It was once a Roman port, and relics and architecture from that era can be explored in Kaleici, its Old Town city center, and at the Antalya Archaeology Museum. Turkey’s coasts are stunning, and Marmaris, a pebbled beach resort village on the Turkish Riviera, is one of the best to visit on the Southwestern coast. Famous for its nightlife and beautiful views of lush, green mountains next to the Mediterranean Sea, it’s a great place to relax and explore. Selçuk is a treasure trove of ancient wonders, most notably the city of Ephesus, which was once one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean. Visitors can also tour the stunning Isa Bey Mosque, explore the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (one of the Ancient Wonders of the World), and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she lived after the death of Jesus.
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Many people come to see the potential site of the ark, but it’s just as popular for mountaineering. [newline]Many don’t realize that Patara is where St. Nicolas — yes, that St. Nicolas — was born in 275 A.D. And the place where the Apostle Paul started a Christian community (you can see ruins of his old harbor church in the water) and embarked on his 3rd missionary journey to Tyre. Book a hotel at the base of the hill and stay the night before — it ensures you’ll arrive early enough to enjoy the site without huge crowds. Calcium-rich springs flowing over the cliffside terraces created the amazing “frozen waterfall” formations and crystal-clear, light blue pools over centuries. You can walk on the actual terraced calcium pools and deposits, but you’ll have to do it barefoot (shoes can damage them).
One of our friendly tour specialists will be in touch within the next 48 hours to discuss your travel requirements in more detail, and ensure you have everything you need to make traveling with us your dream vacation. A Turkish Hammam Vacanze Turquia scrub is a ritual you need to enjoy when visiting this country. Often teamed with communal bathing and occasionally requiring full nudity, pack your confidence to enjoy this tradition that is truly doing as the locals do.
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I’ve tried multiple overpriced, mediocre hotels in this city, but there are fortunately a few gems to be found. I stayed in Tin Suites in my late-2024 trip to Istanbul and loved it; it’s now where I send all of my friends when they visit the city! The rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, and the balcony overlooking the Hagia Sofia is incredible because — yes, the location can’t be beaten. The staff are super friendly and the rooms are silent, despite their central location. Istanbul is a phenomenal city, with mosques scattered across the skyline, an incredible food scene, and so much history to delve into. The ruins of Ephesus are some of the most impressive I’ve seen, and the site of Troy is breathtaking.
Turkeys Beach Bliss: Unveiling The Finest Coastal Gems
The underground city, which is large enough to have sheltered 20,000 people together with their livestock, has since been excavated. Imagine doing some renovations to your house and finding a hidden doorway to lead to the largest underground city in Turkey. Your driver should provide you with a flashlight, but it’s never a bad idea to come prepared with your own. Once the sun has set, take a shuttle to the edge of the mountain, and once you get out of the vehicle you’re on your own. Hike about 30 minutes up the steep and wooded mountainside, enjoying serenity and spectacular stars. A luxurious and exclusive hotel that caters to the discerning traveler with its elegant rooms, upscale amenities, and personalized service.
In major cities and tourist areas, travelers and locals often wear shorts and sleeveless tops in the hot summer months. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Major credit cards are widely accepted in cities, tourist areas and large hotels but are less commonly accepted by smaller vendors in rural areas.
Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey, but it’s certainly the tourism capital of the country and the one that most people come to see when visiting Turkey. Istanbul is the most visited tourist destination in Turkey, seeing upwards of 16 million visitors each year (according to Statista) and leaving other Turkish destinations far behind in terms of annual tourism numbers. Once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, Bursa, or “Green Bursa” (thanks to all its parks and natural areas) is now a bustling city that pays homage to the past as it sits in the shadow of Mount Uludag.
Whether you’re exploring the bustling bazaars of Istanbul, floating in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, or relaxing by the turquoise waters of Antalya, our Turkey tour packages cater to every traveller’s desire. Most visitors to Turkey arrive and depart via the new Istanbul International Airport. After a late flight, we picked up our rental car and opted to spend a night at an airport hotel before we started our Turkey road trip.
