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Around the Sea of Marmara Travel Guide

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Despite their proximity to İstanbul, the shores and hinterland of the Sea of Marmara are neglected by most foreign travellers. While this may not be altogether surprising – Turkey here is at its most Balkan and, at first glance, least exotic – there are good reasons to visit. Above all, the exquisite early Ottoman centres of Edirne and Bursa are the real highlights. If those whet your appetite, historic Lüleburgaz and İznik make good postscripts to the former imperial capitals. While most of the Thracian coast is disappointing, and the scrappy beaches of the Marmara islands hold little interest, two bright spots stand out – the beach-and-fortress town of Kıyıköy on the Black Sea, and the Saros Gulf resort of Erikli. To cross the Sea of Marmara, the port of Tekirdağ has potentially useful ferries to the southern shore, while Gelibolu, on the eponymous peninsula, is linked by ro-ro craft to Lapseki opposite.

For evocative inland scenery in the southern Marmara, two shallow lakes, Uluabat Gölü and Manyas Gölü , support a dwindling fishing community and a bird sanctuary respectively. The Uludağ range above Bursa attracts skiers in winter and hikers in summer, while Cumalıkızık at the base of the mountain is a showcase village.

Before the wars and population exchanges of the early twentieth century, much of the local population was Greek (or Bulgarian) Orthodox, though all the larger towns held substantial Jewish and Armenian communities. After the Turkish Republic was established, massive immigration – both internal and from abroad – changed the mix. The resultant ethnic stew includes people of Çerkez (Circassian), Artvinli and Greek Muslim descent, as well as a large settled Romany population, but consists predominantly of Pomak , Bosnian and Macedonian Muslims , plus Bulgarian Turks . All these groups had, in fact, been trickling in for decades before 1923, as Austro-Hungarian or Orthodox nationalist victories in the Balkans made their previous homes inhospitable to Turks or Slavic Muslims.

Top image: Cumalikizik, Turkey © Hakan Eliacik/Shutterstock

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Turkey, created by local experts

4 days  / from 1050 USD

Sensational landscapes of Cappadocia

3 different modes of transportation to explore Cappadocia - by hot air balloon, on the back of a camel as well as on an ATV quad. Why choose if you can have it all? Four days filled with fun and adventure in the volcanic valleys around Cappadocia make an unforgettable trip.

5 days  / from 1100 USD

City & culture - Istanbul and Cappadocia

Explore two absolute highlights in Turkey - Istanbul, the former capital of the Ottoman Empire with its many landmarks. After a few days in the city, fly to Cappadocia and explore the surreal surroundings, either on day tours or from above in a hot air balloon.

9 days  / from 2500 USD

Magical Turkey

Visit Gobekli Tepe and Mount Nemrut in Southeastern Anatolia before proceeding to Cappadocia with its volcanic scenery. After a few days in the valleys, continue to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Ephesus. Your tour starts and ends in Istanbul.

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 26.04.2021

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Best Time to Visit April-December

Population 24,465.689

Countries Nearby Bulgaria Greece

Best Places to Visit Istanbul Canakkale

Have you been dreaming about marble beaches, breathtaking sunsets, historic ruins of the great civilizations of the past, and culture so rich that it can transport you to a time that once was? If you have – dream no more!

Turkey’s magical region of Marmara has everything you’re looking for to feed your foodie, historian, and travel enthusiast soul.

Some of the most famous areas surrounding the Sea of Marmara are the ancient ruins of Troy, the city of Bursa, and the infamous Istanbul.

Keep reading to learn more about Turkey’s magical Region of Marmara.

Planning a trip to Turkey soon? Answer this trip planner and get your FREE quotation within 24 hours.

The Location

The importance, food & culture.

The Sea of Marmara is located in the Northwest region of Turkey, between the European and Asian borders, and connects to the Black Sea.

Bordering the Sea of Marmara are the cities of Istanbul, Bursa, Canakkale, Gelibolu, and Edirne (a little more inland), to name a few.

Bordering Greece and Bulgaria, the Marmara Region is full of history and culture, and a simple stop during a Euro/Turkey Trip.

Marmara is full of some of Turkey’s most popular cities – including Istanbul.

Although Istanbul is at the top of our must-see list, you definitely shouldn’t overlook the other beautiful locations in this region.

Here are some of the best places to travel to in the Marmara Region of Turkey.

1. Istanbul

Istanbul is Turkey’s vibrant capital city, filled with world-class restaurants, music, breathtaking architecture, and a diverse population – which also means diverse food for all diets and appetites!

The Sultanahmet district is where you want to be as it is in the heart of the city and close to everything you’d want to explore.

The city is full of beautiful architecture and daytime attractions like Ayia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and The Archaeology Museum.

As far as food goes, you want to try traditional Raki, Turkey’s national drink. Known as Lions Milk, it is said to open the heart and calm the mind and body – sounds like just what you need, right?

As far as getting there, Istanbul is home to Turkeys International Airport, which will likely make this city your first stop on your Turkey holiday.

If you’re looking for history, Bursa is the perfect city for you.

Bursa served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire from 1326 to 1365 and is home to the Green Tomb – a mausoleum of Mehmet I, the Ottoman Sultan.

The medieval architecture, silk market, clock tower, cable cars, and the Great Mosque are must-see locations.

The city is full of universities giving it a youthful atmosphere and some delicious local cuisine like the Iskender kebap, which was invented in Bursa.

3. Canakkale

Many travelers make their way to this port side city to see the ancient ruins of Troy.

Located in Hisarlik, the ancient ruins are one of the most spectacular sights in the region.

Some of the things to do in Canakkale include enjoying fresh seaside restaurants, visiting archeological museums, and the Cimenlik Castle.

