Best of Turkey Tour 11 day

Best of Turkey tour 2017 prices are published.  Don't miss the early booking promotion. It is an 11 day escorted Turkey tour departs on Fridays. Tour details at : http://anatoliatravels.com/Best-of-Turkey-Tour.htm

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13 day Classical Turkey and Greece Tour

Classical Turkey and Greece tour is now with upgraded hotels and lower price for 2016

This tour includes the major highlights from both countries.

Please check http://www.anatoliatravels.com/Classical_Turkey_Greece_Tour.htm for more details.

For all the other Turkey and Greece tours visit:

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The Highlights of Morocco Imperial Cities

Travelers visiting Morocco are enchanted by the varied architecture, the medinas on cobbled streets, the dazzling sands of the Sahara, and the stunning snow-capped Atlas Mountains whilst staying in brilliant riads (traditional homes sometimes converted to hotels that have unique courtyards that conveniently ventilate the structure) on lush gardens in a labyrinth of culture, history and beauty. Surely Westerners have heard of the film Casablanca, the romantic 1942 film starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. It takes place in the enticing city in northwest Morocco. What some of us do not know is Morocco has four “Imperial Cities” – each having been capital at least once and several times for a couple. They are, in no particular order: Fes (Fez), Marrakech, Rabat and Meknes. Interestingly, Casablanca isn’t necessarily the most captivating city to visit. To the north of Casablanca, and also on the shores of the Atlantic, is the current capital of Rabat.

Rabat (meaning “fortified place” showcasing its prominent military importance) has a lesser population than Casablanca – slightly over one million inhabitants. It has a heavy French influence and houses the King and embassies. Its main languages are Arabic and French. Most escorted group tours go to the abandoned mosque (the Almohad ruler who started it died) with the incomplete Hassan Tower which is about half the intended size –approx 140 ft. Also commonly visited are the Royal residence (Dar-al-Makhzen), Pietri Square, the Bouregreg Marina, the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Rabat Archaeological Museum and the Riad district. Stop at a zoo (Zoo de Rabat), the gorgeous Andalusian Gardens or perhaps Les Jardins Exotiques de Bouknadel, the Mausoleum of Mohammad V, the Museum Mohamed VI of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the must-visit Chellah, an ancient Roman ruin. The weather and food are blissfully Mediterranean, therefore beach activities and lounging are constant go-tos.

Meknes, partially surrounded by ancient walls encompassing exquisite gates (such as Bab Mansour) considered some of the best-preserved of the Islamic world, was capital from 1672-1727. It is about 80 miles inland from Rabat and is a bustling, though less populated and noticed, city that some feel is easier to navigate. Intended by its creator, Moulay Ismail, to rival Versailles, a lot of it (including the walls) was leveled by an earthquake in 1755. The prices here may be more reasonable and the people more friendly. Some noteworthy sights are the Bou Inania Medersa, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Dar Al-Makhzen, Jamai Palace (inside is the Museum of Moroccan Arts) and the El Hedim Square (Place El Hadim) providing entertainment such as snake-charmers, story-tellers, horse riding and medicine men. Nearby are souks and famous confectionary merchants. Fortifications were key to Ismail so there is an impressive stable (for 12,000 horses!) and granary. Maybe stroll through Moulay Idris if you have a good sense of direction. Take a guided tour through the rolling hills to the nearby amazing Roman ruins of Volubilis, perhaps the best preserved ruins in northern Africa.

Fez is considered the heart of Morocco – at least in a religious or intellectual sense (and it is more inland than coastal, like Marrakech). It also has a population of just over a million. See the medinas of old Fez (Fes el-Bali), the streets resplendent with an onslaught to the senses – narrow winding paths through food stands, silk and tapestry shops, brass and copper souks, mosques and bazaars and lots of people! Delight in bakers, butchers and spice vendors selling their delicacies. Along with the old Fes see the Chaouwara Tanneries, the Kairaouine Mosque and University (possibly the oldest university in the world), the Jewish Cemetery & Habarim Synagogue and the Medersa Bou Inania. The New Fez, Ville Nouvelle, was built by the French so it has the feel of a French provincial town. It has wide boulevards with delicious dining (cap the night off with some of the famous mint tea) and local entertainment.

Last of the Morocco Imperial Cities is Marrakech. It is dubbed the Red (or alternatively, Ochre) City because of red sandstone buildings built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122-1123. It is nestled about fifteen or so miles from the base of the Atlas Mountains, has a more semi-arid climate (compared to the coastal cities) and is replete with local markets (souks), gardens, monuments, palaces, food, fun and entertainment. Namely: Djemaa el Fna Square – the main entrance square that comes alive with vendors and performers that change throughout the day, the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa and Almoravid Koubba, for a start. You can browse the medina for wares such as traditional Moroccan lanterns or slippers. And of course, see craftsmen at work, purchase Berber carpets and dine sumptuously. Don’t forget your mint tea!

