Turkey ups its game as a world-class golfing destination in 2014

Turkey’s campaign to become a global golf destination has gained momentum during 2014, with the golfing resort of Belek hosting a series of international tournaments and Turkey being ranked the fifth most important destination for golf tourism by the IAGTO, said Turkey property specialist Spot Blue International Property in August.

Turkey’s rising prominence on the golf scene is being spearheaded by Belek, a resort that combines championship golf courses with beach holidays, luxury accommodation and affordable new property. Belek now has 15 golf courses within a 15-kilometre stretch of coastline, boasts more than 50 five-star hotels and is just 30 minutes’ drive from the international airport at Antalya.

The National Golf Club in Belek successfully hosted its first European Challenge Tour tournament, namely the Turkish Airlines Challenge, in May this year, with the course receiving praise from leading players. In the same month, the course hosted the PGA Turkish Airlines Ladies Open, which will take place at Belek’s equally impressive Carya Golf Club next year. Meanwhile, building on its hosting of the 2013 Turkish Airlines Open, attended by a selection of leading players that included Tiger Woods, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal Club will host the Open again in November 2014.

Ahmet Ağaoğlu, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, commented that after the inaugural Turkish Airlines Open in 2012, which saw Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood amongst the competing players, bookings for tee-times in the Belek area rose by some 12 to 15 per cent.

Ağaoğlu stated recently that being under the Challenge Tour spotlight in 2014 will only strengthen Belek’s reputation as one of the world’s top golfing destinations. “Last year [2013], 160,000 tourists came to Turkey just to play golf,” said Ağaoğlua. “It’s an industry in this area and people appreciate the courses and facilities here. There is no better value out there than Belek in terms of the compact nature of this area.”

Increasing golf tourism is benefiting homeowners in Belek, and in nearby resorts such as Side and Antalya, by adding value to their property and increasing rental demand.

Golf courses in Belek, Turkey

“Sought after homes are situated on small complexes off the main road running along the coast between the centre of Belek and the neighbouring village of Kadriye,” said Julian Walker, director at Spot Blue International Property. “You can be a 20 to 30-minute walk - or short drive - from a Blue Flag beach, a championship golf course, and bars and amenities. Offering all of these things, as well as a short transfer time, makes the area good for rentals, especially when a major golf tournament is on.”


Typical of what’s available in Belek are a new three-bedroom semi-detached villa with a shared pool and located opposite a golf course, available for €179,000, and a two-bedroom apartment, just a kilometre from the beach and golf, available for just €69,000. 

Turkey Public Holidays 2014 Calendar

Public holidays in Turkey fall into 2 groups: The ones which commemorate the important events from the foundation days of Turkish Republic and the religious holidays. There are only 2 religious holidays but they tend to be long, usually Turkish take a week long holiday during these holidays and business life almost stops.

If you are planning to visit Turkey, you should now this dates because many Turks travel within Turkey during long holidays and the hotel and flight ticket prices are quite expensive during these times.

Religious holidays for Muslim festivals and their date change every year since they are based on lunar calendar.

New Year Holiday  (Turkish Yılbaşı)
January 1st, 2014 Wednesday
Turkey celebrates Gregorian Calendar’s first year as new year and most of the time December 31st is also a half day holiday. Expect a very crowded and fully booked December 31st night.

National Sovereignty and Children’s Day  (Turkish Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı)
April 23rd, 2014, Wednesday
Grand National Assembly of Turkey has first opened its door at Ankara in 23 April 1920 and the day is a holiday for the commemoration of the event. This official holiday is dedicated to the children.

Labour and Solidarity Day (Turkish Emek ve Dayanışma Günü)
May 1st 2014, Thursday
This is May Day holiday, which was removed from the list of public holidays in 1981 by the military rulers of 1980 Turkish coup d’état. 28 years after, in 2009, May Day has been an official public holiday again. Since it falls on Thursday, expect Turks to attach it to next weekend with 1 day off on Friday and enjoy a 4 days long weekend.

Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkish Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı)
May 19th, 2014, Monday
May 19th 1919 is a public holiday commemorating the beginning of national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk’s landing in Samsun. The holiday is dedicated to the youth. In 2014, this public holiday will create a 3-days long weekend.

