History
Anatolia (Turkey in Asia) was occupied in about 1900 B.C. by the Indo-European Hittites and, after the Hittite empire’s collapse in 1200 B.C., by Phrygians and Lydians. The Persian Empire occupied the area in the 6th century B.C., giving way to the Roman Empire, then later the Byzantine Empire. The Ottoman Turks first appeared in the early 13th century, subjugating Turkish and Mongol bands pressing against theeastern borders of Byzantium and making the Christian Balkan states their vassals. They gradually spread through the Near East and Balkans, capturing Constantinople in 1453 and storming the gates of Vienna two centuries later. At its height, the Ottoman Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to western Alegeria. Lasting for 600 years, the Ottoman Empire was not only one of the most powerful empires in the history of the Mediterranean region, but it generated a great cultural outpouring of Islamic art, architecture, and literature.
Nature
Turkey has almost as many species of wild flowers as the rest of Europe combined - more than 9,000 species, nearly 3,000 of which are indigenous only to Turkey, from the perfect beaches and tranquil lagoons of the Mediterranean coastline dotted with ancient ruins or the magnificent mountains and virgin forests of the Anatolia peninsula, with their astounding variety of wildlife, flora and fauna to the pulse of cosmopolitan cities, Turkey is a captivating study in contrasts. There are countless things to see and do in Turkey.
Turkish Cuisine
Turkish cuisine is renowned as one of the world’s best. It is considered to be one of the three main cuisines of the world because of the variety of its recipes, its use of natural ingredients, its flavours and tasted which appeal to all palates and its influence throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The cuisine originated in central Asia, the first home of the Turks, and then evolved with the contributions of the inland and Mediterranean cultures with which Turkish interacted after their arrival in Anatolia.
Turkish Hospitality
What is hospitality? Hospitality defines the real and true term for Turks. Hospitality is Turkish people by nature. Once yoo meet them or ask anything from them this request will turn into a life long experience for you to experience and remember ever after. Since their early nomadic life styles in Central Asia they have been hospitable people in tradition, upbringing, mentality and behavior. They have learned to respect their elderly and seniors and incorporated this most natural and habitual tradition into an ever-continuing practice and life style in their long history. One approach to them for any request or dicteon, you will experience that they will go beyond their limits, stop their work, take or escort you to where you wish to go. Never mind the language barrier or communication problem with the locals, especially in the rural areas; on big smile on their faces is enough to fullfill your wish.
You greet them ‘hi’ and they will ask you to sit down for a chat or exchange greetings. This invitation will immediately be foollwed by offering you a cup of thea. If you do not take this offer they will not feel very comfortable. When you visit them at theis homes and before you get carried away in deep conversation the first action will be for the daughter of the house to come out and ask for you preferable taste of Turkish coffee. This Turkish coffee will show to you her skill in brewing coffee, fixing desarble sweetness, leaving a thick layer of foam and bubbles on top of the little coffee cup as well as give you a clue about her upbringing and education at home by parents how she serves the coffee to you. Thus, Turks use a proverb, “one well brewed cup of Turkish coffee will leave a taste in your mouth to be remembered for 40 years”. Come to the beautiful land of Turkish people to experience and live throigh your days as you receive your treatment in the hands of these hospitable people.