Best Things To Experience in Turkey

Turkey is a country where West meets East and adventure meets history. The cuisine is gratifying, locals are welcoming and the culture has depth. Turkey boast pine-covered mountains, sun kissed beaches, and plenty of attractions to occupy a month’s time entirely. There are many reasons to visit this beautiful and enchanting country. Find below a list of unique experiences you can have during your trip to Turkey.

1. A Dip in Thermal Hot Springs in Pamukkale: The terraces pools that are filled with cloudy mineral waters appear dreamlike in pictures and more surreal in real life. The white mineral deposits make it appear as if one is stepping on a snow-coated hill, though the lukewarm will tell you otherwise. This is certainly one of the best things to experience during your Turkey tour. Spend an afternoon splashing, soaking and relaxing in these distinct springs. Later, make your way to the top of the hill and explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis.

2. Turkish Cooking Session: The culture of a country is linked closely to its cuisine, and you can understand one by exploring the other. If you are a foodie, taking a cooking session while visiting a new country is one of the most interesting as well as the best thing to do! As an outsider, you won’t be able to pick up on the complexities of Turkish cuisine. Still, there are a number of dishes that you can easily recreate at home. Istanbul has plenty of classes to choose from. With such cooking session, you’ll not only learn but will in fact leave the country with a souvenir that keeps on giving!

3. Hiking Through The Valley of Love: Witnessing the landscape of Cappadocia via a hot air balloon is enthralling, but so is getting up close to the flowers and fascinating rock formations of the region’s valleys. So, wear sturdy shoes and pack a picnic lunch for a little day trip and accompany other hikers for this adventurous day.

4. Spend a Night in a Teepee in Paradise: If you are one of those who always had this dream of sleeping in a teepee, then Faralya is the place for you! Although, it’s not much different than sleeping in a traditional tent, the location is what will really make your stay special. Shiva Camp sits high on a cliff and boasts sweeping views of the Mediterranean below. In case you get tired of just looking at the ocean, and wish to get your toes wet, then hike down just 20 minutes to the shore and you’ll reach one of the best beaches in the country. Though instead of powdery sand, pebbles is what you’ll find here, this hidden strip on azure waters will definitely steal your heart. Kabak Beach is quite far away, but there are some restaurants and a market selling wine. So, enjoy a perfect afternoon!

5. Paragliding over Ölüdeniz: Paragliding is indeed the closest one can get to feeling of flying without growing wings. Ölüdeniz achieved popularity when Daniel Craig ran off a cliff in the famous movie Skyfall! In this seaside town, give paragliding a try. Ölüdeniz is one of the most gorgeous places in the world to go paragliding. Another spot in Turkey to go paragliding is Alanya, on the southern coast. There are a number of things to do here and is definitely worth a spot during your Turkey tour.

6. Visit The Magical Butterfly Valley: Venture amongst wildflowers, wild goats and fruit trees in this captivating valley that will make you feel like stepping into a storybook paradise. You’ll discover a cascading waterfall framed by flowering trees and boulders. You can also relax peacefully on the pebble-strewn beach that is swathed by crystal waters.

Best time to Plan Turkey Tour

Turkey is a year-round travel destination. The best time to visit Turkey depends on the places you want to visit and the activities you wish to indulge in. Generally, spring and autumn are considered as the best time to visit this beautiful country especially if you are looking to explore the archaeological sites, go for trekking or cycling.

1. June till September are usually hot and dry with particularly high temperatures, making it great for beach lovers and island hoppers.

2. Months of April, May, September and October tend to be pleasant and are considered the best time to explore the ancient sites of Turkey.

3. From late October onwards, the temperature begins to cool off a bit.

4. From November till March, the weather begins to get cold in interior regions of Cappadocia where the temperature falls below 0°C. The view of snowy landscape is truly enchanting and magical to behold. Winters in Turkey can be the best time to explore the sites as they are less crowded at this time of the year. Weather can be chilly and rainy, with occasionally cold yet sunny days everywhere, except the southeast region. One can benefit from the smaller crowds, better availability of hotels and lower prices during November-March in Turkey.

5. March-June (Spring) is the prime season as the temperature happens to be moderate throughout the country and the days longer. This is high season for Cappadocia and Istanbul, with a number of boutique hotels booked completely, and highest prices. It’s off-season for Mediterraneanbeach and Aegean resorts.

6. September and October (Autumn) is second best season with usually mild weather, although the days are shorter and rain may start in October. This, too, is high season for Cappadocia and Istanbul, with a number of boutique hotels booked completely, and highest prices. The water is still warm at beach resorts, prices lower and crowds smaller.

7. In 5 of Turkey’s 7 discrete climatic regions, summer (June, July, August and September) tends to be quite hot. Beach resorts are crowded with prices at their highest.

Staying Options During Your Turkey Tour

Turkey is a mystifying fusion enveloped in a Eastern/Western culture. Once you decide to sample its charm, you’ll be delightfully surprised by its amazing array of choices when it comes to accommodations, from the sparkling five-stars of Istanbul to gulets wandering the high seas and caves deep in Cappadocia.