Ramadan Feast (Turkish Ramazan Bayramı)
July 27 2014 (half day) Sunday, July 28-29-30 2014 Monday – Wednesday

This religious holiday in Turkey (and in the rest of Muslim world) is Eid_ul-Fitr and one of the longest holidays in Turkey and if all these days are in weekdays, Turks tend to have a long 9 days holiday by merging this holiday with the weekends. Since July is summer time, many Turkish will flock to south coast for holiday and it would be difficult if not impossible to find hotel rooms and plane tickets during this time.

Victory Day (Turkish Zafer Bayramı)
August 30, 2014, Saturday

This holiday is for the commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupinar which has ended the Turkish Independence War in 1922 with a victory and it is dedicated to the armed forces.

Sacrifice Feast (Turkish Kurban Bayramı)
October 3rd 2014 (half day) Friday, October 4-5-6-7 2013 Saturday – Tuesday

This religious holiday in Turkey is Eid_ul-Adha and one of the longest holidays in Turkey and if all these days are in weekdays, Turkish tend to have a long 9 days holiday by merging this holiday with the weekends. It is very difficult to find tickets and hotel rooms around this time. This year, it seems like it wont be a 9 days holiday but a 5 days long weekend.

Republic Day (Turkish Cumhuriyet Bayramı)
October 28-29th, 2014 Tuesday, Wednesday
This 1.5 day holiday starts at 28th afternoon and October 29th is a full day holiday commemoration of the proclamation of the republic in 1923. This is a good opportunity to have a long 5-days weekend for many Turks.

No more on arrival Turkey visa by April 2014

By 10th April 2014, on arrival visa to Turkey (visa stickers issued at border points) would no longer be issued. But do not worry, you will not need to queue in Turkish Embassies. There is now a better option which seems to be easier and more convenient. Instead of on arrival visa, visitors to Turkey will have to buyTurkish e-visa online before arriving to Turkey.

Turkey’s Culture & Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik has announced this change in London in November:

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik stated on Monday that stamp visa or banderole visa system would be lifted on April 10, 2014 so that the use of e-visa would be more widespread.
Celik attended the meeting of G20 Tourism Ministers in British capital London on Monday. Speaking at the meeting, Minister Celik stated that there was a ten percent of increase in the number of tourists who visited Turkey this year when compared to last year. He added, there was a 22 percent rise in tourism revenue compared to last year, and these rises were closely related with the visa applications.
Celik noted, “In the past decade, we have lifted visa procedures with more than 30 countries, made visa agreements with more than 50 countries within the opinion of that visa exemption opens the way for tourism. Only assessing Turkey’s tourism statistics shows us how correct was our visa policy and how much success we made. With the policies that we follow and the close attention that our country receives, the number of tourists who visited Turkey in the year of 2002 was under 13 million and in the ten year period, so in 2012, that increased to 35.7 million people.”
Source : Turkish visa applications to change

With e-visa, applicants now can obtain their visa electronically after entering required information and making payment by credit card instead of waiting in a queue upon arrival to Turkey. To apply e-visa to enter Turkey, visit Turkey e-visa web site.

Luxury Yacht Charter Destinations From Marmaris

The most favorite place for yacht charter in Turkey is Southwest Coast known as Turkish Riviera or Turquoise Coast. Along its beautiful coastline there are many luxury yacht charter destinations to visit and explore. A very popular city to begin such relaxing holidays is from the diverse and exciting city of Marmaris. From here, travelers can embark, choosing from an array of itineraries.

Located on the border of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas of Turkey, Marmaris offers much that one can do before or after their luxury yacht charter holidays. Boasting 4 major marinas and a choice port of call by yachtsmen and blue cruise travelers, Marmaris is known to be the gulet heaven of the Carian coast. To see a small selection of yachts and gulets embarking from Marmaris, there is a Yacht Charter Show in the month of May where the harbor is lined with all sorts of yachts of different classes to board and look around.

One reason why blue cruise travelers choose Marmaris for their gulet charter holidays is because of its near proximity to the Dodecanese and Cyclades islands in Greece. The island of Rhodes is a very short cruise away and from there, most itineraries will follow the route to Symi island and Kos.

Symi island visit during 7 night yacht holidays from Turkey

Not limited only to the Greek Islands, the surrounding regions offer plenty of alternatives in routes. Traveling from Marmaris to the Eastern Mediterranean will lead you to discover the quaint and ever so popular port of Gocek and the 12 islands, the splendid city of Fethiye and all the other little bays in between such as Bedri Rahmi and Aga Port. There is also the ancient city of Caunos in the town of Dalyan.

