Terrorism fear sparks record dash to Spain beaches

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HOT: Spain's beaches are a big hit

Sun-seeking families flocked to the Costa beaches this summer, smashing previous records.

More than 14million Brits were among 60m foreign visitors to Spain.

In July alone 9.6m UK visitors holidayed there – up 11% from last year. And another two million Britons went in September.

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HERDS: British tourists flock to Ibiza for their summer holidays

"Doubts about other holiday destinations and a relatively low euro have really helped in recent years"

Stephen Brown

The Costa del Sol, the Canaries and the Balearics – which include party islands Majorca and Ibiza – all reported a huge influx of Brits.

The bonanza followed recent terrorist attacks in holiday destination rivals Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt.

Stephen Brown, from research consultancy Capital Economics, said: "The tourism industry has been very good for Spain and, certainly in the short term, it is providing a boost to the economy.

"Doubts about other holiday destinations and a relatively low euro have really helped in recent years."

Safe travel destinations for Brits Sunday, 7th August 2016

The recent string of horrific terror attacks has left everyone worried about their own safety. And many people have already cancelled holidays to destinations like Turkey and Spain, following recent atrocities. Here are the safest destinations.

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Tuvalu - Situated in the Pacific Ocean near neighbouring Fiji, its extreme remoteness helps it avoid becoming politically aligned – meaning it's a safe destination for Brits.

Rafael Gallego, from the Spanish Travel Agents and Tour Operators' Association, added: "Between 12% and 15% of the tourists coming to Spain wouldn't have come were it not that those destinations competing directly with Spain for sun and beaches are closed due to tragic events."

Many Brits saw Spain as a safer option than the beaches of Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey following the spate of terrorist outrages.

A Foreign Office ban is still in place on flights to the Egyptian Red Sea destination of Sharm el-Sheikh after the bombing of a Russian airliner a year ago yesterday.

Tunisia's tourism industry was dealt a devastating blow in June last year when a jihadi gunman killed 38 people – including 30 Brits – on Sousse beach.

People caught having sex in public Thursday, 20th October 2016

Members of the public don't seem to mind being caught having sex, so much so they're at it on the train platform, in shopping centres and even on top of buildings.

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And Turkey's popularity nose-dived after a failed coup was followed by a ruthless crackdown.

Even Spain's cities have benefited from the fall-out of terror atrocities in Paris, Brussels and Nice.

Visitor numbers to Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba and Valencia have all gone up.

Meanwhile back home, tourism in the UK is set to soar despite scare-mongering over Brexit.

A UKinbound survey reports 67% of businesses are certain that bookings and visitor profits will grow in the next year.

Source: Terrorism fear sparks record dash to Spain beaches

I’m Staying Away from Turkey Now that the Government is Sending Workers’ Families Home

In July I wrote, while pointing out the great award availability on Turkish Airlines using Star Alliance miles,

This is a difficult time for the Turkish people. Erdoğan is a strong man and a disaster who invoked Hitler to justify new powers he seeks in the aftermath of the coup attempt in his country.

He was aggregating power before the coup, restricting rights, but has since been rounding up thousands of citizens and restricting freedoms even more. Of course a successful coup could well have led to limitations on freedom for the Turkish people as well. There was likely no good outcome.

While I'm not inclined to make discretionary trips to Turkey now, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the huge opportunities for transiting the airport enroute to the many destinations that you can conveniently reach via Istanbul in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

I think Turkish Airlines is a very good airline overall. They have a great lounge in Istanbul. There's billiards, golf, a race track, and a movie room with popcorn machine. They even provide complimentary hotel stays to economy passengers forced to overnight in Istanbul by the Turkish schedule.

There was an attack on the Istanbul airport this summer. Of course that was outside security, the airport's security protocols are quite good and passengers who are airside may be as safe as anywhere.

The security situation in Istanbul appears to have degraded in the post-coup environment. And purges continue and may even have accelerated. If even a quarter of the people being purged by the government had actually participated in the coup, it would have succeeded easily.

Since I've felt it safe to travel on Turkish Airlines, I thought it was also important to share concerns about actually spending time in Turkey right now as an American. The US has ordered families of consulate workers there to leave (HT: Paul H.)

The State Department is ordering family members of employees posted to the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul to leave because of security concerns…indicating extremist groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack U.S. citizens in areas of Istanbul where they reside or frequent.

The Consulate General remains open and fully staffed. The order applies only to the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, not to other U.S. diplomatic posts in Turkey.

The travel warning issued Saturday updates a warning last week of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey. U.S. citizens were advised to avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of travel to and throughout the country.

I've been a proponent of visiting Paris in the immediate aftermath of terrorist attacks and indeed many places where people have safety concerns. I've argued that the day after an attack is likely safer than the day before. But I didn't suggest discretionary trips to Turkey in July, and I am even less comfortable with the idea now.

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Source: I'm Staying Away from Turkey Now that the Government is Sending Workers' Families Home

ISTANBUL AS TOURIST DESTINATION: Turkish Airlines spreads ‘the good news’ after coup storm

By Omoh Gabriel just back from Istanbul

When on October 18, four Nigerian journalists were taken on board Turkish Airlines for a  flight  to Istanbul, it was like what the airline would want to do was to show off  its newly acquired aircraft or any other facility. It was, however, not to be.

The full import of the trip started showing on arrival in Istanbul. At the business class lounge of the airline on arrival, as we discussed Nigeria affairs,  a voice from behind shouted, 'big brother from Nigeria'.

It was a Ghanaian journalist  I  met  in  South Africa and Kenya about two years ago. Pleasantries, and why are you here. It was for the same purpose. Soon, the delegates from Cameroon arrived, then the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Nigeriens. It dawned on us it would be an Africa affair.

At the prestigious Raddaison Blu, in the heart of Istanbul where we were eventually quartered, 105 journalists, from across Africa and Pakistan, were hosted by Turkish Airlines.

The first discovery was that Radaasion Blu in Turkey was massive, well furnished and a splendor to live in. It is quite different from Lagos Radassion. It is in a class of its own.

•Chairman Turkish Airline Liker Ayel

So, in the afternoon of arrival, a meeting was scheduled for the visiting journalists to meet with the Chairman of the airline. As guests of Turkish Airlines, apparently Europe's largest fleet in the air, the purpose of the visit, according to Mr. Ilker Aycl, was for the Africa media and the world at large to see first hand how safe Turkey has become since the botched coup attempt of July 15, 2016.

He took a substantial part of his three-hour speech on the coup and the attack.

Mr. Ilker Aycl  said that Turkey was winning the war against its peculiar strain of terrorism and the country is now safe for travelers all over the world to fly in and out of Turkey. Aycl took advantage of the presence of the journalists in attendance to address a world press conference at the airline's headquarters near Ataturk Airport.

Aycl said, "We are fighting against a new kind of terrorism championed by a man, an Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, living in a mansion in Pennsylvania in the United States. His people came into Turkey like philanthropists, setting up schools and doing charity.

"But on July 15 this year the same people attempted to topple the government of Turkey. They had infiltrated the military, the police, government, and even here in Turkish Airlines just as former President Jonathan told Nigerians that Boko Haram had infiltrated into his government, army and police.

"Investigations revealed that there were over 60,000 of them in government. Only 1,000 have so far been sacked against the widely reported massive clamp down on opponents in Turkey. There are hundreds of them within Turkish Airlines and we are already relieving them of their jobs, and we are keeping our environment, our operations and our country safe".

In Turkey, Gulen's followers are officially referred to as FETO – Fethullahist Terror Organisation. One very interesting thing about the meeting with Aycl was that he was very passionate about the coup and the feelings of Turks and for the most part of the three hour conference, Aycl spoke about the attempted coup, branding it as a new strain of terrorism against the government and people of Turkey. He also urged journalists to forewarn their home governments of possible similar Gulenists' infiltration.

