From vibrant culture to shimmering shorelines, there is something for everyone in Turkey, where east meets west. Let our Great Rail Journeys experts show you the incredible highlights on a memorable escorted tour.
A country steeped in rich history, Turkey boasts numerous ancient ruins just waiting to be explored. Uncover archaeological treasures in the ancient Roman city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage site which houses one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Temple of Artemis.
Sample the traditional cuisine on offer along the seafront promenade of resort town Kuşadası for a real taste of Turkey. Drenched in sunshine year-round, it's the perfect climate to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean coast, which sparkles against a beautiful mountain backdrop.
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Steeped in rich history, Turkey boasts numerous ancient ruins just waiting to be explored. Follow in the footsteps of Anthony and Cleopatra on a stroll through the ancient city of Ephesus. A UNESCO World Heritage site which houses one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - the Temple of Artemis.
Dive into the clear blue sparkling waters of the Turkish Aegean Coast in picturesque bays with a backdrop of olive groves and pine forests. A mix of natural beauty and cultural architecture make up the diverse landscape of this stunning shoreline. Lively seaside resort town Kuşadasi is a notable example, offering attractive beaches and the gateway to historical Ephesus.
Turkey is known for its unique traditions with folk dance, like the famous Whirling Dervishes, music, and art amongst the many cultural highlights. Bustling bazaars are the perfect place to immerse yourself in Turkish culture and find traditionally handmade crafts and textiles that will make memorable souvenirs.
With flavours as diverse as the culture itself in Turkey, local cuisine is a vibrant blend of global influences. Traditional Turkish fare includes kebabs, kofta and meze (small appetiser plates) with kuru fasulye, a white bean stew, as the country's national dish. Meanwhile, baklava and lokum (Turkish Delight) will satisfy any sweet tooth.
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There is no better way to discover the many treasures and highlights of Turkey than on an escorted rail-cruise or train holiday with Great Rail Journeys. Accompanied by a knowledgeable, friendly and helpful Tour Manager, our guests can relax and enjoy a worry-free and memorable break in Turkey.
We do our utmost to ensure that your rail tour of Turkey offers the very best value for money. The single price you pay includes all of your transport to and from Turkey and during your visit, an itinerary of excursions designed to introduce Turkey's best natural, cultural and historic aspects, all overnight accommodation and a selection of meals.
We never underestimate the importance of good accommodation to an enjoyable train holiday and our guests stay in hotels that are hand-picked for the convenience of their location, their value and the quality of their comfort, service and facilities they provide. To offer our guests a friendlier and more personal service and a relaxing informal environment we often select local, family-run hotels.
Europe and Asia are bridged at Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, which sits either side of the Bosphorous Strait. This connection is at least partly responsible for Turkey's diverse and colourful culture which embraces influences both ancient and modern, and from the East and West. The country also boasts thirteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the site of two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Temple of Diana at Ephesus and The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (now the city known as Bodrum).
Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts enjoy a typically temperate Mediterranean climate; hot sunny summers and mild to warm winters have secured western Turkey's popularity as a sunshine holiday destination. The Black Sea Coast enjoys slightly cooler summer temperature and winters are wetter than other coastal regions.
Retaining influences from the days of the Ottoman Empire, Turkish cuisine offers some of the world's most exciting and delicious food, extending far beyond the stereotypical kebab, pitta bread and Turkish Delight. Specialities to look out for include Borek; a thin, flaky pastry wrap filled with meat, cheese or potatoes, Pilaf; a dish of rice or cracked bulgar wheat with added chick peas, aubergine, beans or peas which is a traditional staple of the Turkish diet, Yaprak Sarma; vine leaves stuffed with rice, onion and spices and Karnıyarık; fried aubergines filled with a mixture of mince, onion, parsley, garlic and tomato. Turkish coffee is a popular everyday beverage and is made from fresh, finely-ground coffee beans which are boiled to produce a strong black drink that is taken whilst still extremely hot.
Istanbul is quite literally where East meets West. Tours of Turkey by train bring together the two personalities of the country; the westernised European influences and a deep rooted spirituality from Asia.
Guests visiting Turkey by train are often worried about misinterpreting everyday sign language. While it is true that there are special nods of the head for yes and no, Turkish body language is simple to understand and should you have any questions your Tour Manager is on-hand to provide advice and assistance.