Blue cruise pleasures do not stop there. Gulet cruising to the East will open even more routes to other fantastic destinations. Heading to the west a leading itinerary among travelers is from Marmaris on a 7 nights’ gulet cruise to Bodrum. The special part about this luxury yacht charter destination route also takes you to the islands of Rhodes and Symi as well as the Datca peninsula to see the ancient city of Cnidus (Knidos). Therefore you have the pleasure of seeing not only the magnificent Turkish coastline but also the historic country of Greece along the way.

Marmaris Yacht Marina in the night

Source : 5 Reasons To Choose Luxury Yacht Charter Destinations From Marmaris

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 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.

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.

Bodrum Hotel deals by Otel.com

For those who want to spend their holidays in Aegean Region, Otel.com announces its 7% discounts on luxury Bodrum hotels. These special rates can be seen on the website of the company here; http://www.otel.com/.

With its history, nature and culture, Bodrum is a popular holiday getaway in Turkey. The Bodrum peninsula is situated on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea. The weather in Bodrum makes it a popular all-year round tourist destination. Summers are hot and winters are mild though can be rainy. Book your cheap Bodrum hotel in advance for the summer season to get the best choice. One of Bodrum best known hotels is the Hotel Manastir. This popular hotels is on a steep hill and commands some breathtaking views over Bodrum.

There are many events to attend in Bodrum, especially sports events. For instance, Bodrum Bicycle Festival and Diving Festival are the top two festivals attracting hundreds of tourists from all around the world. Due to these events, Bodrum hotels are generally full during May. Bodrum Cup Wooden Yacht Regatta is held in October and many sports aficionados pour along Bodrum.

The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus is also a must-see landmark. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This ancient tomb can be seen in the city of Halicarnassus in modern Bodrum.

Bodrum Castle (Castle of St. Peter)

People also visit some other famous attractions like Bodrum Castle, Bodrum Amphitheatre, Myndos Gate, Seven Windmills and the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology during their stay in hotels in Bodrum.
Metin Altun, CEO of Otel.com emphasizes the importance of Bodrum for Turkish tourism; “Without Bodrum, Aegean beaches are not complete. It offers many natural beauties and the city is still well-kept in terms of historical heritage. There are many luxury hotels in the city; however people are trying to find cheap hotels in Bodrum. Therefore; we tried our best and in the middle of summer we offer discounts up to 7% in some Bodrum hotels for only our customers.”

Vera Club Hotel TMT is one of the discounted hotels Metin Altun mentions. It features a private beach, outdoor and indoor pools. Hotel Manastir & Suites are the other resort people can book with a special price. Built on the site of an 18th-century monastery, the hotel overlooks Bodrum Bay and offers a glass-walled dining room, where people can enjoy Turkish and international cuisine.

Turkey Tour Key Offering Cappadocia And Ephesus Tour Packages

Turkey Tour Key has announced that they are currently offering two different kinds of tourism packages specifically catering for the needs of those who want to get the most out of their holiday to Turkey. Currently, among numerous other tour packages, Turkey Tour Key are proud to be offering Cappadocia tours and Ephesus tours. Both of these tours have been built and put together to ensure that all tourists to Turkey are able to view some of the most spectacular sights that the country has to offer. Currently, both of the tours have a length of 2-days, and include several stops and visits - as well as helpful, joyful and cheerful tour guides which are ready to guide tourists along the educational journey they so desire.

With dozens of positive reviews, anybody visiting Turkey and looking to explore Cappadocia tours and Ephesus tours are recommended to check out the two packages currently being offered by Turkey Tour Key. Both of the packages are currently affordably priced, and are actually some of the most affordable priced tour packages in the country.

Cappadocia (Kapadokya) is an area in Central Anatolia in Turkey best known for its unique moon-like landscape, underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks. Ephesus (Efes) is a was an ancient Greek city, and later a major Roman city, on the coast of Ionia, near present-day Selçuk, Izmir Province, Turkey. It was one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League during the Classical Greek era. These well preserved ruins are one of the major tourist attractions of Turkey.

Celsius Library in Ephesus

Cappadocia Cave Suites Hotel

Where to stay in Cappadocia while in Cappadocia? Of course in a cave hotel. There are many choose among for different budgets. One of them is Cappadocia Cave Suites Hotel. A unique cave hotel that combines houses and cave dwellings of the Hittite, Roman and Byzantine Periods with the luxurious comfort of the 21st Century. So, when you hear "cave", do not expect to stay like cavemen of the past. This very different experience in cave rooms comes with a warm and clean environment with a modern room infrastructure of Wi-Fi, jacuzzi, and a very good view of the city.