Be sure to visit the boardwalk for an up-close and personal look at the Trojan Horse used in the film Troy – donated to the city after the film wrapped.

4. Tekirdag

Tekirdag is located on the coast of the Sea of Marmara and is a prime destination for vineyard tours and beach layouts.

Known for its wine festivals, Tekridag is a significant winemaking center in Turkey and hosts a wine festival in Sarkoy every year.

Be sure to visit the Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Valuable Goods Bazaar during your visit, as well as the beautiful beaches and wineries.

Being the bridge between Asia & Europe, it has always been a strategical point since early centuries up to the present day.

For the same reason, as the role of Marmara is more of a junction, it hosts an integral part of the country’s industry, both with its highway to Europe and seaports of the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea.

It is a perfect blend of east and west considering its rich history, especially in Istanbul, where you can find almost anything you are looking for due to its grand population.

Bursa is an excellent spot for Islamic art and the old malls, especially for textiles (we all know the famous Turkish towels) and silk trade. If you are interested in skiing, Uludag is an excellent alternative to Kartalkaya preferred by many Istanbulites.

The cuisine is enriched with lots of vegetables and fresh herbs, as the area is well irrigated with the rainfall. Both coming from the Black Sea and being close enough to the Aegean Sea, the fresh fish is another source and good olive from Bursa all the down and along the entire coast till Antakya.

The majority of sunflowers are also grown in the Marmara Region, where it is also rich with some other crops such as corn, rice, sugar beads, and vineyards from Thrace to coast.

Discover the Best of Marmara Tours

Now that you have a better idea of what the Marmara Reagon of Turkey has to offer, we know you can’t wait to book your trip around the Sea of Marmara.

Check out our blog and tour information to learn more about how you can make the most out of your Turkey vacation!

Marmara Tours

Wonders of Istanbul & Turkish Cuisine Tour

Uncover the Beauty of the Ancient Spas & Thermal Baths

Istanbul Classics Full-Day (Old City Walking) Tour

Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Tour with Dolmabahce Palace

Full-Day Bursa Sightseeing Tour from Istanbul

The First-Timer’s 11 Night Turkey Itinerary

In the Footsteps of Apostle Paul: A Pilgrimage Tour of Turkey

Shifting the Sands of the Aegean

Turkey’s Most Iconic Destinations: Istanbul & Cappadocia

Where to visit.

In addition to the must-see places listed above, if interested in ancient history, you will love driving down Troy till you get to Ephesus, where there are numerous stops such as Ayvalik, Mt. Ida (Kazdaglari), Assos and Pergamon.

Another must-see visit would be Iznik, known where one of the earliest councils was held, and also known for its beautiful tiles decorating the jaw-dropping Topkapi Palace today.

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Fodor's Expert Review The Marmara Bodrum

Sulu Hasan Cad. 18, Bodrum, Mugla, 48400, Turkey

Most of the elegant rooms at this hilltop aerie enjoy views of Bodrum and the sea from balconies and terraces, while a free shuttle to a private beach club in Göltürkbükü puts the seaside within easy reach. The lovely lounges are filled with artwork by prominent Turkish and international artists, and the two pools, sundeck, and outdoor bar/restaurant seem to hang high above the city. The hotel welcomes pets, but not children under the age of 12.

• nicely decorated and appointed rooms
• beautiful surroundings
• luxury hotel with a boutique feel
• a bit of a distance from the city center
• bathrooms a bit dated
• not on the beach
• Pet Friendly

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Marmara Holidays

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A leisure division of Marmara Travel Services Limited- one of the leading travel agents in Tanzania and has achieved many accolades from the airline industry. With experience of more than 8 years combined in the Travel and Tourism industry, our aim is to provide the best and most significant holiday packages.

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The marmara park avenue.

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Occupying a prime swath of real estate in midtown Manhattan, the Marmara Park Avenue impresses guests with its spacious rooms, modern design and attention to detail. The hotel's 128 rooms and suites are housed in a 21-story building – meaning guests can expect some spectacular views from the large windows. In-room amenities include minifridges, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi access and iPad Air tablets that connect to guest services. Some accommodations even include full kitchens and small terraces with views of the Empire State Building . Rooms and the hotel itself feature modern decor with a white, black and brown color scheme. Outside the accommodations, guests have access to the hotel's wellness center, which is home to a Turkish hammam, a 24-hour fitness center and an indoor lap pool. If you work up an appetite, the hotel's OneOneFour Bar & Lounge serves up appetizers and light bites, along with cocktails. Recent travelers couldn't help but heap praise on the staff, noting their courteous and helpful demeanors. You'll find this hotel at Park Avenue and East 32nd Street, a few blocks south of Bryant Park and Grand Central Station .

• Hotel Class 5.0

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U.S. News analyzed more than 35,000 hotels to find the best in the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, based on reputation among travel experts, guest reviews and hotel class ratings.

• # 102 in Best New York City Hotels
• # 124 in Best New York Hotels
• # 1383 in Best USA Hotels

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A hotel's guest rating is calculated using data provided under license by Tripadvisor. A total of 591 have reviewed the The Marmara Park Avenue , giving it a rating of 4.5 , on a scale of 1-5.

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The Marmara Manhattan

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 596
• Very Good 425
• Terrible 29
• All languages ( 1,190 )
• English ( 909 )
• French ( 105 )
• Chinese (Trad.) ( 80 )

" Sorry it’s in Midtown East! You can have parcel delivered ahead of your stay which is super helpful! "

" Try to get one of the rooms with a washer and dryer if staying more than a few days. "

" This is a 160+ unit hotel but am not familiar w/ the optional rooms "

" Don't pick the studios! "

" Corner rooms have balconies, but no furniture and they cantilever out from the building, so not much privacy. "

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THE MARMARA MANHATTAN (New York City) - Hotel Reviews & Photos - Tripadvisor

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• Warn others about...