He said in very clear terms: "What happened to us here before and during the failed coup attempt of July 15, 2016 may happen in other parts of the world. Please warn the governments in your countries to be careful too". Tired and bored by continued hammering on the coup and terror, two Nigerian and a Ghanaian journalists asked why he was dwelling so much on the coup and perceived terrorism issues as if hired by government to speak on its behalf?

Aycl simply replied again with passion: "This is a coup against the people of Turkey. These terrorists that came as philanthropists spent tens of billions of dollars to infiltrate our ranks. You must be careful in your countries too. The failed coup attempt was a direct attack on the citizens, businesses and stability of our peaceful country.

"In this kind of situation, one must speak out and condemn such mindless acts of terrorism. The coup affected the flights, operations, and revenue and expansion plans of Turkish Airlines. So you can understand my passion. But we invited you all here to come and see things for yourselves. Turkey is absolutely safe now, both as a travel hub and tourist destination. Help us to tell your people back home in your various countries the same good news."

The following day, the 105 journalists took a tour of the training facilities of the airline. It was amazing the level of investment they have put into training air crews, hostesses, and pilots. At the moment, the airline has 10 simulators and it hopes to acquire additional 18. The simulators are according to the type of aircraft being operated by the airline.

Thus far, the airline boasts  of about 4, 500 pilots that fly to various destinations in Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa. The airline is particularly well positioned as nature has given the country the advantage of being part in Europe and part in Asia. It is usually referred to as Eurasia.

The over 100 journalists had a fun-filled boat cruise October 21, 2016. They criss-crossed both the European and Asian parts that make up Turkey's most populous city, Istanbul.

In fact 97 per cent of Istanbul is in Asia while three percent is in Europe. The two are linked with a suspended bridge that is a beauty to behold. During the boat cruise the journalists learned some of Istanbul's rich history between the boat cruise and bus rides, from two tour guides, who simply identified themselves as Hakan and AJ.

Istanbul by their account is historically known as Constantinople and Byzantium. It is Turkey's economic, cultural, and historic centre. Istanbul is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, straddling the Bosphorus strait, which separates Europe and Asia, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Istanbul's commercial and historical center lies on the European side and about a third of its population lives on the Asian side we were told. It ranks as the world's 7th-largest city and Europe's largest.

While on the short boat cruise, several magnificent sights struck everyone. One of them is  the Ciragan, the other Beylerbeyi palaces – both built as summer mansions smack on the sea line of Marmara and then the intercontinental suspension bridge built in 1974.

Beylerbeyi palace according to the tour guide was initially the residence of the Governor General of Anatolia, but between 1861-1865, Sultan Abdulaziz ordered architects Sarkis Balyan and Agop Balyan to rebuild it as a palace in the traditional Ottoman house style. Journalists were given a guided tour of its throne, bath, bed, living, dining and waiting rooms of opulence.

Beylerbeyi is built on two main floors and a basement containing kitchens and storage, and was divided into two sections; Selamlik (men's section) and Harem. There are a total of three entrances, six state rooms and 26 smaller rooms.

The Ciragan palace takes its name from the word "cerag" which means 'torch' in Persian. The area in which the Palace is located was called 'Ceragan' because of the famous Ottoman parties which were held in tulip gardens with torches. The palace was built during the reign of Sultan Abdulmecit and was designed by the Armenian architect Serkis Balyan.

The building was constructed using the financial loans that were obtained for restructuring the water system of Istanbul and the construction of a new railway the tour guide said. The construction took 12 years. This is the last palace built by the Ottoman Empire for the royal family. The site has been converted to a fine hotel and the other surviving buildings are now schools while the palace has become a tourist attraction.

If you are planning to visit Turkey however, be ready to face traffic deadlock in the heart of the city. It can be worse than central London on a busy day. It is not because of bad roads, but because of heavy traffic from Europe and Asia.  There are good hotels, the people are hospitable and you certainly will find good foods made in Turkey. Good luck to you.

Source: ISTANBUL AS TOURIST DESTINATION: Turkish Airlines spreads 'the good news' after coup storm

FRA Winter Timetable 2016/17: Frankfurt Airport adds new destinations to its global route network

(Forimmediaterelease.net) Frankfurt Airport's (FRA) new Winter Timetable 2016/17 – which goes into effect on October 30 in tandem with the changeover to wintertime – will feature 88 passenger airlines flying to 248 destinations in 100 countries. More than half of the offered destinations and more than a third of available seats are on intercontinental routes (beyond Europe), thus underscoring FRA's role as both Germany's principal gateway and a key hub in the global air transportation system.

The number of flights offered from FRA during the Winter Timetable 2016/17 will remain almost unchanged compared to the previous year, down just 0.9 percent to 3,760 passenger services per week (of which 595 are on domestic, 880 on intercontinental routes, a nd 2,285 on European routes). The number of seats available at FRA will slightly decline by 2.0 percent to 675,000 seats per week. These declines are largely a result of the current geopolitical situation in various regions around the world. Without these effects, the number of offered flights would have increased slightly, while the decline in available seats would have remained markedly below the current level.

Frankfurt Airport will again add new destinations to its global route network for the upcoming winter schedule. Among them is Kazan (KZN) in Russia, which has been served by Aeroflot during the summer schedule with a twice-weekly flight from FRA since June 2016. Lufthansa will open two new gateways in northern Europe for winter sports aficionados, flying once a week to Tromsø (TOS) in Norway from November 26, and Ivalo (IVL) in Finland from December 24.

Moreover, this winter schedule Lufthansa will continue to serve destinations recently added to its FRA-networ k for the Summer Timetable 2016, including San Jose (SJC) in the U.S., Panama City (PTY) in Panama, and Tirana (TIA) in Albania. Other airlines will also maintain their FRA-routes added during the summer schedule: WOW Air will continue to fly to Reykjavik (KEF) in Iceland; FRA-based carrier Condor will continue offering a service to Seattle (SEA) in the U.S.; Air China will maintain its service to the city of Shenzhen (SZX) in southern China; and Croatia Airlines will continue flying to Dubrovnik (DBV) on Croatia's Adriatic Coast.

Particularly holidaymakers who prefer warmer temperatures can look forward to increased frequencies to sun destinations during the winter. While Condor will continue flying thrice weekly to Cape Town (CPT) in South Africa, this route will also be served by Lufthansa with three FRA-CPT flights per week, starting December. Lufthansa will be adding Funchal (FNC) on the Portuguese island of Madeira to its network, with a once-weekly flight from FRA. Th is popular destination has already been served by leisure carriers Condor and TUIfly — both airlines will continue their direct flights to Madeira this winter.

Thai Airways will be expanding flights to Bangkok (BKK) in Thailand, from 13 per week to two daily services. Starting November 16, Thai Airways' FRA-BKK service will also include three weekly stopovers on the popular island of Phuket (HKT). Lufthansa will be adding three more services to Friedrichshafen (FDH) in southern Germany (for a total of 24 flights per week to FDH). TAP Air Portugal will increase frequencies from FRA to Lisbon (LIS) to a total of 26 flights per week on that route. Turkmenistan Airlines will add a second weekly service to Ashgabat (ASB), Turkmenistan's capital.

Flight schedules to destinations in Turkey have been thinned out by many airlines, reflecting the uncertain geopolitical situation in the region. Turkish Airlines is reducing frequencies to Istanbul (IST/SAW) from 37 to 30 fligh ts per week and will discontinue its service to Ankara (ESB). However, ESB will continue to be served by SunExpress, offering thrice weekly service from FRA to Turkey's capital. Lufthansa will reduce flight offerings to IST from three to two daily services, while Pegasus Airlines will reduce its FRA-Istanbul service from two to one daily flight. The popular resort of Antalya (AYT) on the Turkish Riviera will be served ten times per week (from previously 19 weekly services).

Two airlines will no longer be flying to/from FRA in the winter schedule: Onur Air from Turkey will discontinue its FRA-Istanbul service, while Sri Lankan Airlines will no longer be flying to FRA following an overall restructuring of the airline's intercontinental network.