Cappadocia's fairy chimneys are a special type of volcanic rock. You can basically carve a room in them with a pocket knife and enough time. They are soft enough to be carved but hard enough to last ( there are many ancient churches in the region carved almost a thousand and a half years ago and still stands still). Many houses in Cappadocia is in caves and recently cave hotels became a trend which offer a unique hotel experience.

Cappadocia Cave Suites is located in the city of Goreme, one of the most beautiful and characteristic locales in the Cappadocia region. The famous fairy chimneys and fantastic colorful shapes of the landscape, make this region a natural wonder of the world. Come to relax and explore this historic, wondrous and romantic landscape while enjoying the finest in hotel accommodations and world famous Turkish hospitality.

The hotel offers real cave rooms and rooms designed as caves. Although, all of the rooms are spacious and decorated with a beautiful local flair, if you want the real deal, ask for a real cave room:  they are extraordinary! Also try to book upper cave rooms which offer a better views.

Cappadocia Cave Suites Hotel

Cappadocia Cave Suites Hotel
Gafferli Mah. Ünlü Sok. No: 19, Goreme, Goreme, Turkey

Useful tip: A taxi ride from the airport to a Goreme hotel will be very expensive compared to the transport arranged by the hotel. A taxi ride can cost around 150 TL while a hotel van can cost 20-30 TL.

Holidays to Turkey Villas Now Offered by Solmar

Luxury villa holiday specialist Solmar Villas has added villas in Turkey to its choice of European destinations – just in time for summer.

Holidaymakers can now choose from a number of holidays to Turkey, in luxury villas, in some of the best Turkey resorts.

Solmar Villas offers luxury villas in Spain, Italy, Cyprus and Tenerife, private villas in Lanzarote, Malta, Mallorca, and villas in Costa del Sol, Italy, Costa Brava, Algarve and Fuerteventura.

Now, Solmar has added holidays in Turkey to its growing list of destinations. “Turkey is an area of spectacular diversity,” explained Julie Blake, managing director of Solmar Villas. “It is a captivating region, where simplicity and sophistication rub shoulders in everyday life. Such endearing qualities are what make this stunning coastline so special, and what first prompted us to explore this dramatic destination.

Solmar Villas specialises in luxury villa holidays in a range of destinations in mainland Spain, as well as offering villas in Menorca, Mallorca, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. In summer 2013, Solmar Villas added holidays to Turkey to its growing list of destinations. Each luxury villa is hand-picked, and comes with a private pool. Solmar Villas offers a range of villa holiday deals and cheap villa holidays throughout the year.

“Holidays to Turkey can be an educational and eye-opening experience – with rich history dating back thousands of years – or simply a great way to soak up sunshine in stunning surroundings.”

Turkey resorts offer plenty for tourists – with 20 major Lycian sites, including Lycia capital Xanthos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Tlos, a fortress-topped acropolis offering 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding Turkish scenery.

For more adventurous holidaymakers, Turkey is also home to the Saklikent Gorge – the second largest gorge in Europe which is scattered with tea rooms and restaurants; the Pinara, an ancient, mountain-top city above the Xanthos valley; and Letoon, a UNESCO heritage site with a Hellenistic theatre, a nymphaeum dating back to Hardian, and a series of Lycian inscriptions.

From June, luxury villa holiday specialist Solmar Villas will offer holidays at up to 25 different villas in Turkey, near popular Turkey resorts like Kalkan, Gocek, Kayakoy, Bodrum and Islamar.

If architecture, artefacts and adventure don’t suit, holidays in Turkey also offer plenty of relaxing activities. From Turkey’s rugged coastline to its stunning scenery, there’s plenty to sit and look at without breaking sweat.

From June, Solmar Villas will offer holidays at up to 25 different villas in Turkey, near popular Turkey resorts like Kalkan, Gocek, Kayakoy, Bodrum and Islamar.

There will be a mix of high-end luxury villas, specially-selected villas and private villas available. The Villa Selda, in Kalkan, is a great example of the type of villa Solmar has looked for in Turkey.

