Because of Turkey’s location on top of a major geothermal belt, it is among in the top seven countries in the world for quality and quantity of thermal springs with over 1000, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC to 110ºC. Most are in the Marmara and Aegean regions and because of their proximity to popular travel destinations such as Istanbul, Izmir, Pamukkale and Marmaris, public transport is easy. Many of Turkey’s historical places developed because of their springs, like the ancient city of Hierapolis which was built upon the rich mineral springs of Pamukkale, and the ancient Lydian city of Kaunos, whose people took baths in the rich mineral mud of Lake Koycegiz.

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Throwing a multicultural affair has its challenges. Some couples host two events, each reflective of a different culture. Others design a ceremony and reception that incorporate divergent traditions.

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From circling a fire to tossing chestnuts, weddings can bring together a variety of customs.  The number of foreign diplomats, World Bank employees, and second-generation immigrants means that multicultural nuptials are common. It’s actually rare for me to plan a wedding where the bride and groom are the same religion or have the same ethnic background,”

If you are planning a destination wedding followed by a honeymoon, with everything in place, you and your husband-to-be can enjoy some quiet time together and await what is sure to be a memorable celebration.

Many couples are passing on the idea of marrying in their hometowns to tie the knot in a more exotic location. Planning a wedding away from home can be a challenge, but if you take advantage of the many resources available to you, the process can be smooth, and the event spectacular.

Destination Weddings are also ideal for blended families or a second marriage. You control everything, but others take care of all the details. No running around to meetings with the photographer, videographer, florist, caterer etc.

If there was a single country in the world, Istanbul would be its capital.” said Napoleon Bonaparte.

Don't miss The Complete Guide to Weddings in Turkey, which will give you everything you need to have your dream wedding in Turkey. With prices, expert advice & all the essential information you will need, planning your wedding in Turkey has never been easier.

A comprehensive survey of American brides in 2008 indicted that 16 percent of all weddings were destination weddings, an incredible 400 percent increase since 1996 until 2008.

15 percent of our total user database of active consumers are planning destination weddings. Couples continue to set up personalised websites in record numbers, to share and exchange details of their respective weddings. Marrying overseas allows you to create a more unique wedding day  -filled with lasting memories of your celebration that can be treasured forever. You can begin your honeymoon right away, or spend time relaxing with your guests before and after your big day. This increasingly popular choice also almost guarantees you sunny weather.

"Turkey moves up in the luxury stakes"

Over the past few years we have seen travellers becoming more adventurous and travelling further afield and this will continue in 2009 as non-eurozone countries will offer very good value for money -often at very high standards.

PhoCusWright's research also proves that while Europe is playing catch up to the U.S. in online market penetration, some regions are more mature than others. The United Kingdom and Scandinavia are well ahead of the curve. Scandinavia represents only 5.5 percent of the total European travel industry, however, it accounts for a full 8 percent of European online bookings. In 2008, Scandinavians will have booked over 40 percent of their travel online. Tour operators are building their online brands successfully in certain mature European markets. Half of travel services in the United Kingdom and Scandinavia will be booked on leisure/unmanaged business travel sites by 2010.

The number of Brits travelling abroad to get married is continuing to increase due to cheaper costs of holding a wedding abroad.  Long haul destinations such as Sri Lanka and Kenya are becoming increasingly popular and new wedding hotspots include Costa Rica, Turkey, The Cook Islands and Bali.

Modern Bride Magazine, a top bridal source for women in America, selected Turkey as one of the top 10 overall favorite honeymoon destinations in the world.

"Destination wedding planners and bridal experts offer several explanations for the sudden rise in away-from-home weddings"

"By eliminating the obligatory guest list, a destination wedding avoids the expensive price tag of wining and dining 100 or more guests. We were thinking about whom to invite (to a hometown wedding) and it was getting to be quite elaborate. So we decided to do the wedding and honeymoon all in one."

"The sheer convenience of destination weddings also explains their growing popularity. Rather than spending their time negotiating with multiple vendors, couples can take a one-stop approach with a destination wedding coordinator. All the bride has to do is show up. It's so much simpler. And believe it or not, people save money having a destination wedding."

"People now have a real desire to be surrounded by family and friends. That's one of the reasons destination weddings have taken off so strongly. Friends and family travel a long way for weddings anyway, so couples say, 'Let's give everyone a vacation at the same time."

Turkey’s spectacular coastlines, magnificent landscapes and exotic cities make Turkey the perfect backdrop for your wedding abroad. Already popular with European tourists -Turkey offers good hotels and infrastructure for a fabulous holiday wedding. Turkey is becoming easier for the getaway couple with many companies offering tailor made Turkish holiday weddings. You can also prepare your wedding yourself! Whether it’s a fairy-tale wedding in the enchanting and exotic Istanbul, a honeymoon aboard a traditional sailing boat or a blissfully tranquil blessing in one of Turkey’s many secluded coves or castles, Turkey truely offers endless ideas for a truly unforgettable wedding experience. The best locations for a wedding in Turkey include Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean & the Mediterranean Coasts. Legally the Turkish government has made Civil Marriage relatively simple for foreigners to come to Turkey and get married.

Turkey is heir to many centuries of cultures and history as evidenced by the many ancient historical sites and ruins that remain scattered about the country. As one of the centers of the ancient world, Turkey today boasts a rich and varied culture that has a foot in both Europe and the Middle East. The Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, the cuisine is an epicure's dream, the coastline is breathtaking, and many Turkish cities are dotted with spectacular historical sites. Honeymoon couples looking for a cultural adventure will find Turkey to be a great choice as single honeymoon destination or as part of a larger Eastern European adventure.''

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