Salivate over hot Turkey

THINK Turkey and the standard images of turbans, complex relationships with the Greeks and delightful sweets usually come to mind, often zooming into view on the back of a flying carpet.

The reality, however, is that this ancient bridge between Europe and Asia offers far more than the stereotypical scenes you might expect. And in the current economic climate, what is available comes with a budget which is increasingly appealing, compared to the traditional sun holiday destinations of Portugal, Spain and the surrounding islands.

On arrival in Turkey you are likely to be struck by the searing heat, with temperatures already in the low 30s by May and rising to 45 in July and August.