Villa Selda is just 200m from the beach, and offers great views of the surrounding Turkish landscape. The villa itself has contemporary furnishing, floor-to-ceiling glass windows providing a stunning view, and en suite bathrooms.

All Solmar’s Turkey villas will include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions, satellite, washing machines, dishwashers, full cooking facilities (including barbecue), and are within walking distance of local shops and amenities.

“Our luxury villas in Turkey offer a great way to explore the region, or simply relax and take in its beautiful landscapes,” Julie added.

“We’ve handpicked some of the best Turkey villas, each with a private pool, to ensure your holidays to Turkey are relaxing, stimulating and memorable.”

Istanbul Vacation Package by Untours

In April 2013, Untours will welcome their new Istanbul vacation package, the Istanbul Untour. “It is an exciting new destination for us,” says Brian Taussig-Lux, Untours General Manager. “Istanbul strikes the perfect balance of exotic and safe, exciting but easy to navigate.”

The new program was announced at the end of January, and early sales have been brisk. “I am thrilled with our early response,” says Cathrin Baumbach, one of the program’s coordinators. “Clearly there was a lot of pent up demand, both from our regular clients and new ones.”

This huge response supports the beliefs of Fodor's and [The New York Times that Istanbul is one of the top 25 places to go in 2013.

“Our clients asked for Istanbul,” says Taussig-Lux. “And now they are responding! We were delighted to see bookings even before the program was officially announced on our website.”

The Istanbul vacation package includes a week or two in a hand-selected, staff-inspected apartment in the city, with central locations in the ancient Sultanahmet district and the trendy Galata neighborhood. “We loved the fantastic street life, churches and restaurants in the area near the Galata Tower,” says Baumbach. “But we knew we also wanted to offer something in the old city. Staying in Sultanahmet, you can walk to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You hear the call to prayer and live within the dramatic skyline of mosques and minarets.”

Untours staff meets guests on the Istanbul Untour upon their arrival at the airport. The Istanbul vacation package includes airport transfers and an Istanbul transit card. As with other Untour packages, the Untour in Istanbul allows guests to plan their own daily activities while giving them thorough local information, a cell phone to use on site, and the assistance of knowledgeable hosts.

Istanbul Vacation Package by Untours

Local Untours staffers help guests on the Istanbul Untour settle into the city and present an informational seminar the morning after their arrival. This covers the city’s transportation system, an overview of city sights, helpful pointers on safety, and useful information and background on the culture itself. “Our staff people, Hale and Levent, are top notch,” says Andi Cancelliere, another of the program’s coordinators. “When I met Hale for the first time, I felt I was reconnecting with an old friend.”

“Istanbul is a perfect marriage of old and new cultures,” explains Taussig-Lux. “All of our apartments have Wi-Fi and are newly renovated, with high end amenities. But to settle contracts for them, we had to spend a lot of time sitting with owners, face to face, drinking tea and talking.”

On the Istanbul vacation package, local Untours staff members focus their time not only on explaining practical matters, but translating more meaningful aspects of the culture. Beyond presenting Istanbul’s sophisticated tourist infrastructure, they share insight into the city’s rich Islamic tradition and deep rooted history. “On a guided tour of the Hagia Sofia or a cruise on the Bosphorus, they will help translate some of the most fascinating and compelling aspects of Turkish history and culture,” explains Taussig-Lux.

Untours has offered apartment-based, cultural immersion vacations since 1975, with programs all over Europe as well as in Quebec City and Buenos Aires. Visit untours.com for full offerings and for more details on the new Istanbul vacation package. Better yet, see Arthur Frommer’s coverage of the new program.

Fabulous Turkey Holiday Ideas by holidaymate.com

Holiday Mate understands that making the decision about where to go on holiday to Turkey can be difficult, so to make it a little easy Holiday Mate have revealed the three hottest destinations this year. These are Marmaris, Oludeniz and Bodrum. Here is a little bit about each of them:

Marmaris was once a small fishing village but those days are long gone. It is now one of Turkey’s most popular and largest holiday resorts. The town has a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Home to one of the largest yachting marinas in Turkey, it is a beloved spot on cruises along the coast. A bustling, lively resort there is plenty to see and do with a plethora of shops, bazaars, restaurants, cafes, bars and night clubs. As well as plenty of excursions and trips. The neighbouring resort of Icmeler also lures its fair share of visitors. A much quieter and more laid back resort than Marmaris.

