The official word on Tourism in Turkey

A wealth of ideas and information

If the idea of idly baking on a beach gives you itchy feet, and you want to get a little closer to nature then turkey.org has got the answers. Turkey and especially the north-east is renowned for its mountaineering, from the colossal 5137m of Mt Arrarat, to the more manageable, but equally as spectacular, Kackar range - the lower slopes of which have some very feisty whitewater rafting. The region is relatively untouched by man and is home to some unique flora and fauna including; lynx, bears, gazelles and leopards. Much of the population is semi-nomadic, retreating to yalas - upland meadows - to escape the heat of the summer months. Some of these Swiss looking wooden chalets are now opening up and offering lodgings to tourists. Closer to Istanbul , adrenaline can be spent during the winter months at the skiing resort of Uludag ( Bursa ).

A much more glamorous and sedate way to while away your time, and still have your nature fix, is floating in and out of the coves and inlets of the southern Agean on a gulet - a Turkish sailing boat. Here you'll have a good chance of seeing Caretta Caretta, as it's one of the few remaining nesting sites of this endangered sea turtle. There's also a monument by monument guide to historical sites of interest in the country, with some choice beaches, such as the Gulf of Gokova and Olu Deniz, thrown in to spice it up.

www.turkishembassy.org

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