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Turkey is the best kept travel secret in the world. It is a land of mystery and deep historical significance, rich in culture, and robust in modern infrastructure. When you visit Turkey, you stand where civilization began. Turkey is known as "The Cradle of Civilization"and is host to the first human settlement on its soil which has been dated as 14,000 years old. Turkey is also the home of many ancient cultures. Including the Hattis, Hittites, Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljucks and Ottomans. Following the decline of the Ottoman Empire, the modern republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal, known as Ataturk.
Since this time Turkey has been brought into modern western times and rivals neighboring countries in entertainment, cuisine, and popular culture. The common misconception is that Turkey is much like Middle Eastern countries which couldn't be farther from the truth. There are virtually NO deserts in Turkey, you wont see camels on the street, and although the majority of Turkey is Islamic you'll rarely see anyone in Burkahs. To top it off most beaches are topless and people in Turkey are known to be fashion trend setters.

Turkey is a paradise of sun, sea, mountains, and lakes that offers the vacationer a complete change from the stress and routine of everyday life.From Summer to Winter, most places in Turkey have an idealclimate that is perfect for relaxing on pristine beaches or enjoying the tranquility of mountains and lakes.
"Mosaic" is the best word to describe modern Turkey; its many facets form a picture of great beauty and depth. Whatever you like in a vacation, you'll find it here. A sultan's palace, a great imperial mosque or a museum filled with artistic treasures of Greece and Rome. Diving among ancient ruins, followed by a cozy lounge by fireplace in a medevil setting. Or poss?bly some l?ve mus?c w?th belly danc?ng or a chic dance club. It might be a typical day's pursuit on vacation in Turkey. The vast opportunities of outdoor possibilities involve hiking, biking, and trekking among the worlds greatest wonders. The Aegean and Mediterranean coast-lines which are sprinkled with posh resorts and quaint fishing villages, any of which you can set out for sailing excursions, sea kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, or almost any other water sport.

Turkey also has a magnificent past, and is a land full of historic treasures from 13 successive civilizations spanning 10,000 years. Even if you spend only a short time in Turkey, you can see a lot of this great heritage. There is no doubt that one visit will not be enough, and you will want to come back again and again as you discover one extraordinary place after another. All of them, no matter how different, have one thing in common: the friendly and hospitable people of this unique country which make a trip to an exotic land that much more comforting. When you leave Turkey, you will leave knowing you've made many new friends!

The only city in the world located on two continents is Istanbul, which has been the capital of three great empires, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman for more than 2000 years.

The number of archaeological excavations going on in Turkey every year is at least 150.

The oldest known human settlement is in Catalhoyuk, Turkey (7500 BC).

Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the two of the seven wonders of the ancient world, are in Turkey.

Abraham was born in Sanliurfa in Southeastern Turkey.

Anatolia is the birthplace of historic legends, such as Omar (the poet), King Midas, Herodotus (the father of history) and St. Paul the Apostle.

Julius Ceasar proclaimed his celebrated words, "Veni, Vidi, Vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered) in Turkey when he defeated the Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Turks introduced coffee to Europe.

Turks gave the Dutch their famous tulips.

St. Nicholas, who became popular as Father Christmas, was born in Demre on Turkey's Mediterranean Coast.

According to legend, Noah's Ark landed on Agri Dagi (Mount Ararat) in Eastern Turkey.

The last meal on Noah's Ark, a pudding with nearly 20 ingredients, is still served throughout Turkey.

The last home of Virgin Mary is in Selcuk.

St. John, St. Nicholas, St. Paul and St. Peter have all lived and prayed in Southern Anatolia.

Part of Turkey's southwestern shore was a wedding gift that Mark Anthony gave to Cleopatra.

Homer was born in Izmir on the west coast of Turkey and he depicted Troy in his Epic the Iliad.

Suleyman the Magnificent (the famous Ottoman Sultan) was a poet who wrote over 3000 poems, some of them criticizing the greed of mankind.

Turkey is a long-time member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) since 1952.

Turkey provides 70% of the world's hazelnuts; the nut in your chocolate bar was most probably grown in Turkey.

Istanbul has a 540-year-old covered shopping mall of 64 streets, 4000 shops, 22 entrances and 25,000 workers, -the famous Grand Bazaar.

The most valuable silk carpet in the world, is in the Mevlana Museum, Konya with 144 knots per square centimeter. In the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote "the best and handsomest of rugs are woven here, and also silks of crimson and other rich colors".

Hezarfen Ahmed Celebi was the first man who flew a significant distance using wings across the Bosphorus.

Aesop, famous for his fables and parables, was born in Anatolia.

Leonardo da Vinci drew designs for a bridge over the Bosphorus, the strait that flows through Europe and Asia. It was never built.

Alexander the Great conquered a large territory in what is now Turkey and cut the Gordion Knot in the Phrygian capital (Gordium) not far from Turkey's present-day capital (Ankara).

Istanbul's Robert College (established in 1863), is the oldest American school outside the United States.

Early Christians escaping Roman persecution nearly 2000 years ago sheltered in Cappadocia in Central Anatolia.

The Amazons originated in Turkey's northeastern region.

The Famous Trojan Wars took place in western Turkey, around the site where a wooden statue of the Trojan Horse rests today.

According to Turkish tradition a stranger at one's doorstep is considered "A Guest from God" and should be accommodated accordingly.

The first church built by man (St. Peter's Church) is in Antioch (Antakya).

The first Ecumenical Council was held in Iznik.

Anatolia is the location of the first known beauty contest, judged by Paris, with Aphrodite, Hera and Athena as leading participants.

Anatolia was producing wine as early as 4000BC.

Turkey receives children from around the world each year on 23rd April to "honor and cherish the freedom and independence of all people".

Anatolia is the location of Seven Churches of Asia.

Anatolia is the origin of the names of Paris, Philadelphia and Europe.