Bodrum is a historical town famous for once housing one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A picturesque port town where modernity’s effortlessly blend with the traditional, there are signs every where of its colourful history and rich culture. Popular with the rich and famous, reported visitors have included Beyonce, Tom Hanks and Sting. It is an area of fantastic beauty, with many sandy beaches where holidaymakers can spend relaxing days soaking up the sunshine whilst on holiday to Turkey.

Oludeniz is one of the most photographed places in Turkey and it’s no surprise why really, with its stunning beach, turquoise waters and famous Blue Lagoon. A popular destination with numerous restaurants and bars, the resort has still managed to retain its individual charm. The bars along the seafront make the perfect place to sit and watch the breathtaking sunset from or gaze at the paragliders as they slowly soar to the ground, after jumping off nearby Babadag Mountain.

Holiday Mate Unveils Fabulous Turkey Holiday Ideas

A Holiday Mate spokesperson said:

“There is something magical about Turkey that makes visitors fall in love and never want to leave. If you want to be cast under its spell and go on holiday to Turkey then simply visit our website or contact our call centre for free. We have a fantastic and extensive range of holidays to destinations all over Turkey.”
Holidays can be booked online, by emailing customerservices(at)holidaymate(dot)com or calling 0800 031 9900 and letting a holiday specialist help book a perfect break. Or visit the Holiday Mate stores whilst on holiday to Turkey. Also follow Holiday Mate on Facebook to find out more and to access up to the minute promotions and discount codes.

Background: Holiday Mate is a Turkey and North Cyprus Holiday Specialist that sells Holidays to Turkey and N. Cyprus with flights departing from all UK airports. Daily dynamic price checks ensure that no one can compete with Holiday Mate when it comes to cheap holidays to Turkey.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Istanbul, Turkey

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts today announced a new development in Istanbul, Turkey, scheduled to open in 2016. The 210-room hotel will be joined by branded residences and is part of the Quasar Istanbul complex, a new mixed-use development in the Sisli district, a vibrant neighborhood blending commercial, residential and retail yet situated close to major attractions in the city. The project is being developed through a joint venture between Viatrans - Meydanbey. Viatrans is a Geneva-based company specializing in shipping logistics and insurance as well as commercial real estate.

The Quasar Istanbul complex is in the central business district whose showpiece is the former Mecidiyeköy Liqueur and Cognac Factory. Built in the 1930's on then undeveloped land, the factory was designed by Robert Mallet-Stevens, who with Le Corbusier was among the most influential modern French architects of that era.

Two 41-story towers will sit above a 4-story office podium with fitness facilities and luxury retail stores. The towers will house a Fairmont Hotel and Fairmont Residences as well as Quasar Residences and offices which will be managed by Fairmont. The hotel will feature Fairmont Gold, the brand's hotel within a hotel lifestyle offering, a number of lounges and several restaurants, 2,000 square meters of function space, and a Willow Stream Spa.

The two residences are whole-ownership, private homes and will offer studios, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments and 3-bedroom duplexes. While in residence, owners will have access to a private lounge and a number of services and amenities such as 24-hour concierge, wine cellar, preferred pricing for various hotel offerings including dining, spa and fitness, meeting facilities, hotel guestrooms and more. Owners will also be awarded VIP status and privileges when they travel to any Fairmont hotels or resorts worldwide.

The former distillery, located adjacent to the hotel will undergo a thoughtful restoration echoing the Modern style of its French designer to become a culture, fashion and arts center for special events and exhibits. A verdant urban open space is also planned for the development of a city park and recreation area.

Photo - Emlak Guncel

"Istanbul is an exciting, dynamic city that will appeal to our business and leisure guests," said Jennifer Fox, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. "As well as complementing our other developments in the region, it is very exciting to be partnering with Viatrans on this amazing project blending hotel, residential and community space."

Turkey's largest city straddles the Bosphorus one of the world's busiest waterways, and is the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. Istanbul served as the capital of three distinct empires, including Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman, and is located at the edge of Europe and Asia, with one-third of its population living in Asia and its commercial and historical center in Europe. Today it is a thriving tourist and business destination rich with history and natural beauty, home to 13.5 million people in the second-largest metropolitan area in Europe.

Fairmont Quasar, Istanbul is the most recent project to be announced by the brand in the region and joins Fairmont Kyiv, Ukraine; Fairmont Baku, Azerbaijan (2013) and Fairmont Pekin, Moscow (2016).

