Turkey is one of the major players in the medical tourism market. Turkey's largest city Istanbul, is not only home to state of the art medical facilities, but a wealth of tourist interests as well. Turkey also benefits from its proximity to Europe, making it an easy flight for many who don't want to wait to schedule medical procedures.

Turkey is home to a number of great modern hospitals most of which are ISO certified and which provide five star accommodations for patients. Patients can expect the same high level of quality they would receive back home as two of the largest Turkish hospitals are affiliated with prestigious U.S. based institutions: Anadolu Medical Center operates in conjunction with Johns Hopkins, while Istanbul Hospital is a Harvard Medical Center partner. Turkey is set to join the European Union and as such its hospitals are held to the same standard as those in the rest of Europe.

Turkey is also a great place to rest after you've had your medical treatment. Package deals can set you up with massages, spa treatments and visits to the famous Turkish baths for post-op relaxation as well as putting you up in a high class hotel for the duration of your stay. Visitors will also find Turkey rich with cultural and historical monuments as well as beautiful beaches, mountains and lakes all near the warmth of the Mediterranean coast.

There are more than 40,000 historical sites in Turkey; of these, fewer than 300 have been excavated thus far. There are more Greek classical remains in good condition than there are in Greece, and more good Roman classical remains in Turkey than there are in Italy.

Turkish artist and artisans have developed styles of art that are uniquely Turkish. Since it is forbidden by Islam to portray human and animal forms in art, early Turkish artists turned their creative talents to architecture, music, poetry, weaving, wood and metal working, ceramics, glassblowing, jewelry, manuscript illumination and calligraphy.

Turkey has a very ancient folk dance tradition which varies from region to region, each dance being colorful, rhythmic, elegant and stylish. Among the most popular are, "Çayda Çira" from the Sivas region in Central Anatolia.

Turkish music evolved from the original folk form into classical through the emergence of a Palace culture. It attained its highest point in the 16th century through the composer Itri. Great names in Turkish classical music include Dede Efendi, Haci Arif Bey and Tamburi Cemal Bey.

Turkish theater is thought to have originated from the popular Karagöz shadow plays, a cross between moralistic Punch and Judy and the slapstick Laurel and Hardy. It then developed along an oral tradition, with plays performed in public places, such as coffee houses and gardens, exclusively by male actors.

From Istanbul International airport, one can catch the light rail, which will take you directly to the Otogar bus station or to numerous stops within Istanbul. One can still travel from Europe to Turkey by train, although these days this is more of historical or perhaps even romantic interest than a fast or practical one. Getting from Central Europe to Turkey is not too difficult.

Major cities are served by airlines as well, with reasonable prices, beating the bus travel experience especially over longer distances. Tickets can be conveniently bought at the Istanbul domestic terminal and local ticket offices of Turkish Airlines