With the increasing uncertainty about the euro throughout southern Europe, many holiday-makers have been looking to visit pastures new in recent years. The traditional hot-spots of Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy have been going through some difficult times of late, and forecasters are predicting continuing hardships in the coming years.
One of the countries which has benefitted from the situation is Turkey. This beautiful nation already had a strong tourism industry, but it has become ever more welcoming to new visitors in the past five years. If you’ve never been there before, then it’s high time you saw for yourself what all the fuss was about. Here are four reasons why Turkey should be your next holiday destination.
The Climate
Let’s be honest, very few people book their vacations without thinking about the weather. There are some countries which become something of a gamble for tourists because you never know when the skies will cloud over and the heavens will open. In Turkey, there is year-round sunshine in most regions, and during the summer months the temperatures can become very high indeed.
The Locals
In some countries, tourists are welcomed with a barely-disguised grudging acceptance, but in Turkey the locals make a huge effort to ensure their visitors have a great time. There is a famous Turkish proverb that declares all guests are gifts from God, and this can be witnessed in bars and restaurants in all parts of this intriguing nation. This is one of the main reasons why so many people return to Turkey year after year.
The Old and the New
One of the more pleasing aspects about time spent in Turkey is the wonderful combination of tradition and modernity. Plush hotels offering all the amenities you’ll ever need nestle comfortably beside ancient architectural sites that take the visitor back to the civilizations of thousands of years ago. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, was located in what is now Bodrum, a thriving tourist city in the south-west of the country.
The Sea
Turkish seaside resorts have to be seen to be believed. The water is crystal clear, allowing swimmers to enjoy some spectacular sights, and encouraging many to discover the wonders of snorkeling. The water is incredibly warm in the summer months, and the beaches are sandy and inviting. On a typical Turkish beach, you’ll find bars offering cold drinks to keep you cool, as well as a range of tempting food options. Whiling away a sunny day has never been more idyllic.
David Showell lives in the south of England and is a regular visitor to Turkey. He has also visited Bulgaria and Portugal in the past year.
