Turkey’s Top Attractions at Off-Season Prices

With a history of thousands of years and a unique location that saw several big world empires Turkey is a cradle of civilizations. Add the current highly popular modern cities, night life, shopping options  it is a paradise for travelers, offering rich, cultural attractions, ancient sites and historic ruins that are among the most unique in the world.

Usual and most crowded tourist season for Turkey is summer during when tourists mostly from Europe, Russia and Middle East flow to Turkey's Turquoise Coast beach resorts. But what Turkey offers as a tourist destination is not limited to summer beach resort holiday.

With the summer crowds gone, Crossroads Tours International, which features a wide selection of escorted tours, cruise packages and FIT services, offers travelers the perfect opportunity to experience Turkey and discover its diverse treasures in an uncrowded atmosphere and at attractive, off-season prices.

“Istanbul & Cappadocia” 
This 6-day/5-night package features the must-see attractions of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and heart of the country’s economic, cultural and historical legacy. The tour begins here, inthe city where “East meets West,” and includes a visit to Cappadocia, the region renowned for its surreal landscape and remarkable Christian history. The stay in Istanbul includes an in-depth, full day tour focusing on the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage and a half-day cruise on the Bosphorus, which rewards guests with spectacular views of the city’s Asian and European shorelines. Cappadocia highlights include views of the fabled Pasabag “Fairy Chimneys;” Goreme Open Air Museum, the rock cut churches of the “Red Valley,” and “Kaymakli Underground City.”

“Istanbul & Cappadocia” tours start daily in Istanbul and can be booked through a travel agent. Through October 31, 2013, the price is $690 per person, double occupancy. It is $610 per person throughout November. Round trip airfares from the U.S. and within Turkey are not included.

“Discover Turkey” 

Turkey’s history, diverse religious, cultural heritage, and natural wonders are center stage on Crossroads Tours’ best-selling “Discover Turkey” tour. This comprehensive 10-day/9-night tour features the most important examples of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman legacy, the historic battlefield of Gallipoli, the legendary cities of Troy and Pergamum, plus the remarkably well-preserved city of Ephesus, once the Roman Empire’s center of learning, as well as the nearby shrine of “Mother Mary,” where it is said the Mother of Jesus Christ spent the last years of her life. The tour’s itinerary also includes the renowned spa of Pamukkale, with it glistening “petrified waterfalls;” Konya, home of Turkey’s renowned “Whirling Dervishes;” and a visit to the region of Cappadocia, whose mountainous, fairy tale-like landscape, with its hidden valleys, villages, and caves, were once the refuge of the early Christians, who were hiding from Roman persecution.

The “Discover Turkey” tour starts in Istanbul every Saturday and is priced at $1,090 per person through October 31, 2013, and $1,000 per person throughout November. Round trip airfare from the U.S. is not included.

What the Tour Prices Include:
The prices of the “Istanbul & Cappadocia” and “Discover Turkey” tours include: airport transfers upon arrival and departure; accommodations at 4-Star hotels; meals as specified in the respective itineraries, transportation by air-conditioned, non-smoking mini or midi buses; services of an experienced, English-speaking escort/guide; entrance fees to all of the sites, museums, and other attractions visited while on tour; plus hotel taxes and service charges. All rates are based on double occupancy.

Customized Packages and FIT’s 
Both the “Istanbul & Cappadocia” and “Discover Turkey” tours can be modified to meet special departure and/or other requirements. The same applies to any of Crossroads Tours’ other escorted, special interest, or “Special Occasion” tours. Crossroads Tours will also be happy to assist agents in planning tailored-made FIT packages. 

Best Resorts in Turkey

Well a list of best hotels or resorts in Turkey or in the world is a subjective list and changes depending on to whom you ask. For example a list of 100 best resorts in the world in Russian online hotel site TopHotels.ru has 30 hotels from Turkey, 16 hotels from Eygpt, 14 hotels from Greece, 6 hotels from Thailand, etc. These are the top destinations Russian's also visit.

