Choose Turkey for Picture Perfect Celebrations

Feb. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Destination weddings are more popular now than ever before. Choosing your dream destination for your wedding, renewing wedding vows or honeymoons is an exciting process. Couples and their families looking for unique ways to commemorate their union in an intimate celebration surrounded by just their close friends and relatives are on the rise. The beauty of destination weddings is in the theme, locations and setting. With multiple cultural and historical attractions in Turkey, it is a country that is fast growing as one of the most sought after destinations.

Turkey is like a mosaic made up of many different reliefs and formations: parallel mountain ranges, extinct volcanoes, plateaux fissured by valleys and plains. Surrounded on its three sides by warm seas, it falls in the temperate climate zone which make options plenty to celebrate a wedding and a honeymoon. One can choose from picturesque mountain tops, laid back beach flairs, whimsy backdrops, warm tropical climate and of course the friendly culture to make your celebration a memorable one.      

Mr. Özgür Aytürk, Culture & Tourism Counselor, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey says “Turkey is blessed with ideal sceneries and locations that can enhance the grandeur of Indian weddings. One can easily locate an ideal place on a private beach or a cozy mountain destination to make their day special. Turkey also has a vibrant nightlife, array of dining and shopping choices to make it a destination to host a special event.”

Here are some of the most ideal locations:

WEDDING DESTINATIONS

Kaleiçi & Antalya

Part of the Turkish Riviera, Antalya is set around a Roman harbor and old town and enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year which makes it one of the best wedding destinations globally. For more active travelers, there are plenty of water sports on offer including windsurfing, waterskiing and sailing too. Kaleiçi also known as Old Antalya, is also a great place to spend some time if you love history and culture. Not only is there a lot to see and do inside Kaleici itself, but you're also within a tram ride of the Antalya Museum, one of the best in the country.

Bozcaada

Bozcaada is a little, mysterious island in the north of the Aegean Sea. There are not many places left along the coast that retains their original architecture, but Bozcaada is an island, and the cute little stone houses of the town have managed to weather both the years and Turkey's tourism boom. The castle here is fatally photogenic, and the fish restaurants lively and fun. Toss in a couple of decent cafés and Greek-style tavernas, sprinkle with soft sandy beaches, and the recipe is complete. The ferry-crossing from the mainland is short and sweet. For Bozcaada, coaches leave only from big cities (İstanbul, İzmir, Ankara,Bursa). The bus journey from Istanbul takes approximately 7,5 hours.

Islamlar & Kalkan

With its swimming clubs carved into the cliff and yachts bobbing on the sea, Kalkan has certain old-school glamour. A wedding party can also head to the hills – the picturesque mountain village of Islamlar is a short drive away. Here you'll find elegant villas, fruit trees and olive groves, and a teeming trout stream flowing down the hill.

Blue Lagoon Islands, Olu Deniz, Dalaman

You can't get a more romantic and scenic destination than the glimmering waters of the famous Blue Lagoon.  It takes pride as one of Turkey's Turquoise-Coast's top waterside spots. If you are thinking of making your marriage ceremony memorable then this is one destination you should definitely seek out.

HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS

Istanbul - Horse backed carriage rides

A short boat or ferry ride can take you away from all the hustle bustle in Istanbul to princess island  a motor free zone which in itself is an oasis of peace and quiet. The sound of horse feed on the ground as they tick is quite peaceful; it is as if you are meditating. Apart from using horse-backed carriages as a form of transportation, it is also possible to do a long or a short guided sightseeing tour around the islands.

Istanbul - Bebek Park

Bebek Park is located on the Bosphorus shores of Bebek, a luxurious district in Istanbul and there are variety of dining and wining alternatives in and around the park for the visitors. Bebek Park is not one of the biggest parks that other tourist cities have to offer, but with its lush green trees, wooden benches it is an invincible hub for locals of Bebek. On any sunny Sunday you are likely to find both celebrities and local residents, taking a breath here at the Park. There are nice tea gardens (cafes) inside and around the park where you can relax and watch it all -sipping into traditional Turkish tea. Finally, Bebek Park has one thing that most other parks in the world do not; and that is the Sea, the port and the fishermen.

Istanbul - Aya Yorgi

Aya Yorgi church was built in the name of Saint George and is located on the highest hill of Büyükada, called Yücetepe. In order to fulfill their wish-making rituals, crowds of every religion visit Aya Yorgi twice a year i.e. on April 23 and September 24. The hill is too steep for the horses so everyone must walk up or go on Donkey back. Benches are scattered around for those who need to take a breath during this tiring climb. However, you don’t really notice the steepness of the ascent with the spectacular view of the forest and the stunning sights of the other islands and sea through the trees.

Safranbolu

Safranbolu is famous for its Ottoman houses both in Çarşı (old town) and the neighborhood of Bağlar (literally "orchards"), and qualifies as a UNESCO world heritage site. To step back into Turkey's Ottoman past, explore Safranbolu. Spend your days strolling around the cobbled streets of a townscape that's hardly changed since the nineteenth century, and then go for a soak and a scrub in the lovely Cinci Hamami (Turkish bath) will ensure a exciting honeymoon offering. Buses from Istanbul take about 6 hours and buses from Ankara take around 3 hours. If you want to go by car from Ankara, it is 220 kms.

Cappadocia: Hot Air Balloon Tours

The Cappadocian Region located in the center of the Anatolian Region of Turkey, with its valley, canyon, hills and unusual rock formation created as a result of the eroding rains and winds of thousands of years is by far one on the most magnificent structures created by nature. One can rent a luxurious room in one of the many boutique cave hotels for a truly cherished travel memory. The hot air balloon tours in Cappadocia are world famous and a must for any honeymooning couple visiting the region.