Winter holidays in Turkey
Türkiye is a country with an ancient and rich history and traditions. When you want to take a break from endless affairs, Antalya, Belbidi, Kemer, Alanya immediately come to mind... But you can have a good rest in Turkey in winter, especially for ski lovers.
Türkiye is a country that is known for inexpensive but beautiful resorts. They can be easily compared with those that Spain and Italy present to tourists, only a holiday in Turkey will cost an order of magnitude cheaper. There are enough hotels to suit every taste, as well as places where you can buy a lot of souvenirs or just wander around, looking at the local attractions.
Anyone who has ever visited Turkey will agree that Turkey is probably the most hospitable country in the Balkans. Turkish ski resorts are no less interesting than summer ones. Convenient location of Turkey, it can be reached in three hours, also simplified visa regime. And then, at all resorts in Turkey there are always reasonable prices and quality service. You can notice that at Turkish resorts there are quite a lot of staff who know Russian, and a lot of attention is paid to vacationers.
The most famous and popular of the Turkish ski resorts among tourists from the CIS countries is, without a doubt, Uludag. Uludag resort is located 170 kilometers from Istanbul and approximately 34 kilometers from Bursa. The fastest way to get to Uludag is by plane from Istanbul. The resort is located on the territory of a beautiful national park; it is very popular among ski lovers. Uludag resort is often compared to the French Alps, thanks to the beauty of the landscape, excellent conditions for slalom, and first-class hotels.
The tourist season in Uludag lasts three months until March 20. There are more than fifteen hotels with categories of three, four and five stars at the disposal of vacationers. Hotels usually have from 50 to 80 rooms. Each hotel has its own lift. Uludag can be recommended for a holiday with the whole family. After the ride, guests will enjoy entertainment programs. You can also attend concerts of popular performers.
The second most popular resort among our tourists is Palandoken. It is located near the border with Armenia. This is a great place for ski lovers. The temperature in winter here is -9 degrees Celsius. The snow lasts until May 10. The ski area is located at an altitude of more than 2 kilometers. The slopes are served by 7 lifts. The length of the trails is about thirty kilometers. There is everything for lovers of slalom and downhill skiing; there are also training tracks. Instructors, as a rule, are Russian-speaking, are always happy to teach everyone the basics of ski equipment. Palandoken hotel complexes are 4 and 5 stars with a capacity of 200 to 400 rooms. The use of ski lifts is generally included in the price. You can also go on an excursion to ancient Erzurum, located at the foot of Mount Palandoken. The pristine nature and ancient monuments will leave pleasant memories.
Information: the capital is Ankara, the population is about 70 million people, currency is allowed to be imported into the country in any quantity, the amount over 5000USD must be declared. The voltage in the network is 220 volts, mini buses are most convenient for excursions, all taxis are yellow - parking near large hotels, the nightly rate is almost doubled, in restaurants, taxis, hotels, porters, it is customary to pay a tip - usually 10% of the total amount . Drinking alcoholic beverages on the street and in crowded places is undesirable; smoking in government agencies, hospitals, schools, shopping centers is prohibited. It is better not to drink tap water.
Telephone numbers: police - 115, gendarmerie - 158, ambulance - 112, fire service - 110, traffic police - 156, information - 118. Russian Embassy in Ankara - (312) 440-8217; (312) 440-9485. Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul – (212) 244-1693; (212) 244-2610