The author of this article, Nil Aykut, is the Marketing Manager of Anatolia Travels. Anatolia Travels offer private and escorted tours to Turkey, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Dubai & Morocco. More information at http://www.anatoliatravels.com

Follow the Hollywood Scenes in Turkey

Every year hundreds of movies are shot, and luckily not all of them are filmed in front of the green cardboards in Hollywood studios. Some of them are shot in their actual environments giving us the opportunity to sense the real surrounding.
Just as a well played role would bring more business to the actors, so will a good movie to the small town or to the country it was filmed. Movies are one of the most effective ways in the presentation of a country or city. The film “Casablanca” had attracted many tourists to Morocco for years. Similarly thousands of tourists, in the footsteps of “Indiana Jones”, still travel to Jordan to see the treasury in the rock carved temple.
Sometimes you even might not enjoy the movie but the historic street you see at the background may snatch your attention and motivate you to learn more about the location the movie was shot. Or if you have already picked your next destination, why not watch a few movies filmed in that country to get into the groove?
If Turkey is one of your next destinations, here is the list of some well known movies that were shot in Turkey, mainly in Istanbul. These movies captured many touristy highlights as well as less known places which might spice up your itinerary:
• The World Is Not Enough (1999) is the nineteenth movie in the James Bond series. The film was directed by Michael Apted and it is Pierce Brosnan’s third James Bond movie. Bosphorus and Maiden tower are the major places seen in the movie. “I’ve always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey.” is the famous quote said by James Bond.
• Hitman is a 2007 film based on the same-titled video game series. An agent hired by a group known as ‘The Organization’ is trapped and finds him pursued by both Interpol and the Russian military as he treks across Russia, Eastern Europe and Turkey. In this movie you can see the backstreets of old Istanbul and crowded bazaar area.
• Gallipoli is a 1981 Australian film, directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee. It is about two Australian sprinters facing the brutal realities of World War I when they are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign in Turkey. Although the whole movie was shot in Australia it is about the place Gallipoli which is in North West Turkey and a district of Canakkale province.
• The Accidental Spy is a 2001 Hong Kong martial arts-action film, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Teddy Chan. It all starts on one normal dull day, Bei a salesman at a workout equipment store follows his instincts to trail two suspicious looking men into an alley and this leads him to an adventurous journey from Korea to Turkey. The scene that Jackie Chan is running naked in the Grand Bazaar is the most haunting moment of the movie.
• Topkapi (1964) is a film directed by Jules Dassin and the film is based on Eric Ambler’s novel The Light of Day. The film stars Melina Mercouri, Maximilian Schell and Peter Ustinov. The movie is about a man with passport problems gets mixed up with a gang of thieves plotting to rob the Topkapi museum in Istanbul.
• From Russia with Love (1963) is the second spy film in the James Bond series with Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. In the film, James Bond is sent to assist in the defection of Corporal Tatiana Romanova in Turkey. Most of the movie was shot in Turkey and the major places are; Egyptian spice bazaar, Sultanahmet, Bosphorus and the Blue Mosque.
• The Net 2 (2006) is a film directed by Charles Winkler and starring Nikki Deloach, Demet Akbag and Sebnem Donmez. The life of a computer systems analyst is thrown into turmoil when, after arriving in Istanbul to start a new job. This movie was also shot in Istanbul mainly Sultanahmet district and most of the actors are famous Turkish movie stars.
• Head On (2004) is an award winning film directed by Fatih Akin. The movie is about a Turkish man called Cahit in his 40s who has given up everything in life and seeks solace in drugs and Sibel, another German Turk who has tried to commit suicide due to her conservative family. In this movie you can see the real local life in Istanbul.
Above list includes the major movies; however there are several other European, Hindi, Asian movies filmed in various parts of Turkey. If you are planning your next tour to Turkey why don’t you grab a few of above movies from your local video store and get ready for a Christmas in Turkey just like our old pal Bond.

Nil Aykut is the Marketing Manager of Anatolia Travels. Anatolia Travels offer private and small group tours to Turkey , Greece Egypt, Jordan & Morocco. More information at http://www.anatoliatravels.com

Egyptian chaos is Turkish windfall

This is a sort of a windfall in Turkish tourism. As chaos spread in Egypt starting from the protests against its dictator, Hosni Mubarak, tourists have started drifting to other destinations and Turkey has proved one of them. The resort hotels in the western and southern Anatolia are fully occupied, due to a significant rise in domestic tourists due to a nine-day holiday of the Feast of Sacrifice, tourism representatives said.

According to the tourism professionals, Turkey tour season may last until the end of November.
“Many foreign tourists, especially European tourists, have shown great interest in Turkey for vacationing as of August. Turkey’s tourism season has extended to the end of November, as many foreign tourists see Turkey as a safe haven amid social and political turmoil in Egypt or others,” said Turkey’s Hoteliers Federation Osman Ayık.
Turkey has accelerated its promotional activities in tourism during these last years. “This is real plus for the tourism sector. In addition to the positive effects of these activities, we have seen many Russian, German and British tourists showing a great interest in Turkey for vacations, as they do not prefer going to Egypt or elsewhere in the region due to the chaotic environment there,” he said.
Foreign tourists who do prefer Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon or Syria right now have started to show a great interest in safer countries in the Mediterranean, said the Tour Operators’ Spokesperson Cem Polatoğlu.
“Around 10 per cent of the foreign tourists who do not prefer Egypt or somewhere else are now coming to Turkey and Turkey is ranked fifth or sixth in luring those tourists after Spain, Italy, France and Greece,” he said.

Source: http://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/egyptian-chaos-is-turkish-windfall/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Travel%20And%20Tour%20World&utm_content=UFTAA+Clarifies+entrance+ticket+fraud