Warn others about Marmara Tours Scam

I just wanted to warn you about Attila Kilinc, the owner of Marmara Tours.

We paid him 30% up front contingent that we would be refunded if we didn't end up going to Turkey for any reason (it's covid times so things change and quite suddenly). He agreed to this: IN CASE OF PORT CANCELATION OR DEVIATION DUE TO PANDEMIC AND OR ANY INCONVENIENCE WILL BE CONSIDERED AS “FORCE MAJEURE” AND CLIENTS WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL!

Attila mistakenly doubled charged us for the deposit and tried to negotiate keeping the additional 30%, though ended up refunding us. This should have been a red flag!

We paid the full balance at 60 days out and even paid for an additional day and 2 additional people (making it a group of 8 rather than 6).

At 10 days out, I informed him that our cruise ship cancelled the Turkey ports and he agreed to a refund. A few days later in the middle of my cruise, he messaged me to say he is refusing the refund because 1) of rumours that our cruise ship is too cheap to pay for the gas to Turkey (though we sailed close to Turkey), and 2) it was unfair because they didn't have much business. I felt his pain and it truly was unfair to everyone, but it's covid times, and very unprofessional that he is refusing to honour a refund for a policy that he clearly has.

Luckily we paid with a credit card that allows us to file a Regulation E claim, but I wanted to warn others. Even looking at his website, there are no links to Trip Advisor like other guides have.

what does the fact that they don't advertise TripAdvisor have to do with your issue?

You’re right. It doesn’t have anything to do with the bad experience. Just thinking about potential red flags after the fact.

When hiring guides we try to use 1) Rick recommended, 2) Tours by locals.com, or 3 recommendations from people we know and trust.

Looks like this would have been an instance where signing up for a shore excursion through the cruise line would have saved you a great deal of grief.

I do understand your sense of outrage. I had this happen to me a few times at the beginning of the pandemic where places that I had purchased "free cancellation" tours were no longer giving refunds. I felt that this was not living up to the agreement. Time went on, and I learned to accept things as they were and get on with the other parts of my life.

The pleasant surprise was when both of these companies later reached out to me with credits and vouchers when I thought I was going to get nothing. It turned out that I could actually use these going forward and I felt a lot better about what had happened and these companies.

I found this guide in Rick Steve’s Turkey suggestions, which is why I’m shocked he is not honoring his own T&Cs.

That’s nice that other companies have offered vouchers. Even if this person would offer one, I would prefer to go with someone more professional. I will never prepay again either.

Please use the feedback form on this website to report your experience since this tour vendor was recommended in one of the Rick Steves guidebooks: https://www.ricksteves.com/forms/guidebook-feedback-form

Thank you Acraven!! :)

Thanks to Ms Cowan for her comments and feedback from her point of view...And sorry to say but what she has shared is not really very accurate to enlighten valued members of this community... Here is what happened; - She reached me and booked the shore excursion in Istanbul for her party. - We designed the itinerary and sent her the terms & conditions where 30% deposit is required as well as in case of force major full refund is mentioned. She is right. By mistake we charged her card twice for deposit, but told her that it would take time and is difficult for mail orders to refund the card and offered her wire transfer to her bank account , Zelle the funds or PayPal her! She refused all and insisted in refund of her card and so we did! Should have had taken around 3 weeks... - As she mentioned, about 10 days prior to trip, she mentioned cancelation of Port of Istanbul, but was not sure. We got in touch with ground operator of her cruise ship and asked and they said not for sure yet! - 2 days before the trip, her cruise liner canceled Istanbul for sure WITHOUT A REASON! NO PANDEMICS, NO TERROR, NOTHING...! - They told the passengers on-board due to pandemics, but all other cruise line(r)s kept coming to both Port of Kusadasi and Port of Istanbul! - THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO FORCE MAJOUR! JUST TO SAVE FUEL, ONLY HER CRUISE LINE (!!!) CANCELED THE TURKISH PORTS! ALL OTHER CRUISE LINES KEPT COMING ON THE SAME DAY, A DAY BEFORE AND ALSO A DAY AFTER HER CRUISE LINE - She requested her money back and we replied, "as indicated in our terms & conditions", no refund without force majour! And suggested her to claim the funds from her cruise line who canceled the Turkish Ports without a reason. - She was upset for sure and threatened us with leaving a negative feedback at this community, which she did... - Then she applied her bank for refund and her bank accepted (though the payment was done over 3 months ago) and I had to pay all the money back which was against our policy and terms & conditions that she already knew/had. - After paying her money back, I stopped working with my bank and closed my accounts there. - And now, I'm not accepting any mail order payments. In brief this is what happened... About myself; Attila Kilinc - I'm a Professional Tour Guide in Turkey for 31+ years and almost all "old school" guides know me in person. Over this time, I personally guided over 20.000 Americans all around my country and haven't had a single negative feedback! I can contact many of my clients to reply to Ms Cowens accusations of "scam/fraud", but will not! Before internet era, I was on NYT, Travel & Leisure and other travel magazines many times mentioned as "top guide" (now also own my boutique company)...Rick knows me personally and he wouldn't work or recommend someone scam/fraud! If he prefers not to recommend or work with me because of Ms Cowan's feedback, I'll get it and say "okay" and will still love him... - Folks believe me, in my 31+ years of guiding Americans in my beautiful country, I met each and every kind of people and nothing is surprising me any more... That's all I want to say...Thx for taking time to read... Kindest Regards, Attila Kilinc MarmaraTours.com [email protected]

