgets choose to travel to non-Eurozone countries such as Turkey. Flights to Turkey are also becoming increasingly cheaper according to a survey by Skyscanner, with flights to the coastal town of Dalaman ranking number 6 in the top 50 list of most popular cheap flights destinations. This makes it one of the best locations to travel to if you are looking to save money or are not sure if you could even afford a holiday.

Turkey, the perfect choice for beach holidays
Price aside, travellers booking Turkey holidays do so because of its alluring coastlines and idyllic beaches. The two main attractions are the Southern Aegean coast – where you will find plenty of sunshine, and the dramatic scenery of the Turquoise coast – home to the very popular resorts of Bodrum and Olu Deniz. With a reliable warm weather all year long – hot in summer and mild in winter, swimming season in Turkey can last longer than other European destinations, making it a great place to go for relaxing beach holidays. The more active travellers will not be disappointed, as they will be able to indulge in any of the many water-based activities available, such as sea-kayaking and diving. Whatever you are into, there are plenty of activities to choose from.

A fusion of two cultures
Turkey holidays offer the best of both worlds: the Turkish coast is only a 4 hour flight away from the UK and yet its unique culture, a fusion of European and Asian influences offers the exotic element some holidaymakers crave. Turkish cuisine in particular, is a flavourful mix of traditions from the Middle East, Mediterranean and West European regions. A typical Turkish summer meal would usually consists of fried vegetables (such as eggplant, potatoes, or zucchini) served with yoghurt, tomato sauce, sheep’s cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, melons, or summer helva (lighter and less sweet than regular helva).

Turkish architecture is also a reflection of a unique clash of Iranian and Islamic cultures. Sumptuous mosques and buildings with intricate ornaments can be found all around Turkey’s charming cities and villages.

With so many attractions, it is no wonder that UK travellers keep going back to Turkey. For your next holiday on the Turkish coast, book an annual travel insurance package from Columbus Direct and relax. You can also visit http://www.columbusdirect.com for more details.

Best Time to Visit

Turkey is a popular tourist spot. The peak season is the national holiday time from July to mid-September. It’s best to visit before or after this period in order to avoid the rush and also the mosquitoes. But heavy or medium snowfall between November and May could hamper your tour schedule in the eastern regions.

Places to Visit

It is often said that Ankara is worth visiting. The old quarter around the citadel offers the discerning traveler an insight into a three thousand year-old cultural history which is still in some respects alive today.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Situated below the citadel in Ankara, on its southwest side, this building was formerly used as a covered bazaar where clothes made from angora wool were traded. In 1951, this old building was converted into the world-famous Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which is also known as the Hittite Museum. The collection in this museum is divided into various departments. The museum has an enormous number of impressive and exceptional archeological finds from the Paleolithic period to classical times.

Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk (Anitkabir)

The Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk is one of the prime tourist spots in Ankara as well as in Turkey. The museum is named after Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Republic of Turkey. You can find a splendid blend of ancient and modern architecture in the construction of this museum building. The most popular attractions of the museum include a wax statue of Ataturk, his writings, personal items and other memoirs. The museum is also home to the modest little sarcophagus of Ataturk’s close friend and successor Ismet Inonu.

Lion’s Den Mosque

The Lion’s Den Mosque is a must-see Ankara landmark. The mosque is named after the lion statues in its walls. Lion’s Den Mosque is one of the best examples of Selçuk architecture in the whole city, featuring a polychrome ceramic mihrab and striking wooden support columns with marble Corinthian capitals atop.

Hisar

It’s worth spending a day wandering around Ulus, Samanpazari and the labyrinthine alleys of the city’s hilltop citadel. Once inside the citadel follow the road towards the centre until you pass through an archway. A view of the city from Eastern Tower will help you get the first real impression of how large Ankara has grown in the last 70 years. If you can be here for sunset, the call to prayer will make the experience much more memorable. The area is just starting to realize its potential as a tourist attraction and tidying up has begun.

