Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Enchanting Turkiye… yours to discover…

“The world is a book & those who do not travel read only one page” - Saint Augustine

 

Middle East is a grand epic, a cradle of Civilisations & a beautiful, complicated land that is home to some of the Planet's most hospitable people. It is a geo-political region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran & Iraq. Here, history is not something you read about in books. It is a story written on the stones that litter the region, from the flagstones of old Roman roads to the building blocks & timeless Pyramids of ancient Egypt & the delicately carved Tombs & Temples from rose-red City of Petra to Persepolis. This is where humankind first built cities & learned to write & it was from here that Judaism, Christianity & Islam all arose.

 

From the soaring iconic Skyscrapers of Dubai to the ancient ruins of Palmyra in Syria, the region is a treasure trove of experiences waiting to be explored As you step into this fascinating region of ancient Wonders & vibrant Cultures, let the words of ancient intrepid Travelers, Poets & Dreamers guide you through an inspirational journey that transcends borders & speaks to the wanderlust in the heart of modern Marco Polos or Ibn Battutas & so many others who travelled on ‘land’ (we are not referring to the Seafaring Explorers). Wherever you find yourself, the past is always the ‘present’ because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on earth, history is the heart & soul of the land.

 

And in Turkey, you will find a richly historical land with some of the best Cuisine you will ever taste, scenery from Beaches to Mountains & the great city of Istanbul. Of course, not forgetting the other ancient wonders. Come…experience Turkey with us…

 

The Middle East is quite simply extraordinary, one of the World's most fascinating & rewarding travel destinations. It was here that some of the most significant Civilisations of antiquity rose & fell and where the 3 great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity & Islam - were born. Left behind is an astonishing open-air Museum of ancient Cities & historic buildings, the Stones of which still resonate with the sounds of the “Faithful”.

 

The Mid-east is illuminated history - home to some of the world's most epic cities of history - Jerusalem, Petra, Damascus & Palmyra, Teheran & Persepolis, Baghdad & Istanbul & Ephesus, Beirut & Baalbek and the bounty of ancient Egypt that mark the passage of centuries in a Region where the ancient World lives & breathes.

 

This is where Humankind first built Cities & learned to write & it is in here, that you find the stirring, aspirational Architecture that so distinguishes the 3 great Faiths. There they sit alongside the more secular charms of Bazaars & Coffee shops that seem to embody all the mystery & storytelling magic of a land that gave us “The Thousand & One Nights”. Wherever you find yourself, the past is always present because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on Earth, history is the heart & soul of the land.

 

The landscapes of the Region are equally spellbinding, from the unrivalled seas of Sand Dunes & Palm-fringed Lakes in Libya’s Sahara Desert to the stunning Mountains of the north. Beyond City limits, the Middle East is a land of mighty Rivers (the Nile, Euphrates), even mightier Deserts (the Sahara, the Empty Quarter & peerless Wadi Rum) & green landscapes of exceptional beauty.

 

Exploring these wilderness areas - from snow-capped summits in Turkey, Iran & Lebanon to the kaleidoscopic underwater world of the Red Sea - lies at the heart of the Region's appeal. The message is simple: forget the cliches that masquerade as Mid-eastern truth - a visit here is one of the most varied & soulful travel experiences on Earth.

 

Above all else, however, your most enduring memory of the Region, is likely to be its people. Their gracious welcome & boundless hospitality, speak of an altogether more civilised age. At some point in the Middle East, you will be sitting in a Coffeehouse or looking lost in a labyrinth of narrow lanes alongside the more secular charms of Bazaars, when someone will strike up a conversation & within minutes, invite you home to meet their family & share a meal. Or someone will simply approach & say with unmistakable warmth, ‘Welcome’. These spontaneous, disarming & utterly genuine words of welcome can occur anywhere across the Region. And when they do, they can suddenly (& forever) change the way you see the Middle East portrayed in the West. If you believe what the Media & Politicians tells you & decide not to visit, you would be missing out on the journey of a lifetime.

