Winter is not everyone’s favourite time of year. For most it conjures up images of grey skies, plummeting temperatures and a host of ailments from ‘flu to arthritis. The occasional fall of snow turns to ice and slush very quickly causing havoc on the roads and the railways. However, despite its downfalls, a Turkish winter brings a kind of magic not encountered back home; it truly is a beautiful time of year in Turkey.There is not a general climate in Turkey due to its various regions. However in the central, eastern and south eastern region of Anatolia, there is a long and very cold winter where snow lies on the ground from November until April. This temperature can go down to -2 degrees. If you are experiencing a tough winter or at least you will be very soon, there are some great advantages to a Turkish winter.
Village Hospitality
In villages, stepping over the threshold is a joy; the air is peppered with the smoked aroma of firewood from the traditional wood burning stoves, which heat most Turkish homes. Winter is a great time for getting out and exercising; just s short walk around the village or along a forest path can do wonders for your constitution. Turkish hospitality is second to none and neighbours visit with jars of home produced produce, preserved or dried and it doesn’t matter what time of day it is! Sometimes you may find that your village is cut off from the outside world for a few days, so it is always a good idea to stock up on food and fuel to cover such unforeseen eventualities. If the bad weather forces you to stay indoors, it is a great opportunity to read all of those books you never got round to in the summer and for trying out the Turkish recipes we feature on the Quest Turkey website.
Fun in the Ski Resorts
Of course if you live in the Turkish mountains you will have access to the ski resorts and all of the entertainment associated with skiing holidays including sleigh and skidoo rides. There are many popular resorts for you to admire such as the Uludag ski center which is Turkeys most popular and is very close to Istanbul.
City living
The Turkish cities like Istanbul are great places to explore during winter. There are many indoor places to visit too such as the popular spice bazaar. The spice market is a wonderful place for exotic foods and other products.
Most big cities offer an exceptional programme of cultural performances throughout winter; live theatre, musical performances by international artists as well as ballet and dance. Winter is a great time to explore a city and to get to know its cultural haunts, many of which put on their best exhibitions during winter. There are now some fantastic retail experiences to be had in Turkish cities thanks to the advent of the mall. Shopping under cover in the new malls is a pleasant experience and many have large cinemas, plenty of restaurants and cafes and other recreational facilities like ice rinks and casinos.
Whatever the Weather Enjoy it!
Due to the diverse regions in Turkey, you don’t have to spend a winter vacation in the snow. However if it is a season that fills you with dread you may be pleasantly surprised; whilst temperatures are the coldest of the year and snowfall is inevitable, winters here are extremely short and sometimes unpredictable with sunny days enabling you to eat alfresco and enjoy walks along the beach or in the mountains. So long as you wear warm clothing and heat your home efficiently it’s a great time of year.
