Hospitality is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish culture and the way of life. Following traditions, and naturally friendly instincts, the Turk is a most gracious and generous host.   Even the poorest peasant feels bound to honour his/her guest ("misafir") in the best possible manner. 

 

Sometimes, hospitality is taken to such lengths that a foreigner often feels he/she is suffering from an overdose of it after being plied with food, and drinks for hours and being unable to refuse anything, lest he hurt his host's feelings. 

 

Turks love to share their unique culture and the unparalleled riches of their country with their foreign guests.  They make every effort to converse while ensuring a guest's well-being.  They try to overcome all existing linquistic barriers.  While most middle-class urban dwellers speak at least one European language, even the uneducated bravely struggle to understand their guests and, in turn, express themselves with remarkable success.

Anatolia has been the cradle of civilization because it is a land where various tribes lived continuously and intermingled throughout history.  The Hatti, The Hittite, Assyrian, Phrygian, Greek, Roman Byzantine, Seljuk, Ottoman cultures culminated here and were enriched further with the Egyptian, Thracian, Caucasion, Persian and Arab cultures either through wars or trade relations. 

 

Archeological findings prove that Anatolia was settled into societal life starting in 7500 BC.  In caves near Antalya excavations revealed artifacts dating back to 50,000 BC.