Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
A budget carrier has unveiled two new non-stop routes from London Stansted to two lesser-explored urban centers. Turkey, a sought-after vacation spot, attracts visitors to popular destinations such as Istanbul, celebrated for its architectural splendor, and Antalya, renowned for its extensive coastal stretches.
The Routes
However, many more UK travelers will now have the opportunity to probe Turkey’s less-frequented locales, steering clear of the bustling throngs. Turkish Pegasus is introducing two non-stop flights to the ancient city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey as well as the city of Kayseri in central Turkey, commencing this summer.
Weekly services to Gaziantep will initiate on June 21, while Kayseri flights will kick off on June 25 and operate every Wednesday.
Gaziantep: A Culinary and Historical Haven
Lonely Planet characterizes Gaziantep as a “dynamic and gastronomic city” that is home to approximately “180 pastry shops known for producing the world’s finest pistachio baklava.”
Top Gaziantep Attractions
- The Gaziantep Zeugma Mosaic Museum, featuring a collection that includes 2,448 square meters of restored mosaics from the Roman and Late Antique era, alongside 140 square meters of frescoes, four Roman fountains, 20 columns, four limestone statues, a bronze Mars statue, tomb stelae, sarcophagi, and architectural fragments, as noted by the Gaziantep Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
- Bakırcılar Çarşısı, an expansive, labyrinthine bazaar. Tiny establishments within this market house a diverse array of artisans such as metalworkers, shoemakers, spice vendors, and carpenters.
- The ruins of Belkıs-Zeuagma, the site of an ancient Hellenistic Greek and later Roman city.
- Gaziantip Cable Castle, a monumental fortress that originated in the 6th century, towering over the historic settlement.
One-way airfares to Gaziantep will reportedly start at around £85, with a flight duration of approximately four hours and 40 minutes.
Kayseri: A Resurgent Cultural Hub
Kayseri, a sprawling city of roughly 1 million residents, is situated in Central Anatolia and serves as the capital of Kayseri Province. Historically recognized as Caesarea, this city thrived as the cultural capital of the Cappadocia region.
A travel agency specializing in Turkey tour vacations describes Kayseri as an urban area “somewhat off the typical tourist circuit” that is currently experiencing a “cultural revival.”
Cultural and Adventurous Pursuits
Cultural highlights include the Museum of Seljuk Civilization, and the grand architecture includes Kayseri Castle. Its massive black-basalt walls were originally erected under Roman emperor Gordian III before being reconstructed by Byzantine emperor Justinian three centuries later.
In addition, there are numerous archaeological sites nearby, including the Soganli Valley, and hot air balloon tours offer a captivating perspective of the breathtaking landscape.
Winter sport enthusiasts can also revel in the 55.1 kilometers of pistes at the Erciyes Ski Resort, a mere 5.6 kilometers from the airport.
Fares are anticipated to commence at £84, with journey times from Stansted to Kayseri approximately four hours and 25 minutes.
Safety Precautions and Travel Advisories
The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to specific areas of Turkey, including:
- The Turkey-Syria border
- Hakkari province in the southeastern part of the country
- Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey
The office also cautions that terrorists are “very likely to attempt attacks in Turkey.” The majority of these incidents occur in southeastern Turkey, Ankara, and Istanbul. Additional risk factors involve the possibility of regional escalation amidst ongoing regional hostilities and conflicts between Israel and Lebanon.
dfrac the latest travel advice!