Based on 18 criteria including facilities, number of comments, overall rating, value-for-money, there are 30 Turkish resort hotels in the Top 100 Resorts of The World list:

·        Barut Lara Resort, Antalya
·        Maxx Royal Belek Golf, Belek
·        Gloria Verde Resort, Belek
·        Ali Bey Resort Side, Side
·        Amara Wing Resort, Kemer
·        Otium Eco Club Side, Side
·        Delphin Botanik World, Alanya
·        Limak Atlantis De Luxe, Belek
·        Mardan Palace, Antalya
·        Palom Oceana Resort, Side
·        Sueno Golf Belek, Belek
·        Alva Donna Exclusive, Belek
·        Gural Premier Tekirova, Kemer
·        Granada Luxury Resort, Alanya
·        Rixos Premium, Belek
·        Vogue Hotel Avantgarde, Kemer

Barut Lara Resort, Antalya

·        Susesi Luxury Resort, Belek
·        Long Beach Resort, Alanya
·        Seher Sun Palace , Side
·        Vera Club Hotel Mare, Belek
·        Akka Antedon Hotel, Kemer
·        Fame Residence Lara, Antalya
·        Silence Beach Resort, Side
·        Cornelia Diamond Golf, Belek
·        PGS Kiris Resort, Kemer
·        Ela Quality Resort, Belek
·        Riu Kaya Belek, Belek
·        Starlight Convention Center, Side
·        Fantasia Hotel de Luxe, Kemer
·        IC Hotels Santai Family Resort, Belek 

The best business hotel in Turkey

Wyndham Kalamış Hotel on the Anatolian (Asian) side of Istanbul is chosen as Turkey's leading business hotel in 20th World Travel Awards in 2013. The brand new business hotel which has started operations last year, is situated in Kalamış Marina with a fantastic sea view, restaurants, SPA and fitness facilities, meeting and congress rooms and eye catching internal design.

Wyndham Kalamış won the “HOTEL OF THE YEAR” award in Europe, Middle East and Africa region during the Wyndham Global Conference in Las Vegas.

Located on the Asian coast of Istanbul adjacent to the exclusive Kalamis Marina and proffering breathtaking views of the Sea of Marmara, the newly constructed, five-star Wyndham Istanbul Kalamis Marina hotel offers travelers a welcome destination where East effortlessly meets West. With Bagdad Street a 10 minute walk away, more than 300 designer shops, attractions, recreation and dining within easy reach.  A myriadd of amenities and world-class services, business and leisure travelers alike will find this Istanbul Kalamis Marina hotel their ideal choice when lodging in the City of the World’s Desire.

Guests can refresh and recharge in the indoor heated pool or outdoor pool, while the Blue Harmony Spa features a host of therapeutic, restorative treatments and state-of-the-art fitness equipment, as well as a Kids SPA which keeps children in shape.

"As being the first hotel investment of Wyndham Hotel Group in Turkey, Wyndham Kalamış is proud to receive such as prestigious award in our first year. Our goal is to make our hotel famous in the world and we thank everyone voting for us", said Alper Can Bulcum, the General Manager of Wyndham Kalamış.

Wyndham Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel is chosen as Turkey's leading business hotel.

Each of the hotel’s 210 spacious, well-designed guest rooms and suites are exquisitely appointed and feature panoramic views of the city, the sea or the marina. Plush pillow top mattresses ensure an incomparably restful sleep, while complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and large work spaces make in-room work trouble-free and uncomplicated. Flat screen TV’s, fully stocked mini-bars, in-room safes, full-length mirrors and spacious guest bathrooms ensure the utmost in comfort, and guests upgrading to the private-access Executive Level enjoy added amenities like bathrobes, welcome fruit, nightly turndown service and separate living areas.

This Istanbul Kalamis Marina hotel offers fourteen multi-functional meeting rooms that will accommodate from 12 people in a boardroom setting to 410 people for a banquet. The beautiful 7,567 square-foot Kalamis Grand Ballroom creates the perfect venue for everything from large conferences to product launches to unforgettable Istanbul weddings, and with ultramodern equipment and attentive service, events at this Istanbul hotel are guaranteed to be memorable.

Taskonaklar Hotel Named to 2014 Conde Nast Johansen Collection of Luxury Hotels

Historic Taskonaklar Hotel in Cappadocia offers a unique hotel experience with cave suites and Turkish hospitality. The hotel also continues to gain awards from travel media and travel web sites as a unique and special boutique hotel destination.

The hotel has just received several nominations from various reputable organizations / institutions as a luxury boutique hotel:

• Recommended hotel by Conde Nast Johansens in 2013 
• Nominee for Conde Nast Johansens Awards of Excellence 
• World Boutique Hotel Awards, Shortlisted for Inspired design category 
• Winner of Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2013 consequently after 2011 and 2012

The Conde Nast Johansens is a leading reference guide for independent travelers compiled by the publishers of Vogue, GQ, Traveller, and Glamour magazines. The guide is designed to single out local hotels designated by local experts as inspired destinations, either as a luxury hotel, spa, country house, boutique retreat, special venue, or for some other occasion. Each property recommended by Conde Nast has been carefully researched and is recommended as a destination that offers an exceptional experience.