 

From the gravitas of the Sahara to the blue tiles of Isfahan, this is a Region for discerning Travellers, for those looking for the story behind the Headline & where the Bridges between ancient & modern Civilisations are evident everywhere.

 

And now, leave your preconceptions at home & let us talk about the magic of Turkey that casts a spell on many who visit this charming yet confounding land of vast open spaces, massive Mountain ranges, fertile Valleys & rugged Coastline with unfrequented Beaches, fast - growing Cities & sleepy Villages with bustling neon-lit seaside Resorts.

 

An Epic History | Culinary Exploration | Lyrical Landscapes

Turkey… officially the Republic of Turkiye, is a transcontinental Country located mainly on the Peninsula of Anatolia in Western Asia, with a smaller portion on East Thrace in Southeast Europe.

 

Turkey, occupies a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia & partly in Europe. Throughout its history, it has acted as both a barrier & a Bridge between the 2 Continents. Among the larger Countries of the Region in terms of Territory & Population with a land area greater than that of any European State, it is situated at the crossroads of the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East & eastern Mediterranean.

 

Turkey is bounded on the north by the Black Sea, on the northeast by Georgia & Armenia, on the east by Azerbaijan & Iran, on the southeast by Iraq & Syria, on the southwest & west by the Mediterranean & the Aegean Sea & on the northwest by Greece & Bulgaria. The maritime boundary with Greece has been a source of dispute between the 2 Countries on numerous occasions since World War II.

 

The modern Turkish Republic, founded in 1923 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, is a nationalist, secular, Parliamentary Democracy. After a period of 1 Party rule under its Founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk & his Successor, Turkish Governments since the 1950s have been produced by multi-party Elections.

 

When you set foot in Turkiye,  you are following in the wake of some remarkable historical figures. Turkey has hosted A-list history-book figures including Julius Caesar, who famously 'came, saw & conquered' near Amasya, & St Paul, who criss-crossed the Country.

 

Ottoman Sultans used to luxuriate in İstanbul’s Topkapı Palace, surrounded by fawning Courtiers, Harem members, Eunuchs & riches from an Empire stretching from Budapest to Baghdad. Centuries earlier, Byzantine Christians cut Cave Churches into Cappadocia’s Fairy Chimneys & hid from Islamic Armies in underground Cities.

 

At other points in history, Romans coursed down the Curetes Way at ancient port city of Ephesus (Efes) to the soaring Byzantine dome of Aya Sofya, medieval Armenians built Ani's Churches, whirling Dervishes gyrated with Sufi mysticism & the Lycians left romantic & mysterious ruins on Mediterranean Beaches.

 

Turkey has more than its fair share of world-famous Ruins & Monuments. The succession of historical figures & Empires – Romans, Byzantines & Ottomans – have all left their mark on this former Stopover along the Silk Road.

 

Experiencing their legacy takes you from the closeted quarters of the Sultan & his Harem in the sprawling Topkapı Palace to the wider horizons. This is the land where Alexander the Great slashed the Gordion Knot, where Achilles battled the Trojans in Homer’s Iliad & where the Ottoman Empire fought Battles that would shape the World. History buffs can immerse themselves in marvels & mementos stretching back to the dawn of Civilisation.

 

Turkey might be the World’s most contested Country with its landscape dotted with Battlegrounds, ruined Castles & Palaces of great Empires. The diverse landscapes, from Aegean Olive Groves to eastern Steppe, provide a lyrical setting for its many great Ruins. Its magical scenery is to be found in Asian Anatolia, where beautiful vistas are provided by the vertiginous Mediterranean coastline, Cappadocia's otherworldly 'fairy chimney' rock formations & wavy Valleys, the alpine Pastures of the Kaçkar Mountains & golden Beaches.

