Airlines Tickets Deals - 10 Great Reasons to Go Thinking of a Holiday Turkey?

It's more than three times the size of the UK - giving even the most seasoned traveller much to explore. Turkey is an exotic blend of European and Asian cultures, at the meeting point of two great continents.

Here are 10 great reasons to visit Turkey to help start your holiday planning and further research.

You'll find reminders of great empires stretching from the Hittites to the Ottomans, wherever you choose to visit in this vast country. History: You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy world-famous sites such as Ephesus and Troy.

000 miles of coastline offer something for everyone - from busy resorts such as Bodrum and Marmaris to idyllic coves and bays, beaches: More than 5.

Don't be surprised if the locals invite you to join them for a drink or snack. People: Warm hospitality is a key part of Turkish culture.

Lamb or chicken, main courses usually feature fish. A variety of small and cold dishes that are made for sharing, begin your meal with meze. Local ingredients, proper Turkish cuisine uses fresh. Food: Forget the Saturday-night kebab.

Where thousands of shops sell everything from carpets and leather jackets to jewellery and spices - all at tempting prices, they don't come any bigger than Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. Shopping: Every town has its own colourful market.

Trips can last from a day to two weeks or more. Are a great way to discover isolated coves and remote fishing villages, called gulets, sailing: Traditional Turkish sailing boats.

With strange rock formations and cave houses, head inland to discover beautiful regions such as Cappadocia. Touring: It may be hard to drag yourself away from the coast but Turkey has a lot more to offer.

The more adventurous can try the 500km Lycian Way coastal footpath from Fethiye to Antalya or the wilder St Paul Trail. Walking: You only have to amble a little way along a country track to appreciate Turkish history and hospitality.

Cities such as Izmir and Antalya are also worth visiting, on the coast. Where sights such as Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque recall the height of the Ottoman Empire, cities: East meets West in exciting Istanbul.

You'll find one in every town and major resort. A precursor to the modern spa, baths: What better way to relax after a day's sightseeing than in a Turkish hamam?

Where villagers beckon you to sit with them under an olive tree and share their home-made yogurt and freshly picked almonds, turkey is also a country of incredible friendliness. Take a walk along the beach or along a country lane and the chances are that you'll kick up a fragment of ancient mosaic or stumble across the weed-covered remains of a temple or Roman bath. Costs remain very competitive, with low cost flights to Turkey operating from the UK and throughout Europe. A holiday in Turkey a place where thousands of years of colourful history are evoked at every turn.