Friday, June 25, 2021
After the COVID-19 pandemic wrecked havoc across the world, the travel and tourism industry came to a standstill. However, several countries around the world have started to open its door to tourism again after a long period of lockdown and travel restrictions. Travellers are now looking for the best destinations to travel to in the post-COVID-19 world.
Turkey is one of the countries that have already started not only to disinfect entire towns and city neighbourhoods but to certify its hospitality sector businesses and train their staff and managers. Enhanced personal and public hygiene has become the anthem of the country and continues to remain the same.
Turkey seamlessly blends tradition with modernity. It is famous for a diverse set of both Eastern and European elements from the traditional Turkish tea to the majestic Hagia Sophia. It is also famous for its carpets, hammam and bazaars, destinations like Istanbul and Cappadocia, and sweet treats like Turkish delights and baklava. It is also famous for the gorgeous sandy beaches of Antalya, to the Bazaar bustle of Istanbul and the dusty Greek relics of Ephesus. It is amazing to see what Turkey has to offer to its travellers.
It would take a lifetime to visit the plethora of offbeat places in Turkey. The country is full of hidden secrets that show up at every turn. Here’s a list of places you would not want to miss while travelling in and around the country:
Datca Peninsula
If you want off the beaten track, but all the comforts of an up market lifestyle, head to the Datca peninsula of Aegean Turkey. Known for its windmills and ancient ruins overlooking the sea, it is a refined lifestyle and pricey, but worth it to see a hidden corner. The old town is the best place to stay in. This is where you can see the old-style houses, and tuck into authentic regional cuisine. Datca Peninsula is just 50 Kilometers from Bodrum. One can fly to Bodrum and take a taxi to Datca Peninsula.
Hierapolis Ancient City-Pamukkale
Deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace). An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pamukkale is an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins.
At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site. The ruins of Hierapolis are on top of and just behind the travertine about 400- 500 metres away from Pamukkale.
Erciyes Ski Resort
Erciyes Ski Center is on Mount Erciyes (3,916 m), the highest summit of Anatolia, in the south Erciyes Province. Mount Erciyes is a young extinct volcano, presenting visitors with several visible volcanic cones. Erciyes is the world’s most centralized ski resort by virtue of its geographical position: it is possible to access one-third of the world with a 4-hour flight.
The ski resort has double, high speed, detachable chairlifts with a carriage capacity of 26,750 people per hour equipped with the latest technology in compliance with international standards. While on the chairlifts you will have the chance of experiencing an unbelievable panorama and observing the endemic plants of Mount Erciyes.
At Hacilar Kapi and Tekir Kapi gates, a comfortable journey awaits you and your family on the gondola lifts, and hot drinks will revive you at the local facilities. Located at a mere distance of 50 Kilometers from Cappadocia, Erciyes Ski Center can be reached easily by a taxi or shuttle.
Gobeklitepe
Before the great monotheistic religions, before the Greek gods, before ancient Egypt, before the Hittites, there was one place in the world that formed the earliest known religious spot, earliest known temple complex and the earliest known pilgrimage site. The main attraction includes presence of over 200 T-shaped megalith dated back to 10th millennia B.C. The histopricla facts also highlights that Gobeklitepe was a sacred ceremonial temple, a pilgrimage site where people came from all over Mesopotamia to worship.
The historical evidences also indicates that Gobeklitepe is indeed the “zero point in time,” the beginning of what we know today as modern civilization. Now it’s open to visitors, to discover your own history and visit this incredible spot. For reaching Gobeklitepe, one can take a flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman, Gaziantep or Sanliurfa and then take a taxi ahead.
Nemrut Mountain
At the junction of the East and West civilisations, Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut) is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey: A UNESCO World Heritage SITE, Nemrut Mountains are a collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2150m high, adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. Unknown until 1881 when an Ottoman geologist discovered these 10 metre-high stone heads, archaeological work began in 1953 to uncover their history.
Nemrut Dagi has since been a significant attraction, with thousands sunrise and sunset visitors to see the stones in the best possible light. It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and is one of the most important National Parks in the country. One can take a flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman. From there on one can take a tour from Khata, which is about 45 mins away from Adiyaman by minibus.
Land of Legends Theme Park Antalya
The Land of Legends, adventure and entertainment theme park in Antalya, offers unique experiences to all guests from 7 to 70 where they will discover something new every moment. The Land of Legends, which has an exciting atmosphere where everyone can experience their own legends, allows you to refine the limits of fun with your children, or to experience excitement and adrenaline-filled moments with your loved ones. All you need to do is to decide what part of the fairy tale you want to experience in the epic atmosphere of The Land of Legends.
Tags: Covid-19, Turkey, Turkey Tourism
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