Turkey

Occupying a unique position which has made it a bridge and a meeting point between Europe and the Middle East, Turkey is a fascinating country full of history, vibrant culture and natural beauty. Its official language is Turkish, the capital is Istanbul, and it is bordered by eight separate countries including Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq and Syria. In the south are the Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus, in the west is the Aegean Sea, and in the north is the Black Sea. Modern Turkey is a secular, democratic republic which has become increasingly linked with Europe and the West via membership of NATO and the G20 economic group.

In terms of climate, Turkey’s Mediterranean and Aegean coasts have a temperate Mediterranean climate, with hot dry summers and mild/cool wet winters, while the Black Sea coast has what is known as an Oceanic climate, with warm, wet summers and cool to cold wet winters. Turkey’s diverse culture combines influences from the West with traditional Ottoman and Islamic elements, which means you can experience a wide range of food, drink, arts and crafts across the country. Turkey has plenty of fascinating historic traditions and attractions, such as camel wrestling and local carpet weaving. Holiday Rental Homes promotes a number of great self-catering properties in Turkey, and below we have provided information about some of the best areas of the country in which to take a holiday.