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

The Marmara Manhattan

View prices for your travel dates

• Excellent 596
• Very Good 425
• Terrible 29
• All languages ( 1,190 )
• English ( 909 )
• French ( 105 )
• Chinese (Trad.) ( 80 )

" Sorry it’s in Midtown East! You can have parcel delivered ahead of your stay which is super helpful! "

" Try to get one of the rooms with a washer and dryer if staying more than a few days. "

" This is a 160+ unit hotel but am not familiar w/ the optional rooms "

" Don't pick the studios! "

" Corner rooms have balconies, but no furniture and they cantilever out from the building, so not much privacy. "

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

The Marmara Manhattan - Reviews & Photos

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• Kid-Friendly

The Marmara Antalya

Antalya, Turkish Mediterranean Coast, Turkey

• Full Review
• On the cliffs of Antalya, walking distance to restaurants, bars, and shops
• Funky, spotless rooms with excellent minibars, flat-screen TVs, and sofa beds
• Revolving Lofts offer 360-degree views due to building’s rotation system
• Rocky beach area on the cliffs, complete with a diving area
• Big pool with a kiddy area and a bar
• Buffet and a la carte dining options, plus snacks at the beach
• Free use of hammam, sauna, and steam room; massages for a fee
• Excellent fitness center with group classes and personal trainers
• Pets allowed for a fee (weight restrictions apply)
• Free, reliable Wi-Fi, and free indoor and outdoor parking
• Extensive meeting space, including a ballroom for up to 1,000 guests
• Not within walking distance of any major attractions
• Poor soundproofing in rooms
• Bold decor style may not be for everyone

Bottom Line

Known for being home to the world’s only rotating building, the Marmara Antalya is a surprisingly good value for business travelers and couples who don’t mind staying a little away from the Old Town. Revolving Lofts are the most attractive rooms here due to their unique rotating system that allows for 360-degree views, but even Standard Rooms are comfortable and well-equipped, with flat-screen TVs, reliable Wi-Fi, and wonderful minibars. Just note that the hotel’s bold decor may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and soundproofing is a bit lacking. The pool is a sunny, attractive spot, although the sea isn’t far either: the hotel has an elevator that brings guests to the bottom of the cliffs, where there are loungers, umbrellas, a snack bar, and a diving area. This isn't the most kid-friendly property, so families may prefer the Hotel SU . 

Hotel & Amenities Photos

Revolving loft.

Standard Room

Fitness Center

Pets allowed, oyster awards.

• Most Romantic Hotels in Antalya, Antalya Province
• Best Value Hotels in Antalya, Antalya Province

Oyster Hotel Review

Laid-back hotel with a unique rotating building and pleasant grounds.

First opened in 2005, The Marmara Antalya is one of the city’s most unique properties. Seen from the outside, it may look just like any other business hotel in town -- even a tad plain -- but behind the nondescript facade, the Marmara has lots going for it. The most outstanding feature here is its rotating building. Set overlooking the cliffs, this three-story, round structure rotates 24/7 at a slow speed, taking an average of four hours to complete the 360-degree turn. During that time, the 24 rooms housed there get panoramic views of the sea, the city, and the hotel’s lovely gardens. As a matter of fact, the grounds are also one of the hotel’s top features, housing a large pool and big, manicured lawns that extend all the way to the cliffs. 

Due to its location between the city center and the airport, the Marmara draws many business travelers, both Turkish and international. However, the hotel is also popular among British and German couples, as well as with tour groups from China. Though there is a kiddy pool and rooms are outfitted with sofa beds, the atmosphere is generally quiet and relaxing, and we didn’t see any kids during our stay in the fall. Guests seem to split evenly during the day between the hotel’s large pool and the platforms on the side of the cliff, and the lack of an entertainment program keeps noise levels at a minimum. Meeting rooms and coffee break areas for events are all located on floors three and four, which allows for attendees to all stay in one area and not crowd the common spaces of the hotel. 

Rates are surprisingly affordable for a hotel of these characteristics, but its bold interior design may not be for everyone. Pink, green, teal, and mustard combine to create whimsical, funky spaces, while huge windows, gray tiled floors, and graffiti-like decorations on walls and pillars lend the hotel’s lobby bar and restaurant a warehouse feel. Those who find this design a little bit too artsy may want to compare rates at the Ramada Plaza Antalya , which is also located on the cliffs but closer to the Old Town. Mediterra Art Hotel and Alp Pasa Hotel are both cheaper options within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, while travelers wanting to relax on a sandy beach may prefer the Melas Lara Hotel , which is one of the cheapest resorts in the area. 

Quiet cliffside location, a 10-minute drive from the Old Town

The Marmara Antalya is located in a residential part of town between the city center and the airport. It is perched on Antalya’s dramatic cliffs, though offers easy walking access to dozens of bars, restaurants, and shops in the area. The Old Town and its many historic attractions -- including Hadrian’s Gate, the Ataturk House & Museum, the harbor, and the Clock Tower -- can be reached by car in about 10 minutes, while the Duden Waterfalls are just over five minutes away. The nearest sandy beaches are located in Lara, about a 20-minute drive away, and it takes about 25 minutes to get to the airport from the hotel. There is free outdoor and indoor parking at The Marmara Antalya, as well as an electric car charging station. 

