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Turkey is a country of contrasts: Europe and Asia, modernity and tradition which create a unique blend of lifestyle, especially in Istanbul, a city that is buzzing with life, culture, traditions and colour. Holidays in Turkey are marked by three things: culture, relaxation and history lessons.

Essentials in Turkey

Turkey above all caters to tourists of every flavour. Relive history as Gallipoli Peninsula and visit the Anzac battlegrounds or unwind from the stresses of your day job at a traditional Turkish hamam or on the seaside.

Istanbul: While there may be more nightclubs than Ottoman mosques, Istanbul is an essential stop. Top sites: Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar and the many archaeology museums.

Hagia Sofia: The Hagia Sophia is one of the main attractions in Istanbul. The greatest Byzantine basilica was transformed into a mosque by Mehmed the Conqueror. Its monumental dome was transformed into a museum and can be visited daily. The magnificent, albeit imposing, building with its rich, colourful mosaics is something you should not miss in Istanbul.

Kaleiçi: The old town of Antalya is home to Hadrian's Gate and the Fluted Minaret of 1220. With the new cable car you can easily get to the Tahtali Mountain in Kemer where you can enjoy splendid views of the countryside.

Antalya: This is where you'll find the most beautiful beaches but also the Antalya fortress Kalesi and fascinating stalactite cave.

USESCO sites: Turkey has seven beautifully preserved World Heritage Sites dotted around the country including, Istanbul, Xanthos, the old site of Troy, the city of Safranbolu, Hattusha, the Mosque of Divriği and Nemrut Dağ.

Find more information on tourismturkey.org.

Accommodations in Turkey

The hotel scene in Turkey is very diverse. While many of the hotels in Turkey aren't the discount they used to be, you can still find a decent room which includes a full Turkish breakfast in the morning. In Istanbul most tourists stay within walking distance of the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace but in peak season, you can easily forget that you're even in Turkey there are so many foreigners around. For something less touristy, it is particularly recommended to look around in the Old Quarter, the ‘Beyoglu’ for accommodation.

In Turkey's seaside cities, you're spoiled with hotel and resort choices. Many hotels are located next to the beach and offer shuttle services to the airport and the city centres. If travelling during peak season, make sure you book your accommodations and your before you travel and well in advance if you're hoping to get a good deal.