Roman Baths

Situated on Cankiri Caddesi, a place just north of Ulus Meydani, the Roman Baths date back to the 3rd century AD and are well maintained. You can clearly see the heating system for the baths and the dressing room (apoditerium), the hot room (caldarium), the warm room (tepidarium) and the cold room (frigidarium). Beneath the baths are 7th century BC remains from the Phrygian period.

Temple of Augustus and Rome

Built in 10 AD by the Galatians, the Temple of Augustus and Rome retains the best-preserved copy of the Deeds of Deified Augustus that detail the Roman Empire. The Romans revamped the temple in the 2nd century although nearly 2,000 years of weather and seismic activity have taken their toll on this rather ancient attraction. Government plans to restore the temple are underway. The temple is closed to the public due to its state of disrepair.

Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo

Ataturk Forest Farm and Zoo is a large recreational area that features farms, a zoo, a brewery and good restaurants. Enjoying a picnic here is a particularly pleasant experience, as is the hiking and cycling along miles of established paths. Culture lovers may want to take a look at the mock-up of Ataturk’s house, where he was born in 1881. Don’t miss to try ice cream and beer (home brew) while other attractions here include char-grilled kebabs at the traditional Turkish restaurant onsite.

Aquapark Club WaterCity

Aquapark Club WaterCity is ideal for families with its huge collection of water slides along with indoor and outdoor children’s pools. The park also comes with a good range of sports facilities and related attractions, and has a good restaurant and a café. The Aquapark is just outside Ankara in Golbasi, accessible by shared taxis and is perfect for cooling yourself down on hot days.

Turkey is a country with a history that traces back to the beginnings of civilization as well as friendly hospitality that greets visitors today. Straddling the line that divides Europe from Asia, it is a country where people go to study ancient societies, wander through old castles, gaze upon the stunning natural scenery, discover modern culture in the city centers and relax on the warm Mediterranean coast.

History buffs will fall in love with the multitude of ancient sites scattered around the country. It has more Greek ruins than Greece and more Roman archaeological sites than Italy, and because it served as a crossroads for Christians, Jews and Muslims, it has sacred sites for all walks of religious life, as well as a thorough collection of artifacts from the Greek, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

On the Gallipoli Peninsula, travelers can consider the action that once took place on the Anzac battlefields, while a visit to Ephesus houses the remains of a Roman city that includes a 25,000-seat theatre. Anî, the former Armenian capital, also has a number of ruins from days gone by, and ruins from another great Roman city can be seen from Hîerapolîs.

Those hoping to spice up a holiday with outdoor adventure would be wise to seek out Nemrut Daği National Park, one of the most popular attractions in Eastern Turkey. At 2,150 meters high, Nemrut Daği’s peak is not just another mountaintop. Rather, the summit was created by a pre-Roman local king and is the site of countless statues.

Nestled deep in the heart of Turkey is Cappadocia, an area with an eerie landscape where former inhabitants lived in houses built into the cliffs and built their cities underground. Today tourists can stay in cave hotels and embark on exciting activities such as riding a hot air balloon over the landscape. The nature of the landscape results in a kaleidoscope of colors as the sun bounces off the cliff face. For even more adventure (and a stunning view of the natural beauty prevalent in Turkey), head to Ölüdeniz, where adrenaline junkies seek out Babadag for a heart-stopping but exhilarating paragliding experience.

City life is one of the highlights of any visit to Turkey. Istanbul in particular has drawn tourists from around the world in recent years that flock to its restaurants, bars, clubs and galleries. Istanbul also still shows many signs of its old ways of life, and a visit to Sultanahmet (the cultural center of the city) offers easy access to Aya Sofya, the former Byzantine church as well as the Blue Mosque, a massive structure with more minarets than any other mosque in Istanbul, tens of thousands of blue tiles and 260 windows.

Despite the growing metropolitan scene, traditional Turkish traditions can still be found in the bazaars, which are tucked into the folds of the city. Istanbul’s spice bazaar is known for its abundance of spices, nuts, honey, figs, fruit and soaps and is worth a visit for the smells alone.