Turkey is traditionally considered to be the country where eastern culture meets west. In terms of a tourist destination Turkey has almost everything a visitor could want –a warm climate (especially in the south), fantastic scenery, great beaches and very reasonable prices.
Turkey is outside the euro zone and to an extent has been buffeted from the recent financial chaos which has affected many southern European economies such as Greece, Spain and Portugal. In 2010 nearly 30 million visitors arrived in Turkey to explore a country which has over the past 10 years invested heavily in promoting tourism.
So where and when is the best time to visit Turkey? In the summer months prices are higher, and flight prices can be particularly high when compared against more traditional holiday destinations such as Spain and Portugal. For this reason spring and autumn are a good time to visit, especially if you are looking for something other than just a beach holiday.
The temperatures will generally be warm but not unbearably hot during spring and autumn in the southern resorts such as Antalya, Dalyan (near Dalaman) and Bodrum have climates similar to southern Spain, and are good destinations to visit even during the colder winter months where temperatures are typically 15-18 degrees maximum in the daytime. If you head inland in summer the temperatures are very hot, and in wintertime can be bitterly cold, especially in the east. If you decide to head inland and wish to hire a rental car, Blue Valley Car Hire compare car hire in Dalaman, Antalya, Bodrum and all major airports in Turkey.
Although the coastal areas of Turkey are geared up to tourism, hiring a car will allow you to travel away from the tourist bubbles and see some real Turkish culture.
If you are looking for a city break then Istanbul is an interesting option. Accessible from several of the London airports via Easyjet, Istanbul offers something different to the beach resorts of the south of the country. There are many historical buildings of interest such as the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace, museums such as the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and the famous Grand bazaar which sells an array of Turkish produce. The city is also renowned for its coffee, which can be found at any number of bars and cafes that line busy streets of this bustling city.