Top 5 Otherworldly Experiences in Turkey, a Passionate Country Spanning Europe and Asia

Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network; Partial Sources/MOOC Editorial Department

What comes to mind when you think of Turkey? The Ottoman Empire, Turkish baths, the Islamic world... Having been shaped by the Hittite Empire, Byzantium, and the Ottoman Empire, and straddling both Europe and Asia, this land has nurtured a diverse and vivid cultural character. Bath and food lovers shouldn’t miss Turkish baths and traditional sweets; those interested in history and culture will find grand mosques scattered throughout, while the Sufi whirling dervish dance—one of the religious ceremonies—is one of Turkey’s iconic experiences. Moreover, the friendliness of the Turkish people is sure to leave an unforgettable impression as well.

Top 1. Enjoy the Refreshing Experience of a Turkish Bath　　

Taking a Turkish bath (Hamam) is a big deal for Turks. It’s customary to cleanse the body before Friday prayers at the mosque, before joining the military, or before getting married. The bathhouses, heated through marble, also serve as great places for socializing and relaxing tired muscles—so much so that everyone from sultans to commoners loves a good Turkish bath.

A notable feature of Turkish baths is the large central marble platform within a domed structure. The dome usually has many holes to allow natural light to filter through, adding to the ambiance in the steamy atmosphere, and offering a slight cool relief to bodies enveloped in intense heat and humidity. The most unique aspect of the Turkish bath is the scrub service, where attendants wearing coarse gloves give bathers a full-body scrub from head to toe. This uniquely Turkish experience is not to be missed when you visit.

Top 2. Taste the Variety of Turkish Sweets

Turks have a strong preference for sweets, and the level of sweetness can be overwhelming for those from Taiwan—but skipping out on trying some sweets would almost be like not having visited Turkey at all.