Turkey’s tourist industry is centered around Istanbul and the resorts of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts (Especially Antalya), and it is here that the majority of modern hotels are to be found. The inland regions of Pamukkale, Cappadocia, and Konya are now being developed for tourism, but outside these regions Turkey’s heartland has little to offer in the way of good hotels.
There are, however, advantages to travelling independently in Turkey, as in any country, particularly if you enjoy the challenge of going it alone. You will be your own boss and not one of a crowd of tourists, and you will have a far better chance of sampling Turkish life as it really is. Wherever you go in Turkey you can always find cheap places to stay, but the standard of accommodation sometimes varies greatly. One thing you won’t have to suffer in Turkey are the rows of unsightly hotels which mar the coastlines of so many Mediterranean resorts. One of the country’s main selling points, apart from its guaranteed summer sunshine, is the friendliness of the Turks themselves. Whether you’re touring the country or staying in one place, you’ll always be greeted with warmth and hospitality.
If you are looking for a reasonably priced and carefree holiday in Turkey, a package holiday is your best option. In the past few years, European tour operators have begun to recognize Turkey’s great potential as a holiday destination, and package holidaymakers can choose now from a wide range of holidays for every type and every budget. The holidays on offer range from two weeks in a busy resort such as Antalya to an away-from-it-all break in an unspoilt spot in the Aladaglar Mountains. The all-inclusive cost of a package holiday is hard to beat for an independent traveller, unless you are a student (under 22), in which case you qualify for an incredible 60 per cent discount on international flights by THY (Turkish Airlines) on producing an International Student Identity Card.
Tour operators are increasingly offering destinations in inland regions such as Cappadocia, so you mustn’t assume that a package holiday automatically means a Majorca-type experience. And there is no reason why a package holiday should confine you to one resort, as many operators now offer two-centre packages, sailing holidays and touring holidays in Turkey. Eating is also very cheap and you can eat well even on the lowest budget.
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