Mr Erdogan’s party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities. The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Mr Imamoglu also won. The traffic (especially Vacanze Turquia in Istanbul, where crossing the street sometimes feels like an extreme sport) will test your patience. It also rained on some days, but rain in Turkey is usually in small bursts so be sure to bring umbrella or a raincoat.

There is a lot to see and do in Istanbul and Cappadocia, so you will spend most of your time there if you follow my itinerary. Believe it or not, I fell in love with the culture in Turkey despite claiming not to be a cultural traveler. Search 105 Turkey tour operators and travel companies, with 749 reviews. Omega Tours features a rich portfolio of escorted tours, small group tours, independent tours and day tours across Europe, the Americas and more. It’s a chance to get to know your world better by putting yourself on a first-name basis with the people, places, and things that make it worth exploring. These passionate historians and artists reveal the secret stories and hidden facts behind the sights you see.

Remember respectful attire if you want to visit some of Turkey’s many religious sites. Many nationalities, including US, UK, and EU citizens, don’t need a visa to enter Turkey. Check the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for the latest visa requirements, which are listed for each country. Hear from one of our Travel Experts and take the first steps to finding your perfect tour.

Lake Tuz is also famous for its high salt content, making it a prime location for salt production. Salt pans dot the shores of the lake, where locals have been harvesting salt for centuries. The lake’s unique mineral composition gives the water a milky-white appearance, and during the dry season, the salt flats shimmer and crack, creating fascinating geometric patterns. When considering where to stay near Mount Nemrut, the town of Kahta offers convenient access to the archaeological site and its famous statues. The highlight of staying in this budget-friendly hotel is the view from the terrace overlooking the traditional Ottoman houses in Old Town. The clean and spacious rooms are decorated to reflect the historical charm of the property.

See one of the oldest structures in the city, Kızlarağası Inn, built in 1744, where there are now guest rooms and shops you can browse. Walk through the Kemeralti Market and out to Kordonboyu’s pier to gain a full appreciation of how this port city is still thriving today. The museum was once the Mevlevi dervish (“whirling dervish”) lodge and features the Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi mausoleum. If you’re interested in the dervish rites and rituals, you can see whirling dervish ceremonies at the Mevlana Cultural Center close to the museum. Start your visit with some sightseeing at the Bodrum Castle, a medieval fortress built for St. Peter by the Knights of Saint John. You can look over the city’s two bays and look for the hilltop, white-washed Bodrum Windmills below.

Hotels in Konya were extremely affordable and you can stay in some very nice modern hotels for a reasonable rate. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hattusha is an interesting stop between Safranbolu and Cappadocia and, after spending the afternoon exploring the ancient site, we arrived in Cappadocia just in time for sunset. 10-day holiday package with guided tours of Istanbul’s main attractions (historical Sultanahmet & Bosphorous) then on to Greece for … When travelling to Turkey, it is important to be aware of the local customs and culture. For example, it is considered rude to show public displays of affection. It is also essential to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites.

The most famous attractions are located on the European side of the city, with many concentrated in the Fatih (meaning conqueror) district, so this is where you’ll want to spend most of your first day. You can expect police stops all over the country, whether you’re in your own car, a public bus or walking in the street, so keep your passport on you at all times to avoid any difficulty identifying yourself. The fabulous destinations Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Sirince, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia are all in with Guaranteed Departure theme. It departs 4 times every month from İstanbul, is full of shouldn’t be missed attractions, local shopping opportunities, traditional cuisine tastings, and remarkable night shows.

Turkey Map

And finally, if you’re travelling long-term and don’t mind getting your fingers dirty, you could look at WWOOFing or WorkAway as a way to cut down your costs while working on a farm in exchange for accommodation and food. It’s not the most glamorous of experiences, but getting to live for free in a foreign country is incredible, so if you’re backpacking around Europe, this may be the way forward for you. As with almost every country on the planet, you’ll find it cheapest to fly to Turkey outside of high season, which coincides with the European summer vacation dates (June to August).