Spacious, comfortable rooms with bold decor and solid amenities

The hotel has 238 spacious rooms, including 214 in the main building and 24 in the rotating structure. Decor is bold and funky in all, with a combination of mustard, pink, teal, and green that gives rooms a whimsical feel, and cool loft-inspired touches such as backlit desks and exposed concrete ceilings. Though the design is eye-catching and playful, the gray tiled floors and plain wooden furniture are a tad basic. Revolving Lofts are housed in the rotating building, and are more suitable for couples than for business travelers sharing a room, as they have double beds only, open-plan bathrooms with tubs and sinks in the middle of the room, and frosted-glass doors in the toilet and shower cabins. Our main-building room had stunning sea views, but others overlook the street. Units in the revolving building never stop turning and offer 360-degree views. Unfortunately, rooms have poor soundproofing.

Standard amenities are great for the price, and include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with international channels, and electric kettles. All rooms are also outfitted with free Wi-Fi, daybeds that can be used to sleep a third guest, and free safes. Minibars are stocked with a great array of drinks and snacks, including whiskey, vodka, chips, raki, nuts, gummy bears, candy, and even gum and condoms, all available for a fee.  

Bathrooms are spotless and fun, but those in the main building feel a little more basic, with simple shower/tub combos and floating sinks with double taps. However, colorful touches such as mustard tiles, pink shower curtains, and wooden stools and shelves add some cheerful style. Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, hand soap, and hairdryers are all provided.

Access to the sea, pool, restaurant, spa, and gym

The Marmara offers direct access to the sea via an elevator that leads to a couple of concrete platforms with loungers and umbrellas. Snacks and drinks are available at the bar, which is outfitted with a few tables and a shaded area. Metal and stone stairs lead directly to the water, and there is a small diving area below the bar. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing, but those wanting to have easier access to other common areas can grab a lounger around the hotel’s large pool, complete with a kiddy section. 

The main restaurant serves a quality buffet for breakfast and dinner, and it has a spacious area in the garden with additional tables. Adjacent to it is the 24-hour bar, which has a solid menu of pasta, sandwiches, fish, burgers, and salads, among other tasty options, as well as a pool table and shelves full of books. Room service is available 24/7. 

Located on the fifth floor, the spa is simple but pleasant, with eight treatment rooms, a relaxation area with several four-poster beds, and a hammam. Guest can use the hammam, steam room, and sauna free of charge. The fitness center is outstanding for a hotel in this price range, and features a large main room with lots of cardio and strength-training machines, and a movement studio offering group classes. Most guided sessions are an extra charge, but there are always a few free of charge for guests, including yoga, Pilates, and some cardio classes. The gym is also open to non-guests. 

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Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antalya

The 240-room Ramada Plaza Antalya is an upper-middle-range city hotel with resort-style amenities and stunning panoramic sea and mountain views. The property is perched atop the cliffs of the city center, and offers direct access to the rocky shore below via steps and platforms with…

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Lara

The 396-room, upper-middle-range Ramada Resort Lara is a compact hotel offering a good value for families and groups of friends. Although it is not directly on the beach, the property has a large beach club down the street, complete with a stage for evening shows,…

Liberty Hotels Lara

The 311-room Liberty Hotels Lara is an upper-middle-range resort with good food and many pools, including one for adults only, an indoor one, and a water park with three slides. Comfortable rooms feature balconies, free minibars (replenished daily), free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with international…

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Airport transportation, babysitting services, beauty / hair salon, business center, children's pool, dry cleaning, free breakfast, kids allowed, meeting / conference rooms, rental car service desk onsite, room service, swim-up bar, tennis court.

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Budget Tours & Trips to Marmara

Discover a varied offer of Marmara budget adventures that will take you through some of the most renowned destinations such as Istanbul and Gallipoli. Each affordable tour will provide you with great experiences for some of the lowest prices on the market.

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Taste of Istanbul

Burak was a brilliant guide. I instantly felt comfortable with him. He was really interesting and interested. The food experience has made my time in Istanbul.

Istanbul City Break-4 Days

The service was fantastic. Drivers were on time, flight tickets booked advance, land tours were as small group and tour guide was soo knowleadge. The hotel was excatly cave hotel ( Ascension ). Breakfast was just amazing in the hotel. Thanks guys for this unforgettable expericnce!!!

Istanbul City Break-3 Days

Such an amazing tour! I did this solo (on my own) as I only had 3 days in the city before I needed to start my journey back home. Everything was super seamless - from transportation from the airport, to hotel check in, to timely pick up for each day tour, all the way to transportation back to the airport. Sedef was amazing and always made sure to be in communication with me via whatapp about time up times and location. This tour was a great blend of seeing the city in a short time frame but also having some time on your own to explore in the evenings. Would absolutely recommend if you have a quick stopover.

4 Days Istanbul Highlights

This is 1000% the best and most reliable Tour Operator in Turkey…and I’ve worked with them many times and always satisfied.

• £90 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

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It’s was really good arrangement. Guides were very good. Very organised . Thanks to TourRadar !!

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Coachella Weekend 1 live updates: Set times, weather, traffic, special guests, livestream

T he 2024 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is about to kick off Friday with Lana Del Rey as headliner and rumors are running rampant of a possible guest appearance by her collaborator-friend Taylor Swift. On Saturday, Vampire Weekend is playing a "surprise" set before Tyler, the Creator takes the main stage and Doja Cat will wrap the festival as headliner on Sunday. Who's to say what might happen between now and then?

Follow The Desert Sun's live team coverage all weekend long for the latest on celebrity sightings, special guest performances, weather, traffic, music reviews and more.

