TOURING TURKEY: BETTER THAN EVER
In 2021, the number of visitors to Turkey surpassed the number of visitors to both Italy and the United States, making Turkey the 4th most popular travel destination in the world. In 2023, the number of visitors to Turkey increased by a whopping 10% – that’s over 50 million people; plus Istanbul & Antalya were ranked two of the world’s four most visited cities.
And just last month, Turkey removed the requirement for citizens of the US, Canada and Mexico to obtain an e-visa for visits lasting fewer than 90 days, a decision likely to only increase the number of travelers to Turkey in 2024 and beyond. But is it safe?
First of all, the bustling streets, tea gardens and bathhouses of Istanbul are a 17+ hour drive from Turkey’s more precarious southeastern borders with Syria and Iraq, meaning there is an incredible amount of the country to confidently explore – much of it off the beaten path, far from the city crowds.
“As a single American woman who has been living in Turkey for the past two years, a question I often get asked is, ‘Is Turkey safe?’ And I can say that my answer this year in 2024 is the same that it has been the past two years. Yes, absolutely, Turkey is safe,” said Sydney, a young expat. Check out Sydney sharing her perspective on the safety of Turkey in 2024, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-LwjcZyE3Y
Below is a super-sweet bucket list for anyone craving some Turkish delight!
- A Blue Voyage
“Blue Voyage” is a term in Turkey’s tourism industry for chartered cruises aboard traditional gulets to ancient cities, tombs, and beaches along Turkey’s Turquoise Coast – from the Turkish Riviera to the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
- The Lycian Way
The Lycian Way is a long-distance hiking trail in southern Turkey along the coast of ancient Lycia, passing above stunning Butterfly Valley on to magical coastal villages such as Kabak and Simena, past the ruins of Myra and the Gelidonya Lighthouse, all the way to Antalya.
- Turkey’s Tourism Capital
Antalya is a lush resort city chock-full of natural wonders, archaeological sites, and things to do. People travel from all over the world to experience Antalya’s radiant Mediterranean beaches, rich culinary culture and plentiful shopping, from traditional bazaars to modern malls. The giant Antalya Aquarium and famous Land of Legends theme park are just two of many family-friendly excursions to enjoy.
Fun fact: a guest at the nearby winter resort, Saklıkent, can go snow-skiing in the morning, then spend the afternoon swimming and sunbathing at the marina with fresh fish to eat!
- Land of Beautiful Horses
Cappadocia, a semi-arid region in the heartland of Turkey, was once the largest province of the Roman Empire and is characterized by fairy chimneys and other volcanic formations, underground cities and rock-cut architecture, hot air balloons and horseback riding.
- Ruins of Troy and Gallipoli
Tourists can visit both these amazing archeological sites in a single day!
“Although Troy was long regarded as a Hellenistic city, recent findings have shown that it has roots in Anatolian culture, a fact that has deepened Turks’ awareness and appreciation of the city,” wrote Joshua Hammer for Smithsonian Magazine.
The Gallipoli Peninsula Historical Site commemorates the lives of over half a million soldiers who died there in World War I. The Gallipoli campaign was the land-based component of a failed Allied strategy to capture Constantinople (modern day Istanbul).
- Black Sea Region
Mild, oceanic Karadeniz, the only region of Turkey that receives high precipitation throughout the year, is a paradise of verdant green mountains and valleys, peaceful pastoral villages and bustling coastal towns.
The city of Rize, for example, is known for its pristine highlands, alpine tea plantations and white-water rafting along the Fırtına River. At a guesthouse called Plato’da Mola in the neighboring village of Pokut, “the family’s homemade meals revolve around the milk from their free-range cows and the boons of nature all around. You’ll find fresh clotted cream, cheese, butter, honey and jams, eggs from their own chickens, homemade bread, and produce from the garden,” according to CNN Travel.
Browse our published Turkey tours or contact us to create a custom program.
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