The modern Republic of Turkey, formed a little over 80 years ago, has cultural and historic connections stretching back for thousands of years. The first permanent settlers came from Mesopotamia around 10,000 BC and the earliest archeological remains of villages date as far back as 8,000 BC. Over the following millenia Assyrians, Hittites, Phrygians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines and Ottomans have all left evidence of the great civilizations that have florished in the region. Today's visitors are welcomed to a rapidly modernising country set against an amazing backdrop reflecting the combined legacy of some of the world's most influential ancient civilisations.

Although Ankara has been the capital of Turkey since 1923, often the first glimpse of the country for visitors comes on arrival in Istanbul which stands half in Europe and half in Asia. The Bosphorus, a mere 700 metres wide at one point, has long been a key trade route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. In 676 BC the Greek colonist Byzas founded what was to become the idependent city state of Byzantion on the European side of the Bosphorus. Constantine became ruler of the Roman Empire in 324AD and soon afterwards moved the capital of the Empire from Rome to Byzantium which was quickly renamed Constantinople. In 395AD the Roman Empire was divided into East and West. Althought the Western Empire based at Rome fell to the Barbarians in 476AD, the Eastern (Byzantian) Empire continued for over a 1000 years. But during this period, territory was gradually lost and Constantinople finally fell to the Ottomans in 1453 and then became known as Istanbul. Today, whatever your purpose for visiting Turkey, time spent exploring a city that uniquely reflects the contrasting cultures of two continents will be richly rewarded.

More information will appear on this page after my visit to Turkey in May 2008. In the meantime, if you are interested in visiting Turkey you might like to look at IAH Holidays who are UK specialists in organising a wide range of holidays in Turkey, and who are based in Gloucestershire.