Tourism in Turkey is still seeing an upswing as more and more people flock to its glorious beaches and historic towns from all over the world. Add in great weather and delicious food and you have the perfect recipe for an amazing holiday at a much lower cost than many European destinations. Eating is one of the many delightful and fulfilling activities you can enjoy while on your Turkey holidays and its fabled cuisine is a true fusion of East and West, with influences from across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Turkey’s lovely beaches, great food and historic sites beckon to travelers and here are three of Turkey’s best resorts where you can have both great fun and delicious food.
Bodrum
Turkey’s most popular resort is built on the site of the Mausoleum of Halikarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum contains more of a mix of old and new than almost anywhere else in Turkey and as a major holiday resort, it caters to all tastes. Beyond sea and sun, the area’s historic sites beckon to travelers seeking a little culture. The food here ranges from traditionally Turkish in the western part of town to international in the resort area to the east. All of Turkey’s internationally famous dishes can be found here, such as the doner; spit-roasted lamb and beef served with pita bread and salad. There is a wide range of kebabs, including shish; marinated meat served on a skewer with vegetables. Kofte is another must-eat; spicy meatballs with onions, salad and bread.
Dalyan
Dalyan is a quieter resort in a naturally beautiful and protected area. It is a wonderful place to enjoy some great food and you’re never far from some of Turkey’s lovely beaches. The small town is home to a range of traditional restaurants where you can enjoy local delicacies. The region is highly agricultural and produces some amazing fruits and vegetables, which are cooked with or without meat or fish. Highly recommended are dolma; aubergine or peppers stuffed with rice and onion, and lahmacun; similar to pizza, with meat and vegetables on flat bread. These dishes should be washed down with raki, a spirit made from grapes and aniseed.
Amsara
This resort in Northern Turkey lies on the Black Sea and is popular with local tourists as well as travelers from abroad. The Black Sea Region of Turkey uses a lot of fish in its dishes, especially hamsi, a type of anchovy. This tiny fish has a big flavour and there are dozens of different ways of cooking it. Try a ekmegi, deep-fried hamsi served in bread or a tava, with the hamsi dipped in batter before being fried. These delicious dishes should be enjoyed with a cold drink such as ayran, a salted blend of yoghurt and water.
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