Turkey Hotels: The most obvious choice is a typical hotel, either a family-run commercial one in the busier western and southern coastal vacation centers or the big hotel chains that span the country. If you are looking for a city break, Ankara, Izmir or Istanbul, you’ll have plenty of choices in terms of security, food and comfort. But basically, it is your budget that will determine the room you would stay in.

If you are staying in the cultural hub, Istanbul, then there’s an amazing array of lavish hotels such as Kempinski, Pera Palace, Four Seasons and Amira and regular hotel chains such as Novotel, Hyatt and Hilton. Do some more research and you’ll be able to get a cozy and pleasant hotel on a budget with dining options, a comfy bed, travel advice and great service.  

There are a number of good luxury Turkey tour agents who’ll organize your accommodation by themselves so as to provide you a hassle-free stay.

You Need a Visa Turkish customs to require nationals from many countries to obtain visas to enter Turkey. Visit Turizm for details on whether you will require one. Before getting a visa, ensure that your passport has 6 months of validity from the date of entry into Turkey or you may be refused entry into Turkey. Visas generally take a couple of weeks to obtain.

A Little Effort Goes a Long Way

You Need a Visa Turkish customs to require nationals from many countries to obtain visas to enter Turkey. Visit Turizm for details on whether you will require one. Before getting a visa, ensure that your passport has 6 months of validity from the date of entry into Turkey or you may be refused entry into Turkey. Visas generally take a couple of weeks to obtain. 

A Little Effort Goes a Long Way

Turkish people are very friendly and if you think it would be a rewarding experience to get invited into a family home for Turkish coffee or tea, then learn a little of their language.

Cover Up

Turkey's location, in both Europe and Asia, has created a fusion where east meets west and while cities can be quite cosmopolitan, the rural communities retain their old customs and traditions. Wherever you chose to travel to in Turkey, you should be aware of the proper dress etiquette. If you are a woman traveling outside of tourist areas then you should you learn how to dress to avoid unwanted attention.

How to Remain Safe and Healthy During Your Luxury Turkey Tour

For many tourists, Turkey depict the best of all worlds: a culture immersed in a rich Middle Eastern culture in a European country. Whether you visit cosmopolitan Istanbul or into the countryside, you are definitely going to visit a place packed with both rich history as well as a vibrant and thriving present. Before your Turkey tour, it's wise to have all the information needed to protect your health and safety so that you can make the most of your time in this beautiful and fascinating country.

1. Just like the rest of the Europe, terrorism in Turkey has become a huge threat. The United States has even issued certain warnings against tourists visiting the Southeastern portion of Turkey that separates Syria because of the intensified threat of terrorism.  

2. There is also a particular aviation warning with Turkey. You can minimize this danger by booking direct flights. Moreover, avoiding tourist hot spots and large crowds are additional precautions that can minimize the risk of terrorism.

3. Just like other large cities, traveling in Turkey will put you at the risk of pickpockets and theft. Acquaint yourself with common sense practices, such as using a money belt, keeping electronics out of sight, and leaving valuable items in the hotel itself.

4. There is a threat of Malaria in the southeastern region of Turkey. In case you happen to travel there, its best to take prophylactic medications so as to avoid catching malaria.

Like so many others, Istanbul is a modern-day city. What makes it unique from the rest is the blend of Oriental and Western influences. On your Turkey tour, you are sure to experience a variety of cultural differences. And so, to prevent being a fool or rude by any means and to make the most of your stay, it is wise to learn some common Turkish customs and etiquette rules.

1. While visiting a mosque, be aware of the fact that ladies are expected to cover their legs and shoulders. Also, one must take off their shoes and leave them in front of the door.

2. Inside the mosque, you’ll often find a number of people praying even if it is not prayer time. Do not disturb them in any way. Avoid flash photography and do not talk or stand in front of them directly.

3. When you visit someone’s home during your stay, it is expected of you to commonly remove your shoes. When you sit down, crossing your legs and putting your ankle of one leg on the knee of the other, ensure that the bottom of your foot doesn’t point towards another person.

Why Choose Leisure.com

Leisure.com provides a wide range of meticulously planned Turkey tours. Our team does all the planning so that you can enjoy your dream vacation without any stress. The entire tour can be customized as per your specific interests and requirements or can be completely based around special interests and particular destinations. We provide a full-fledged platform that connect travelers with reliable Turkey tour agents and specialists. These are highly skilled and well-experienced and employ the latest technology so as to offer the best possible solution to their clients. To start your amazing journey for customized luxury Turkey tours, let us know your interests by filling out the Trip Request Form. Our team will match your requirements with two or three specialist tour agents who will then work with you to provide you with the best vacation for you. Apart from Turkey tours, there are other tours as well which include Armenia tours, Bosnia tours, Croatia tours, France tours, England tours and many more.