Note: All changes mentioned in this release are based on a comparison between FRA's Winter Timetables 2016/17 and 2015/16.

MEDIA CONTACT: Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, Robert A. Payne, B.A.A. – International Spokesman and Head of International Press/PR & External Activities Team, Press Office (UKM-PS), Corporate Communications, 60547 Frankfurt, Germany; Tel.: +49 69.690.78547; E-mail: r.payne@fraport.de ; Internet: www.fraport.com PRESS RELEASE www.buzz.travel

Source: FRA Winter Timetable 2016/17: Frankfurt Airport adds new destinations to its global route network

Cheapflights.com Unveils 11 Value Thanksgiving Destinations

PHOTO: It will be hard, but consider ditching the turkey for travel. (Image courtesy Flickr/Tim Sackton)

Cheapflights.com is making it mighty hard not to ditch the normal family Thanksgiving dinner for a trip to amazing parts of the world with a list of some heavily discounted destinations.

We get it. There is nothing more intoxicating than the allure of that roast turkey smell wafting all over the house on that very special Thursday; but really, you are just going to feel like a bloated whale as you writhe in pain on the floor right after the meal anyway.

Plus, do you really want to sit down and hear an onslaught of opinions on Trump, Clinton or what Negan did to poor, well, you know?

The solution is quite simple. Take a trip thanks to some awesome savings. The website recently unveiled its "Thanksgiving Getaways," which is a list of 11 destinations around the world that are currently offering great deals compared to this time last year, adding: "Those looking to fly out on Thursday, Nov. 24 – Thanksgiving Day – and return on Monday, Nov. 28, are finding double-digit savings over airfares from last year to many top spots."

READ MORE: 6 Hotels That Are Doing Halloween Right

Here is the list with how much decrease in airfare there is compared to last year:

London, England – 26 percent

Montego Bay, Jamaica – 22 percent

Mexico City, Mexico – 21 percent

Dublin, Ireland – 18 percent

Las Vegas, Nevada – 18 percent

Atlanta, Georgia – 17 percent

Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida – 16 percent

Portland, Oregon – 14 percent

Barcelona, Spain – 13 percent

San Jose, Costa Rica – 12 percent

New York, New York – 12 percent

Of course, this all means braving the busiest time of year at airports, but the rewards are quite evident.

Cheapflights.com presents an eclectic bunch of destinations that will satisfy your hunger for travel as well as great food. And there is nothing more Thanksgiving than that. You can enjoy something akin to a Sunday roast in London while the rest of us are munching on the usual fare. You can let luck be a lady in Sin City with a really unique Turkey Day experience.

Or, you can just utilize the few days you have off and what are essentially discounted airfares to finally see Barcelona and all its splendor.

What we have here is tremendous value lurking online, and we are very thankful for that.

Source: Cheapflights.com Unveils 11 Value Thanksgiving Destinations

World's best party destinations: The hottest new places for nightlife

Opening of the Allenby 58 discotheque at the Octopus in Tel Aviv's Old Port.

It used to be a guarantee. It used to be that if you turned up in Ibiza, Las Vegas, or Rio de Janeiro and went for a night on the town, you would be certain you were in one of the world's party capitals.

Those destinations haven't changed. They have, however, begun to attract some new competition. For every well-established hub of nightlife, for every city filled with bars and restaurants and clubs that never seem to close, there are now dozens of challengers emerging across the globe.

Travel is a fashion, and what was cool 10 years ago may well have lost its crown by now.

A band performs onstage at Beerland in Austin, Texas.

THE PLACECUSCO, PERU

PARTY ON If you gather together travellers from all around the world – adventurous, fun people who are on a high after having ticked off a bucket-list experience like seeing Machu Picchu – you're going to get a great party scene. And Cusco has exactly that. Beginners should head directly to Mama Africa, an infamous club populated nightly with backpackers up for a good time. For those who prefer chatting to dancing, Los Perros is a great little lounge bar, while El Pisquerito (elpisquerito.com) is the place for a pisco sour. For festival lovers, by far the best time to be in Cusco is June 24 for the incredible Inti Raymer, or Festival of the Sun, a recreation of an ancient pageant in the Sacsayhuaman ruins.

CHILL OUT The best way to avoid Cusco's party scene is to not be in Cusco. Surrounding towns such as Ollantaytambo offer a much quieter experience, but still with the proximity to Machu Picchu, while Paucartambo is even quieter still.

People gather in Ho Chi Minh City celebrating Tet, the Vietnamese New Year.

ESSENTIALS High season in Cusco is winter, from June to August, though the shoulder seasons offer great value. The city is fairly safe – the most common problem for visitors is altitude sickness. For accommodation, try the beautiful and historic Inkaterra La Casona (inkaterra.com). See peru.travel

THE PLACEAUSTIN, USA

PARTY ON Locals have been promising to "keep Austin weird" for some time now, but what they have also done is keep this Texan musical Mecca fun. This is a city in which live bands rule over button-pressing DJs, with rock, indie and country music played long into the evening. Check out jazz at Elephant Room (elephantroom.com), blues at Victory Grill (atxhistoricvictorygrill.org), hard rock at Beerland (beerlandtexas.com), or world music at Sahara Lounge (saharalounge.com). And don't miss South By Southwest, the city's – indeed the world's – premier music conference and festival, every March.

The island of Don Det is an upcoming backpacker stop on the Mekong River along the Cambodia/Laos border.

CHILL OUT While Austin is all about live music, it also has a great offering of friendly, intimate bars in which to hang out and chat. Try Bar Congress (secondbarkitchen.com), or the super laid-back Lustre Pearl (lustrepearlaustin.com), or even the saloon-style Yellow Jacket Social Club (yellowjacketsocialclub.com).

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ESSENTIALS There is no bad time to be in Austin – it's a never-too-hot, never-too-cold sort of place. It is likely to be extremely hard to find accommodation, however, during South By Southwest every March. One of the best places to stay is the Lone Star Court (lonestarcourt.com). See traveltexas.com

THE PLACEPAG, CROATIA

Party ship and restaurant riverside in Belgrade.

PARTY ON Pag is the thinking traveller's Ibiza, a pumping Mediterranean party island that attracts all of the big-name DJs and dance acts, with all the pool parties and rave action you can poke a little pair of swimming trunks at, but with a more cosmopolitan European crowd. The setting is stunning, just off the Dalmatian coast, but most people come here for the 24-hour party culture. In the main town of Novalja, beachside clubs like Aquarius (aquarius.hr) begin the day with a riotous pool party, before morphing into a club by night. There is a slightly more relaxed vibe at Cocomo (cocomo.hr), a lounge bar that is still extremely popular.

CHILL OUT Those tired of the partying life (or just tired), will find little to do but relax in the nearby fishing port of Razanac, which is still beautiful, though much less developed as a tourist destination.

ESSENTIALS You wouldn't dream of going to Pag any time but summer – June to September. Most of the clubs are closed over winter, and the island is extremely quiet. The hotel Luaniva (novalja-luaniva.com) offers great apartment-style rooms in Novalja. See croatia.hr

Colourful beach umbrellas on beach, Gili Trawangan, Lombok.

THE PLACEHO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

PARTY ON Those communist-turned-capitalist metropolises – Moscow and Shanghai, for example – sure know how to party. And Ho Chi Minh City is no different. There is a great nightlife scene in the city formerly known as Saigon that is driven as much by a hard-partying expat community as the local Vietnamese. For a classy night, check out the rooftop Chill Skybar (chillsaigon.com). For raucous fun with boozy expats and the odd shady local, go straight to Apocalypse Now (apocalypsesaigon.com). For guaranteed enjoyment, however, the best time to visit is during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year festival in late January, when the entire city comes out to celebrate.

CHILL OUT It is not exactly relaxing, but a Saigon "Buddy Tour", checking out street food stalls with a guide on a motorbike, is a great way to see Ho Chi Minh City by day. For something a little more sedate, try a day trip to the Mekong Delta, where life literally floats by (urbanadventures.com).

