Cultural delights of Turkey

Every year, many tourists decide to explore the cultural delights of Turkey. Walks are a fantastic way to see all that the country has to offer, taking you through ancient ruins and bustling towns and along spectacular coastlines. Wherever your walk takes you, there are a few cultural experiences that you simply cannot help but encounter during your time in the country.

Here are three of the best, which will provide you with experiences you’ll be recounting to your friends back home for weeks to come.

Turkish Baths (Hamams)

Turkish baths, or hamams as they are known locally, are found all over Turkey. Walks are a great way to see the country, but they can leave you tired and in need of some rejuvenation. So what better way to get over your stiff joints than by a trip to a Turkish bath? In the hamam you can relax in the warm, steamy rooms and you can even experience a number of different massages.

These can include a foam massage, an exfoliating massage and a luxurious oil massage. Hamams are part of the daily routine for many locals, and you may well find you get quite fond of them as well. Don’t miss out on visiting a hamam when on a walking holiday in Turkey. Walks may be the best way to see the country, but it’s just as important to treat yourself to a bit of luxury every once in a while.

Turkish Doner Kebabs

Turkey is, for some, the home of kebabs – and not the kind of kebabs that you are likely to find in some late-night joint in a town centre in England. Turkish kebabs are of the highest quality, and will provide you with a culinary treat to remember long after your trip to Turkey. Walks that lead through any town or city are certain to take you past a restaurant or bar serving kebabs. And even if you don’t spot them, just follow your nose; the wonderful spicy aroma wafting out into the street will lead you straight to them.

Kebabs are different all over the country, with most regions having their own specific style. Whether a SiÅ? (shish) kebab, Adana kebab or the well-known (but entirely different) Doner kebab, you are going to give your taste buds a treat when you try any kebab in Turkey.

Turkish Coffee Tea House

In Turkey, walks will allow you to experience both the countryside and the bustling cities alike. But wherever you decide to go, you will never find yourself far from a coffee house selling strong Turkish coffee. Coffee is an important part of daily life for Turkish people. It still plays a role in many rituals involving prayer and marriage, although not as much as it once did. It is made from a fine powder and the resulting drink is much stronger than you may be used to. Cardamom is sometimes added, and the distinctive taste is something you won’t forget in a hurry.

When you head to Turkey, walks of any type will lead you past one of these coffee houses sooner or later. And if you feel yourself getting tired during your walk, there is no better remedy than a shot of hot strong Turkish coffee to restore your energy levels.

Turkish Lokum Delight

Turkish delight was unveiled to the west in the 19th century. During his travels to Istanbul, an unknown British traveler became very fond of the Turkish delicacies, purchased cases of “rahat lokoum” and he shipped them to Britain under the name Turkish delight. It is believed that Picasso enjoyed Turkish delight daily to improve his concentration while Napoleon and Winston Churchill relished pistachio filled Turkish delights.

Today, Turkish delight remains the sweet of choice in many Turkish homes. Enjoyed worldwide, the subtle flavours of Turkish delight are known to compliment coffee and sweeten the breath at the end of a meal. Traditionally offered as a treat at Christmas in the west, Turkish delight is becoming increasingly popular as a sweet to be enjoyed year-round. Bayco’s authentic turkish delight is attractively packaged in a variety of gift boxes.

Turkish Raki

Although Raki which is a distilled alcoholic beverage strongly aromatized with lots of anise, it can be consumed as a cocktail, but more commonly it goes best with cold hors d’oeuvres. For example; Russian salad, garlic sauce, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, cold-cuts, fried pastries, cold yogurt soup, brains, shrimp, mussels vinaigrette are followed by entrees such as shish kebab, mixed grilled meats, steak, fish (pan fried, grilled, in the oven) and finally fruit. The type of fruit does not meter. It can be any kind of fruit depending on the season. Especially in Turkey, melon and feta cheese are the best combination for accompanying raki..

Turkish Wrestling (you might travel)
Yagli Gures, which basically means “grease wrestling” is a Turkish national sport that has been popular since 1362 and is the oldest continuously running, sanctioned sporting competition in the world. Contestants compete, oiled up and stripped to the waist. The anything-goes style and the oiled leather trunks originated from the Janissaries who were an elite group of body guards to the Sultans. Every year competitions are held near the town of Edirne in a stadium located on the old site of the Sultan’s palace, and Turkey’s president crowns the champions on the final day. The event is held over three days and simultaneous matches take place in eleven divisions, which range from school kids to forty-year-old masters. If there is no outright winner by the end of the match, it all comes down to a sudden death round. There are few forbidden holds, and grabbing of trunks is not off limits.

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