Turkey
Turkey is a rapidly modernising and western orientated secular state with a free enterprise economy. Historically it has its religious routes firmly entrenched in Islam, and the majority of Turks are Muslim. However, the religion does not dominate the country as it does in some of Turkey's neighbours. The Turks are friendly to visitors, the cuisine is a savoury surprise, and the cities are dotted with majestic old buildings. Turkey's topography ranges from Mediterranean coast to the high rugged mountains of Eastern Turkey. The country combines stunning scenery, immense history and wonderful beaches.
In the capital of Ankara lie many archaeological sites. Theatres, temples and Roman Baths all create an interest as people want to know about Turkeys illustrious history. Ankara is the capital but Istanbul is the life and soul of country. There are restaurants, galleries, bars and clubs that scatter across the city. It is full of life and there is always an activity available to take part in. Find the markets and you will probably find traditional Turkish food and music. With many ranges of Turkish delights and kebabs it might be difficult to pick just one, but the cuisine has so much more to offer. Try a Sigara borek. This is melted cheese wrapped in a light pastry.
In the heart of Cappadocia is the town of Goreme. Known as the Enchanted Valley, this is a fantastic region of cones, needles and columns fashioned by nature from the soft volcanic tuff rock. It is honeycombed with caves scooped out to make churches and dwellings that are known as fairy chimneys and castles. The most interesting are the rock chapels and frescoes of Goreme, the monastic complex of Zelve and the fairy chimneys of Avcilar. Nearby are the remains of underground cities, the most extensive of which housed up to 50,000 people at any one time.
Goats and Sheep roam about the lower mountainous areas of the country, whereas in the Coruh Valley the home of over 250,000 wild fowl. With quite a lot of these birds of prey, it makes them the largest collection of migrating birds in the world.