Taskonaklar Boutique Hotel, located in Cappadocia, Turkey

“We are delighted to receive recognition from a global travel advisor with the prestige of Conde Nast,” said Tolga Akarcali, hotelier and entrepreneur, owner of Taskonaklar. “We have a naturally beautiful setting in historic Cappadocia, which has already been recognized as a historical site by UNESCO. We strive to augment the natural beauty of the area with a hotel experience that complements the local atmosphere, cuisine, and customs. Being named to the Johansens list is an honor that demonstrates that our hard work is being recognized by our guests.”

In addition to the Johansens listing, Taskonaklar has received Certificates of Excellence in 2011, 2012 and 2013 from TripAdvisor.com, and a nomination for a World Boutique Hotel Award in the inspired design category for 2013.

What makes Taskonaklar such a unique and sought-after destination is its unique location in the hills of Cappadocia and the careful restoration and renovation it has applied over the years to the historic mansions today accommodating hotel’s guests. The rooms are carved from the living rock, and the cave rooms feature fireplaces and amenities such as in-suite massage to promote a relaxing and romantic atmosphere. The eco-friendly hotel relies on local organic farming for freshly fetched ingredients.

See also where to stay in Cappadocia?

Rocker Imam of Antalya Turkey

Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı usually referred as simply Diyanet) has started an investigation for an Imam in Antalya Kaş for making rock music with a rock group he has founded with 2 friends. Imam Ahmet Muhsin Tüzer, probably the first Imam performing rock music in Turkey and in the world, has recently given a concert (you can watch some scenes from the concert below).

An inspector from Diyanet has arrived to Kaş (Antalya) and has talked with the official Diyanet workers and people watched the concert as well as Imam Tüzer.

"I have performed my music work without effecting my duties as an imam" said Tuzer. "I do not believe I have broken any law. I will continue my duties as an imam and my music".

Diyanet is known to be relatively open minded as it allows in vitro fertilization and birth control bills unlike many religious bodies around the world. Recently, it has allowed women to be trained as preachers and in March 2005 two women were appointed as vice-mufti in Kayseri and Istanbul. So an imam making rock music should not be a problem.

The Hagia Sophia Topkapı Palace and Ephesus most visited attractions in Turkey

The Hagia Sophia Museum,Topkapı Palace and the ruins of Ephesus. These are the most visited tourism attractions in Turkey last year, according to the Culture Ministry’s General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums.

The Hagia Sophia Museum, a 1,475-year-old church that is regarded as one of the most significant architectural structures in Istanbul and in the world, became the most-visited museum in 2012. Hagia Sophia was a former Greek Orthodox patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and is now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. The Hagia Sophia served as inspiration for many other Ottoman mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, the Şehzade Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque, the Rüstem Pasha Mosque and the Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque.

Topkapı Palace in Istanbul which was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign came in second place. Both Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia are located in Sultanahmed and within walking distance to each other and infamous Blue Mosque.

Ephesus, an ancient Greek and later a major Roman city on the coast of Ionia was in the third place. The ruins of the city which date back to 6000 B.C. are one of the best preserved ancient city ruins in Turkey and is quite popular thanks to its accessibility.

Meanwhile, the Mevlana Museum in the Central Anatolian province of Konya and the ruins of Hierapolis in the Aegean province of Denizli ranked among the most popular museums and ruins.

In 2011 a grand total of 28,462,893 tourists visited museums and ruins in Turkey, contributing 253,892,756 liras of revenue.

The Turkish girl who exposes her molester on Instagram

A Turkish woman has been a popular talking point today in Turkey after she has recorded her alleged molester and posted the video online. The woman, named Pırıl Polat according to Eksi Sozluk, was allegedly molested on the bus. But when this happened she had a very unique and courageous reaction and recorded a video you can watch below. The video does not contain any scene showing the old man molesting the young woman but she talks about it.

"The man you see next to me is touching me for half an hour" she says in the video. "Yes, see this pimp. Insallah, they have touched your mother". Pimp (pezevenk in Turkish) is used as cuss word for man. While she is recording this the "uncle" or the alleged molester just looks at the camera and appearently shows no response.