• Plan your festival: Coachella Weekend 1 set times, and where to see Vampire Weekend
• Know before you go: What you need to know about road closures and traffic delays in Indio
• No pass, no problem: How to livestream Coachella and buy merch from the comfort of your own couch

Update: Coachella on YouTube schedule for Friday announced

The livestream schedule for Coachella 2024 Weekend 1, Day 1 has been released. Here's how to watch the livestream on YouTube on Friday, April 12 by stage. All times are Pacific Daylight Times, and the schedule is subject to change:

Channel 1: Coachella Stage

• 4:45 p.m.: Young Miko
• 6 p.m.: Sabrina Carpenter
• 7:35 p.m.: Lil Uzi Vert
• 9:05 p.m.: Peso Pluma
• 11:20 p.m.: Lana Del Rey (headliner)

Channel 2: Outdoor Theatre

• 5:25 p.m.: L’Impératrice
• 6:45 p.m.: Deftones
• 8:10 p.m.: Everything Always
• 10:15 p.m.: Justice
• 11:30 p.m. Honey Dijon x Green Velvet

Channel 3: Sahara

• 4 p.m.: Cloonee
• 5:20 p.m.: Ken Carson
• 6:30 p.m.: Skepta
• 7:45 p.m.: Bizarrap
• 9:15 p.m.: Peggy Gou
• 10:45 p.m.: Ateez
• Midnight: Steve Angello

Channel 4: Mojave

• 4 p.m.: Mall Grab
• 4:30 p.m.: The Japanese House
• 5:40 p.m.: Faye Webster
• 6:55 p.m.: Tinashe
• 8:20 p.m.: Yoasobi
• 9:50 p.m.: Hatsune Miku
• 11:15 p.m.: Anti Up

Channel 5: Gobi

• 4:20 p.m.: Sid Sriram
• 5:30 p.m.: Chappell Roan
• 6:45 p.m.: Brittany Howard
• 8 p.m.: Neil Frances
• 9:15 p.m.: Chlöe
• 10:30 p.m.: Suki Waterhouse

Channel 6: Sonora

• 4 p.m.: Late Night Drive Home
• 4:50 p.m.: The Beths
• 5:55 p.m.: Eartheater
• 7 p.m.: Narrow Head
• 8 p.m.: Black Country, New Road
• 9:05 p.m.: Clown Core
• 10:20 p.m.: Son Rompe Pera

Coachella Weekend 1 weather forecast: Storm to hit SoCal, but not Indio

While another spring storm is set to hit Southern California this weekend, bringing rain mostly to the Los Angeles area and parts of the Inland Empire, those who are flocking to the Empire Polo Club in Indio for Weekend 1 of Coachella should be pleasantly surprised. The National Weather Service out of San Diego on Friday is predicting picture-perfect (selfie-perfect?), if breezy, conditions in Indio and across the Coachella Valley Friday through Sunday.

• Friday: Sunny with highs near 90 degrees. The afternoon will see wind of 5 to 10 mph with some gusts hitting 20 mph.
• Friday night: Clear with lows around 56 degrees, which should make for good sleeping weather in the car camping area. Northwest winds will be 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
• Saturday: Sunny and highs near 81 degrees. Wind of 5 to 10 mph expected.
• Saturday night: Clear with a low around 52 degrees. A west wind of 15 to 25 mph could gust as high as 40 mph.
• Sunday: Another sunny day, with a high near 75. Wind of 10 to 15 mph could increase to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon, gusting to up to 30 mph.
• Sunday night: Mostly clear and breezy, with a low around 52 degrees.

Coachella special guest predictions (of the non-Taylor Swift variety)

The official Coachella lineup is thinner this year than recent festivals, but does that mean there's more opportunity for special guests? Read about why The Desert Sun staff is keeping their eyes peeled for Anitta, Sia, Kali Uchis, Megan Thee Stallion, The Weeknd, Leon Bridges, PinkPantheress and Blake Shelton .

Taylor Swift at Coachella? Here's why she might show up in Indio

Snow touching down in sunny Indio is as rare as crossing paths with Taylor Swift, but for Coachellagoers, the rumors are spiraling if the star will make an appearance to support her friend and "Snow On the Beach" collaborator Lana Del Rey (headlining Friday's show). Her opening act in South America, Australia and Singapore, Sabrina Carpenter, also has a set at Coachella on Friday. On Saturday, Swift's friend and co-producer Jack Antonoff is playing with the Bleachers fresh off a new album release. The three acts will also repeat next week, so be on the lookout for Taylor and Travis.

— Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter

It's going to be a (Vampire) Weekend 1. What about Weekend 2?

Vampire Weekend was added to the Coachella lineup on Tuesday, thrilling Indie rock fans and setting off furious debate about whether or not they will play Weekend 2, largely regarded as the "music lovers'" weekend (as opposed to Weekend 1's reputation as the influencer weekend). History suggests it's anybody's guess. Arcade Fire was similarly added to the 2022 lineup and only played Weekend 1. Blink-182 was added last-minute in 2023 for Weekend 1, and then got a huge upgrade to headliner Weekend 2 when Frank Ocean controversially bowed out .

Vampire Weekend, which was formed in 2006 in New York City, is  no stranger to Coachella , Desert Sun Features Editor Niki Kottmann writes. The group played the festival in 2008, 2010 and then again in 2013. Check them out Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Outdoor Theatre.

Car camping at Coachella? How to get there, rules, tips, silent disco

Car camping is the most classic way to experience a weekend at Coachella. Make friends. Do fun activities (silent disco, anyone?). Goldenvoice has perfected the experience over the years, and campers will be happy to know that the amenities are plentiful: Food vendors, free water refill stations, free WiFi, general stores where you can purchase basic necessities including ice, phone charging stations, restrooms and showers and even a free supermarket shuttle, should you run out of provisions.

