Turkey is a country with a rich and extremely diverse history and culture. Nestled between Greece and the Middle East, It’s often described as the bridge between Europe and Central Asia. If you’re looking to visit Europe this winter but want to avoid the harsh winter cold, Turkey is perfect option due to its moderate climate. Here are a few things that you have to check out during your trip to Turkey:

Cappadocia

Found in central Anatolia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of Gerome National Park. The unique culture and historical heritage of the region, along with exquisite natural landscape, make it a must-see for any tourist visiting Turkey. One of the most popular activities to do in Cappadocia is hot-air ballooning which gives visitors a breathtaking view of the wonders below.

Grand Bazaar

Existing since the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world with over 4000 shops and covering over 60 of Istanbul’s streets. Although exploring all of the bazaar can take days, it is definitely worth exploring and wasting hours walking through the vibrant complex. Items found at the Bazaar range from spices, dried fruits, and coffee to more traditional items such as home decor and carpets

Hagia Sophia

A once imperial mosque and Greek Orthodox Christian Basilica turned museum, The Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing exquisite Byzantine architecture and the rich culture of the region. With its dome standing 180 feet high and 100 feet wide, the building is and was widely considered as a revolution in architecture. Definitely do not miss the Deesis mosaic, the meeting of both Islamic and Christian symbols, and the viral sensation Hagia Sophia Cat!

Pamukkale Water Terraces

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pamukkale or ‘cotton castle’, is built from white carbonate deposits left behind by the flowing water. The unreal scenery make this a must visit place in Turkey for any tourist. The thermals springs have attracted bathers to the mineral rich water for years and the area also offers many Roman ruins and museums!

According to the 2016 US Census Bureau, around 230 million American English-speakers don’t know another language. That’s 70% of all Americans! English is, of course, a very useful language: Around the world, 1.5 billion people speak it and the language is used in many professional settings. However, studies have shown that understanding more than one language can be very beneficial. Not only does it exercise your brain and is attributed to better health, but it also gives you a deeper understanding when travelling and learning about other cultures. It’s not too late to learn another language - here are 3 languages that are relatively easy for a native English speaker to pick up. We’ve even attached some learn-it-yourself videos for you!

German

Descended from the same root language thousands of years ago, German and English are still very intertwined. They share similar sentence structures and variations of the same word. In fact, the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) estimates that an individual is capable of learning German in 30 weeks -- compare that to other languages, like Japanese and Arabic, that take up to 88 weeks!