 

Whether you settle down with a çay to enjoy the view across Mountain-ringed Lake Egirdir or explore the hilly Hinterland on the southwest coast's many Peninsulas, Turkey's landscape will leave a lasting impression.

 

The greatest surprise for first-time visitors to Turkey, with its stereotypes of Kebabs, Carpets & moustachioed Hustlers in the Bazaar, is the sheer diversity found between its Aegean Beaches & eastern Mountains. In İstanbul, you can Cruise - on the Bosphorus as well as through Markets & Nightclubs - in a Westernised Metropolis offering equal parts romance & overcrowded insanity. In holiday spots such as Cappadocia & the southwestern Coasts, mix Trekking, Horse-riding & Water sports with meze savouring on a panoramic Terrace. Then there are the less-frequented eastern quarters, where honey-coloured outposts overlook the plains of ancient Mesopotamia & weather-beaten relics add lashings of lyricism to Mountain ranges.

 

Of course, Turkey's current inhabitants are just as memorable. The gregarious Turks are understandably proud of their heritage & full of information (of variable accuracy) about subjects from Kilims (flat-weave Rugs) to the Aya Sofya's floating Dome. Turkey's long history has given it a profound depth of culture. Immersing yourself in that culture is as simple as soaking in an ancient Hamam, eating Kebab & tasting influences brought along the Silk Road, or visiting the ruins scattering the Fields, Bays & Hills.

 

A rich history has left an indelible mark & Turkey overflows with historic sites & archaeological wonders set in a varied & beautiful landscape. The Mediterranean coastline is punctuated with well-preserved Greco-Roman cities such as Pergamom & Ephesus, while the austere & rugged Anatolian Plateau has Cave Churches hidden away in the improbable fairytale landscape of Cappadocia. Istanbul, still very much the pulse of the Nation, has even more to offer, with Roman Aqueducts, Byzantine Churches & Ottoman Mosques & Palaces.

 

Bon vivants need look no further than Istanbul, where the Markets & Bars are among the most stylish & atmospheric & the mod Ottoman Cuisine rates as the tastiest, in the world. The best thing about sampling Turkey's delicious specialties - ranging from Meze on a Mediterranean Harbor to a Pension breakfast featuring products from the kitchen garden - is they take you to the heart of Turkish culture. For the sociable & family-orientated Turks, getting together & eating well is a time - honoured ritual. So, get stuck into Olive Oil - lathered Aegean Vegetables, spicy Anatolian Kebabs & dishes from Turkey's many other corners & as you drink a tulip-shaped glass of Cay & contemplate some Baklava for dessert, remember that eating is deepening your understanding of Turkey.

 

Then again, if you want to simply unwind, spend an afternoon being pampered at a Hamam, or let the warm waters off the Mediterranean Coast lap at your toes. Adventure lovers can head east to Nemrut Dagi National Park.

 

The Country’s tumultuous history has left a deep legacy. People who have never had to suffer for an idea or fight for a patch of land can be overwhelmed by the passion of ordinary Turks for their Country. But for ordinary Turks, that passion finds its outlet, not in martial ardour, but in simple pleasures: Family, Food, Music, Football & Friendship. Turks have an inspiring ability to keep things in perspective, to get on with everyday life & to have a bloody good time in the process. Hearty locals are always ready to chat over a çay or Efes beer. As the old Turkish saying goes: 'A cup of Coffee commits one to 40 years of friendship.' This proverb nails the addictive qualities of the Turkish lifestyle, enjoyed by people who are blessed with a land of ancient Bazaars & sandy Beaches, magnificent Ruins & soaring Mountains - & who are keen to make sure Visitors love it as much as they do

 

But however deep its past, Turkey is now a thrusting & dynamic society that embraces cultural, economic & political change while consciously seeking to retain the best of its multicultural heritage & time -honored traditions of hospitality.

 

It is hardly surprising that Turkey has attracted so many folks over the centuries. Treat Turkey as that most quintessential of Turkish dishes, the meze, a table piled high with scrumptious Treats. Throw away the menu, order a plate of everything & feast till you can’t go on. Afiyet olsun!