ESSENTIALS May to September tend to be the rainy months in Ho Chi Minh, which makes October to April the ideal time to visit. Travellers should beware of scams in the city involving cyclo and motorbike drivers – make sure you agree on a price before being taken anywhere. For accommodation, the Reverie Saigon (thereveriesaigon.com) has beautiful rooms. See vietnamtourism.com

THE PLACETEL AVIV, ISRAEL

PARTY ON Strolling down Tel Aviv's bustling beachside promenade during the day, you could easily picture yourself in Rio de Janeiro or Barcelona, such is the laid-back, beachy atmosphere. And once the sun goes down in Tel Aviv, that feeling gets even stronger. This is a city that loves to party, and it seems to never shut down. The bar scene is constantly shifting, but you can't go wrong in the district of Namal, or anywhere on Ben Yehuda Street. Tel Aviv also hosts a huge number of music festivals, from dance music to blues, jazz to rock, pop to reggae. Check out visit-tel-aviv.com.

CHILL OUT To the south of Tel Aviv's beaches lies the historic district of Jaffa, one of the world's oldest ports, where hot nights can be whiled away at a traditional hummus restaurant like Abu Hassan, or simply strolling the paved alleyways.

ESSENTIALS Tel Aviv can be extremely hot during summer – aim to visit from October to May for the best weather. Overall the city is safe, and you will find large crowds out until the small hours of the morning. When the night is over, head back to a beachfront hotel like Yam (atlas.co.il). See goisrael.com

THE PLACESI PHAN DON, LAOS

PARTY ON It used to be Vang Vieng. If you were travelling to Laos and you were up for a party, you would head to that infamous riverside town for "tubing" and late-night raves. It is probably not a bad thing that all of that has changed, and travellers are looking further afield. Si Phan Don, or "4000 Islands", in the country's south is far more sedate than Vang Vieng ever was, a place where a party means hanging out in a hammock and chatting to friends. One of the best bases is Don Det, a backpacker haven where visitors can go tubing down the river (with or without beer), or just hang out at one of the ramshackle restaurants.

CHILL OUT In case you weren't relaxed enough, there are a few even more sedate options in Si Phan Don. One of the best is Don Khon, a pleasantly quiet and more relaxed alternative to Don Det, with access to a few great waterfalls.

ESSENTIALS The summer months – June to September – are extremely hot in Laos. A far better time to travel is between November and February. Accommodation is basic but comfortable – check out hostelworld.com for options. See tourismlaos.org

THE PLACEKOH RONG, CAMBODIA

PARTY ON As Pag is to Ibiza, so Koh Rong is to Thailand's Koh Pha-Ngan – a place of intense natural beauty that travellers are flocking to as an alternative to its more mainstream and established rival. Koh Rong is a Cambodian island off the coast of Sihanoukville, a party destination that still has the adventurous, frontier feel that Koh Pha-Ngan once had. While most visitors head to divey, ramshackle bars like Island Boys, Bong's and Skybar, there are a few classier alternatives, such as Paradise Bungalows, which sells wine as well as the ubiquitous local beer, and Dragon Den, which has its own microbrewery. Wherever you choose though, you'll find Koh Rong is cheap, fun, and becoming extremely popular.

CHILL OUT During the day, escape the hungover hordes by hiking through the jungle to one of Koh Rong's secluded beaches, then float in the warm oceans with sparkling bioluminescent plankton in the evening.

ESSENTIALS To reach Koh Rong, there is a ferry from Sihanoukville that takes about two hours. High season is November to February, though the shoulder seasons are also popular. While drugs are openly sold in Koh Rong, it is worth remembering that they are illegal in Cambodia. For accommodation, check out Bong's (bongsguesthouse.com). See tourismcambodia.com

THE PLACEBELGRADE, SERBIA

PARTY ON A few years ago eastern Europe's party frontier was probably Prague, with its absinthe bars and three-storey mega-clubs. These days, however, that mantle has shifted to the south, to the formerly war-torn Serbian capital of Belgrade. The scene is in its infancy, pushed forward by a group of passionate DJs and venue owners and a crowd of partygoers who seem to love having a good time. Year-round, check out Sveta and KGB Caffe for the perfect introduction. In summer, meanwhile, pop-up clubs appear all along the Sava and Danube rivers, often hosted in barges that have been moored for the season.

CHILL OUT You could spend days wandering Belgrade's Old Town; however, during summer there is no better place to relax than Ada Ciganlija, a river island with an artificial lake in the middle, where locals head to sun themselves.

ESSENTIALS While Belgrade is beautiful in winter, for partygoers summer really is the sweet spot, when riverside clubs open and music festivals are staged. For accommodation, check out the charming Square Nine Hotel (squarenine.rs). See serbia.travel

THE PLACEBUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

PARTY ON While Rio de Janeiro probably still reigns as South America's number one party destination, Buenos Aires is hot on its heels. This is a city of dark, cosy wine bars, hipster-friendly speakeasies, and super-clubs whose dance floors don't start heating up until about 3am. In trendy Palermo, Frank's Bar has classic cocktails and a secret code to gain entry; La Catedral (lacatedralclub.com) in Almagro, meanwhile, offers tango lessons between sips of red wine. For late-night partying, Pacha is one of the most popular clubs. Remember though: late-night in Buenos Aires is seriously late.

CHILL OUT Buenos Aires thrives after dark, but that doesn't mean you have to be partying. Take in a tango show at Madero Tango (maderotango.com), or head to a steakhouse in Palermo for a meal – either Don Julio (parrilladonjulio.com.ar) or Miranda (parrillamiranda.com) will provide carnivorous satisfaction.

ESSENTIALS There are no extremes of weather in Buenos Aires, which makes it a great city to visit year-round. While petty crime is an issue, the usual precautions such as not wearing jewellery when you go out should ensure a safe visit. For accommodation, the classic Algodon Mansion (algodonmansion.com) in Recoleta is ideal. See argentina.travel

THE PLACEGILI TRAWANGAN, INDONESIA

PARTY ON Those tired of Kuta's bogans-and-Bintang scene now have a more enticing alternative in Indonesia: Gili Trawangan, the island paradise you have been hoping to find. Gili T's party scene ranges from upmarket lounges and cocktail bars – Scallywags is a reliable favourite – to the backpacker-friendly dive bars of old: the likes of Tir Na Nog, Rudy's and Sama Sama Reggae Bar always provide a good time. The crowds are mixed in Gili T, but they're good fun.

CHILL OUT The neighbouring Gili Islands – Gili Air and Gili Meno – are much quieter than Trawangan, and provide great beachy havens for those looking to escape the party scene for a couple of days. Or weeks. Try scuba diving, or hiring a bike, or simply lying around.

ESSENTIALS The Gilis are accessible by private boats or public ferries from eastern Bali or Lombok. The dry season, from June to September, is the best time to visit. For accommodation, there are great rooms available at the Hotel Vila Ombak (vilaombak.com). See indonesia.travel

WALK ON THE MILD SIDE: THE QUIET DESTINATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GO TO AVOID THE PARTY SCENE

ESFAHAN, IRAN

There is a great social scene in Esfahan, where people of all ages gather in traditional teahouses near Naqsh-e Jahan square, or trendy restaurants in the Armenian quarter, and smoke and chat the night away. However, alcohol is banned in Iran, which means everyone wakes up the next morning gloriously hangover-free.

ITTOQQORTOORMIIT, GREENLAND

You want peace and quiet? This tiny settlement in eastern Greenland has peace and quiet. Ittoqqortoormiit has only 452 inhabitants, and even if they're all desperate for a drink, there's only one pub, which is open one day a week, and only for a few hours. That makes the frequency of raucous parties fairly low.

ANKARA, TURKEY

Of all the countries in Europe, Turkey consumes the least alcohol, at a measly 2.4 litres a head (compared with the Czech Republic, which weighs in at 14.1 litres a person a year). Ankara, the capital, has more tea drinkers than beer drinkers.

DHAMMA GIRI, INDIA

Not only can people not drink here, they can't even talk. A stay at the Dhamma Giri Vipassana retreat in Maharashtra, India, is a 10-night commitment to discovering your inner truth – or something like that – through long hours of silence. You'll deserve a beer at the end.

KAMALAYA RESORT, THAILAND

If your idea of a cocktail is an alcohol-free smoothie with kale and spinach in it, then this is the party destination for you. In other words, it's not a party destination. It's a place to visit to dry out, to spend a week or so detoxing from excess by enjoying raw vegetables and pre-dawn yoga classes.

TEN CLASSIC PARTY TOWNS

KOH PHA-NGAN, THAILAND

South-east Asia's original party island still hosts regular full moon parties, as well as half-moon parties and "black moon" parties, and in between all of those, normal nightly parties.

LAS VEGAS, USA

The original "Sin City" is a den of debauchery, a glittering temple dedicated to drinkers, gamblers and partygoers of all colours and creeds. From daytime pool parties to night-time super-clubs, the fun never stops.

IBIZA, SPAIN

Lovers of European dance music and days spent lying around in the sun have been flocking to Ibiza for years. The world's best DJs play here, and the scene is wild.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The tourists come to Rio to party because the locals know how to do it so well. From beachside caipirinhas to sweaty samba clubs, there is never a dull moment in Rio.

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND

During the day: adventure sports like skiing, bungy jumping, sky-diving, or whitewater rafting. During the night: drinks and dancing at some of NZ's best bars and clubs.

SEMINYAK, BALI

Kuta's classier cousin has been drawing a party crowd with upmarket beachside bars like Ku De Ta and Potato Head, where expats and tourists drink the long nights away.

LAGOS, PORTUGAL

Backpackers have been turning up in Lagos to drink and go crazy ever since backpackers have been drinking and going crazy. There is something in the water in Lagos. (Or maybe it's the beer.)

CANCUN, MEXICO

If you have ever wanted to yell "Spring break!" while shooting tequila and chugging Coronas with a bunch of shirtless American college students on holiday, then Cancun is the place for you.

NEW ORLEANS, USA

It is all about the music in New Orleans, from jazz to blues to rock to almost anything else you can think of that can be performed live. The mardis gras here is also legendary.

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

This long-time favourite destination of English stag and hens' groups is known for its red-light district and its lax attitude to pretty much everything that makes a night out fun.

Read more: http://www.traveller.com.au/best-places-to-party-in-the-world-gqzpk3#ixzz4O9diDOOW Follow us: @TravellerAU on Twitter | TravellerAU on Facebook

Source: World's best party destinations: The hottest new places for nightlife

Germany scraps 'Armenia genocide' symphony in Turkey consulate

Germany's foreign ministry Tuesday scrapped a planned symphony performance on the Armenian "genocide" in its Istanbul consulate, sparking accusations that it was caving in to Turkish pressure.

Berlin and Ankara have rowed intensely this year over the sensitive historical question, badly bruising relations between the NATO partners at a time the EU is relying on Turkey's help to contain massive refugee flows.

The Dresden Symphony Orchestra had sent out invitations for its performance of "Aghet", about the Ottoman Empire's World War I-era massacre of Armenians, saying it aimed to "heal the wounds of the Turkish and Armenian past".

Armenians have long labelled the 1915-17 killings that left some 1.5 million of their people dead as genocide, while Turkey argues it was a collective tragedy in which equal numbers of Turks and Armenians died.

The Dresden Symphony Orchestra had sent invitations to the November 13 show to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Minister of Culture Nabi Avci, German media reported.

But a German foreign ministry source said in a short statement Tuesday that "the facilities in the consulate are not available on November 13".

"The invitations to the event were issued without the foreign ministry's involvement."

German opposition politicians quickly mocked Chancellor Angela Merkel's government and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier for apparently giving in to Erdogan's government.

"Another kowtow by Merkel + Steinmeier before Erdogan," tweeted Sarah Wagenknecht, co-leader of the opposition far-left Linke party.

"Embarrassing! Is government policy being directed from Ankara?"

Relations long strained over disputes on civil rights questions in Turkey took a dive after the German parliament in a June resolution declared the Armenia massacre a genocide.

Turkey for months blocked German parliamentarians from visiting German troops at a NATO base in southern Turkey, until Merkel's government publicly clarified that the vote was non-binding.

Germany is home to a three-million-strong ethnic Turkish population, the legacy of a massive "guest worker" programme in the 1960s and 1970s.

As Europe's top destination for refugees last year, Germany has relied on an EU-Turkey agreement designed to stop the massive influx of people fleeing war and poverty.

Another major row was sparked by German TV comic Jan Boehmermann who in a so-called "Defamatory Poem" satirically accused the Turkish president of bestiality and paedophilia, sparking a criminal complaint by Erdogan.

Source: Germany scraps 'Armenia genocide' symphony in Turkey consulate

Emre Arolat expands Turkey's Yalikavak Palmarina for megayacht owners

A+Awards: the next in our series of winners from this year's Architizer A+Awards is Emre Arolat Architecture's restoration and expansion of facilities for wealthy visitors at a Turkish marina.

Yalikavak Palmarina is located on Turkey's south coast, which has seen a boom in tourism over the past few years.

"Yalikavak is one of the lagoons on the southwestern coast of Turkey, which is becoming a po pular destination for blue voyages along the Turkish Riviera," said Istanbul-based Emre Arolat Architecture (EAA).

"Unlike its provincial centre Bodrum, which faced a building boom in 1980s with the increase of touristic activities, Yalikavak is still a relatively calm, smaller-scale settlement with its natural landscape."

To accommodate the increase in upper-middle-class visitors, EAA added several features to th e marina complex that would help boost the area's economy.

The first phase – on the section of the marina that juts out into the sea – included retail, restaurants, a beach-pool club, and sanitary and mechanical units for docked megayachts.

"The main motivation for the design of the 'island' was to search for the possibility to reconcile the needs of 'outcomers' with the genius loci of Yalikavak as a Mediterranean settlement," EAA said.

Travertine stone was used as cladding for the entire complex, to give it an aesthetic cohesion like the ancient cities of Kos, Rhodes and Siena.

Phases two and three involved the creation of more shops along the shore, where wide overhangs create a continuous shaded path between the units.

The complex also includes a boutique hotel, customs office building, a spa and fitness, an office building, storages and a shipyard for winter maintenance.

Work completed in 2014 on the project, which was awarded in the Marinas & Ports catego ry at this year's A+Awards.

Organised by Architizer, the awards promote and celebrate the year's best projects and products. Their stated mission is to nurture the appreciation of meaningful architecture in the world and champion its potential for a positive impact on everyday life.

Find out more about the A+Awards »

Entries are now being accepted for the next A+Awards, with a discount available for submissions before 4 November 2016.

Enter the 2017 A+Awards »

Source: Emre Arolat expands Turkey's Yalikavak Palmarina for megayacht owners

Why are less tourists going to Turkey?

Why did this popular destination become less attractive to many tourists? This report looks at the reasons that lead to the reduction in the number of tourists going to Turkey. What are those whose business is attached to tourism saying? Listen to our report in Kurdish.

Published on

Sunday, October 23, 2016 - 15:16
Source: Why are less tourists going to Turkey?

AK Party chief addresses Pakistani party conference

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan

A leading figure from Turkey's governing Justice and Development (AK) Party on Saturday thanked the people and the government of Pakistan for their support in the wake of the July 15 coup attempt.

"I feel proud of Pakistan-Turkey relations, which are getting stronger with every passing day in each and every sector," Deputy Chairman Mehdi Eker said in a telephone address to members of the Jamaat-e-Islami party gathered in the northern city of Peshawar.

"Both countries have supported each other in testing times. I thank the people of Pakistan for supporting democracy and opposing the foiled coup attempt on July 15."

