TURKEY

Turkey is the hinge between the continents of Europe and Asia; not only geologically but also culturally, in terms of temperature, history and architectural. But also in the country, which is also referred to as Asia Minor, the differences can be very big. For example, the east of the country has a pronounced continental climate with hot summers and ice-cold winters with lots of snow while the south, along the Mediterranean, have a Mediterranean climate.

The north on the Black Sea has a temperate maritime climate and the extreme southeast is predominantly dry and even locally desert-like. Because the country is so big, the temperature varies, it also has a very varied landscape - you have mountains to hike, beaches for sunbathing, a beautiful white limestone waterfall with hot springs and nature parks full of game (one says you even have the can still see panther, lynx, brown bear or wolf).

Did you know that Turkish cuisine is regarded as the third kitchen of the world behind the French and Italian? In Istanbul there is the real bridge between Europe and Asia and is the only city worldwide that is located in two continents. Here you can visit the famous sultan palace which, for centuries, ruled the "civilized" world, in addition to beautiful mosques, churches, the dizzying bazaar. On the Mediterranean you have beautiful beaches (including Uludeniz) but also many archaeological sites.

Cappadocia is another unique site in Turkey that you simply can not miss. Underground cities, cave dwellings and volcanic cones and chimneys are your part here. East palaces that remind you of a "fantasy like 1001 night" and for example the old Armenian capital on a plateau of which only the ruins still stand. The holy mountain Ararat, the tomb of Apostle John, the Ark of Noah and the cave house of Abraham - all can be admired in this overwhelming country Turkey but also old Ottoman houses, the battlefields of WWI, stone heads on the mountain Nemrut or carved out temples with beautiful frescoes. Turkey is such a diverse country that you need weeks to absorb everything. 

Turkey is at the moment constant in the news due to an attempt of a coup in 2016. So called members of the Gullen-movement would be behind the coup according to president Erdogan and thousands of them are imprisonement without any charges. Erdogan is trying to get more and more power and news is censored. Tourism from Western people is declined sharpy the last few years.