When you're a travel writer, the most common question people ask of you must surely be, 'What's your favourite destination of all time?' Antarctica might run a close second, but Türkiye , the country of my parents' birth, has always held the number one position, calling me to visit at least once a year for many decades now. Over that time, I've seen big changes across the country, but I've also spent time exploring, researching and eating so that I now have an understanding of the key attractions, restaurants and landmarks that make for the ultimate holiday experience. READ MORE: These are the Paris hotels with the best views right from your bedroom Need a few reasons to book a trip to Türkiye in 2025? Of course you don't, but here are a few to get your imagination running wild.
.. Unlike other European destinations which can really hurt the bottom line, a holiday in Türkiye - previously Turkey - provides serious bang for your buck.
Cheap (and oh-so-delicious) eats for around $5 - $7, Bosphorus boat tours for around $10 and vibrant shopping opportunities for next to nix. Living like a Sultan for pocket change? With a little homework, it can be done. READ MORE: Six unlikely destinations young travellers are flocking to Disregard the humble kebab; although they're always good, Turkish cuisine is about so much more than what's become our late-night staple.
Michelin-star restaurants such as Neolokal and Turk Fatih Tutak , those dedicated to showcasing the country's rich Ottoman history ( Tuğra ) and local 'ev yemekleri' (home-cooked foods) eateries compete for your attention (and your stomach inches) with street vendors selling fish sandwiches, lokma (fried doughnuts in sugary syrup) and gözleme. The only thing you want to say no to? Those shady ice-cream vendors and their tricks - you'll go insane by the time you get your hands on your ice-cream. READ MORE: Would you use an AI travel agent to book your next holiday? To list the country's historical attractions would read like a short novella, starting from the opening paragraph on the Byzantine and Ottoman grandeur of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace , to the Library of Celsus in Ephesus and the ancient city of Hierapolis right as the last, glowing line.
Although visiting them all could take months, be sure to place Troy's legendary ruins, Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and cave dwellings which provide a glimpse into ancient Anatolian life, and Göbekli Tepe , a Neolithic site believed to be one of the oldest human-made religious structures in the world, on your must-visit list too. Can't decide between the Mediterranean or the Aegean? The Turkish Riviera (also known as the Turquoise Coast), an azure 1000-kilometre stretch that encompasses both is at your beck and call. Home to some of the country's top tourism heavy hitters from the bustling beach clubs of Antalya and Bodrum to charming coastal villages of Kaş and Kalkan, this is your opportunity to hire a gulet, swim and snorkel in gin-clear waters and soak up the sun at a beach club serving the most decadent food and cocktails you're ever likely to experience anywhere.
Best of it, your Riviera experience will only ever cost a fraction of what you'd expect to spend in Italy or France. There's little doubt you would have seen the dramatic moonscape of Cappadocia's fairy chimneys and crimson valleys, or the glistening thermal pools of Pamukkale . What do you say then, to days exploring the lush tea plantations (not the mention Sumela Monastery ) around Trabzon and Rize or taking a walk in Butterfly Valley - home to a vast range of butterfly species? Perhaps you'd like to see the colossal statues and stone heads of Mount Nemrut, swim in the salty waters of the Dead Sea, hike Kaçkar Mountains National Park, marvel at the history of Mount Ararat (reputed to be the resting place of Noah's Ark) or check out many of the islands which dot the country's coastline (Bozcaada, a windswept, vineyard-lined gem on Türkiye's west coast is a favourite)? You'll find it all (and much more) in Türkiye.
They may not get the column inches usually reserved for the likes of Zermatt and Chamonix, but Türkiye offers a solid selection of ski resorts with excellent snow conditions from December to April. From popular destinations like Uludağ near Bursa with its diverse slopes catering to all skill levels, to Palandöken in Erzurum, renowned for its challenging runs and panoramic views, each resort offers a unique ski experience you'll remember for a lifetime. I'll say this once: if you're not a fan of cats and dogs, then a trip to Türkiye may not be for you, for this is a country where street animals are woven into the everyday fabric of society.
Expect to see felines curled up on shelves in bookshops and dogs sleeping under the vents of air-conditioning units within clothing clothes. Locals not only help look after them, putting out food and water for their four-legged visitors daily, but local councils even provide multi-storey homes for them, which can be found on streets in every corner of the country. Shopping in the Grand Bazaar, hot air ballooning in Cappadocia, diving off a boat anchored off the coast of Kekova, walking (and bathing) in the footsteps of Cleopatra in Ephesus and Pamukkale, enjoying a steamy Turkish bath in the historic hamams of Istanbul: all experiences you can enjoy with my Wellness, Wine & Wisdom: A Women's Tour in Turkey with Dilvin Yasa tour, created in partnership with World Expeditions .
Based on decades of first-hand experience and research into my ancestral homeland, the 16-day experience covers all the highlights as well as experiences anchored in local traditions, customs and culture, such as coffee cup fortune telling sessions, cooking classes, belly dancing lessons and wine tasting in the company of like-minded women. It's Türkiye, seen and enjoyed through the eyes of a local but with a very Australian flavour. Head to the site for further information and for bookings.
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