 

Istanbul's strategic location has attracted many marauding armies over the centuries. The Greeks, Romans & Venetians took turns ruling before the Ottomans stormed into Town & decided to stay - physical reminders of their various tenures are found across the City. The fact that the City straddles 2 Continents wasn't its only drawcard - it was the final stage on the legendary Silk Road linking Asia with Europe & many Merchants who came here, liked it so much that they, too, decided to stay. In so doing, they gave the City a multi-cultural diversity that it retains to this day.

 

Capital of 3 Empires, Istanbul is an old City, one can see the remains of many ancient Civilizations & their culture in harmony with Turkish culture. The Old versus the New, the Traditional versus the Modern, is a conflict a Visitor often observes. The City is full of contrasts & colorful views. Where the blowing winds from the 7 Peaks of Anatolian Olympos on Asia & Europe merge into each other, where Amazon's cooled their bodies in the waves that break apart from the Black Sea & roll mightily against the shore: where love is symbolized in the Tower of Leandros, where stand the Rocks of Symplegad that brought nightmares to the Argonauts. Where romance & traffic jam go hand in hand. Lively & exciting, a world metropolis - that is Istanbul.

 

The conquering Armies of ancient times tended to ransack the City rather than endow it with artistic treasures, but all that changed with the Byzantines, who adorned their Churches & Palaces with mosaics & frescoes. Miraculously, many of these remain. Their Successors, the Ottomans, were quick to launch an ambitious building program & the magnificently decorated imperial Mosques that resulted, are architectural triumphs that together form one of the World's great skylines. In recent years, local Banks & business Dynasties have reprised the Ottomans' grand ambitions & endowed an impressive array of Galleries, Museums & Festivals for all to enjoy.

 

The City’s over-abundance of important historic buildings & exciting new Art Galleries & Museums provides Visitors with more than enough to see during the day, but it is at night that the place swings into high-velocity, mega-stylish action. Locals are flocking to see & be seen at an ever-growing array of Bars, Clubs & Restaurants, bringing with them an infectious sense of joie de vivre & a discerning ability to judge these places on their standard of service, drinks, music & food as well as their position in the what’s-hot & what’s-not stakes. These days, there are more of these “happening” places around town than there are exquisite Ottoman Mosques.

 

The international Fashion & Design Press have been talking up Istanbul ad nauseam, but the most significant thing about the accolade ‘World’s Hippest City’ is that Istanbullus themselves have come believe it. The creeping sense of decrepitude that had fallen like a pall over their once-all-powerful Hometown has vanished, replaced by a sense of energy & innovation not seen since the days of Suleyman the Magnificent.

 

'But, what about the Food?' we hear you say. The City's Cuisine is as diverse as its heritage & delicious to boot. Locals take their eating & drinking seriously - the Restaurants here, are the best in the Country. You can try aromatic Asian dishes or Italian classics if you so choose, but most Visitors prefer to sample the succulent Kebabs, flavorsome Mezes & freshly caught Fish that are the City's signature dishes, washing them down with the national drink, Rakı (aniseed Brandy), or a glass or 2 of locally produced Wine.

 

That’s not to say that the Locals are turning their backs on much-loved City Institutions such as the rakı-soaked Meyhane (Tavern) or tranquil Cay Bahcesi (Tea Garden), because they wouldn’t dream of doing anything so foolish. They know, after all, that such Institutions are one of the reasons that their home is - & always has been - rightfully dubbed the ‘City of the World’s Desire’.

 

A unique experience is just the beginning. Spectacular & surreal. Locals have an infectious love of life & generosity of spirit in this vibrant inclusive community which has no problem melding tradition & modernity. Take the plunge now & yep….the iconic Turkiye  & Istanbullus are waiting. A warm welcome awaits you & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

 

Come…be inspired & discover the World…