The Insider. Turkish Ambassador Egemen Bağış

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The Insider

Turkish Ambassador Egemen Bağış

His excellency Egemen Bağış is an explorer and has travelled to over 80 countries. He’s also the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Prague. So he’s well qualified to take us inside Turkey and its multitude of highlights.

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How do you think Turkey is perceived as a destination by Czech people?

Those who have been to Turkey love it. Those who haven’t visited Turkey have question marks. There are some countries where a tourist goes once and never goes back. Turkey enjoys repeat visitors. Within two hours from Prague you can be in Istanbul and now we’re back up to three direct flights per day.

I’m encouraging Czech people to explore different regions. Many Czech people know about Antalya and Alanya. Turkey is a huge country. We have sun and sea. We have ancient ruins from many civilisations. There’s great food and geography. It can appeal to everyone’s holiday style. It’s also very good value with the current currencies, especially for the high-end visitor. Here you can have really high level accommodation and service at a reasonable price.

Thanks to the regular flights, Istanbul can be a good layover destination for explorers. What are your recommendations in the city?

Turkish Airlines is one of our prides. They fly to more countries than any other airline in the world. We have great connectivity, from Prague to Istanbul and then to Africa, Central Asia, the Far East, the other side of the Atlantic.

Istanbul is a great layover but you can spend more than just one or two days! It’s a city located on two continents. It has served as capital of three different empires - the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. It has historical and cultural richness, like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Galata Tower. Or you can just blend with the city. I like to walk along the Bosporus and stop for a Turkish coffee and tea. I like to walk the old historical sites, and enjoy the music and food.

What are your favourite destinations to visit in Turkey?

Istanbul is my love. It is my city. I was honoured to represent Istanbul for three terms in the Turkish parliament. The majority of Czechs are going to Antalya, Alanya and Istanbul. There are other great destinations on the Turkish Riviera, like Marmaris and Bodrum. Not many people know that Turkey is also a popular winter destination. For skiing I would recommend Sarıkamış, Kars, Kayseri and Bursa Uludag.

I’d recommend the biblical city of Antioch, where you can see a mosque, a church and a synagogue standing side by side, giving peace to humanity. It’s the only place where there is a mosque dedicated to, and named after, a Christian priest. I would also recommend Cappadocia - the early morning hot air balloon experience there is something everyone should try once in their lifetime.

What is your favourite travel experience in Turkey?

My favourite is the Blue Voyage around the Turkish Riviera. My favourite town is Gocek, where I board a boat, a wooden gullet, with a few friends. There’s a captain, a chef, a skipper, and a few staff. You enjoy your privacy, eat and sleep on the boat, and swim in the most beautiful bays. I love the water because its 26 to 27 degrees. This area has a lot of bays you can only reach by boat, not by car. I also love falling asleep and watching the stars from the deck of the boat.

The Bodrum gullets are very unique and are still built in the traditional style. They are usually wooden but engineers are now using the same old technology to build them with fibreglass. So now the gullets are lighter and more comfortable. You can use the wind and sail. Or use the engine and speed.

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How will Turkey grow as a destination?

Currently Turkey is the fourth popular destination for Czechs. It’s my aim to make it number one. Turkey will grow as a popular destination because of its location. We are the most European country in Asia and the most Asian country in Europe. Within four hours of flying from Turkey you can reach more than 40 countries so it’s a great hub for doing business.

Mostly it will grow because it’s so diverse. Every region is different. You can go to the Black Sea or go to the Mediterranean or the Aegean Sea and have a totally different experience.

1. Gulet in Bodrum 2. Egemen in Beijing

What about your favourite destinations outside of Turkey?

I’ve been to more than 80 countries. I think Prague is a great city. Sydney is very unique. Maldives is a great vacation spot. I like the Seychelles. A lot of people go to Phuket but my favourite in Thailand is Koh Samui and the Phi Phi islands. I have a special feeling for New York because that’s where I spent my youth. Rome is an open-air museum. In Istanbul I find a little of all these places - I see a little Rome, Sydney, Venice, Prague, New York, all combined in one city.

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