Turkey and Pakistan have both faced military interventions in domestic politics over the last 70 years, often resulting in bloodshed.

Eker, who holds responsibility for foreign affairs, reiterated Turkey's support for self-determination for the people of Indian-held Kashmir.

"God willing the people of Kashmir will soon achieve their destination," he said in a statement issued by Jamaat-e-Islami.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Siraj-ul-Haq said his party was struggling for peace, justice and democracy.

"If the people of Pakistan trust in us, we assure them that they will witness the real fruits of democracy in the form of peace, justice and development," he said.

Source: AK Party chief addresses Pakistani party conference

Time to talk turkey about holiday travel plans: 3 tips for booking a deal

Now's the time to start your sky-bound sleuthing.

× Time to talk turkey about holiday travel plans: 3 tips for booking a deal

Now's the time to start your sky-bound sleuthing.

New Orleans (WGNO) – It's that time of year: if you're planning to fly during the holidays, now's the time to start looking for deals.

Here are three tips from our Travel Girl, Stephanie Oswald, who also happens to be the editor-in-chief of Travelgirl Magazine.

Rule No. 1: It's an oldie but a goodie: "He who hesitates is lost." Or we could say, "You snooze, you lose."

When you see a deal, jump on it. Don't wait for something better to come along. Know your budget, and do your homework to figure out what a "deal" really is for the destination you're headed to — then snag the ticket when the price is right.

Sometimes, waiting just a day can cost you a pretty penny.  Sites such as Airfarewatchdog, Kayak, and Expedia are great places to start your sky-bound sleuthing — but if you have a frequent flyer relationship with a particular airline, head to the airline's homepage to make your final purchase when you see a price that matches your research, and your budget.

Common sense in the world of travel dictates that from here on out, barring the spontaneous "flash sale," the prices will be rising, not falling.

Rule No. 2: I call it the "Rubber band rule," as in, be flexible like a rubber band. Stretch your mind to consider alternate airports, not just the one that's closest or that you've flown into for the past 10 years.

For example, there are three major NYC area airports (JFK, LaGuardia and Newark)… but while you're at it, research the prices for White Plains (HPN), Newburgh (SWF) or even Albany (ALB) depending on where exactly you're headed.

Flexible timing is key too. Can you adjust your work schedule or take the kids out of school a day early in order to avoid the crunch of holiday travel?  (Not a popular plan from a teacher's standpoint, but it could save you hundreds of dollars.)

Consider flying on the actual holiday and suggest your family celebrate the next day. From my experience, even flying on Christmas Day can be a lot of fun!

Rule No. 3: Call it splits to book your flights. Yes, you need tickets for all five members of your family, but do you really need to sit together during the flight? Whatever the answer, booking your tickets one at a time could save you money.

Airlines sell a certain number of seats in each price range, so booking one at a time means you're sure to get the lowest price available at the time for any one seat. If you search for your entire group at once, you may be losing the opportunity to get at least some of your seats at a lower price.

This takes longer, and it may mean that you will need to seat-juggle at the airport, or actually sit separately — but if it means more money for souvenirs and holiday spending, isn't it worth it?

P.S. Some good news for travelers:  a proposal released Tuesday by the U.S. Transportation Department would require airlines to refund fees when checked bags are "substantially delayed." This is part of bigger consumer protection plan initiated by the Obama administration. The exact timing that would constitute a delay worth of a refund has yet to be announced.

Follow our Travel Girl on Twitter @TravelgirlSteph and on Instagram @stephanieoswaldwgno.

Source: Time to talk turkey about holiday travel plans: 3 tips for booking a deal

Atlantic Station Encouraging 46 Retailers to Close on Thanksgiving

From Atlantic Station:

ATLANTA, GA – In a memo this week, the general manager of Atlantic Station, the sustainably designed, 138-acre mixed-use destination in Midtown Atlanta, strongly encouraged 46 retailers to close on Thanksgiving and prioritize time spent with friends and family. Currently, 41 of Atlantic Station's retailers (or 89 percent) plan to close on Turkey Day.

"Closing on Thanksgiving will not only boost employee morale, but also allow our retailers to refocus efforts on Black Friday, a more lucrative shopping day for our retail mix," said Barbara Garrett, general manager at Atlantic Station. "Our guests prefer to spend time with family on Thanksgiving, and we'd like to extend that option to our retailers' employees."

Fab'rik, an Atlanta-based women's fashion boutique with a location at Atlantic Station, is closing its stores this Thanksgiving to encourage employees to enjoy the holiday with family.

"As a business owner, I believe that we are not only teaching profit loss & sales principles to the people we are leading but teaching about life," said Dana Spinola, CEO and founder of Fab'rik. "I tell my team how important work life balance is and that people come before process so its important to me that I show this in action as well. Closing for Thanksgiving reminds my team what is most important and to preserve time with family and friends, be thankful for all we have and to take the time to slow down, sleep in and recharge. I know so many of my employees would work Thanksgiving to show their loyalty to our company, but closing encourages them to pick family first."

The list of Atlantic Station retailers closing on Thanksgiving includes: 2 Chez, American Apparel, Ann Taylor, Athleta, Athlete's Foot, Atlantic Grill, AT&T, Banana Republic, Bath & Body Works, Boneheads, California Pizza Kitchen, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro, Dermalogica, Dillard's, DSW, Eye Gallery, Fab'rik, Francesca's, GAP, Great American Cookie, H&M, Icing, Jos. A. Banks, Journey's, Kate's, Kinnucan's, Land of a Thousand Hills, Loft, Lush Nail Bar, Meehan's Public House, Moe's, Pandora, The Pig and The Pearl, Publix, Subway, Tin Drum Asia Cafe, Tony's Barber Shop, West Elm, Yard House, Yogli Mogli and Z Gallerie. Some retailers will offer special holiday hours, including Old Navy, BGR, It's Sugar, Lobby Bar and Bistro and Regal Cinemas 18. Skate Atlantic Station, the destination's seasonal ice skating rink, will also open for special holiday hours.

"Feedback from retailers has been positive," said Garrett. "We are thrilled to see so many close for Thanksgiving, and we hope their employees will enjoy the day with family and friends."

For more information about store openings and Black Friday hours, visit Atlantic Station at atlanticstation.com.

Image via Atlantic Station.

Get free real-time news alerts from the Midtown Patch.

Source: Atlantic Station Encouraging 46 Retailers to Close on Thanksgiving

Greece Prepares for Drop in Cruise Tourism

PHOTO: Places like Rhodes are off the map for cruise ships next year. (Photo courtesy Thinkstock) 

According to a report in the Greek Reporter, Greece is looking at the possibility of losing 30 percent of its cruise tourism in 2017. 

"Based on cruise ship itineraries for 2017, the Eastern Mediterranean destinations will be reduced to Piraeus, the Saronic Gulf, the Cyclades islands, Crete and south Dodecanese islands. Many cultural and historical destinations are off the itineraries for 2017," writes Philip Chrysopoulos. 

This year, Greece saw a double-digit increase in cruise tourism, but that is not sustainable. 

SETE representative Andreas Stylianopoulos noted that "this year's double-digit increase in the number of cruise passengers is purely coincidental, and is due to the problems encountered by Turkey after the coup attempt and resulted in a transfer of services to Greece." 

And, while Turkey remains off the list of cruise destinations a the moment, Greece is not a stand in. 

"Many Turkish destinations are cancelled, and since many of the Greek destinations were transfer points to Turkey, the Greek destinations are cancelled as well," writes Chrysopoulos.

READ MORE: Greece Will Be a Top Destination for Adventure in 2017  

Businesses will have to prepare for the downturn. 

"This will affect hotels, shops, catering services transport and trade in Greek ports and lead to significant public revenue losses," Chrysopoulos points out. 

For more information on Greek travel, read on here. 

