Touring Turkey
As Turkey gears up to the EU, an increasing number of Brits are waking up to its potential as a tourist destination. If you’ve never been there then think deep blue skies, sandy beaches, warm waves and stunning white cities.
The country was also of great importance in the early years of Christianity, and boasts of whole host of historical sites and places of religious significance. If you fancy absorbing a little culture between the hours of sunbathing, then here are a few of the most prominent.
1. The Church of the Holy Cross
This ruined Armenian cathedral in Eastern Anatolia is one of the most beautiful churches in Turkey. It is situated on the small island of Akdamar, and is famed for the stunning reliefs carved on its ancient walls. The island itself is also an interesting place to visit. According to legend, it derives its name from a tragic love story: a man fell in love with a woman named Tamar who lived on the island, and visited her every night. Then, one evening, he was overcome by a huge storm. As he sunk into the waves he cried out ‘Ach, Tamar!’, thus naming the place where his lover lived.
2. Antakya
Although not as beautiful as the Turkish capital, Istanbul, Antakya is nevertheless a site of great religious importance. Once called ‘the fair crown of the Orient’, it was widely held to be the place where the nymph Daphne was turned into a laurel tree to escape the attentions of Apollo. In the first century AD, it was also the base for St. Paul’s missionary journeys and the place where Jesus’ followers were first referred to as ‘Christians’.
Although the city has been overcome by modern buildings in recent year, you can still see a number of fascinating sites, including the Cave Church of St. Peter, which is believed to be the oldest church in the world.
3. Ephesus
Located near the Aegean Sea, the ancient city of Ephesus is most noted as being home to the Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is also a sacred site for Christians, due to its association with Biblical figures like St. Paul, St. John the Evangelist, and the Virgin Mary.
One way to see Turkish treasures like these is to take part in a guided tour – however, you may find it more convenient to book your own tailor-made holiday. Most of Turkey’s major airports offer car hire services, and hotel accommodation is relatively cheap. Save on your visit by booking with a budget airlines, and by arranging separate travel insurance with a provider like AA Travel.