Type: Heritage
You need: 1 week

Turkey, so far, was a tease to me as I had only transited through the Istanbul airport in the past. Time killed at the Turkish Airlines lounge had me feasting on their staple halwa dusted with powdered sugar, downing rich black coffee, savouring kebabs fresh off-the-skewer, and munching home-grown dried fruits. While I had sampled the cuisine, I knew little else of Turkey. Guidebooks made references to ‘Ottoman Sultans’, while friends described hedonistic cities. A pious neighbour mentioned the House of Mother Mary, while online research led to the relics of Prophet Mohammed. The ladies warned of the rugged-looking hustlers in the Grand Bazaar, while male friends appreciated the graceful belly dancers. With such varied descriptors, I didn’t know what to expect. But after visiting, I’d say that Turkey is where the diverse merges effortlessly. Here’s more from my travels through Turkey: