Turkey is a nation of contrasts; its history a mixture between those of the two continents it bridges, Europe and Asia. Over spans the land that is today Turkey has gone in and out of the hands of various domains and been home to a diversity of vital cultures, creating a varied heritage that can still be witnessed when visiting the country today. If you are thinking of a visit to Turkey, with Villa Plus or other places, and are wondering what rare experiences and sites the country have to offer, then here are 6 fantastic things that you can only imagine and do in Turkey.

Visit the Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar in Turkey’s capital of Istanbul is among the world’s largest markets, made-up of 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops, and with 250,000 to 400,000 public visiting per day, it is continuously in the running for the world’s most-visited visitors’ destination, an approval it garnered in 2014.

Situated in the district of Fatih inside the walled city of Istanbul, the construction of the Grand Bazaar commenced in 1455 at the beginning of the reign of the Ottoman Empire. Today tourists can pick-up everything from spices and teas to lamps and light fixtures, though the highly popular item is one of the famous Turkish rugs.

The Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia converts from Latin to “Holy Wisdom”, and the renowned building in Istanbul that holds this name has correctly earned it, having been a religious place of worship for three major religions: Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Islam.

The place has held holy value since the first church was built on its grounds in the year 360 AD. In the year 1935, the Hagia Sophia was secularized and opened as a museum, which it continues to this day. Tourists will love studying the history and ruins housed in this architectural marvel.

The Archaeological Site of Troy

The notorious tale of the fall of the city of Troy was made famous in the poetry of Homer’s epic poem, “The Iliad”, but after the dismissal of this once mighty city, the ruins continued lost. Luckily, in 1870 an archaeologist by the name of Heinrich Schliemann revived the nearly 4,000-year-old place. Whether you are a fan of classic literature or simply appreciate wandering through valuable historical ruins, the ancient city of Troy is a purpose not to be missed.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a site like the one you have never seen before, featuring bizarre, fairy-tale peaks of marble that rise like chimneys from the arid earth. The district has a similarly fabulous human history to match its landscape, as natives once dug-out underground accommodation to live a troglodyte-type life in complex caves.

Some of the terrific local places include rock-cut churches at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, as well as frescoes portrayed on cave walls. If you are after an entirely rare experience, then a tour to Cappadocia will surely be one of a kind.

Experience Turkish Food Culture

Turkish food lies mostly in the heritage of the Ottoman culture, which takes impacts from Central Asian, Caucasian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines. Many of the food is created by using a perfumed mixture of spices, and popular ingredients/dishes contain aubergine, stuffed dolmas, vegetable stews, fish (Black Sea anchovy), kebabs, mezes, and more. If you are a follower of Greek, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine, you are sure to love the delicious mixture of Turkish cuisine.

The Antalya Coast

If you are exploring to go widely and explore Turkey, then a journey to the Anatolian Coast is a must. There are rare locations in the world that merge such pure beautiful gorgeousness with the type of historical miracles that can be found in Turkey. Whether you are exploring to stop off at a brand name hotel for a few days of beachside relaxation or trekking around the mountain landscape that backs this wonderful coastline, it will only take one picture of the pristine waters to understand why they call it the turquoise coast.

With so many fantastic options for exciting and distinctive experiences, it is easy to see why Turkey is such a trendy destination for every type of tourist.