Do I Need A Visa For Turkey?

From the amazing stuffed grape leaves to creamy hummus and smoky baba ganoush, tzatziki, eggplant salad, and who knows what else, each plate is slightly different, but equally delicious! Meant to be shared as an appetizer and often priced per dish, it’s really up to you how much you spend, but it usually won’t be more than about $5-7 per person. Turkey has fewer traffic-related fatalities than the U.S., so you won’t be putting yourself in grave danger by opting to hire a car. They drive on the right in Turkey and manual transmission is far more common. I’ve used a lot of rental car companies over the years, but always seem to score the cheapest deals with Discover Cars, so that’s who I stick with these days.

On my first day in Göreme after I came back from the Green Tour, one of the locals took me to the Sunset Spot after I mentioned I loved sunsets and clicking amazing photos. Now that you’ve found your nest, it’s time to explore the wonder of Cappadocia. There are many different tours that are available in Cappadocia because there’s so much to see.

Amasra: A Black Sea Gem With Charm And History

Continents collide in Turkey, a country where you can jump start your morning with a Turkish coffee in Europe and by lunchtime snack on a kebab in Asia. Continue to the ‘fairy-tale’ landscape of Cappadocia where Bronze Age cave-dwellers carved ancient cities into the region’s tall, cone shaped rocks. These ‘underground cities’ now host homes and businesses and the hotel you’ll be staying in.

Çıralı is among Turkey’s best beach towns, and also on of its most laid-back. If you want more than the sand though, it’s also the best base from which to visit the eternal flame of the Chimaera and the ruins of Ancient Olympos nearby. It’s easy to get around between towns using public bus services, but to tick off all four Lycian city sites on the route between Fethiye and Patara, you’d need to rent a car. Plan for 10 days but factor in a few more if you want to add in time at some of Turkey’s best beaches. Bus from Denizli direct down to explore Antalya and then follow the Beaches & Ruins of the Turquoise Coast itinerary, backwards up the coast to Fethiye’s many seaside charms. UNESCO World Heritage Site Ephesus will take up much of your time, and beach lovers may want to explore the port town of Kuşadası while in the area, just 18 kilometers from the Ephesus ruins.

Donations fund a program where young scholarship awardees undertake outreach workshops with marginalized children in regional villages. Turkish coffee is known around the world for its unique brewing method. It’s made with finely ground arabica beans, often with cardamom, in a cezve – a pretty copper or brass pot with a long, thin handle. It has a thick layer of foam on top and leaves a muddy sediment at the bottom of the cup. Home to some of the tastiest produce, traditional cooking methods and influences from Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Turkey’s food is surprising, delicious and delightful (pun definitely intended).

Because of this, the Lonely Planet says – “Turkey is Balloon filled skies”. Founded in 2005, by Paul Sarfati and Arturo Martinez, with a vision to provide an unforgettable learning and travel experience in Mexico for all types of travelers, they decided to start BambaExperience.com. Global Basecamps creates customized experiences for independent travelers – bringing together diverse destinations and cultures, unique lodging and a spirit of adventure to create personal, memorable journeys. At Odynovo, we believe that travel is one of the ultimate joys in life. Their award-winning local guides have hosted travellers on adventures across the globe. Whether it is solo travellers, couples, groups, or families, Exodus offers an incredible choice of trips for all ages and activity levels.

It’s a colorful and vibrant city to explore while getting a taste of the true Turkey and its culture. Known as one of Turkey’s most religious and conservative cities, visiting Konya is a different experience entirely. Sufis, people following an esoteric mystical Islamic movement, make the annual pilgrimage here to the tomb of a mystic leader of the whirling dervishes. If you’re coming to climb, you’ll need a licensed guide (independent climbing isn’t allowed). The best time is between June and September, when you’ll have good weather and views of 5 surrounding countries, but skiing is ideal from March to April. People come to Marmaris for all kinds of waterfront fun — sailing, diving, lounging on the sand, parasailing, jet skiing, and fishing among them.