Dental Tours in Turkey: All-in-One Treatment Services

In many European countries dental treatment is very expensive, they are not covered by insurance and the waiting lists are long. There is a relatively simple solution for these problems: dental tourism abroad. For Europeans, Turkey is increasingly one of the hotspots for dental tourism thanks to its proximity, cost and quality in the field: Same dental treatment with the same medical standards for 75% less, without waiting for weeks or months. Plus, Turkey follows European Community Health Standards. Back in 2009, 150,000+ medical tourists chose Turkey.

To tab into the demand, DentalToursTurkey.com has been launched to provide all-in-one dental treatment packages. “We have all-in-one packages that includes not only the dental treatment but also flight tickets, airport-hotel-clinic transfers, hotel reservations, and city tours & attractions. We are able offer our packages with all these services at very low rates because we can get the best price of the service providers as their regular customer,” said Deniz Candan, Operations Manager at Dental Tours Turkey.

"We have already organized more than 1300 treatment packages (including more than 3000 dental implants) since our establishment in January 2007. A personal guide of our agency accompanies our patients throughout their stay. We constantly improve our services based on the feedback we receive from our patients,” added Ms Candan.

Turkey is one of the hotspots in dental tourism for Europeans. Europeans can get the same dental treatment
 with the same medical standards for 75% less; plus can have a great vacation in Istanbul.

It looks like DentalToursTurkey.com can enable medical tourists to have a high quality dental care at affordable costs and spend good time in the historic city of Istanbul and people can get dental treatment even during a weekend trip. Because Istanbul is max 3.5 hours away from European destinations.

Source : Dental Tours Turkey Launches All-in-One Treatment Services in Turkey

Istanbul is in Top 10 best cities to travel

It is so delightful how tourism in Istanbul came a very long way in just a decade. This largest and most beautiful city of Turkey which spans between Asia and Europe as well as modern and ancient has been visited by 7 million foreigners in 2010, up from 2.4 million visitors of 2000. [1] This makes it the 10th most visited city in the world.[2]

Although still largely (and narrowly) known for its historic center (Sultanahmet-Old City) with majestic mosques and ancient shopping bazaars, this is only a fraction of what Istanbul offers for a holiday visit. Istanbul offers great shopping experience, a world class cuisine (ancient Ottoman recipes are must try), beautiful shores of Bosphorus and surprisingly rich and entertaining night life. It is also quite easy to travel to other tourism centers in Turkey from Istanbul such as Turquoise Coast a.k.a Turkish Riviera.

So in short, Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world to visit. Actually the 3rd best, according to the 2012 World’s Best Awards. Travel + Leisure readers voted Istanbul the 3rd best city of the world to travel to. But what is more promising is the fast rise of the city in the list: Istanbul has risen from 5th spot to 2nd. And it is now the Europe's second best city to visit [3]:

"New York City holds its title for the twelfth year in a row as the Best City in the U.S. and Canada, and ranks No.7 among top cities overall, while Bangkok retains its number one ranking in the world for the third year in a row. Istanbul rises to its highest ranking ever in the survey at No. 3 on the list of Top Cities Overall. Among cities in the U.S. and Canada, Chicago rises to the No. 2 spot and New Orleans moves up to No. 5 this year from No. 6 in 2011." [2]

Istanbul is rising in almost all types of tourism such as medical. Thanks to the high quality of healthcare of private hospitals, medical tourism has surged in Turkey with laser eye surgery is the common among medical tourists.[1] Recent, popularity of Turkish Soap Operas in the Arab world also helped this part of the region to rediscover Turkey as a holiday destination.

Although largely known with its historic center, Istanbul offers much more to visitors.
In the photo Ortakoy district of Istanbul seen from European side. Other side of the Bosphorus is Asia.
Bogazici Bridge connecting Asia and Europe can be seen behind.

Worlds Top 10 Cities for Travel & Leisure

RANK	2011	NAME	SCORE
1	1	Bangkok	89.87
2	2	Florence	89.14
3	5	Istanbul	89.11
4	6	Cape Town	88.64
5	8	Sydney	88.52
6	3	Rome	88.49
7	4	New York City	88.12
8	-	Hong Kong	88.03
9	-	Kyoto, Japan	87.90
10	10	Paris	87.67

[1] - Istanbul
[2] - World's Most Visited Cities

[3] - World Best Cities 2012

[2] - Travel+Leisure Press Release