| 1. Balloon Trips |
Cappadocia from the ground is unique, beautiful and enthralling. If you're not afraid of heights then the area is renowned as one of the best spots in the world for hot-air ballooning. The conditions usually are very favourable as gentle winds blow most days and the view is unforgettable as you drift over a landscape fashioned by man over thousands of years and all in the glow of the dawn or setting sun.
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| 2. Sailing cruise |
It’s possible to holiday in Turkey and stay on a boat, travelling each day to a new port. The best of these experiences are on the traditional Turkish ships called Gulets. Accommodation may look cramped and third rate but some of the gulets are beautifully appointed and serve mouth-watering food onboard. If your trip takes in the southern town of Kekova you’ll glide over a sunken city, rumoured to be the site of Atlantis. Everywhere you go you’ll have the chance to follow dolphins and see flying fish dart across the surface of the azure sea.
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| 3. Swimming with dolphins |
The chance to commune with nature is everywhere in Turkey and turtles and dolphins are regular sea borne visitors to the shores. If you want the ultimate experience with sea life head for the Dolphin Therapy Centre in Kas where as well as caring for the beautiful mammals, the centre offers ‘cures’ for various ailments including depression by allowing sufferers to swim with the dolphins.
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| 4. The Grand Bazaar |
Istanbul is an amazing city and an amazing sight in the city is the Grand Bazaar. Op The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the world's largest indoor market and is very worthwhile visiting whilst in Istanbul. In the bazaar there are more than 3000 stores and dozens of restaurants. There’s probably nothing that you can’t buy here. The stall holders expect you to haggle over the price and we made friends with the leather bag seller and a man who painted and sold clay pottery.
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| 5. Turkish Bath |
During your stay in Turkey try to find time to visit a real Turkish bath or hamam as they are called in Turkey. This special form of public baths has existed in Turkey for thousands of years for people without their own washing facilities. Today, now everyone has a bathroom, they are as popular as ever for exfoliation, skin rejuvenation and massages. The whole experience combines the historic with relaxation and wellness.
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| 6. Traditional Turkish night |
The Turkish people are proud of their long heritage and a traditional restaurant evening is a great way to get a proper taste of Turkey. Buffet meal with meze is then followed by a riotous feast of entertainment including musical recitals, juggling, folk dance and traditional belly dance. Be warned, the enthusiastic onlooker is often invited forcefully to join in.
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| 7. Whirling Dervishes |
If you get the chance to see it, the dance of the Mevlevi, called the whirling dervishes is quite incredible. It’s a ritual that goes back over a thousand years and instead of a celebration of their faith it’s a meditative dance performed so that they can commune more easily with Allah. The sect were banned in the twenties for their political allegiance but have since reinvented themselves as a purely religious sect. The most likely place to see the dances performed are in Konya or in Istanbul.
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| 8. River rafting |
For the more bold and adventurous, Turkey offers some of the best white-water rafting in the world, especially down the rapids of the Coruh River, the Dalaman River, Köprülü River and Zamanti River. My wife and I did rafting on the Xanthos river which was a little more tame but still an exhilarating and skin soaking experience. The guides are well qualified and experienced and guarantee your safety and enjoyment during the trip.
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| 9. Ephesus |
Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world with a history that dates back to the 12th century BC. The temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, once stood here. Today it is most visited for the church of the Virgin Mary who is believed to have put herself into self-exile here following the death of Jesus. The site is vast and plenty of water is needed on hot summer days. Apart from the statuesque library, we found the most incredible part to be the old port which is now several kilometres inland following the silting up of the river.
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| 10. Aspendos |
Aspendos, which is located in the Antalya region, has one of the largest and best preserved Roman theatres in Turkey. The site has remained untouched and avoided the ravages of tourism as it is slightly off the beaten track. Most of the remains date from the 2nd century AD including a vast, well preserved amphitheatre and the best condition Roman aqueducts in the country. The amphitheatre is still used for a multitude of sports events, concerts and plays which attract big audiences.
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