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We don’t know if many of you are planning to take transatlantic trips this winter.
Although there are some exceptions to this rule, such as Andalusia in Spain and the Canary Islands, much of the continent will be swept by freezing winds and hit by plummeting temperatures.
It may be perfect for visiting Christmas markets and sightseeing on a clear day, but overall, it’s not as nice as summer. But there is one destination in particular, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which remains incredible to visit, whether it’s hot or cold.
It is also incredibly cheap by American standards, and believe it or not, now it has even cheaper:
Turkiye is currently one of the cheapest destinations in the world
A country variously described as European, Asian, Middle Eastern or all three categories combined, Turkiye (formerly spelled) Turkey is one of the most dynamic destinations around the world, having welcomed an impressive 44.6 million tourists in 2022.
This year it’s meooks are ready to exceed this threshold despite the natural disasters that shook the country within early 2023 and political instability.
These have not directly affected or frightened tourists, who still perceive Turkey as a safe destination and continue to do so. flocking at Istanbul airport en masse.
Although Turkey is most famous for its ancient heritage, having been at the heart of some of the world’s oldest empires, including ancient Greece, the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, as well as beautiful Mediterranean beaches, there are another reason why it’s so trendy:
The heavily devalued Turkish lira – Turkiye’s national currency – makes it an incredibly cheap destination for Westerners, and Americans in particular, to explore.
The Turkish lira continues to fall
Although the Turkish lira has not always been much weaker than the US dollar, euro and other powerful currencies, it has fallen on hard times in recent years due to the Turkish government’s controversial monetary policies.
We won’t go into details, but all you need to know as a tourist is that Turkiye is a hell of a deal for the holidays.
It is historically an economic destination, but since 2019 the dollar’s strength has more than quadrupled against the damaged lira.
That means your money is worth much more in Türkiye than here, and although inflation should not be taken into account, given that prices have become rather volatile and Turkiye is no longer as cheap as it was before the economic crisis, you will notice that consumer prices remain remarkably affordable.
Surprisingly, this winter the lira will suffer another blow, as experts predict. additional depreciation.
It now trades at 27.75 liras per dollar, compared to an average of 5.70 in 2019, and it has just reached its lowest level ever recordedand with markets still choppy following the re-election of President Erdogan, the lira is there is unlikely to be a strong rebound anytime soon.
What does this mean to you?
An incredible destination all year round
Essentially, you should expect generally low costs when vacationing in Turkey, both in major tourist destinations like Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya, and in lesser-known places like the Black Sea coast around Rize and the Anatolian hinterland – this is especially true for the latter.
In winter, in addition to the devalued pound, prices tend to fall even more, because Turkey is considered a summer and autumn destination.
However, this does not mean that this is the case Not less fascinating in winter.
Whether visiting Istanbul, the legendary ancient Constantinople, with its minaret-studded skyline and bustling bazaars, exploring the ancient ruins of Troy and Ephesus or taking hot air balloon rides in Capadoccia, you You will find that Turkiye is an incredible destination all year round. .
In certain areas of the coast, daily temperatures even remain ayour moderately hot 59 to 64 degrees during the day, so Mediterranean Turkey, far from its Balkan provinces and the mountainous terrain of Anatolia, is certainly not freezing in winter.
The seas aren’t yet warm enough for swimming – but you can still enjoy leisurely walks on Antalya’s modern waterfront promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants, or watch the sun set over the Aegean Sea in Izmir .
How much does a trip to Türkiye cost?
According to BudgetYourTravelThe average daily spending for a single person on vacation in Turkey is just US$34 per day.
This wouldn’t even cover the cost of lunch in the majority of other European and Middle Eastern destinations, let alone other daily expenses.
You can certainly go all out and book yourself a five-star stay or treat yourself to some fine dining, but if you’re looking for a cheap getaway and want to make the most of those dollars by turning them into liars, you’ll soon learn you will have to try really hard to break the bank in Türkiye.
Walking around Istanbul, you’ll find delicious street food ranging from $1 to $5, as well as mid-range restaurants where your bill probably won’t exceed $15.
Overall, based on other travelers’ spending, you should budget $236 for a week’s stay in Türkiye. Prices will of course vary depending on your travel preferences, the level of comfort desired when booking accommodation and even your destination.
Cities like Istanbul and Antalya are generally more expensive than other smaller destinations, like Edirne, in the Eastern Thrace region, and Bursa, a port on the Dardanelles Strait famous for being one of the former Ottoman capitals.
Get inspired and start planning your trip to Turkey here.
Learn more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans for 2023 starting at $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
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This article was originally published on TravelOffPath.com