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.

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 

Turkey electronic visa (e-Visa)

No more waiting in the queue at the Turkish embassies or consulates or upon arrival in Turkey for a visa application. Since early 2013, Turkey has introduced E-Visa, a new endorsement that allows the bearer to enter Turkey, to replace “sticker”- and “stamp-type” visas formerly issued at the border crossing. 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. After successful application, e-Visa is e-mailed to the applicant. Applicants must print out their e-Visa, show it to airport officials and customs officers and carry it with them at all times during the travel. E-Visa is only valid for tourism or trade purposes. For other purposes such as work or study, an application through our Embassies or Consulates must be submitted.

All you need to apply for e-visa for Turkey is a minimum 6-month-valid passport, flight (or any other possible means of transportation) reservation and a credit card (Master or Visa).

Each e-visa application online costs $20 and you must apply per person and you can’t not apply for a group of people.

Below is a video showing how to apply Turkey visa online.


Who is eligible for e-visa for Turkey?
Citizens of Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Republic of theCongo, the Democratic Republic of the, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Cyprus, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, U.S.A, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Yemen and Zambia are eligible to apply e-visa.
If you are a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Kuwait, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, U.S.A, United Arab Emirates or United Kingdom; you can apply and obtain multiple-entry e-visa.

YNG Yachting Expands Motor Yacht Charter Portfolio in Turkey

Turkey is quite well known for the elegantly designed gulet sailboats that have been handcrafted for decades, where the trade in construction has been past down from generation to generation. However, surrounded by 4 seas, its not just gulets that sail and cruise the sparkling waters of the seas. There are thousands of Mediterranean boat charters of all sizes, particularly during the season of holidays in the Mediterranean and Aegean – sharing with other beautiful countries these beautiful waters.

While alternative holiday styles have grown popular by travelers in the past few years, yacht holidays have seen a great interest since they are not just offered to the rich and famous but also to holidaymakers on a different budget. Group yacht charters and family cruises see choice in what many types of vessels can be rented for their vacations.

As this is considered a luxury holiday venture, it possesses many benefits in all different price ranges. This certainly includes motor yacht charters in Turkey. The regions are more than ideal, and so are all the features and rates.  With an every growing demand in seafaring vacations, motor yachts seem to be a preferred choice since they are mainly built by well known brands such as Feretti, Benetti, Azimut and the others. As such, YNG has decided to expand its services, along with their charter motor yacht portfolio in order to offer more choice yacht and higher selection in prices for most budgets.

An Ichiban 1 Motor Yacht near Maiden Tower in Bosphorus

From the 2 cabin motor yachts to the high end class in super yachts; as a full service yacht charter company, YNG is looking forward to another exciting year in the yacht travel industry from their harbor entrance office in Marmaris, Turkey. YNG currently offers 27 motor yachts in many styles, sizes, price range and expects to nearly double this by the end of March 2013; including some of the most globally recognized yacht names to new build yacht charters based in Turkey and Greece.

The Basilica Cistern gets record number of tourists after Dan Brown’s Inferno

The Basilica Cistern or or Sunken Cistern, huge cistern built in built in 542 just 500 feet (150 m)  southwest of the Hagia Sophia, has received  240,000 visitors in May 2013 after it was mentioned in Dan Brown’s new book Inferno. The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). The underground cistern was built to supply water to the grand palace of the emperors of the Byzantine Empire. After Istanbul was conquered by Ottomans in 1453, it was used to supply water to the gardens of Topkapı Palace.

The Basilica Cistern is known in Turkey as Yerebatan Sarayı (Sunken Palace) or Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Sunken Cistern). It was turned into a museum and opened to visitors by the Istanbul Municipality after recent restorations.

Dan Brown’s latest book "Inferno", which went on sale simultaneously in Europe and the USA made a significant contribution to Istanbul's Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sofia Museum; and the number is expected to rise even higher. The story in Inferno begins in Florence and then moves to Sienna. Later on, Robert Langdon travel beyond the borders of Italy and into Turkey – where the evocative streets of Istanbul also play their part in the unfolding tale.

The Basilica Cistern

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.

Turkey climbs one place to sixth in World’s Top Tourism Destinations List

According to United Nations World Trade Organisation (UNWTO) Tourism Highlights 2012, Turkey moved up one position to sixth place (with 29 million tourists) overtaking the United Kingdom in the 10 ranking by international tourist arrivals.

From UNWTO Tourism Highlights, 2012 Edition:

France continues to lead the ranking of international tourist arrivals (79 million), and ranks third in receipts (US$ 54 billion), while the United States ranks first in receipts (US$ 116 billion) and second in arrivals (62 million). Spain is still the second largest earner worldwide and the first in Europe (US$ 60 billion), while ranking fourth in the world by arrivals (57 million). China continues to rank third in arrivals (58 million) and fourth in receipts (US$ 48 billion), while Italy remains in fifth place in both arrivals (46 million) and receipts (US$ 43 billion).

Turkey moved up one place to sixth in arrivals and is twelfth in receipts. The United Kingdom is seventh in both arrivals and receipts. Germany continues to rank eighth in tourist arrivals and sixth in receipts, while Malaysia is ninth and fourteenth respectively. Australia, Macao (China), and Hong Kong (China) complete the top ten ranking by receipts in eighth, ninth and tenth place respectively, while Mexico closes the top ten by arrivals in tenth position.

UNWTO ranks countries according to the two key tourism indicators: international tourist arrivals and international tourism receipts. 8 of the top 10 destinations appear on both lists, despite showing marked differences in terms of the type of tourists they attract, their average length of stay and their spending per trip and per night. In the case of international tourism receipts, changes not only reflect relative performance.

Although Turkey is 6th in the World’s Top 10 Tourism Destinations By International Arrival list, it is not in top 10 in the World’s Top 10 Tourism Destinations By International Tourism Receipts list.

Maiden Tower, Istanbul

World’s Top 10 Tourism Destinations By International Arrival

1 - France (79.5 million)

2 - United States (62.3 million)

3 - China (57.6 million)

4 - Spain (56.7 million)

5 - Italy (46.1 million)

6 - Turkey (29.3 million)

7 - United Kingdom (29.2 million)

8 - Germany (28.4 million)

9 - Malaysia (24.7 million)

10 - Mexico (23.4 million)