The sunny Turkey is home to a great number of amazing beaches. To
have a wonderful holiday here, you need not have to be necessarily
bound to the hyper popular and therefore too crowded all-inclusive
resorts. Instead you can choose the Turkey beaches that have been
alluring visitors for long. Let's take a look beyond the overly
touristic beaches of Marmaris and Kusadasi resorts and reveal Turkey's
other top destinations for sunbathing, swimming or surfing.
Pantara
Pantara
is located in Xanthos Valley. It has fine, white sand and a total
length of 15 km. This makes it one of the longest Mediterranean beach
strands. The entrance area is well crowded, but if you go past the dune
region in the northwest you will enjoy more solitude. The summer season
has good waves for surfing, while autumn and spring are ideal for
swimmers.
The Butterfly Valley
This spectacular area
bordered by two tall cliffs hides a pristine sand strap that can be
reached by boat from Oludeniz. It is a wild place for trekkers and
campers, untouched by modern developments. If you stay in Faralya, you
can gaze down at the spectacular rock formation.
Kabak
Kabak
is the name of a village that is located on the Lycian Way. Tourists
love its cosy wooden huts and the general tranquility of the place. The
valley has lush pine forests, features bits of mountainous relief and
the beach is rather filled with pebbles than with sand. The landscape is
thus very different from the usual sandy beaches of Turkey and
definitely enchanting. The only downside is the large mosquito
population.
Iztuzu
Situated in Dalyan, this is probably the
best beach to bring your children to. It is an all-sunny spot where
large crowds gather. Also, it is a place for turtles to nest. On this
sandy beach you will frequently encounter turtle tracks, as these
animals come ashore to lay their eggs. Beyond the beach, there is a
marshy area which hosts a rich wildlife.
Oludeniz
Frequently
photographed, the beach in Oludeniz is a long sandy strap that leads to
a wonderful blue lagoon. Besides the natural beauty of the area, the
beach is also famous because of the varied and affordable accommodation
in the area. Para-sailing enthusiasts find Oludeniz the best spot to
practice. They are thrilled with the aerial views.
Bodrum
A
well known name to tourists, Bodrum is on the Turquoise Coast, as it's
called. The south of the peninsula in the Aegean Sea is home to numerous
resorts with lovely beaches, all bordered by the bright blue sea
waters. Moreover, Bodrum is a place of ancient history, of beautiful
mountain views and Mediterranean flora. It is a preferred destination
for the rich visitors and thus one of the luxury areas on Turkey's
touristic map.
G Sonali is a travel blogger giving expert advice on how to travel to Turkey and enjoy the best it has to offer. She has found http://susan-jones.co.uk/best-beaches-in-turkey.html the finest turkey travel guide featuring the best beaches in Turkey.
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When you board your Istanbul airport transfer to take you to your
hotel, you may well pass by some of the finest sights the city has to
offer. When you do you will no doubt spot some markets, as the city is
well known for these eclectic and bustling trading places.
We've picked out some of the best ones in the city to explore - but there are plenty more.
The Grand Bazaar
This
is arguably the bazaar to end all other bazaars! The size is not
something you can easily grasp until you see it for yourself. Even if
your Istanbul airport transfer doesn't take you past it, you will have
no trouble finding your way here - it is world famous. There are
thousands (yes, thousands) of shops here and you can easily days
exploring everything it has to offer. Haggling is part and parcel of the
experience, so make sure you remember this if you are tempted to buy
something.
The Spice Bazaar
Your nose will lead you here
even if your Istanbul airport transfer doesn't take you past it on
arrival! While the Grand Bazaar opens every day except for Sundays, this
one is open seven days a week. If you want a healthy snack you will
definitely find something appealing, and it sells a plethora of dried
fruit and nuts, among other things. Of course if you want to try some
genuine Turkish delight you will find that here as well. Be prepared for
a very visceral experience and allocate a couple of hours at the very
least to explore everything it has to share with you.
The Booksellers' Market
This
is more unusual since books are not normally the item of choice on many
market stalls in the city - but it is truly amazing. It is located in
Beyazit not too far from the Grand Bazaar (get your Istanbul airport
transfer driver to point it out), so if you are seeing one you should
think about seeing the other as well. There is more to see than just
books, such as badges and coins.
Whatever reason you have for
coming to this wonderful city, it is well worth exploring the markets,
which are such a big feature and an intrinsic aspect of the culture.
Many of them have a long history and it can be fascinating to wander
around and learn more. Speak to the stallholders, sample the wares and
immerse in this authentic Turkish way of life.
Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you're looking for an Istanbul airport transfer,
Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all
over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you
don't miss your car on your holiday abroad.
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The most elegant and expensive restaurants in Istanbul are in the
entertainment center of Taksim, as well as the shopping districts of
Nisantasi, Tesvikiye, Etiler and Levent. The choicest samples of Turkish
and world cuisine are served in the restaurants of big hotels. There
are various restaurants for tourists and those on a budget in districts
such as Beyoglu, Eminonu, Sirkeci and Suita nahmet. The most common type
of restaurants in Istanbul is the traditional self-service lokanta.'
The menus are usually of vegetable and meat-based dishes, but some of
them have grilled food and kebab.
Kebapcis are places where every kind
of meat is grilled or cooked in various ways. 'Lahmacun' and 'pide' are
among the original Turkish soul-food found in those places.
FISH RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Fish
restaurants and bars have a large place in the dining culture of
Istanbul. They usually have a warm and sincere atmosphere. Fish
restaurants are found mostly along the Bosphorus and Kumkapi, on Marmara
Sea shore. The variety of fish, which is seasonal, is exhibited so that
customers can choose what fish they wish to see in their dish. Fish is
usually served grilled or fried. Plates of 'meze' (appetizers), salads
and/or raki, the Turkish national drink, can be chosen with the fish.
Prices are based on the kilo, which is determined on a day-to-day basis.
Meyhanes may seem to offer the same menus as the fish restaurants, but
the 'meze' here are more varied and fresher, whereas grilled meat dishes
are also available. Waiters display 'meze' on trays, and customers
choose the ones they desire. You don't need to book seats at most of
these restaurants situated crowded and popular places. If one is full,
you will definitely find a place in another.
BUSINESS HOURS
In
Turkey, lunch is served around 12:00-14:00 and dinner at about 20:00.
Restaurants and kebab shops are usually open between 11:00-23:00. Fish
restaurants are open throughout day and keep their doors open until late
at night. Restaurants serving from world cuisine menus are usually open
between 15:00-20:00, and maybe a bit later. Meyhanes are remain open
from 17:00 until late at night. Most the restaurants are open seven days
a week, whereas some are closed on Sunday or Monday. Bars are usually
open until the wee hours of the morning.
WHAT WILL YOU FIND IN THE RESTAURANTS?
There
are restaurants in Istanbul which serve only vegetarian fare.
However,many normal restaurants also have vegetable dishes and omelets
for vegetarians.Most restaurants have nonsmoking sections. However,
there are few restaurants with high-chairs for infants. Most restaurants
are not wheelchair friendly, but fortunately it does not present a
problem as the restaurants are usually on the ground floor. Some
traditional restaurants and kebab shops do not serve alcohol and there
is no strict jacket and tie dress code to worry about either.
SERVICE AND PAYMENT
Not
all employees in these places know foreign languages, but they will try
to do their best to help you. Service is usually clean and careful,but
it may be slow when the venue is crowded. Credit cards are accepted
except with small restaurants and some kebab shops. VAT and service is
included in the price. Tipping in common; add about 10% to the bill.
Susan Jones is a travel blogger. Please visit her blog: Turkey holiday resorts
and Website: cheap holidays to Turkey
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The large bustling beach resort of Alanya is located on the
Antalya Coast of south west Turkey and is famous as the gift that Mark
Anthony gave to Cleopatra. Alanya is split in two by a large rocky
peninsula, with beautiful sandy beaches to the east and to the west.
Backed by the Taurus Mountains, this popular beach resort offers a mix
of the old and the new with modern hotels, lively nightclubs,
restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, ancient ruins and captivating minarets.
Alanya offers a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets. From
self catering accommodation to all inclusive hotels, Alanya has
something to suit everyone.
The fortress district on the rocky
promontory is home to Alanya's old town which is a stark contrast to the
main resort. Here you will find a waterside harbour area, tiny winding
streets, interesting hillside cafes, ancient towers and ruins, mosques
and castles.
Around the harbour area you will find tea-houses,
restaurants serving delicious seafood dishes and relaxing bars.
Sitting
at the eastern end of the Turkish Riviera, also known as the Turquoise
Coast, Alanya is close to some of Turkeys most beautiful beaches. With
over 600 miles of amazing coastline and crystal clear warm Mediterranean
waters, most of the beaches along this stretch have been awarded the EU
Blue Flag for cleanliness. To the east of the peninsula is Keykubat
beach which is popular to tourists and local people.
