Turkish Ambassador Reveals Top Destinations for Russian Travelers

At a recent event held at his Moscow residence celebrating the iconic Turkish breakfast, Ambassador Tanju Bilgiç shared which parts of Turkey are drawing the most visitors from Russia. Antalya leads the pack by a wide margin, followed by Bodrum and Istanbul, where tourists explore cultural landmarks. Rounding out the top five are Cappadocia and resorts along the Black Sea coast.

The gathering was more than just a list of hotspots—it was a deep dive into Turkey’s culinary heritage. The ambassador’s wife, Betül Aksoy Bilgiç, described gastronomy as a universal language that builds bridges between cultures. “The ancient tables of Anatolia were shaped by flavors brought by caravans along the Silk Road for centuries,” she said.

Chefs Sinem Mete and Feray Balaban demonstrated how to prepare breakfast staples like simit, menemen, and kuymak. The meal featured regional specialties: Ezine cheese from Çanakkale, aged kaşar from Thrace, herbed cheese from Van, olives and olive oil from the Aegean, tahin-pekmez from the Mediterranean, pastırma and sucuk from Kayseri, and Black Sea tea traditions. Dishes included menemen—an omelet with onions, peppers, and tomatoes—spicy beef sausage, gözleme flatbreads, and börek pastries filled with cheese, meat, or spinach. Dessert brought baklava, jams, and Turkish coffee.

The event ended with coffee, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage element since 2013. Guests even tried their hand at brewing it in hot sand.