Why choose Turkey for a property investment?

With its sparkling turquoise coast, a string of vibrant resorts and balmy year round temperatures, few would argue that you need any more excuses for buying a holiday home in Turkey. This land of extraordinary scenic beauty brings together the very best of the cosmopolitan, the exotic and the ancient. One modern addition to the landscape that has excited overseas real-estate buyers are the fantastic new-build properties that have sprung up over recent years in areas such as Bodrum, Altinkum and Kusadasi on the Mediterranean coast, Marmaris, Antalya and Fethiye on the Aegean and in the capital, Istanbul.

Turkey was already of course a well-established tourist destination well before the start of its current property boom, income from tourism here has been increasing steadily by 10% – 15% each year for several years. Figures have now picked up again after a slight dip during the recession and the number of British visitors passing through Turkey`s busy airport terminals is expected to exceed the 2 million figure this year once again. A buoyant tourist industry is always good news for property investors seeking steady rental yields.

If there is any doubt as to the potential for growth in Turkey, investors need only look at the wider economic indicators. Turkey is officially one of the fastest growing economies in the world and several factors bode well for higher capital growth than investors can expect from other comparable markets

At the same time investors would be wise to keep an eye on Turkey`s progress towards EU membership. Provided that these plans materialize in 2015, on the strength of its economy, Turkey is set to become of great strategic importance to its European neighbours, accounting for up to 10% of the entire European Union GDP.

Add to this the investments that are being made to develop new championship golf courses and the Government`s plans to make Turkey the number one destination in the world for thermal spa tourism by 2023 and it`s easy to see what has made investors so excited

Whether you`re looking to profit on capital growth, earn a steady income from a holiday rental or simply own a second home in the sun, Turkey promises to deliver. Until recently the holiday home rental season was cut short by the lack of availability of direct economy flights particularly to the south coast during the winter months, when passengers were forced to fly via Istanbul. But thankfully for investors, routes to Dalaman and Bodrum have now been opened up by the budget airlines, with flights to turkey available at bargain prices throughout the year. This has to be the icing on the cake for anyone who has seen what this country has to offer in terms of investment potential and rental yields.

Kusadasi in Aegean

Kusadasi one of Turkey's principle holiday resorts, offers an excellent environment for an unforgettable holiday. Situated on the west coast of Turkey- 90km south of Izmir, Kusadasi, is reputedly one of the most attractive cities of the Aegean, it is close to many important historical sites including Ephesus, Didyma, Priene, Miletos-the principals of ancient times, and ideal for sightseers.

Kusadasi has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters, providing a long tourism season.The city is bathed in sunshine for 300 days of the year.

Numerous powdery sandy beaches with warm & clear waters, providing a peaceful atmosphere, allow a great variety of water and beach facilities. Windsurfing, water skiing, sailing and beach volleyball are only a few choices for lovers of an active life. After sunbathing restfully during the day, the city awaits the superb sunset. As the sun sets, the attractive cafes and restaurants along the palm-lined boulevard get busier. It is a great delight to watch the comings and goings of the yachts and ships which accompany the panoramic sunset view, whilst enjoying a pre-dinner drink. The restaurants, serving a variety of fresh seafood and Aegean specialities, offer a delicious meal in Kusadasi. Dancing and entertainment at a lively bar or disco until dawn, may end an ideal day in Kusadasi.

Calendar of Events

Islam follows the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the Gregorian calendar by 11 days. The result is that Muslim religious holidays fall on different dates each year. The dates for religious holidays listed here are accurate for 2006 and 2007.
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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

The Most Useful Websites

The World Wide Web makes it simple to do additional research before you leave home. These sites provide a range of information, from destination overviews to up-to-date listings on everything from restaurants, hotels, and local events, as well...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

In Two Weeks

Follow the suggestions for the 1-week itinerary for the first week. Then assess how much time and energy you want to put into travel and what your travel goals are. Outdoor activities, historic ruins, and extraordinary natural sites converge along...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Tips for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

The fact that homosexuality is legal in Turkey is an interesting result of centuries of segregation of the sexes, veneration of female virtue, and lazy afternoons spent in the hamam (Turkish bath). Nevertheless, we're talking about a fairly co...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Tips for Travelers with Disabilities

A disability shouldn't stop anyone from traveling -- but that doesn't mean you should expect wheelchair access to 2,000-year-old rock pits. Although ramps have begun to appear in select Turkish hotels and museums, don't expect the going to be easy. T...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Tips for Student Travelers

If you're planning to travel outside the U.S., you'd be wise to arm yourself with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), which offers substantial savings on rail passes, plane tickets, and entrance fees. It also provides you with basic...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

The Best Things to Bring Home from Your Visit

Carpets & Kilims: No matter how lame your bargaining skills, it's still cheaper than Bloomingdale's -- and boy, do they look good unrolled under (or on) your coffee table. Turkey's tribal carpets and kilims represent a cultural tradition that...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

When to Go

After more than 3 years of crushing silence, Turkey's tourism industry has recovered and is moving at a nice clip, thank you very much. If you're looking for bargains, the window of opportunity has passed. For the inconvenience of traveling on full f...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

The Best Beaches

Most of Turkey's best beaches have been snatched up by big hotel chains -- leaving less than stellar public alternatives for the nonpaying riffraff. Hotels sometimes charge a day fee for use of the beach, or maybe just the use of a lounge chair -- as...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Introduction

The magic of Turkey bubbles over in its history, culture, gastronomy, humanity, exotic nature, and commerce. Turkey bills itself, and rightfully so, as the "Cradle of Civilization," boasting more Greek ruins than Greece and more Roman archaeological...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Tips for Senior Travelers

Always mention the fact that you're a senior when you first make your travel reservations. For example, many hotels offer seniors' discounts. Don't be shy about asking for discounts, but always carry some kind of identification, such as a driver's li...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Insurance

Check your existing insurance policies and credit card coverage before you buy travel insurance. You may already be covered for lost luggage, canceled tickets or medical expenses. The cost of travel insurance varies widely; you can get estimates from...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Suggested Itineraries

This section gives you a rough outline of what you can reasonably see in 1 or 2 weeks in Turkey. Here I make all the tough decisions for you (most of the time; you'll need to choose between Ephesus and Cappadocia). If the idea of letting someone else...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Visitor Information

Everyone's first stop for comprehensive information on Turkey as well as visa requirements should be the Turkish Embassy website specific to your country (www.turkey.org or www.tourismturkey.org in the U.S.). The Embassy also administers a "co...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Tips for Women Travelers

Rule number one: Scrupulously avoid contact with anyone using a Westernized name. It's hard to believe, but in the major tourist areas of Turkey, particularly in the streets of Sultanahmet, an entire industry thrives on the acquisition and manipulati...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Frommer's Favorite Experiences

Taking a Hamam: The Turkish bath, rising out of the Islamic requirement of cleanliness, is not just practical, it's a minivacation. A good hamam experience includes the proper traditional ambience and a heavy-handed scrubbing.
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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Entry Requirements & Customs

Entry Requirements

An entry visa is required for citizens of the U.S. (US$26 for a single entry for stays up to 3 months, or $87 for multiple entries valid for up to 5 years for stays as long as 3 months at a time), Canada (US$60 or...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

In One Week

Frankly, 1 week isn't enough time to explore very much of anything anywhere, let alone Istanbul, the seat of three former world empires. And that doesn't include the 2 days spent on international travel (assuming you had to cross an ocean to get here...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]