Source: Greece Prepares for Drop in Cruise Tourism

Turkey Parts and Stuffing Recipe

I am having a Friendsgiving this year and there will be four of us. It is also a destination Thanksgiving, so I want to keep things simple. I'm trying to find a recipe for turkey parts cooked over stuffing so that the stuffing still gets the turkey juice, but the pieces are still in tact (not shredded as in most day after 'casseroles'). I searched the web and couldn't find what I was looking for (reputable with good reviews). Does it exist? Any ideas for combining two recipes? I don't know how one would affect the other.

Source: Turkey Parts and Stuffing Recipe

This gorgeous Turkish town is a perfect autumn destination

Turkey is one of the few affordable, visa-hassle free destinations in the region. And if you're looking to spend some time in the Anatolian peninsula this time of year, you'd do well to put Safranbolu on your itinerary.

The is located in the Black Sea region of Turkey, approximately 100 kilometers south of the Black Sea coast.

1. The bricks in perfect harmony with the color changing leaves in autumn

Photo source: Instagram/cengizhantasci

2. "Safranbolu" derives from 'saffron' and the Greek word 'polis' (city). It was a trading center for the spice.

Photo source: Instagram/ismailsevimler

3. The Old Town Çarşı has many old buildings, with 1008 registered historical artifacts

Photo source: Instagram

4. You have to visit the famed bathhouse Cinci Hamam in the town

Photo source: Instagram/nihangursoy

Turkish bathhouses were an essential part of community during the Ottoman era before running water in homes became accessible.

5. Take a walk in the breezy fields

Photo source: Instagram/hakanphoto

6. The town was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list in 1994 due to its well-preserved Ottoman era houses and architecture

Photo source: Instagram/ynizam_

Safranbolu consists of three distinct historic districts including the market place area Çukur, the area of Kıranköy, and Bağlar (the Vineyards).

Source: This gorgeous Turkish town is a perfect autumn destination

Russia & Turkey carve anti-US enclaves in Syria

US President Barack Obama told Pentagon and military chiefs he met Friday, Oct. on Oct. 14, that instead of arming anti-Assad rebel groups in Syria, Washington was going back to negotiations with Moscow for cooperation in achieving a cessation of hostilities in the Syrian war.

US Secretary of State John Kerry therefore scheduled his umpteenth meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for Saturday in Lausanne. This time, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia and possibly Qatar, tagged along.

Beyond the high words, recriminations and the unspeakable horrors attending the battle for Aleppo, Obama never seriously considered providing the anti-Syrian rebels holed up in Aleppo with the anti-air weapons they need to shoot down the Russian and Syrian warplanes blitzing them – any more than UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's statement that it was time for British military involvement in the Syrian war was for realAbove all, Britain is short of the military heft for backing up hypothetical intentions.The options for serious Western intervention in the Syrian war are constantly diminishing for the reasons outlined here by debkafile's military sources:

1.  American missiles have no way of reaching Syrian rebel groups, certainly not those still fighting in eastern Aleppo. Neither Russia, nor Turkey, whose army now controls 5,000 sq. km of northern Syria, would let them through to that destination.

2. Had Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan chosen to do so, he could have simply ordered his army to open up a route for the supply of missiles to the rebels who are hemmed in in Aleppo by Russia, Syrian, Iranian and Hizballah forces. He is withholding that order because the military deals he concluded with President Vladimir Putin last week in Istanbul override any concerns he may have for the fate of those rebels or Aleppo's population.

3. Those deals in a word sanctify the Turkish "security zone" in northern Syria which is covered by a no-fly zone for all but Russian and Turkish flights. They also provide for the Syrian rebels retreating from the various Syrian war zones, including Aleppo, to be taken in and absorbed in the Turkish enclave. Erdogan would thus become the senior patron of the Syrian opposition rebel movement, barring only the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front and other Islamic extremist groups. This would enable him to steal from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar their sponsorship roles and their influence in the anti-Assad movement.4. Ankara's military alliance with Moscow is steadily eroding Turkey's ties with the United States as well as NATO. Matters have gone so far that the two capitals or in advanced discussion of the supply of Russian air defense missiles to the Turkish army.

debkafile's intelligence sources reveal that under discussion is the installation in Turkey of a system of advanced Russian missiles linked to the Russian anti-air missile shield under construction in Syria.

Turkey would thus become the first member of NATO to arm itself with a Russian anti-air missile shield.

How was this allowed to happen?

According to our sources, Putin and Erdogan are moving fast to cash in on President Obama's repugnance for military intervention in Syria and his waning powers at the tail end of his presidency.

Furthermore –

a) Neither is configuring Syrian President Bashar Assad into their calculations. They are going forward with their plans while ignoring him and his drastically diminished army as factors worth consideration.

b)  Their objectives are similar and interlocking:  Both are intent on developing their respective enclaves in northern Syria, Moscow for a long-term military presence in the country: likewise, Ankara.Up until now, the Obama administration stood firm against the two goals, which is why Washington and Moscow were unable to achieve any real cooperation over a secession of hostilities in the war-torn country;  even when Kerry and Lavrov struck a truce accord on Sept 9, it never held up beyond a few hours.

Most recently, Putin and Erdogan tried signaling the US president that their sole ambitions with regard to Syria's future lie in the two military enclaves now under construction.

Obama saw this as a sufficient basis to continue withholding advanced arms from Syrian rebel groups and to go for another round of diplomacy with Russia – with Turkey hitching a ride this time on the opposite side of the table..

Source: Russia & Turkey carve anti-US enclaves in Syria

Airbnb reveals its top 25 cheapest European destinations

AIRBNB has released a ranking of the 25 cheapest European destinations, with Georgia, Serbia and Turkey rated as the most affordable countries by accommodation price per night.

The list, compiled by the homestay network, looked at the average cost-per-night within the last year in European cities with at least 200 units, with typical nightly prices in Tbilisi, Georgia a bargain at US$30, while rates in Belgrade, Serbia and Istanbul, Turkey billed just slightly higher, with both at US$33.

Poland in particular emerged as a great-value country to travel to, home to three of the cheapest cities in Europe -- with Warsaw, Krakow and Wroclaw all present in the top 25.

Thessaloníki in Greece, Sofia in Bulgaria and the Romanian hub of Bucharest came in at 3rd, each with a typical nightly price of US$34, with Saint Petersburg in Russia and Kiev, Ukraine (both US$35 per night on average) next, followed by Zagreb, Croatia and Warsaw in Poland, all priced at US$39 per night on aver age.

Source: Airbnb reveals its top 25 cheapest European destinations

Missile attacks in Turkey could mean big problems for Turkish Airlines Open

European Tour CEO Keith Pelley (Getty Images)

WATFORD, England – Rocket attacks in the Turkish city of Antalya have raised serious questions about the European Tour's $7 million Turkish Airlines Open, which is set to take place in the resort city from Nov. 3-6.

Turkish news agency Dogan said two missiles were fired from a mountainous area at the highway between the city of Antalya and the resort town of Kemer at around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, hitting a fishing company's shop.

No casualties were reported.

Authorities in Antalya released a statement saying: "This morning at 10:20 a.m., an explosion occurred in the town of Antalya, Turkey at Calticak Fishing Shelter. The cause of the explosion is being investigated."

The Turkish Airlines Open is scheduled for the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, after three years at the nearby Montgomerie Maxx Royal. The tournament is the first leg of the European Tour's Final Series, and will feature Europe's elite players. Tiger Woods had been scheduled to play until he pulled out of the Turkey event, as well as the PGA Tour's Safeway Open.

France's Victor Dubuisson is set to defend the title he won last year, his second victory following a triumph in 2013. U.S. Ryder Cup player Brooks Koepka won in 2014. The event began in 2012 as an eight-man exhibition including Woods and Rory McIlroy, and has been a full European Tour event since 2013.

A spokesperson for the European Tour said: "As a matter of priority, we are currently investigating today's incident in the Antalya region with our security consultants and local authorities. We will update further as soon as possible."

