istanbul turkey

Wellcome to Turkiye, Land of the Sun. Great Travel, Great Times!

A treasure house of history and culture, Turkey is a gateway into a world of exciting possibilities. Located at the juncture of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a superb venue for meetings, incentives and conventions. Turkey offers a wealth of first class hotel accommodations and conference facilities, easy access to major cities worldwide, beautiful settings and unequalled sightseeing attractions. All this, plus wonderful weather, and at a much lower cost than at alternative destinations.

From European centres, Turkey is an ideal destination: exotic, but conveniently close. Flying time into Istanbul is only two or three hours by Turkish Airlines and other national carriers, with transfer connections or direct flights into Izmir, Antalya and Ankara. Daily connections link Istanbul to all major cities in the United States, Middle East and Asia. Sightseeing and entertainment programs can be fully packaged. Istanbul is among the world’s greatest tourism destinations, with an unrivalled setting and a wealth of architectural treasures.

Izmir, a city of palm trees and ancient ruins, is the gateway to the Aegean region. Charming seaside resorts such as Kusadasi, Marmaris, Bodrum and Fethiye are good choices for sales meetings, incentives and quiet getaways. Antalya, Mersin and the Mediterranean coastal resorts beckon visitors year round to enjoy the sun, the beautiful sandy beaches and its ancient sites. Turkey’s capital city Ankara boasts sophisticated hotels and restaurants, along with easy access to fabled Cappadocia, a wondrous landscape of rock carved churches and underground cities.

Bursa, the first Ottoman capital offers a picturesque setting, as well as hotels with thermal baths, and excellent skiing on Uludag (Mt. Olympos). Turkey today is well equipped to handle meetings, incentives and conferences of all sorts and sizes in comfort and style. Traditional Turkish hospitality a high standard of local food and wine, and endless possibilities for entertainment and sightseeing guarantee that any conference organised in Turkey will be a resounding success.

Gundogan Bodrum Mugla

When is The Best Time to Travel in Turkey

The high season for travel in Turkey generally runs between mid-April and late-October. During the off-season, temperatures are much cooler and snow is possible in mountainous areas. Many visitors enjoy the spring and fall, with their mild weather and small crowds. Coastal regions are particularly popular with tourists during the summer. These include resort areas along the Aegean and Mediterranean coast with beaches and yachting facilities.

The coastline, especially between Izmir and Antalya, features numerous coves and bays and many nearby ancient cities and is perfect for yachting. A large number of international-quality marinas provide services for the yachtsman. For active travelers, swimming, fishing, water-skiing, Paragliding, surfing and diving are available. Turkey also enjoys many spectacular rivers.

They are ideal for canoeing, skiing and rafting. Mountaineering is also popular in mountain ranges throughout Turkey in spring and summer. The high plateaus of the Eastern Black Sea Region are covered by colorful flowers and green pasture during spring and summer. Naturalists will enjoy the diversity of fauna and flora as well as the heart-stopping splendor of the surrounding landscape.

Central and Eastern Turkey can receive large accumulations of snow, and snow skiing is a favorite winter pastime. Turkey has several ski centers, which are generally open from December through April depending on snow conditions.

istanbul turkey

The Most Popular Travel Destinations in Turkey

From the perfect beaches and ancient ruins of its coast to the pulse of its cosmopolitan cities, Turkey is a study in contrasts. Visitors can lose themselves in the magic of a historic palace before enjoying a world class meal, or swim amidst Roman ruins before continuing their journey in the comfort of a state of the art yacht. Whatever your fancy, there are countless things to see and do in Turkey. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, serves as the gateway for most travelers. Istanbul is the only city in the world that sits on two continents and it offers an abundance of fascinating attractions for visitors.

Some of Istanbul’s most popular sites include the Bosphorus Strait, the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Kariye Museum, the Underground Cistern, Galata Tower, the Tower of Leander, the Princes’ Islands and the Grand Bazaar. Bursa, the land of silk, was the first capital city of the Ottoman Empire and birthplace of modern Turkish culture. The mosques, like Yesil Cami and Ulu Cami, are some of the most important and beautiful inthe country. The country’s first ski resort was built on the mountain of Uludag, lying to the south of the city.

