Know it all: Pros & Cons of travelling to Turkey in December 2020

Are you planning a visit to Turkey this month? The do’s and don’ts of a vacation in Covid times is what bothered me at first and i am sure is the main matter of concern for a lot of travelers who have either planned their trips, made the bookings but are now in dilemma? I hope this article helps you a bit in planning your journey.

Here i will shed light on my journey, the best places, food, shopping, curfews and a lot more.

“If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital”

My Journey to Turkey

Why I would like nothing better than to achieve some bold adventure, worthy of a trip! Turkey – the place which made me realize how beautiful the world is. Let me take you to Turkey – the country of glory, beauty, and mosques.

My beautiful journey to Turkey starts at Jinnah International Airport, which was loaded with SOPs and maintaining social distances. It made me delighted to see people’s obedience towards the laws. Anyhow, I departed from Karachi, and after 300 minutes I landed in Istanbul. Oh my gosh! What a beauty! These were my genuine reactions when i landed at the new Istanbul airport.

I was amused by the views, the minimal fog, the cold, and of course Starbucks made me fall in love with the city at a glance. However, being a Karachite a windy 9°C was pretty cold for me. So at first we layered up ourselves and checked in the hotel.

Turkey Weekend Curfew

To our surprise we landed in IST on a Friday evening and from the same day the weekend curfew was being implemented. So soon we rushed out at Taksim square to grab some food when we saw the Turkish POLIS strictly ensuring all shops and food outlets are shut as it was 8PM. Luckily we were able to grab the Turkish doners and than made our way back to the hotel. After about an hour i made a quick walk outside my hotel to see pin drop silence at Taksim square with bearly few people spotted. It was an initial blow but we realise we have to make the best use of time to get the most from this trip.

Come visit Turkey with me in 4 minutes!!

The popularity of the Blue Mosque cannot be ignored. However, we visited it on the very first day (realising we have to be back in the hotel by 8pm) and it was as beautiful as my imagination was. The blue-tinted floors and ceilings, and the astounding architecture left me stunned. I could still feel the cozy breeze outside of the mosque and its view just could not vanish from my sight.

*The breathtaking innerview of the Blue Mosque*

Well, how could you visit Istanbul and would not shop? Later same day went to Grand Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi) to satisfy our shopping cravings and we got some of the cutest stuff including jewelry, soveiners and grabbed some Turkish delight.

Antalya

Yes we went to Antalya as well, booked the Aska Lara Resort (Lara beach) for 3 nights and The Land of Legends for 1 night. What an incredible 4 nights we spent in Antalya. Much recommended.

The Situation in Antalya

The city closes down at 8PM same as of in entire Turkey but the exception our the resorts. So if you take up an all inclusive resort you can enjoy meals, sports, music all but in house at the resort. Unfortunately, the water activities are shut due to COVID by rest dry park/dry activities are open. So you can enjoy the same. At Land of legends the theme park was also open but the dry park only and not the water park.

P.S: the beach is open so if you want to go and spend some hours at the beach you surely can.

The Pros & Cons of planning a trip to Turkey in COVID times

As we know the COVID Secondwave has hit many parts of the world, unfortunately, Istanbul is one of them. I was asked to give of test COVID19 and fortunately, I tested NEGATIVE. The very first time in life I was happy to hear NEGATIVE!

But, the curfew in Istanbul has been implemented from December 04th, 2020, and will last till the situation comes under control.

In the nation, the weekend-long curfew started on Friday at 9 p.m. And it will end at 5 a.m. on Monday. On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan introduced new prohibitions, including a weeknight curfew and a full weekend curfew.

Some sectors would be excluded from the curfews, including development, supply, health, and agriculture.

Between 10 a.m to 5 pm, supermarkets, grocery stores, butchers, and dried fruit stores will run over this weekend.

Well, those few days which I spent in Turkey were irreplaceable. The memories I made are listed in my diary as a beautiful part of my life. I still feel the foggy weather and numbness of my hands. I could not forget the exciting and enchanting views of Istanbul, which left me staggered.

I must say “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Turkey”. It is simply – BEAUTIFUL

Where to get your PCR COVID Test done in Istanbul

The best place to be tested for COVID19 is Istanbul’s airport. They are serving the finest amenities there. *For testing at the airport it is best suggested that you reach there atleast 7-8 hours before your flight to avoid inconvenience. They normally give results in 1-2 hours.

Alternatively you can also get tested at (located close to Taksim square):-

Cihangir Laboratory: Cihangir, Sıraserviler Caddesi 95/3, 34433 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey. Closes at 6PM. If you get tested before 1PM you get the results same day.