First, let's get you there. GPS is fickle so here are some directions as provided by Goldenvoice:

• Day parking: From all directions, approach the Empire Polo Club and follow signs and traffic personnel.
• Preferred parking: From eastbound Interstate10, exit at Monroe Street and travel south. Take a right on Avenue 49 and a left into Lot 1. Don’t attempt to approach north on Monroe.
• Car camping/toll booths (Lot 13): From Eastbound Interstate 10, exit at Jefferson Street and continue to Indio Boulevard. Take a right at Jefferson Street and follow signs and traffic personnel to check-in lanes.
• Lake Eldorado: From Eastbound Interstate 10, exit at Jefferson Street and continue to Indio Boulevard. Take a right at Jefferson Street. Then take a left at Avenue 50 and a right at Madison Street. Follow signs to Lake Eldorado on left.
• Companion camping parking and tent camping parking (Lot 2A): From Eastbound Interstate 10, exit at Jefferson Street and continue to Indio Boulevard. Take a right at Jefferson Street and then a left at Avenue 50. Follow signs to Lot 2A on left

Some car camping rules , again from Goldenvoice:

• A festival pass is required for entry into the campground
• You must be 18 or older (or accompanied by an adult) to enter the campground
• The campground opened at 9 a.m. on Thursday and will close Monday at 10 a.m.
• All car camping sites are 30 feet by 10 feet
• Unlimited friends/tents per site
• One vehicle per site allowed, and required
• A vehicle must be a passenger car, truck or van. RVs and motorhomes (or any vehicle with running water or toilets) are not allowed, nor are motorcycles, buses or U-Haul trucks.
• Sites assigned in order of arrival
• Each site also includes one overnight parking space in an adjacent lot to leave a car for the weekend
• Campers and cars will be searched at check in
• Noise curfew starts at 1:30 a.m.

Want more? Check out our evergreen guide to making your life easier while car camping at Coachella.

What is Coachella's bag policy?

Backpacks and bags are allowed, and they don't have to be clear but they need to be 18 inches x 13 inches x 8.5 inches or smaller. The trick is in what you can bring inside. The full list is long but here are a few key items that are allowed, and those that aren't.

Allowed: Cameras (non-professional), eye drops, hydration packs, binoculars, breast pumps, chapstick, face masks, GoPros, hand sanitizer, gum, inhalers, lighters, makeup, phone chargers, empty reusable water bottles, water misters.

Not allowed: Aerosol products, air horns, blankets, chairs, coolers, drones, discriminative or appropriative items, divisive or appropriative symbols, flags, fliers, glass bottles, glow sticks, illegal drugs and paraphernalia, laser pointers, selfie sticks, tripods, umbrellas, walkie talkies.

More: Coachella 2024 essentials: Everything you need to pack as well as what to leave at home

From TikTok to Coachella: 5 viral acts to know

Love it or hate it, TikTok has become an integral part of the music industry, writes Desert Sun reporter Ani Gasparyan. So it should come as no surprise that several artists who gained success on the popular social media platform will be taking the stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival this year.

Check out Gasparyan's story about TikTok stars Kenya Grace, Thuy, YG Marley, Jungle and Saint Levant , all of whom are slated to play this weekend.

3 Coachella artists likely to get political as Ukraine, Israel-Hamas wars continue

Speaking of Saint Levant, he's one three acts USA TODAY California elections fellow Kathryn Palmer has picked to make a political statement at Coachella.

Palmer writes that music and politics have always had an intertwined relationship, as evidenced when more than 80 performers pulled out of the South by Southwest festival in Austin in March to protest several defense contracting companies participating in the event, and its "super sponsor," the U.S. Army. Though there have not been any high-profile disputes among artists and Coachella organizers similar to that in Austin, the festival is by no means insulated from the Israel-Hamas war or the war in Ukraine.

Read about the backgrounds of Saint Levant, ARTBAT and Miss Monique , and their personal connections to ongoing world strife

More: Coachella '24: A first timer's guide to merch, packing, set times and other festival info

More: 6 Latino artists to watch at Coachella 2024, from Peso Pluma to Young Miko

More: Coachella 2024: 8 pop acts you can't miss, including Sabrina Carpenter, Reneé Rapp

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Coachella Weekend 1 live updates: Set times, weather, traffic, special guests, livestream

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Race Across the World review: Return of BBC smash proves travel is best without a smartphone

The hit bbc travel-adventure show returns for its fourth series, and is best understood as being like tourism but in a more intense, concentrated and indeed exhausting form, article bookmarked.

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I have to admit that I find travel so exhausting that I’m at a loss as to why anyone would willingly watch an episode of Race Across the World , let alone have the stamina to keep up with the whole nine hours of viewing that lies before us.

Having tagged along vicariously for the first leg of their journey, north to south across most of Japan, Race is best understood as being like tourism but in a more intense, condensed, concentrated and indeed exhausting form. The five pairs of contestants, ranging from annoying siblings barely in their twenties to a reassuringly mellow couple in their sixties, are tasked with travelling from snowy Sapporo in northern Japan down to the paradise island of Lombok in Indonesia, via various waypoints in Korea, Cambodia and Malaysia – some 15,000 kilometres in total.

Just like any backpacking holiday, the idea is that you move as fast as possible for the least cost (the budget is fixed at £1,390, the price of two air tickets from Japan to Indonesia), and in order to make the best of the adventure try and squeeze in some sightseeing, local culture and pick up a bit of casual work along the way to pay the bills. So it is a race, in the sense that you want to get to the checkpoints and to Lombok first, and win the £20,000 prize money, but to do it within budget and with some actual pleasure along the way. It’s all about balancing these priorities, and that essential nuance gives the show its charm. The only forms of transport that are banned are planes and the ultra-fast Japanese bullet trains, which would spoil the vibe. They should probably call it “The Sort-of Race Across the World”, if accuracy is the thing.

