Turkey is a huge place yet most visitors cluster around Istanbul or the coast. Beyond there are ancient ruins, mountains to climb and a breed of cat that likes swimming.
No carpet seller in sight —
Turkey is a huge place yet most visitors cluster around Istanbul or the coast. Beyond there are ancient ruins, mountains to climb and a breed of cat that likes swimming.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Office
It's easy to traverse most of Turkey by sleeper train.
Carriage travel —
It's easy to traverse most of Turkey by sleeper train.
MUSTAFA OZER/AFP/Getty Image
The country is littered with ruins, yet some of the best are barely visited. You might share spectacular Aphrodisias, whence this fellow comes, with only the odd land tortoise.
Ruination —
The country is littered with ruins, yet some of the best are barely visited. You might share spectacular Aphrodisias, whence this fellow comes, with only the odd land tortoise.
Almost 120 kilometers across, Lake Van is a true inland sea. You can swim in it -- rumored monster be damned -- or explore it by small boat.
Inland sea —
Almost 120 kilometers across, Lake Van is a true inland sea. You can swim in it -- rumored monster be damned -- or explore it by small boat.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/GettyImages
Lake Van is renowned for the Van cat, bred nearby, which supposedly likes swimming, and the ancient Armenian church on Akdamar Island.
Swimming with cats —
Lake Van is renowned for the Van cat, bred nearby, which supposedly likes swimming, and the ancient Armenian church on Akdamar Island.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
Turkey is covered with mountain and forest trails for cycling or walking.
Mountain people —
Turkey is covered with mountain and forest trails for cycling or walking.
Turkish Culture and Tourism Office
Although it looks ancient, a newly created long-distance hiking route is the Lycian Way.
Way of light —
Although it looks ancient, a newly created long-distance hiking route is the Lycian Way.
Cultureroutesinturkey.com
Mostly following the coast for its 500-kilometer-plus length, the Lycian Way is named for the bygone civilization that once ruled the area.
Lit out for the territory —
Mostly following the coast for its 500-kilometer-plus length, the Lycian Way is named for the bygone civilization that once ruled the area.
Cultureroutesinturkey.com
As in much of rural Turkey, there's abundant village accommodation along the Lycian Way.
Welcoming party —
As in much of rural Turkey, there's abundant village accommodation along the Lycian Way.
TARIK TINAZAY/AFP/Getty Images
One of Turkey's greatest challenges? Climbing Mt. Ararat. Noah's Ark is said to rest at the summit and too few people have been there to deny it.
Biblical mountain —
One of Turkey's greatest challenges? Climbing Mt. Ararat. Noah's Ark is said to rest at the summit and too few people have been there to deny it.
hakob berberyan/AFP/Getty Images