WHY TURKEY?
Turkey is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, welcoming tens of millions of visitors every year. Sitting at the crossroads of East and West, the country carries nearly ten thousand years of history and a remarkable range of climates and landscapes. Spanning both Asia and Europe, and bordered by sea on three sides, Turkey has long been the meeting point of great trade, silk and spice routes — a heritage that gives it the combined character of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa.
WHY IS TURKEY THE PERFECT DESTINATION FOR INDIAN WEDDINGS?
Turkey is one of the world’s most sought-after destinations for overseas weddings, just four to five hours by air from Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities across India and Europe. Every bride and groom dreams of an unforgettable wedding, and Turkey delivers: a stunning coastline, rich tradition, extraordinary food, cosmopolitan cities and world-class tourism infrastructure. It offers exactly what today’s couples are looking for — a setting that is friendly, beautiful and culturally rich, modern enough to be comfortable yet traditional enough to be truly memorable. Here are nine reasons why Turkey should be your wedding destination:Land of Hospitality
Turkish hospitality is an age-old tradition of welcoming travelers — whatever your religion, wherever you come from, whatever language you speak, you are considered a guest of honor, deserving the warmest welcome. Hospitality is a cornerstone of Turkish life, and it shows in every corner of the country: hosts are gracious and generous by instinct, and every individual feels personally bound to make guests feel at home. Turkish people are attentive to the customs of foreign visitors and go out of their way to communicate and assist — a quality that makes them ideally suited to hosting large Indian wedding parties with warmth and care.Shopping
Turkey is a shopper’s paradise at every price point, from open-air markets and covered bazaars to chic boutiques. Look for authentic and contemporary gifts, fine heritage products, antiques, books, old maps and prints, brass, copper, silver and gold, hand-painted ceramics, organic towels, carpets and kilims, jewelry, spices, leather goods, meerschaum pieces, Turkish evil-eye beads, silk scarves and inlaid woodwork — perfect for wedding parties who love to shop for gold, jewelry and keepsakes to bring home.Turkish cuisine
Turkey has a rich and celebrated culinary culture. Turkish cuisine is varied and delicious, built on fresh vegetables, seasonal produce and vibrant spices. Guests can savor classic Ottoman dishes, flavorful mezzes, a wide variety of eggplant preparations, salads, kebabs, grilled fish, yoghurt-based specialties and, of course, the finest baklava.Turkish bath
No visit to Turkey is complete without experiencing a historic hamam — Turkish baths built by sultans, showcasing the beauty of Ottoman architecture in fine marble and rich decoration. In Ottoman times, hamams were social centers, and Turks still set aside time each week for the ritual: steam, scrub, soap and oil massage, followed by an hour of relaxation with tea, sherbet or Turkish coffee. For Indian wedding parties, the hamam makes a wonderful pre-wedding pampering ritual for the bride, groom and their families.
Value for Money
Hotels typically price rooms and food and beverage services in dollars or euros, and those prices tend to hold steady. Costs quoted in Turkish lira — restaurant meals, local transportation and inbound domestic airfares — are often favorable for visitors converting from euros or dollars. Hotels, venues, restaurants and other services span every budget, from moderate to comfort class to deluxe, so we connect our clients to unique experiences at any price point.
Visas
Obtaining a Turkish visa is straightforward: you’ll need a passport valid for at least six months and a simple application process. Requirements vary by nationality and passport type, so please check http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa to confirm what applies to you. We recommend applying in advance of travel through the easy, convenient e-Visa portal at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/enTime Zone, Weather & Climate
Turkey spans seven distinct geographic and climatic regions. Istanbul, thanks to its size, varied topography and coastal location, has its own microclimates: summers (June through August) average around 29°C (84°F) with little rain, while spring and autumn stay mild. Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts enjoy a classic Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Turkey operates on EET (UTC+2).Proximity to India
Istanbul — Turkey’s largest city and its economic, cultural and historical heart — is just five hours by air from India’s major international airports, making it one of the most accessible destination-wedding cities in the world for Indian families and guests.
Direct flights
Turkish Airlines, the flag carrier of Turkey since 1933 and a Star Alliance member since 2008, connects Istanbul to hundreds of destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, with daily direct flights from Mumbai and New Delhi to Istanbul — making it simple for the whole wedding party to arrive together.