Turkey

Wexchange's Guide on Travel Destinations and Currencies

Destination:

TURKEY

Currency:

TURKISH LIRA / TRY

TR

Destination:

TURKEY

Currency:

TURKISH LIRA / TRY

TR

Turkey is a huge country and one that is famed for being the only country in the world that has a city that is split between two continents. 

Istanbul, often mistaken for being the capital of Turkey (it’s Ankara), is split in half by the Bospherous which also acts as the border between Europe and Asia. Istanbul itself is a beautiful country with a huge amount of history and culture. Istanbul us also known as the city of 3 names, having formally been known as Byzantium and more recently as the famous city of Constantinople which acted as the capital city of a number of different empires. 

Go to the world famous Hagia Sofia. Once a church, it then changed to a mosque and now stands as a museum to Istanbul’s history. Right across from that you have the Blue Mosque which is the largest mosque in Turkey and is truly a sight to behold. Then go to Topkapi palace and see the palace that numerous sultans of the history of Turkey lived with their numeorus concubiunes.

One thing certainly not to miss when you are in Istanbul is the Bospherous cruise. It only takes a couple of hours bit going up and down the Bospherous and covering both the European and Asian sides is truly worth the money. 

Don’t forget to get yourself some Turkish delight! It’s not just the standard stuff there but they have numerous different flavours to offer and they are mostly delicious. 

Once you have spent some time in Istanbul, make your way to Denizli and spend the day exploring the UNESCO world heritage sight of Pamukkale. This is a large area of calcium travertine pools that have been naturally formed out of the hillside. in the high season they are all full of tourists and there is not much water, in the low season the rain comes and the pools fill making them look beautiful. Just past the pools you have a fantastic amphitheatre from the top of which you get amazing views out over the Turkish countryside. 

One final place I have to recommend if the area of Capadoccia, famed for its ‘fairy chimneys’. These are huge rock formations that were used by the ancient civilisations as somes and shelters. No-one truly knows how they chimneys were created but they scatter the area making it look magical. They are known as fairy chimneys because they only answer people can come up with for their existence is that the fairy’s created them.

It may cost a bit but a sunrise hot air balloon rise over the chimneys is truly unmissable and you’ll find yourself in awe of the landscape as the light comes from the sunrise and the colours reflect across it. Just breathtaking.

Scam Alert

If you are walking along and a person carrying shoe-shine stuff appears to accidentally drop their brush, LEAVE IT!! It may seem like you are doing them a favour but they will sucker you in to a shoe shine to say thank you and then try to get money from you for their service. Trust us, we know people who almost fell victim to this!

Box two

Content Two

Other Destinations

Nearby Destinations