The topic named tacizcisini instagram hesabından afişe eden kız under Eksi Sozluk saw a heated debate on whether she was really molested or not.

Starwood Signs St. Regis Hotel in Istanbul

Starwood has signed an agreement with Nisantasi Konaklama ve Otel Hizmetleri A.S. (Demsa Group) to open a St. Regis hotel in Istanbul.

Set to open in the first half of 2014, The St. Regis Istanbul will mark the debut of the luxury brand in Turkey and extend Starwood’s presence in the country.

Located in the Nisantasi neighborhood in the Sisli district on the European side of the city, The St. Regis Istanbul will offer easy access to chic boutiques, restaurants and cafes, and important landmarks including the Istanbul Congress Center and Taksim Square.

 Designed by Turkish architect Emre Arolat, the new-build hotel will overlook Maçka Park and the Bosphorus.

The St. Regis Istanbul will have 118 rooms, of which four suites will feature custom interiors by world-renowned designers, as well as an exceptional presidential suite spanning approximately 2,000 square feet.

 Culinary offerings will include a brasserie-style restaurant, a rooftop restaurant and a lobby bar. The hotel will also feature a spa, fitness center, as well as a business center, meeting rooms and a ballroom.

“We look forward to a long-term collaboration with Demsa Group starting with the launch of our St. Regis brand in Istanbul, a thriving historical city that is becoming a major player in global travel,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa & Middle East. “As a truly cosmopolitan city, Istanbul provides the perfect setting for the bespoke service and refined elegance defined by the legacy of the St. Regis brand.” 

Top 10 Destination in Turkey

TripAdvisor's Traveller's Choice Awards 2013 has been out. We have looked at the top destinations in Turkey in 2013. Not suprisingly the list is crowded by resort cities from Turkish Turqouise Coast and lead by Turkey's largest and most happening city Istanbul. Still suprised to see Ankara on the top while there are better destinations like Izmir or Bursa.

1 - Istanbul
Istanbul is located on both Asia and Europe and carries characteristics of both. It may not be the capital but it is the most important city in Turkey. Its centuries old history combined with being the cultural, financial and entertainment center of Turkey offers something to all travelers and naturally sits at the top of top 10 destinations list in Turkey.

TripAdvisor advices not to miss Sultanahmet District, Bosphorus Strait and Suleymaniye Mosque.

2 - Marmaris

Seaside resort of Marmaris on Turkish Turquoise Coast is a very popular destination for cruise ships as well as British budget holiday hunters. Do not miss Blue Voyage, Dalyan, Marmaris Marina and Cleopatra Island.

Marmaris Marina

3 - Antalya
Turkey's tourism capital Antalya offers great beaches, traditional Turkish culture and some of the best beaches of Turkish Riviera. When there do not forget to visit city's old town center, Termessos, Antalya Archieological Museum and Pamukkale.

4 - Side
This resort town and a classical historic site in Pamphylia of Mediterranean Turkey hosts one of the few sites where you can find well-protected Roman ruins. Side offers quite nice resorts and beaches and is popular for both locals and tourists.

5 - Goreme
A town literally carved into the volcanic rock, Goreme is the gateway to the Goreme National Park, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches. The park itself is known for its chimney rock formations and is very popular with backpackers. It’s also a great area to sample Turkish cuisine and wine.

6 - Bodrum
This is where all Turkish Turquoise Coast as a tourist destination has started. Turkey's most popular vacation hotspot is also one of the most important stops on Turkish Riviera. It offers both a very nice beach and sea sports destination as well as a very vibrant nightlife.

7 - Dalyan Turkey
Ancient ruins, mud baths and loggerhead sea turtle breeding grounds are just some of the magical features of Dalyan. Beach sports, bike rides and river tours will satisfy your inner adventurer. Don’t miss the ornate Lycian tombs, carved into the cliffs along the Dalyan Çayı River circa 400 B.C.

8 - Oludeniz

Paragliding over Oludeniz

Famous for its 'Blue Lagoon' offers fantastic beaches and the best paragliding location in Turkey.

9 - Ankara
I am not sure how the capital city of Turkey famous for being the city of bureaucrats, students and soldiers made the top 10 destination but the city has its own character, a very nice modern facade and offers several tourist attractions for those interested in Turkish history like Ataturk Mausoleum (Anitkabir) and Anatolian Civilizations Museum (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi).

