It's almost the end of June and tourism in Turkey is booming. Turkey has always been a popular summer destination for Europeans, Asians and Middle Easterners as well as North Americans.
Turkey's rich history, sunny summers, beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and endless ancient sites make Turkey a holiday destination of choice. Above all that, I believe it's the food that keeps the tourists coming back!
Once visitors get a taste of Turkish cuisine and hospitality, they can't get enough. And it's not just baklava and Turkish coffee they crave.
A journey around Turkey is a true culinary adventure. Wonderful appetizers, or 'meze,' from the Aegean region like stuffed mussels, spicy kebabs from the southeast and stuffed vine leaves and sardine dishes from the Black Sea are only a few examples of the many regional variations of Turkish cuisine.
Culinary travellers can plan their trip according to their taste. Meat lovers, the place for you is the southeastern region where grilled meats and hot pepper abound.
If you prefer vegetables dishes like roasted eggplant salad, great olives and olive oil, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts should be your destination. Dairy lovers can enjoy the rich yogurts and cheeses from the North, and backpackers moving through Anatolia can enjoy wholesome beans and grains.
Turkish people are known for their hospitality. If you're trekking through a remote village in any part of the country, don't be surprised if you are invited into the home of a stranger to share their meal.
This is one of the best ways to get a taste of authentic Turkish food. If you only have a few days to spare, big cities like Istanbul, Izmir and the capital, Ankara, are great places to start.
There you can find restaurants and street vendors serving cuisine from all parts of the country. You can see that when it comes to food, there's something for everyone in Turkey.
Photo © Jan Schuler - Fotolia.com