For the majority of travelers Turkey conjures images of beaches, mosques, Turkish coffee and Turkish delight. For backpackers, Turkey is an affordable destination, which should be added to their travel itinerary.
Regardless of your reasons to visit the country, it’s important to plan your vacation in such a way that you’d get the best out of the days (weeks) spend here.
Spring is definitely the prime time to visit Turkey, thanks to the moderate weather, long days and lack of tourists. Then, autumn is the second best choice as the weather is mild but the days are shorter and rain might occur. Summer is when the majority of tourists get airline tickets to Turkey, especially if they have the beach resorts in mind. However, summer is a bit more expensive than the rest of the year and the weather is quite hot.
Visiting Istanbul
Winter is chilly and rainy in Turkey. But you can find cheap flights to Istanbul during this time of the year and you won’t be bumping into too many tourists when visiting the beautiful city, either.
When it comes to finding cheap hotels in Istanbul you don’t really need to worry much about the time of the year. The city is dotted with a lot of affordable places to stay but if you come here when the rest of the tourists are, then you’ll need to book the accommodation ahead of time.
Stretching on both sides of the Bosphorus, Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe, both culturally and physically. Those visiting the city cannot pinpoint whether they are in a posh European town or are swept away by the Asian charms.
Having been the capital of several empires, Istanbul boasts a wealth of religious and historic places to visit. Most of them are located in the Old City, including Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
No visit to Istanbul is complete without indulging in some of its “guilty pleasures”: smoking the narghile, visiting a hamam (Turkish bath) and shopping in the bazaar.
Touring the country
Turkey is also a preferred destination for those who love adventure tours. Turkey adventure tours range from 10 hour safaris in Antalya, exploring national parks and mountains, to several days exploring the cultural heritage of the country. There are many options for those interesting in such vacations. Tours are typically available year round although the best weather is from spring to autumn.