Fabulous Turkey Holiday Ideas by holidaymate.com

Holiday Mate understands that making the decision about where to go on holiday to Turkey can be difficult, so to make it a little easy Holiday Mate have revealed the three hottest destinations this year. These are Marmaris, Oludeniz and Bodrum. Here is a little bit about each of them:

Marmaris was once a small fishing village but those days are long gone. It is now one of Turkey’s most popular and largest holiday resorts. The town has a vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Home to one of the largest yachting marinas in Turkey, it is a beloved spot on cruises along the coast. A bustling, lively resort there is plenty to see and do with a plethora of shops, bazaars, restaurants, cafes, bars and night clubs. As well as plenty of excursions and trips. The neighbouring resort of Icmeler also lures its fair share of visitors. A much quieter and more laid back resort than Marmaris.

Bodrum is a historical town famous for once housing one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A picturesque port town where modernity’s effortlessly blend with the traditional, there are signs every where of its colourful history and rich culture. Popular with the rich and famous, reported visitors have included Beyonce, Tom Hanks and Sting. It is an area of fantastic beauty, with many sandy beaches where holidaymakers can spend relaxing days soaking up the sunshine whilst on holiday to Turkey.

Oludeniz is one of the most photographed places in Turkey and it’s no surprise why really, with its stunning beach, turquoise waters and famous Blue Lagoon. A popular destination with numerous restaurants and bars, the resort has still managed to retain its individual charm. The bars along the seafront make the perfect place to sit and watch the breathtaking sunset from or gaze at the paragliders as they slowly soar to the ground, after jumping off nearby Babadag Mountain.

Holiday Mate Unveils Fabulous Turkey Holiday Ideas

A Holiday Mate spokesperson said:

“There is something magical about Turkey that makes visitors fall in love and never want to leave. If you want to be cast under its spell and go on holiday to Turkey then simply visit our website or contact our call centre for free. We have a fantastic and extensive range of holidays to destinations all over Turkey.”
Holidays can be booked online, by emailing customerservices(at)holidaymate(dot)com or calling 0800 031 9900 and letting a holiday specialist help book a perfect break. Or visit the Holiday Mate stores whilst on holiday to Turkey. Also follow Holiday Mate on Facebook to find out more and to access up to the minute promotions and discount codes.

Background: Holiday Mate is a Turkey and North Cyprus Holiday Specialist that sells Holidays to Turkey and N. Cyprus with flights departing from all UK airports. Daily dynamic price checks ensure that no one can compete with Holiday Mate when it comes to cheap holidays to Turkey.

The Travertines of Pamukkale

The Travertines of Pamukkale, one of the most amazing works of nature, is a must see when you visit Turkey. These bizarre calcium cliff bathing pools overlooking the town of Pamukkale are products of very hot springs with a very high mineral content (notably chalk) arose at this location. Although there are some similar sites around the world, these cotton white (Pamukkale means 'Cotton Castle' in Turkish) are "almost" unique in the world. Since 1988, Pamukkale is a world heritage site and it has always been a very popular spa and tourist destination for people, tourism is and has been a major industry and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years.

The hot water spas on the pools of Pamukkale are just fantastic. Since the water temperature is hot, you could even swim in them when it is snowing and many people swam here when I was kid. But currently, you  cannot swim in the pools of terraces. But still, there are mineral hot springs above the waterfalls and you should swim in these enclosed pools. They charge around 25 TL here.

Walking on the terraces of Pamukkale is the main attraction but they do not let you to walk on these natural wonders by your shoes so bring something with you to put your shoes in. Still, there are many hot pools around and you should bring your swimsuit with you even if it is winter. There are also a lot of hotels in Pamukkale which has thermal pools for you to enjoy. 

Pamukkale pools

The white terraces look really fairy and out of this world. The water here has a temperature of around 33 degrees Celcius and it contains high levels of calcium carbonate minerals. These minerals causes calcium sedimentation and forms the terraces, which are sedimentary rock deposited by water from the hot springs.

Pamukkale hot spas

Pamukkale also has another main attraction: Aphrodisias. This is one of the best preserved Roman site in southeastern Aegean. In fact this site contains some of the most impressive Roman ruins in Turkey, and is in some aspects more worthwhile to visit than more famous Ephesus.

Aphrodisias Entrance

The location of Pamukkale:
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Turkey Public Holidays 2013 Calendar

Public holidays in Turkey fall into 2 groups: The ones which commemorate the important events from the foundation days of Turkish Republic and the Muslim festivals. There are only 2 religious holidays but they tend to be long, usually Turkish take a week long holiday during these holidays and business life almost stops.

Religious holidays for Muslim festivals and their date change every year since they are based on lunar calendar.

Below are the Turkish holidays in 2013 with their dates:

Turkey 2013 Holidays
Here is the list of Turkey 2013 holidays in Turkey 2013 calendar:

New Year Holiday
(Turkish Yilbasi)
January 1st, 2013 Tuesday
Turkey celebrates Gregorian Calendar's first year as new year and most of the time December 31st is also a half day holiday. Since the holiday is Tuesday, many will merge this with the weekend and create a 4 day holiday for themselves.

National Sovereignty and Children's Day 
(Turkish Ulusal Egemenlik ve Cocuk Bayrami)
April 23rd, 2013, Tuesday
Grand National Assembly of Turkey has first opened its door at Ankara in 23 April 1920 and the day is a holiday for the commemoration of the event. This official holiday is dedicated to the children.

Labour and Solidarity Day
(Turkish Turkish Emek ve Dayanışma Günü)
May 1st 2013, Wednesday
This is May Day holiday, which was removed from the list of public holidays in 1981 by the military rulers of 1980 Turkish coup d'état. 28 years after, in 2009, May Day has been an official public holiday again.

Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day
(Turkish Atatürk'ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı)
May 19th, 2013, Sunday
May 19th 1919 is a public holiday commemorating the beginning of national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk's landing in Samsun. The holiday is dedicated to the youth.

Ramadan Feast
(Turkish Ramazan Bayrami)
August 7-8-9-10 2013


This religious fest is Eid_ul-Fitr and one of the longest holidays in Turkey and if all these days are in weekdays, Turkish tend to have a long 9 days holiday by merging this holiday with the weekends. Since August is summer time, many Turkish will flock to south for holiday and it would be difficult if not impossible to find hotel rooms and plane tickets during this time.

Victory Day
(Turkish Zafer Bayrami)
August 30, 2013, Friday
This holiday is for the commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupinar which has ended the Turkish Independence War in 1922 with a victory and it is dedicated to the armed forces.

Sacrifice Feast
(Turkish Kurban Bayrami)
October 15-16-17-18 2013
This religious fest is Eid_ul-Adha and one of the longest holidays in Turkey and if all these days are in weekdays, Turkish tend to have a long 9 days holiday by merging this holiday with the weekends. It is very difficult to find tickets and hotel rooms around this time.

Republic Day
(Turkish Cumhuriyet Bayrami)
October 28-29th, 2013
This 1.5 day holiday starts at 28th afternoon and October 29th is a full day holiday commemoration of the proclamation of the republic in 1923.