Given the current political and social uncertainties of Turkey and its neighbors, many North Americans are hesitant to plan Turkish vacations in the near future.
But we think it helps to put things in perspective: there’s no disputing that this region, now known as the Turkish Republic, has long made the headlines—whether in cuneiform, Greek, Latin and Kufic scripts, or texted tweets. Good news or bad, the fact is that all news travels faster today than it did in the past. Meanwhile, distressing news from afar, about situations Americans may not fully comprehend, has the power to overwhelm and numb us into inertia and indifference.
After the February 2023 earthquake in Turkey’s southeastern provinces and in neighboring Syria, all residents of the region face enormous financial and social challenges. It’s a time like no other for these restive lands straddling East and West, antiquity and modernity.
And whether or not you pay attention to the day-to-day issues that concern Turks, modern Turkey, comprised of Asian Anatolia and European Thrace, continues to be an exciting place—a crossroads of ideas, goods, and peoples.
Portal of the Great Mosque of Divrigi, Sivas Province
Even so, readers may think it ironic that we’d expend our energy to urge you to come to Turkey this year. But let me emphasize, my colleagues and I DO urge you—especially this year.
Consider that, prior to the 1980s, Turkey, with very little tourism infrastructure, was largely unknown to Americans unless they’d come as hippies, educators, or military advisors. But thanks to glossy magazines and myriad travel articles, boatloads of Americans were attracted to Aegean ports and Istanbul bazaars, while busloads of us found our way to Cappadocia’s early rock-cut churches and Konya’s Whirling Dervishes…
Things are different in 2023. For the sort of person reading this website, there is again an opportunity to explore Turkey as an traveler rather than as a statistical “American tourist.”
If you’re a curious voyager, consider Turkey in 2023, a year to explore a complex and endlessly fascinating nation.
Roman Nymphaeum at Sagalassos, Burdur Province
Seek our help booking arrangements should you chose to travel alone. Or ask for all the bells-and-whistles and let us design a one-of-a-kind adventure that includes archeological site visits and coastal sailing on a traditional Turkish gulet.
In the realm of GOOD news from the Middle East, we’re pleased to report that prior to the pandemic, UNESCO accepted several additional archeological sites in Turkey to be considered as World Heritage sites. The site names in themselves are the stuff of legend: Hittite Arslantepe… Armenian Anavarza… Assyrian Christian Mor Yakup…
See this article in the Hurryiet Daily News
Whatever your interests, a warm welcome awaits you in Turkey.