10 - Urgup
The Cappadocia region's most upscale and contemporary tourist city, Urgup has a number of lovely hotels, many built in and around centuries-old cave dwellings. The city and its surrounding area are known for their mysterious fairy chimneys, early Christian rock churches and fine vineyards. A mix of ancient and modern, Urgup is a center for traditional handmade carpets, but also has a lively nightlife. Hot air ballooning is very popular, and a fantastic way to see the area's beauty from above.

Qatar Airlines increasing flights from Doha to Ankara

Qatar Airlines is increasing its capacity to Turkey from Doha by introducing additional direct flights from Doha to Ankara, capital city of Turkey. By September 18th, there will be 4 flights per week between Doha and Ankara.

Qatar Airlines uses airbus A320 aircraft on Ankara - Doha route with 12 Business Class and 132 Economy Class seats. The seats are equipped with inflight entertainment system with more than 700 channels and 1000 videos and music.

Qatar Airlines flight QR462 will depart from Doha on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 08:00 AM and arrive to Ankara at 11:55 AM. Return flight QR 463 will leave Ankara on the same day at 19:25 and arrive Doha at 23:00.

Qatar Airlines flies to Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey. The airline has recently increased Istanbul - Doha capacity by introducing wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft on the route which has translated to 50% increase on the route. The airline has started to fly to Turkey in 2003.

Sheraton Samsun hotel in Turkey to open in 2014

Starwood Hotels & Resorts' 11th hotel in Turkey will be opened in city of Samsun. Starwood has signed an agreement with Tanriverdi Mensucat Sanayii A.S. to open the new-build Sheraton hotel in Samsun, Turkey which is scheduled to debut late 2014.

Sheraton Samsun Hotel will be ideally located in the heart of Samsun on the Black Sea coast, three kilometers from the city center and 25 kilometers from Samsun Carsamba Airport. The hotel will feature 200 guest rooms and 20 suites, all with scenic views of the Black Sea. The 29-storey hotel will be the largest hotel and the tallest building in Samsun. The hotel is being designed by Turkish architectural firm, Piramit Mimarlik, together with Istanbul-based interior designer, Kreatif Mimarlik.

The hotel will feature an all-day dining venue, a specialty restaurant, a lobby bar, as well as a rooftop bar and lounge. Sheraton Samsun Hotel is set to become the choice gathering place for business travelers, offering extensive modern meeting and event space, including a grand ballroom, 10 meeting rooms and a business center.

Signature Sheraton experiences will include the all-white Sweet Sleeper® beds, the Sheraton Club Rooms and Lounge, the Link@Sheraton® experienced with Microsoft® and Sheraton Fitness® by Core Performance™, designed exclusively for Sheraton guests through its partner Core Performance. The hotel will also offer the signature Sheraton Shine Spa with 10 treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool and retail shops.

Home to the largest and busiest Turkish port on the Black Sea, the city of Samsun is positioned to become an important and strategic center for trade, medical and natural gas industries, as well as international and domestic transportation networks.

Samsun is a city of about half a million people on the north coast of Turkey.

Starwood has nine hotels in Turkey under five of its lifestyle brands, including four hotels in Istanbul: Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel, Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy Hotel, W Istanbul and Le Méridien İstanbul Etiler. Outside of Istanbul, Starwood has the Sheraton Cesme Hotel, Resort and Spa, Sheraton Ankara Hotel & Convention Centre, and The Lugal, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Ankara.

Earlier this year, the company entered Bursa with the Sheraton Bursa Hotel and Aloft Bursa Hotel, marking the entry of the fast-growing Aloft Hotels brand into Turkey. Later this year, Starwood will open its 10th hotel in Turkey with the Sheraton Adana Hotel, making Turkey one of the largest markets in Europe for the Sheraton brand.

Turkish Airlines will open its Istanbul Arrival Lounge for Business Class passengers

Turkish Airlines opened its new "Istanbul Arrival Lounge" in a ceremony, designed to provide a space where inbound guests may refresh themselves before exiting the Istanbul Ataturk Airport. This is the most recent innovation directed at making Business Class travel on Turkish Airlines a uniquely pleasurable experience.

The Lounge offers passengers shower facilities, areas for changing clothes and staff dedicated to ironing clothing items if desired. There are also delicious treats prepared by Turkish DO & CO—all designed to ready passengers for the tasks that await them upon leaving the airport. This service is especially valuable to guests arriving in the early morning when hotel rooms are generally not yet available for check-in.
Also available are daily local and foreign newspapers and magazines, a full wireless internet connection, media walls and charging points for passengers’ electronic devices.

