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5 incredible places in Turkey you need to see to believe

When considering a trip to Turkey, the question is not whether to go – but where? Travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to natural and historical attractions, cultural festivals and mouth-watering food. Here are our top five picks for your must-see list, along with an unbeatable fare (and a chance to win!) from Turkish Airlines to help you get there faster:


1. Pamukkale thermal springs 

This destination has been nicknamed the “Cotton Castle” – it’s a mind-boggling stepped terrace of turquoise thermal swimming pools, formed by mineral springs and limestone deposits. 

Take a spa day at Pamukkale thermal springs. Stock photo.

It’s also the site of the well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins of Hierapolis; the spa city is home to column-lined streets, temples and bath houses. Take a dip in 36-degrees Celcius mineral-rich waters as the Romans once did! 

Travel to Turkey for less

From now until 3 December 2018, Turkish Airlines is offering round-trip fares from South Africa to Istanbul, starting from just R7,852* (base fare of R2,900 plus approximately R4,952 taxes). 

Ask your nearest Sure Travel Agency about these great fares, or call 0861 47 48 49.


2. Derinkuyu underground city

Cappadocia’s deepest excavated underground city is Derinkuyu – more than 60m deep, it was home to as many as 20,000 people, as well as livestock and food stores. 

Cross section of Derinkuyu's excavated rooms and tunnels. Photo from lesavoirperdudesanciens.com.

Archaeologists have much more still to unearth, but by all indicators, Derinkuyu was a thriving labyrinth that included wine cellars, communal rooms, religious schools, stables and oil presses. A 55m ventilation shaft provided oxygen and water to those living below. 

Historians believe the tunnels were built between the 8th and 7th centuries BC by the Phrygians, Persians or Anatolian Hittites, however they were later used and expanded by the Cappadocians, a persecuted Christian minority. When attacked, they retreated into these underground cities, blocking the entrance behind them and setting traps along the way. 

Derinkuyu's excavated rooms and tunnels. Photo from lesavoirperdudesanciens.com.

Derinkuyu sat mostly undisturbed until 1963, when the astounding underground city was rediscovered – lucky for us! 

Discover Derinkuyu with Sure Travel

From now until 3 December 2018, pay just R7,852* (taxes included) for round-trip flights from South Africa to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency to enquire or book, or call 0861 47 48 49.


3. Istanbul’s great mosques 

You can’t go to Istanbul without visiting the Sultan Ahmed Mosque – or the “Blue Mosque” as it is commonly known for its 20,000 hand-painted ceramic blue tiles. The mosque took seven years to build in the 17th century and its five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes are an architectural feat. 

You can’t go to Istanbul without visiting the Sultan Ahmed Mosque – or the “Blue Mosque” as it is commonly known for its 20,000 hand-painted ceramic blue tiles. The mosque took seven years to build in the 17th century and its five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes are an architectural feat. 

Istanbul's Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are a sight to behold. Stock photo.

Opposite the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) looms in splendour. More than 10,000 artisans and labourers worked non-stop to build this domed behemoth, and they did it in record time: five years, 10 months and four days. Built in 537 AD, it was the Roman Empire’s first Christian Cathedral and is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. 

Visit Istanbul for less

From now until 3 December 2018, pay just R7,852* (taxes included) for round-trip flights from South Africa to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency to enquire or book, or call 0861 47 48 49.


4. Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and cave hotels

Mushroom-shaped towers of eroded volcanic rock, underground cities, rock-cut houses, and cave refuges – Cappadocia’s ochre-coloured “moonscapes” are only made more magical by the hundreds of hot air balloons that float into the sky each morning at sunrise over the Anatolian plains. 

A hot air balloon ride is one of the most magical ways to see Cappadocia. Stock photo.

This is the place to wake up early – even if you’re not a morning person. The vastness of Turkey’s Göreme Valley is the perfect place to go hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. 

See magical Cappadocia with Sure Travel

From now until 3 December 2018, pay just R7,852* (taxes included) for round-trip flights from South Africa to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency to enquire or book, or call 0861 47 48 49.


5. Tuz Gölü salt pan 

One of the largest salt lakes in the world, Lake Tuz (or Tuz Gölü in Turkish) is a popular destination to view nature’s saline wonders. Located on an arid central plateau, the region gets as little as 25cm of rainfall some years, revealing a 30cm-thick crusted layer of salt in summer months when the water dries up. 

Dip your toes in one of the saltiest lakes on earth. Stock photo.

Recently, its become even more of an attraction – when a certain type of halophile green micro-algae called Dunaliella salinas is in bloom, the water turns a coral pink colour. 

The lake yields a booming industry for local residents: not only is the tourist industry flourishing, the local markets extract, refine and sell the salt. 

Experience the wonders of Lake Tuz

From now until 3 December 2018, pay just R7,852* (taxes included) for round-trip flights from South Africa to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. Contact your nearest Sure Travel Agency to enquire or book, or call 0861 47 48 49.

*Subject to currency fluctuations. Further Ts and Cs apply.

. . . .

WIN WIN WIN!

Turkish Airlines is giving away a new suitcase for your next trip! How can you be entered to win?

1. Read about Turkey’s “5 places you need to see to believe” above.

2. Tell us the Turkish destination you'd most like to visit! Put your answer in the comments' section of Sure Travel's Facebook competition post

3. Share the competition post on your own Facebook page – and tag a friend for an extra entry.

That's it! Contest ends 10 October at 23h59. Winner will be announced 11 October 2018 on social media.



Competition terms and conditions

The promoters of this promotion are Turkish Airlines and Sure Travel.

1. Employees or agencies of the Promoters, affiliated companies or family members, or anyone else connected with the Prize Draw may not enter the Prize Draw. 

2. Entrants into the Prize Draw shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions. 

3. The closing date for entries into the Prize Draw is 23h59 on 10 October 2018. Entries received outside this time period will not be considered. 

4. One winner will be chosen from of entries received in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. The judges’ decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered in to. 

5. The promoters accept no responsibility for any costs associated with the prize and not specifically included in the prize. 

6. By submitting your entry, you agree to receive Facebook communication from the Promoters and the winner will be contacted via Facebook.

7. If the winner does not respond to the promoters by 11 October 2018, then the winner's prize will be forfeited. If a winner rejects their prize or the entry is invalid or in breach of these Terms and Conditions, the winner's prize will be forfeited and the promoters shall be entitled to select another winner. 

8. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and is not redeemable for cash or other prizes. 

9. The Promoters retain the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar value in the event the original prize offered is not available. 

10. The winner may be required to take part in promotional activity related to the Prize Draw and the winner shall participate in such activity on the Promoters reasonable request. The winner consents to the use by the Promoters, both before and after the closing date of the Prize Draw for an unlimited time, of the winner's name for publicity purposes, in any medium, on the internet, including any websites hosted by the Promoters and its related companies and in advertising, marketing or promotional material without additional compensation or prior notice and, in entering the Prize Draw, all entrants consent to the same. 

11. The Promoters accept no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Prize Draw or accepting the prize.

12. Sure Travel’s standard terms and conditions apply. View full Ts and Cs here.

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