From Canakkale Bogazi, also known as the Dardanelles, to the fairytale Crusader castle and sunny beaches of Bodrum, the Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in Turkey. The highlights of an Aegean tour are Troy, the site of the legendary Trojan War and its wooden horse; ancient Pergamon, once a great center of culture and now one of Turkey’s finest archeological sites; Ephesus, the capital of Roman Asia Minor, dedicated to the goddess Artemis whose temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; Aphrodisias, the center of the greatest school of sculpture in antiquity; Pamukkale, a unique fairyland of dazzlingly white calcified castles; and Bodrum, a charming coastal town with a long, palm lined waterfront and beautiful beaches.

antalya turkey

Antalya province on the Mediterranean coast is Turkey’s principal holiday region. It is a paradise for sunbathing, swimming and sports. Best of all, Antalya serves as a convenient hub for nearby archeological attractions. Ancient theatres can be found in a remarkable state of preservation at Aspendos and Perge and visitors can tour the sunken city of Simena in Kekova. Remains of ancient Lycian cities such as Patara, Letoon, Xanthos, Myra and Apollonia are also within easy traveling distance. These are among the most fascinating sites on the Anatolian Peninsula. Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. The area’s early Christian inhabitants utilized its remarkable rock formations to create more than 220 churches and numerous underground cities in which they took refuge from their persecutors. Other popular destinations include Safranbolu in the Black Sea Region, an open air museum of traditional Turkish houses; Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey, where enormous stone statues of deities commemorate the first century BC Commagene Kingdom. Konya in Central Anatolia was home to the great Islamic philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi who in the 13th century founded the Mevlevi Order known as the Whirling Dervishes. Each year in early December, the white robed Mevlevi commemorate the death of Mevlana with their trance like turning dance or sema an amazing sight to behold.

Bodrum Mugla Turkey

How Can I Travel in Turkey

BY PLANE: Virtually every major city in Turkey has air service and Turkish Airlines offers nationwide services. Most flights connect through Istanbul or Ankara, both of which have domestic and international terminals. You can check Turkish Airlines’ schedules and book flights at www.turkishairlines.com

BY BUS: Busses are an efficient and affordable way to travel in Turkey. Private bus companies provide frequent day and night services between all Turkish cities. Local Tourism Information Offices usually have bus schedules for their regions; their addresses can be found at www.turizm.gov.tr

Tourism Information The major bus lines have spacious, comfortable coaches, and offer coffee, tea and snacks. The two largest bus companies’ web sites, www.varan.com.tr and www.ulusoy.com.tr, provide routes, schedules, ticket prices, and office addresses.

BY TRAIN: The extensive Turkish State Railways network connects most major cities. On some trains, sleeping compartments are available. Detailed train schedules and prices as well as reservation telephone numbers and authorized ticket agents are listed on their web site at www.tcdd.gov.tr. Transportation From and To the Airport Havas airport busses are a convenient and affordable alternative to taxis for transportation from airports to downtown areas or from downtown areas to airports in Turkey. You can find detailed information about the schedules at www.havas.com.tr

urkish passport

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Turkey?

As known when people travel to another country a valid travel document (Passport) or valid identity is needed (Except EU countries). As Turkey is still not an EU country the entry regulations are set according the custom and entry regulations Turkey has agreed with each individual country.

U.S. citizens must have a visa to enter Turkey. U.S. citizens may obtain a visa upon entry into Turkey or in prior to departure from one of the five Turkish Consulates in the United States. Please find your state in the Turkish Consulates Jurisdiction List. Business visas must be issued prior to departure by Turkish consular offices.

Visas issued upon entry are valid for three months. Visas for longer stays and for study, research or employment must be obtained in advance. Passengers in transit through Turkey who do not leave their port of transit do not require visas.

Non-U.S citizens must apply for tourist or business visas before traveling to Turkey. Applicants should contact the relevant Turkish Consulate in person, by mail or by a courier service. Applicants outside the united States should contact the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate to learn their visa requirements and procedures. Turkish missions abroad are listed at www.mfa.gov.tr