Antalya lies on Turkey's southern Mediterranean coastline approximately 420 miles from Turkish capital Istanbul. It has been a popular destination for foreign golfers since the first golf course, the David Jones/David Feherty designed National Golf Club, opened in 1994. There are now 14 golf courses in the area.

Antalya lies about 300 miles from the Turkish/Syria border and has largely remained free of hostilities in nearby Syria.

Source: Missile attacks in Turkey could mean big problems for Turkish Airlines Open

Cyprus new "favourite destination" for Syrian migrants

Cyprus is now becoming a favourite destination for Syrian migrants in pursuit of a better life in Europe, reported Turkey's Daily Sabah on Wednesday.

The Turkish Coast Guard intercepted 114 illegal Syrian migrants off the coast of Mersin, Turkey's closest region to Cyprus, late on Monday. Their final destination was Cyprus, according to Daily Sabah.

The migrants caught were departing from Erdemli, and included 60 children all huddled in a small boat, meant for a maximum of 20 persons, when they were intercepted some five miles from the coast.

Authorities said the fishing boat was under surveillance for months due to an intelligence report that it might be used for human smuggling.

The migrants were brought to a police station after a medical examination at a hospital before they were sent to an accommodation centre used by the local immigration agency.

Authorities detained the unidentified owner of the boat following the incident.

Cyprus, an EU member, "makes it favourable among Syrian migrants, especially those travelling from the Mediterranean shores of Turkey from southern cities close to its border with Syria," reported Daily Sabah.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and illegally occupied its northern third. Peace talks have been underway since May 2015, aiming to reunify the island under a federal roof.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Source: Cyprus new "favourite destination" for Syrian migrants

TURKEY remains Brits' top winter holiday destination despite ’SEVERE’ terror threat

GETTY IMAGES

Turkey remains popular holiday destination for Brits despite severe terror threat

This weekend's suicide bombings near the Turkish capital Ankara would put many Brits off travelling to the Eastern European country.

Express.co.uk reported two militants were believed to have been preparing to carry out a car bomb attack.

Despite this, Turkey remains third on the list of most popular places to visit this winter according to research by an online travel agency.

The country is not only known for it's stunning beaches but there's plenty of things to see and learn about it's history. 

Related articles

GETTY IMAGES

Turkey is known for it's beautiful architechture

Istanbul is a popular spot for British travellers, which is home to some beautiful architecture. They include the Sultanahmet District, Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern.

The research was carried out by sunshine.co.uk as part of an ongoing investigation into the popular holiday destinations during the different seasons.

More than 2,700 Britons took part in the survey, which revealed holiday bookings that customers made for between October 1 2016 and February 28 2017.

The Canary Islands and Spain also topped the list. 

Sun, March 13, 2016

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GETTY IMAGES

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul - a popular tourist attraction

Aside from adding in a little extra sun during the cold winter months, respondents also revealed that weather was not the only reason they booked winter breaks.

Around 51 per cent said it was because holidays were cheaper in the autumn/ winter months compared to the spring/summer months.

The research shows that Brits prioritise saving money over escaping the weather.

Only 29 per cent stated that "getting some autumn/winter sun was their main deciding factor.

GEETTY IMAGES

The Canary Islands topped the list as most popular destination to visit during the winter months

And a further 13 per cent the time they chose to go on holiday and to do with the time they were able to get off from work.

When asked whether the participants preferred autumn/ winter or spring/ summer breaks - 67 per cent said they prefer sun holidays during the colder seasons in the UK.

Around 55 per cent admitted that they had argued with their co-travellers over the destination of their late 2016 holiday.

Other destinations on the list includes Portugal, Egypt, Malta, Greece, USA and Morocco.

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Source: TURKEY remains Brits' top winter holiday destination despite 'SEVERE' terror threat

Discerning Collection backs Turkey with expanded programme

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Source: Discerning Collection backs Turkey with expanded programme

Turkey can no longer conceal its deep cracks

These days, I often find myself thinking about similar cracks -- political fault lines and social fissures to be more specific -- appearing more and more across my motherland, Turkey. And there are many, way too many.

Turkey's connection with its own past is beset by sharp ruptures. Ours is a society of collective amnesia. Everything is written in water over here, except the works of great architects, which are written in stone; and the words of great poets, which are written in our hearts. Everything else is or can someday be forgotten with a dizzying speed. Throughout the Anatolian peninsula, the clocks run so fast that there is no time to stop and think, let alone to digest. No time to heal. No time to grieve. No time to analyze. In this country, the deepest cracks are covered speedily with the thickest cement. And yet, never before have those cracks been as visible and as divisive as they are today.

Turkey is a bitterly and sadly polarized country. We have been div ided into invisible cultural and political ghettos of citizens who do not break bread together anymore, let alone appreciate their shared values. Anger is the new national currency. There is too much anger on all sides. And distrust, that too. Nobody trusts the other. Against this fragmented and fractured background, anyone who speaks critically is immediately labeled as a betrayer.

On July 15, Turkey experienced a horrific and bloody coup attempt. When this dark night was over, more than 200 people were dead, hundreds injured and millions of citizens shocked, scared and traumatized. The failed coup opened up wounds in the civil society that will in all likelihood take decades to heal. And it smothered what little democracy was left, giving the authorities a legitimate opportunity to consolidate their power. There is no doubt in my mind that whoever was behind the military takeover attempt must be fully investigated. What they have done was totally wrong. There are strong accusations about the presence of a Gulenist cabal within the army, and these allegations must indeed be taken seriously. It is remarkable that the country's liberals have in unison stood up against the putschists. Turkey's liberals and democrats have defended a government they have clearly not been fond of against the illegitimate putsch. Nevertheless, ever since that awful night, Turkey entered a new phase of purge and paranoia: Thousands lost their jobs, had their passports confiscated, detained or arrested. The Head of the main opposition Republican People's Party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said close to one million people had been affected by the government crackdown. Among them are nurses, doctors, teachers, businesspeople and academics. Once a stigma is stuck on someone, it becomes very difficult to prove one's innocence. In a society throbbing with conspiracy theories and suspicion of the other, many people feel intimidated and insecure. The spirit of national unity that emerged after the coup, unfortunately, did not last long. The secularists feel increasingly confined. Nowhere is this more visible than in the loss of women's rights. When a young woman wearing shorts was kicked in the face by a man for not wearing "appropriate attire" on a public bus in Istanbul, many Turkish women felt the same anxiety and repulsion as though it was them who had been directly hit by the thug.

If the old divide of secularism versus religiosity is a persistent crack, "the Kurdish question" constitutes yet another one. It is becoming more and more difficult to write about this subject. Nuances are lost. People are expected to take sides for once and all. Between PKK's hawkish policies and violence and the Turkish ultra-nationalism, Kurdish and Turkish liberals are being sandwiched and intimidated by both sides.

Every writer, journalist or poet in Turkey knows that words are heavy. Because of words we can get into trouble any day. Because of a poem, a novel, an interview, a tweet or a cartoon, we can be called a "backstabber" in pro-government media, lynched in social media, demonized, ostracized, put on trial or even get arrested.

I have friends and colleagues who are in prison as I am writing this piece. Professor Mehmet Altan, a prominent intellectual who is being accused of giving subliminal secretly coded pro-coup messages to the public on TV. The wonderful writer Asli Erdogan or eminent linguist Necmiye Alpay and veteran journalist Nuriye Akman were also detained. Another award-winning writer Murat Ozyasar, who had become a father only three weeks ago, was arrested at his house while his wife, Sibel Oral, writer and journalist, was breastfeeding their baby girl.

After the terrible coup attempt, Turkey had a golden opportunity to unite around democratic, pluralistic values and cultivate coexistence, peace and harmony. That moment has been squandered. What we are left with today is a climate of intense paranoia and suspicion.

Meanwhile, underneath layers of cement, the cracks get deeper. And the only possible way forward is by urgently repairing and restoring our badly broken democracy.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author.

Source: Turkey can no longer conceal its deep cracks