Turkey Travel Guide – Visit to Turkey

Turkey is one fascinating vacation spot for any age, where culture, tradition and history is adored. There are many activities from making baklava in a family mansion (konak) to hiking in cappadocia or even going for a hot air balloon trip.

Though the security implies some dangers for the tourists but in general the country is safe. In this case it is wise for travelers to correspond to their home embassy in order to obtain guidelines.

Istanbul

Turkey is an enormous and diverse country and one could easily get the feeling of being in a different world. The cities are rich in historical legacy, from ancient civilizations, churches and mosques to the recent authoritarian rule and the establishment of a republic by the reformist Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. The ethnic diversity of the country can be found in the food, countless bazaar and hospitable people.

The two main areas of interest in Istanbul, which is located on the European side, are Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. Turkey is a great deal of walking about, at least these regions.

Turkey is best experienced in the spring or the autumn, which are referred to as the shoulder months. This is because the season has fewer crowds and the temperatures are not too low or too high.

In what ways can you explore the cities of the world without enjoying their environment or appreciating their architectural design? No tour to Istanbul can be complete without these activities. Visit the famous pedestrian boulevard, Istiklal Street, where shops, restaurants, monuments, and street performers abound. Don’t forget to visit Topkapi Palace, the luxurious former palace of Ottoman sultans, and inspect the magnificent exhibits that are located there as well.

Head over to Istanbul as soon as the tulips bloom, for that is when you will be able to see them everywhere! The chronicling of tulips in Anatolia began in the 12th century with Central Asian emigrants, and reached its pinnacle during the Ottoman Empire when the flower signified opulence and supremacy.

Trip to Cappadocia

In case you choose to go to Turkey, then you ought to visit Cappadocia which translates to ‘the Land of Beautiful Horses’. This area has a unique appeal due to the eerie fairy chimney rock formations and the cave structures integrated within the rural scene. The region of Cappadocia is also a popular site for hot air balloon excursions, yet it is advised that you make this reservation well in advance.

If you want to reside in Cappadocia, the best time to move there is from Spring (April – June) and Fall (September to mid-November). This is when you have the gentle weather and the temperature is never really too much which also means the places are not so packed with people.

The main town of Goreme, which is set inside a valley and is within walking distance of Goreme Open Air Museum as well as a couple of other valleys, attracts most of the tourists. From cafes, hotels to even restaurants – the area provides both budget as well as mid-range options. There are also some boutique style hotels in Cavusin which is a nearby village and caters to the need of travelers that want to visit less commercialized places.

Traveling to Cappadocia without a car is indeed an option, but when it’s large and some of the more famous locations aren’t alongside a bus stop it does become quite difficult. A better idea would be to rent out a car or opt for a private airport transfer while in the city. Since WiFi is not good in the region, it is better to buy a local SIM card from the outset as this will help you use data for getting maps and information about your trip.

Eastern Turkey, Aegean Coast.

To the western part of turkey, alongside the Aegean Sea, and spattering across a number of Greek Islands is the views of beaches to die for, accompanied with crystal clear blue water. Come summer, most of the beaches are overrun with both foreign and domestic visitors.

However, come winter the beaches turn calm and tranquil; perfect for a peaceful getaway. The main coastal resorts, such as Bodrum and Marmaris have a decent enough number of activities be it climbing/hiking, or boating, sunbathing in one of the posh hotels or at a modest lokantör (beach cafe).

There are amazing day trips to be made from this place as well. Amongst the various historic areas that have been unearthed by archaeologists, I. Schliemann directed excavations in northwest Hisarlik and his endeavors bore fruit in the form of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Troy, the visit to which makes the journey very much worthwhile. In addition, the well known Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi is also not far from here.

In addition to the above, the Aegean Coast boasts of Ajato Harbor and the small island of Gokceada with its Ottoman architecture and vineyards, as well as Bozcaada on the northern Dardanelles, and the idyllic island of Samos where all one needs is beautiful stretch of beaches and a couple of local wines with splendid meals in the outdoors to be contented.

Also worth exploring are the Ancient City of Ephesus, this city is one of the best remaining Roman cities and is well preserved. The charming town of Selcuk which is home to several bold structures including Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus is also in the neighborhood.

Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast features ancient ruins, peaceful quays in sleepy villages, quiet resorts, rocky cliffs, and bays swarming with ancient architecture. It also features one of the world’s prides, the UNESCO World Heritage site “Olu Deniz”, where visitors can go swimming amid unexplored beaches and look at shipwrecks.

Antalya happens to be the largest and perhaps the most attractive coastal city enabling other parts of the region to be easily viewed. The region is well-equipped with a network of buses, trains, and taxis as well as the major airports; IST, SAW, and AYT that provide both domestic and international flights.

Visitors frequently spend a couple of days in the Antalya region while participating in tours of the outlying areas. Self-driven or driver-rented jeep ‘safaris’ on rough mountain roads and sandy creek-beds, white-water rafting, and hiking along the way are among the most popular pursuits. Around the region, many well known operators offer cruises on traditional wooden yachts.

Turkey is a wonder and you will for sure get captivated the moment you arrive. The beautiful blue flag beaches, the delicious recipes, and the history all contribute towards making this nation unique. The beautiful sights in Turkey alongside its great tourism workers leave an everlasting experience throughout ones life. In case you plan to travel the Middle East or Russia, do pay attention to their traveling guidelines as conditions may be risky.