“Turkish Baths have long been considered one of the best ways to relax and unwind and there is no better place to experience the tranquility of this ancient bathing ritual than in Turkey itself!” writes Joan Scanlon, Head of Sales & Operations, Wings Abroad Holidays. 
“The Turkish Bath, also known as ‘hamam’, is about leaving yourself in the hands of your ‘tellak’ or ‘natir’ (male and female attendants) who will guide you through the various stages of this experience.
“The bath starts by entering into a warm relaxation room where you will find big basins of hot water, ‘kurna’. In the centre of this room you will also find a large central raised marble heated platform, which is perfect for lounging on and de-stressing.
“The hot section of a Turkish Bath is the most impressive part, as it is usually designed so that the rays of light filter into this area from a high central dome, illuminating the steam and creating an otherworldly feeling. Sheer bliss!
“Sit back and relax and your attendant will wash your body and this will be followed by a massage using a lacy foam-filled cloth for a sudsy massage.
“Following the washing and massage, your attendant will then scrub your body using a traditional cloth, a ‘kese’, a process that will leave your skin beautifully soft.
“The final stage of a Turkish Bath is the cool down, where you can stay and relax with a glass of ‘sherbet’ (Ottoman-style juice or a cup of Turkish tea). The idea here is to spend a few minutes allowing your body to return to its regular temperature and wishing you had access to this wonderful experience every day!”