The lounge will be open every day to receive arriving passengers from 05:00 - 12:30 (local time) and will be closed each day at 13:00 (local time).

Only Business Class passengers and Economy or Comfort Class passengers having Elite Plus membership will be able to use the lounge on arrival in Istanbul following their international flights. Star Gold members and other Miles & Smiles members--except Elite Plus members - will not be eligible to use the Lounge. Additionally, eligible passengers will not be permitted to bring guests.

Turkish Airlines Istanbul Arrival Lounge at Ataturk Airport

Qatar Airways introduces Airbus A330 on Doha - Istanbul flights

Qatar Airways is one of my most favorite airlines to fly from Far East to Turkey. They fly from Doha to Istanbul and Ankara. Both flights were served by Airbus A320 planes which is a drwaback after flying in a fantastic Boeing 777 or Airbus A330 from Singapore to Doha. But finally since 1 July 2013, Qatar Airways started to use Airbus A330 on Doha - Istanbul route. The wide body planes with 36 Business Class and 192 Economy Class seats are equipped with an in-flight entertainment system with 700 channels and more than 1000 videos and music.

With introduction of Airbus A330 on the route, Qatar Airway's Istanbul capacity will increase by 166 seats per day (50% up!). The airline has started flying to Istanbul 10 years ago with 3 x week schedule and with increased demand it is now flying 10 times a week to Istanbul.

Qatar Airways flies to many major destinations in Asia, Africa, Europe and America. Although it is not practical to fly to Europe and USA from Turkey, airline offers relatively cheap tickets and very high quality alternative on route to Middle East, Africa, East Asia (i.e. Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, China, Malaysia) and Australia and New Zealand.

An Airbus A330 of Qatar Airways. Qatar Airways Istanbul - Doha - Istanbul flights are now served with these
large body aircraft.

Marmaray and High-Speed Train to Increasing Investment Appeal of Istanbul Property Market

The Marmaray Project, described as one of Turkey’s greatest railway engineering projects ever, is a much needed solution to the effects of Istanbul’s traffic congestion and expanding suburbs, caused by the city’s rapidly growing population. It is expected to open at the end of October 2013, four years after the initial completion date.

The four main components of the Marmaray Project include an underwater railway tunnel beneath the Istanbul Strait - the deepest immersed structure in the world, improvement of the Gebze-Haydarpasa and Sirkeci-Halkali suburban railway lines, electrical and mechanical upgrades, including rebuilding 37 stations and three new ones, and the procurement of new rolling stock.

“The Marmaray Project will be a real shot in the arm for Istanbul as a whole, but a number of districts will really benefit,” said Julian Walker, Director at Spot Blue. “It will not only provide an east to west transport corridor between the European and Asian sides of the city, but there will also be a connection at Yenkapi to the north-south metro line, completing a very effective and convenient transport system. Turks will find it much easier to commute from the city’s suburban areas and developments close to stations should be very appealing to foreign buyers, including buy-to-let investors. Only recently we sold a $150,000 apartment in Istanbul’s Bahcesehir district to someone from the Middle East.”

Halkali is a district on the western edge of the European side of Istanbul and the furthest terminal on the new suburban rail line. It will be linked by a high-capacity line with Gebze on the Asian side of the city. The journey time between these two terminals will drop to an estimated 104 minutes with the new rail service, from the current 185 minutes. Halkali also has rail connections to other cities, in and beyond Turkey.

Marmaray

Walker continued: “Halkali is already a busy hub, thanks to its excellent connections, and the Marmaray Project will enhance this. We have opportunities to invest in a selection of new developments there, with prices starting at around £36,000 for a studio apartment, rising to around £104,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. The other bonus about Halkali is that is it very close to the city’s Ataturk Airport.” Other areas on the European side where Spot Blue has investment opportunities include Beylikduzu and Bahcesehir.
“Otherwise, on the city’s eastern side we have opportunities in Erenkoy, which is on the new Halkali-Gebze line, so with great transport links. There we have smart four-bedroom apartments from around £450,000,” added Walker.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s first high speed inter-city rail service running between Ankara and Istanbul, is due for completion next year. There are plans to connect this with the new Marmaray suburban line, thus effectively completing a high speed train line between Asia and Europe.