Turkey is a very popular historically significant destination. It is frequented by archaeologists, history buff and classics students dying to see some Byzantine architecture out of text books and in real life. It is also a tremendously beautiful country, rich in art, culture and atmosphere and is therefore not lost on us regular folks either. Which is most fortunate seeing as how we have helped to make it one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. In addition to being avid tourists, we are also turning into avid property buyers in Turkey. International property sales in Turkey are on the way up, so are property prices. So far the market is still affordable but it won’t stay that way forever.

Turkey has something for everyone and that is its major appeal. In the capital, Ankara, there are many things to see and do. Many of them are history related and just as many hold interest for the modern sightseer.

There is the Ankara Citadel, which was built by the Gelatians, completed by the Romans and then restored by the Byzantines and Sejuks. It is situated in the oldest part of the city and within its walls one can find many houses of traditional architecture. The citadel is within a region of Ankara that was known as the cradle of vino and many of the traditional houses round about have been restored and turned into cafes and restaurants that sell local dishes and wines. The Temple of Augustus, which can be found in the Ulus quarter of the city, was built by a Galatian king in the 2nd century. The Roman Bath on Conkiri Avenue in the Ulus quarter was built along the typical roman bath design. It has a frigidarium (a cold section), a tepidarium (a cool section) and a caldarium (a hot section). It was built in the 3rd century in honour of Asclepios, the god of medicine.

Turkey is also well known for its many beautiful mosques. Many can be found in Ankara. Perhaps the most renowned of late is the Kocatepe Mosque, which was built relatively recently. It is enormous and built in the Ottoman style with four minarets. Its great size and situation have helped to make it the well-known land mark that it has become. Back to history again and we have the Ahi Elvan Mosque, also in Ulus near the Citadel, it was built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Its finely carved walnut member pulpit is of particular interest to tourists.

Moving out of Ankara and into the region of Cappadocio, we find several interesting underground cities. They are Kaymakli, Mazi, Derinkuyu and Ozkanak. They were built in the 7th century when Christians were fleeing persecution from the Byzantines and needed shelter and sanctuary. The caves were built to be completely self-sufficient. There are rooms for grain, stables, and storage, sleeping chambers, kitchens and there are airshafts. These days, as part of tour package deals they hold discos in the vast underground chambers, something that the Christians never foresore.

If big cities and major sightseeing is not for you then there are many small and picturesque villages for you to lose yourself in and rediscover your soul. Bergama is a lovely small town whose primary attraction is its market place. Donkeys and their owners park next to their stalls of fresh produce. Carpets hang from awnings on houses to provide some protection from the sun and a quaint yet lively atmosphere permeates the day. Pergmum is near to one of the finest archaeological sites in antiquity. Sirince was originally used as a sanctuary for Greeks. It is on a hillside and consists of densely packed houses enclosed within grape orchards. You may enjoy excellent local wine and take a break from historical sites of any kind, as there are none in the vicinity. Kalekoy or Simena is a seaside village snugly nestled against an outcrop of rocks. It has roughly 300 inhabitants and is too small for any streets or roads to speak of. It has a few random, twisty, windy paths interconnecting houses to each other and that is all. Visitors are most welcome.

The best time to visit Turkey is in the spring, which is from April to mid-June, and the second best time is Autumn, which is from mid-September to October. Of course if you’re going to move there then the time of the year becomes inconsequential and you have to put up with the weather, whatever the weather. For some of those little villages, it would be worth it.