5 Reasons Why You Should Travel To Turkey This Year

Straddling two continents, Turkey has always been a crossroads of civilizations, and is today one of the most striking and diverse countries on earth. With ancient cities, thousands of miles of glistening coastlines, and amazing cuisine, Turkey has been a core destination for world travelers for centuries for good reason. So pack your bags and head off to one of the most colorful and fascinating countries on earth. Here’s why you should go right now:

Easy to get to and get in

Turkey is a natural land bridge between east and west, sitting right in the heart of the Levant it is an easy country to access whether you’re flying in from the USA or coming from East Asia.

Getting a visa to Turkey is now also a fast and simple procedure. Previously, travelers had to go through the arduous process of applying for a visa at a Turkish consulate or painstakingly standing in line to receive one at the border. Now they can get a visa online in a matter of moments and the Turkey eVisa requirements for Americans are very straight forward and easy to follow. Simply go to the website, submit the application, and receive a visa that will allow you to travel all around Turkey for three months.

Ancient cities

People have lived in Turkey for over 25,000 years, at one time being the home of the Hittites, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Persians, and the Ottomans. This is a place where empires were won and lost, and all of the people who have come and gone over the millennia and have left their mark with ancient cities, temples, and the ruins of other infrastructure that speckle the country.

Turkey is a feast for the modern traveler with a sweet tooth for history. Istanbul is an ancient city that has evolved into a modern metropolis without losing its historic appeal, the underground city of Cappadocia is a must-vist, the medieval Armenian city of Ani should be on all tourist’s to-do list, as are the Ruins of Ephesus, which was originally a Greek settlement that grew into one of imperial Rome’s prime commercial centers.

Incredible nature

While Turkey has an outstanding array of historic sites through the ages, the country also provides the traveler with a healthy respite from the work of man with some of the most incredible nature on the planet.

First of all, Turkey has nearly 8,400 kilometers of coastline, which are dotted with world-class beach resorts, such as Bodrum, Izmir, Oludeniz, Fethiye, and Antalya, where the tourist can lounge on white sand beaches or enjoy water sports, yachting, or even taking a cruise.

But don’t just hang out on the beach all day. Head inland to the Uludağ Mountains, which has some incredible skiing, go hiking in Rize province, or walk over the awe-inspiring travertine terraces and hot springs of Pamukkale.

World-class shopping

What’s the point of traveling somewhere if there is nothing to bring home to show for it? In addition to a wide array of tourist activities Turkey also boasts unparalleled shopping. So head into the country’s signature bazaars and shop for traditional rugs, kilims, spices, antiques, and a diverse range of handicrafts.

Amazing food

Now with all of this action you’re going to need somewhere to eat. Fortunately for you, Turkey has some of the world’s most famous cuisine. Go out on a culinary free for all and sample delicious baklava, kebab, seafood, shwarma, and wash it all down with cup after cup of spirit-lifting Turkish coffee and tea.

Conclusion

So when looking for a place to travel this year, be sure to have Turkey on your list. You will thank us later.