Turkey is a destination that has something for everyone. During the long, hot summer, tourism is concentrated in Istanbul and along the coast, but even a beach vacation can be easily combined with cultural sightseeing, as most of the country's most famous classical-era ruins are within day-trip distance of most of the popular resort towns.

Travel inland from Turkey's celebrated coastline, however, and the country's true diversity is revealed. A vacation in Turkey can effortlessly incorporate both epic history and an incredible variety of landscapes, from vast ruins perched on mountain summits to fresco-covered Byzantine-era cave churches and Ottoman mosques, and hiking trails following ancient pilgrimage paths to the buzzing foodie and café culture of the cities.