This, therefore, isn’t a full-on scramble, like some version of Challenge Anneka or a leisurely, carefree Portillo-esque travelogue , but one where the contestants have to find a more optimal vacation balance. It was interesting that the winners on this first Japanese leg are Eugenie and Isabel, a mother and daughter who took a pretty long detour to see the isolated, tranquil and lovely offshore island of Sado, on the “wrong” coast from the point of view of sheer speed. It’s so off the beaten track, even for the Japanese, that it was once used as a place of exile for out of favour politicians and the like.

Yet they still arrived, after five days on the road and having missed a connection, two minutes before twins Alfie and Owen, who just about managed to squeeze in a glimpse of Mount Fuji along their supposedly efficient but actually overly panicky and rushed route. It seems that Isabel’s impressive attempt to get a random Japanese boy to teach her the language on a long bus ride paid off; public signage makes little concession to the foreigner, and the universally friendly citizenry speak surprisingly little English. Our contestants don’t remark on it, but Japanese society is an evidently self-sufficient affair, something visitors always find a novelty.

Stephen and Ivy, the retired couple, aren’t that bothered about coming first, and took their opportunity to tarry at a wasabi farm, pulling up roots, burning their mouths off and cadging a useful lift. Maybe it was something about the famous sauce, but Ivy unloaded how “unintentionally offensive” her husband of many years is, just as he’s asking his hosts how old they all are: “Some have learned to tolerate him, but I love him”. Touching.

What’s also striking about Race Across the World , and something sadly impractical in the “real” world away from reality TV, is how much richer the travel experience of all those involved is because they are deprived, under the rules of the show, of their smartphones. They end up exploring their relationships with their journey partners as much as the picturesque countryside and bustling cities.

The young siblings from Yorkshire, Betty and James, for example, seem to be getting to know each other for the first time on Japanese trains and in random cafes, despite having grown up together. Something similar is also true of the two sets of mum and daughter: Eugenie and Isabel, and Sharon and Brydie. Thrown together and almost forced to talk to one another rather than scrolling through social media, their personal odyssey acquires an emotional and, around the Buddhist shrines, a spiritual dimension. As noted by young James, an unimaginative traveller by his own admission, you don’t get that with a week “having it off in Ayia Napa”. A different kind of pursuit, that.

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" This is a 160+ unit hotel but am not familiar w/ the optional rooms "

" Don't pick the studios! "

" Corner rooms have balconies, but no furniture and they cantilever out from the building, so not much privacy. "

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‘The Greatest Hits’: Save your time

A time-travel romance falls victim to generic characters and clunky dialogue.

You know how a pop song from a moment in your past can bring that moment back to life in colors, smells, memories and emotions? “The Greatest Hits” takes that idea and literalizes it right into the ground.

The film is one of those romantic fantasies that enlists time travel as the primary obstacle keeping two people from getting together. Make that one of the obstacles; the others in “The Greatest Hits” are the heroine’s growing collection of vinyl records and her habit of wearing noise-canceling headphones wherever she goes. The course of true love never did run smooth.

Harriet (Lucy Boynton) is mourning the loss of her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet) in a car crash that also delivered a bonk to her noggin that allows her to whoosh back in time — but only when she hears a song that triggers a moment the couple had together. Thus the headphones; otherwise, the tunes streaming from supermarket speakers and other people’s car radios would have her constantly yo-yoing back and forth between then and now. The records she’s obsessively collecting are an effort to find the one song that might give her a chance to alter events and keep Max alive.

Does any of this make sense? Of course not. Time-travel romantic fantasy movies never make sense, and when they’re done right, that’s the source of their idiot charm. 2006’s “The Lake House,” which involves Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and a magic mailbox, is a personal gold standard in this regard.

Complicating matters is that Harriet has met a cute guy at a grief counseling support group — that sentence alone announces we’re in Los Angeles — and is hesitant to open up and tell him about the whole trying-to-change-the-flow-of-history thing. David, who has lost both parents to either separate illnesses or just plain carelessness, is played by Justin H. Min, a likable actor who was the sensitive android of the little-seen “After Yang” (2022), a movie that you would be strongly advised to watch instead of this one.

What would it take to make “The Greatest Hits” work? For one thing, a music-rights budget that allowed for songs an average filmgoer might recognize, rather than tracks from the back 40 of Spotify or a disco remix of Roxy Music’s “To Turn You On.” For another, a script that avoids dialogue clunkers like “There’s a reason that in some languages, the word for love and the word for suffering is the same.” (I Googled it — didn’t find any.) Shopworn supporting stereotypes like the heroine’s sassy gay Black friend (Austin Crute) don’t help.

The prime offender, though, is writer-director Ned Benson’s inability to create three-dimensional characters, or even believable two-dimensional ones. Harriet is apparently a record producer, but we only know that from one dated reference to Alan Parsons and a brief scene of her telling singer Nelly Furtado to “add a little more compression on the drums”; otherwise, she’s an attractive blank space that Boynton strains too hard to fill in. The dead boyfriend, Max, is even more generic — a genial himbo with all the flavor of a catalogue model.

Benson made a stir with his debut, a three-film project called “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” (2014) that looked at a relationship from his, her and their points of view. His belated follow-up, by contrast, has barely enough personality for one. But he gets points for including the dreadful Kars4Kids jingle as one of the audio jogs that sends Harriet tumbling back in time — for a brief moment, the rest of “The Greatest Hits” seems much less irritating in comparison.

PG-13. Streaming on Hulu. Drug use, strong language and suggestive material. 94 minutes.

Ty Burr is the author of the movie recommendation newsletter Ty Burr’s Watch List at tyburrswatchlist.com .

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