Turkey’s former empire encompassed land on three continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. Turkish culture is a mix of Ottoman, Byzantine, European, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern influences. Today, Turkey remains transcontinental, spanning Asia and Europe.
The Ottoman Empire fostered a multiethnic state that enabled different ethnicities to maintain a distinct culture. The fall of the empire resulted in a unitary approach that aimed to create a single Turkish national identity by forcing the diverse cultures in the country to mix together. The approach failed to produce cultural homogenization, though, with the traditional Muslim Anatolia experiencing discord with the cosmopolitan Istanbul (and the wider West).
Turkish Way Of Life. Turkish people live by the adage, “Whatever religion you are from, whichever country you come from, whatever language you speak, you are God's guest.” With locals believing every stranger is a guest from God, hospitality is a known cornerstone in the Turkish way of life. You will be delighted to find locals who will dote on you, offering the best food and the best seat in their homes. They are also very tolerant of customs that are different from their own.
Turkish people have a strong sense of kinship. They support each other and hold their elders in high regard. Fathers and mothers provide for their children’s financial needs until they get married (and sometimes after). The younger generation looks after the elderly when they get sick and provides both financial and family support as they age.
Hot And Cold. Because of its large landmass, the weather in Turkey is diverse and can get intense in places. There are seven distinct climactic regions in the country, but travelers need only to take note of the important distinction between the hot, humid summers and the moderate winters in the coast, and the extremely hot summers and the excessively cold winters in the inland areas. The climactic extremes are even more pronounced as you go farther east.
The best time to visit Turkey is during spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). Travel to the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts is best from mid-May to December, while a trip to the Black Sea coast is best from April to September. Luckily for anyone planning to study abroad in Turkey, the weather tends to cooperate during most of the year with travel and sightseeing plans around the country.
Fun, Sun, Snow, And Ice. You can’t miss the beautiful coastlines in Turkey. The endless natural beauty and Mediterranean sun make for an ideal sailing experience. You will never run out of coves, bays and islands to explore. Go yachting, cruising, sailing, diving, snorkeling, and boating to your heart’s delight. If you are into water sports, you must visit Izmir along the Mediterranean coast, where the warm waters offer an ideal destination for kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing. Turkey’s rivers are wild avenues for white-water rafting trips. The country is home to the Coruh River, one of the top ten rivers in the world — ideal for commercial rafting (as rated by professional rafters). Other rivers available for rafting are The Dalaman River, the Zamanti River and the Köprü River. Turkey also offers opportunities for winter sports. You will find ski resorts near Ankara in the north and in the Western interiors.
Have A Bath. For a cultural and relaxing experience, make sure you give the hamam (the famous Turkish bath) a go. Local baths abound, but make sure you visit the popular and historic Cagaloglu Hamam in Sultanahmet, and Galatasaray Hamam in Beyoglu. You must also experience the soothing mineral waters (historically considered sacred by the Romans) at Pumakkale. Currently a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city boasts of Roman architecture and the ruins of the city Hierapolis.
Climb High In Turkey. Novice and expert climbers will have a grand time in Turkey with its mountain ranges that rise as high as 5165 meters (Mount Ararat). Exploring on foot is also a popular activity in Turkey, with its vast array of picturesque scenes — plateaus, villages, mountains, and ancient ruins. Take the Lycian Way, the long-distance footpath that stretches from Fethiye and Antalya. At 500 kilometers, the path offers a month’s worth of scenic walking.
Shop, Shop, Shop. Istanbul’s grand bazaar, with its winding alleyways and tunnels that fit more than 4000 shops, offer a market experience like no other. You will love the assortment of Turkish handicrafts, which include world-famous Turkish carpets and gifts made of copper, mother-of-pearl, leather and suede, onyx and tile, textiles, and embroideries.
Turkey is also known for its spice markets. You will find hundreds of spices in many different forms. Bask in the colorful spice stalls and breathe in their heady, pungent aromas. (Turkish shop owners usually offer food and drinks to those who enter their shops. Be gracious enough to refuse the offer if you don’t intend to purchase anything.) You’re sure to find amazing treasures and souvenirs here, so leave plenty of room for gifts if you’re studying abroad in Turkey.
Eating Your Way Around Turkey. Turkish food is known as one of the world’s great cuisines. A day in Turkey might begin with a breakfast of freshly baked bread, eggs, white cheese, olives, cucumber and sliced tomatoes. Or you could grab borek and pocas from one of the numerous breakfast shops: these are pastries stuffed with minced meat, cheese, and olives.
A favorite Turkish lunch is the doner sandwich, which puts rotisserie-roasted lamb or chicken on freshly baked bread. A popular snack in Turkey is the simit, a cross between a pretzel and a bagel sprinkled with sesame seeds. This highly affordable Turkish food is very accessible with simitci, or simit sellers, scattered around the streets, hawking the snack from baskets on top of their heads.
For dinner, you will have freshly baked bread coupled with some kind of roasted meat and a vegetable dish or green salad. The common meats used in Turkey are chicken, lamb and beef. Pork is also offered, but mostly in five-star hotels. Seafood dinners are a popular main course dish on the coastal areas. Coffee or tea is commonly served after dinner.
Fun Facts About Turkey
Istanbul is the only city in the world that is located on two continents.
Two of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus and the Temple of Artemis, are located in Turkey.
The Cave Church of St. Peter in Antioch is believed to be the first-ever Christian church, built by the Apostle Peter.