This large bay is
close to the town centre and offers plenty of beach bars, sun beds,
parasols and shops. The beach has its own lifeguards and a variety of
water sports including jet-skis and parasailing. There are two popular
beaches to the west of the peninsula, Cleopatra beach and adjoining
Damlatas beach. Cleopatra beach is excellent for families with children
as the fine sandy beach here shelves gently into the beautiful clear
water. As with Kykubat beach, there are cafes, beach bars, lifeguards,
sunloungers, parasols and water sports on offer here.
Adjoining
Cleopatra beach is Damlatas beach where you will find the huge Damlatas
Caves. These caves are one of Alanya's biggest attractions with
stalactites, stalagmites and columns that are thousands of years old.
You will also find sun beds, parasols and sandwich bars along the beach.
For a quieter day out you will need to visit the Dim Valley and river
where you can enjoy great swimming conditions.
Alanya is a great
choice of holiday destination, not just for its beautiful beaches but
also for its culture. There is so much to do and see here including
excursions to the ancient amphitheatre in Aspendos, scuba diving in the
warm crystal clear sea, jeep safaris and boat trips to the nearby sea
caves.
Many festivals are held in Alanya throughout the year. The
beginning of the tourist season is marked by the Tourism and Art
Festival which takes place at the end of May or beginning of June. This
is a great event for the whole family with Whirling Dervish shows, folk
dances and lots of music including traditional Turkish, pop and
classical. Visit during September and October for the Alanya Days
festival with live jazz shows throughout the city.
Alanya enjoys a
typically Mediterranean climate with long hot summers with temperatures
peaking at 31C and short mild winters. If you are looking for warm
weather and cheap accommodation then the best time to visit is in April
or May when temperatures are around 21C-24C or in September and October
when temperatures are around the 26C mark. June, July and August are
when the resort sees the hottest temperatures, is more crowded and hotel
prices are higher.
The winter months from November to March are not
such a good time to visit as during these months the weather
deteriorates with temperatures averaging between 16C and 21C. The chance
of rain is greatly increased during the winter months.
Emma Healey is the co-founder and owner of traveltravel.co.uk, specialists in cheap holidays and travel deals
to worldwide destination. Thanks for taking the time to read my article
and be sure to watch out for more of my articles as im writing many
travel blogs and have some great topics coming soon.
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Geographically, aesthetically, culturally and historically the
beautiful country of Turkey lies between Islamic Asia and Christian
Europe. The country's rich history has left it with an impressive array
of monuments, cathedrals and palaces that are a history buffs paradise.
Other than that, Turkey shares its coasts with two of the most beautiful
seas on Earth- Mediterranean and Black Sea. These two have provided
Turkey with a coastline that has few competitors in beauty and
adventure. Regions like the Turquoise coasts off the Mediterranean,
Istanbul and Cappadocia, etc. are hugely popular travel spots that
regularly feature on must visit places across the planet.
With its
distinctive European modernity and Middle Eastern culture, Istanbul is
truly one of the 'World cities' that defies segregation on cultural
grounds. This is because the culture of Istanbul has been influenced by
both Europeans and Islamic regions of Asia. The city was formerly called
Constantinople (324 AD) and was the capital of the Byzantine Empire or
New Roman Empire. During this time, the city was a great centre for
Christianity under the Emperor Constantine the Great. The Emperor and
his successors left the world with several monuments like the Hagia
Sophia, Hippodrome and Old Walls of Istanbul, etc.
These
historical monuments are must visits during the Istanbul city breaks or
tours of the city. The city also served as a seat of the Ottoman Empire
and they left the world with impressive buildings like Sultanahmet
Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Even with all its majestic beauty, the true
taste and smells of Istanbul can be found in its narrow alleys. If you
are adventurous enough, then take a tour of the city by foot, try out
its cuisines and shop for trinkets at the Grand Bazaar. When shopping in
the Grand Bazaar make sure you bargain and bargain well!
Cappadocia
is a beautiful and enchanting travel destination in Central Anatolia
region of Turkey. The area is quite arid and dry but its popularity lies
in its awe-inspiring natural beauty. The stark landscape of the region
only highlights the wonders of the region. One of the oldest inhabitable
locations of the world, Cappadocia has been recognised as a historical
heritage. The natural wonders consist of legendary fairy chimneys, the
rocks of Goreme and Urgup, etc. that leave tourists dumbstruck. There
are also several rock cut cathedrals and underground settlements that
only add to the appeal of the region.
You can check for package tours to Turkey
online and select the ones that you think has the best deal. Also make
sure that you check the credentials of the site and compare the
packages. Happy journey!
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