In autumn and winter, when lovers of inexpensive beach holidays and comfortable family hotels leave Turkey , lovers of treatment begin to gather here - inexpensively and qualitatively. In recent years, this flow is rapidly increasing, so we decided to tell you how Turkey can help in a good cause of healing the body. First of all, these are thermal and mud springs. So where to go?
Yalova Resort, Istanbul
A very famous place: the locals are proud that it was the favorite vacation spot of the national leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (who is literally prayed for in Turkey). The springs themselves appeared here about 4000 years ago, after the earthquake, they managed to use the Greeks, who built baths and baths here. True, the buildings of the XIX century for a long time stood in desolation - they began to update and restore the resort just after the attention of Ataturk.
The springs here are very hot, almost 65 degrees, so for pools they are cooled to 40 degrees. The water is saturated with calcium, sodium and sulfur: a two-week course of treatment will help those suffering from diseases of the liver, kidneys, stomach and cardiovascular system. They offer a bunch of additional options: of course, it is worth trying the traditional hammam and massage.
There are many hotels and spa complexes built here, prices are very affordable (from 155 rubles per day of visit), and it is easy to get there from Istanbul itself: 100 km by car or 75 minutes by ferry. If you want a cultural program, go to the Ataturk Museum, his former residence, and admire the picturesque views of the nearest lake for a delicious dinner (something, and the Turks know how to cook!). In short, Karlovy Vary in its pure form, but five times cheaper.
Afyonkarahisar (Afyon)
The Turks themselves rightly consider Afyon the thermal capital of the country. The locals themselves like to be treated here (according to statistics, this is almost 700,000 people per year). It is not surprising, because Afyon in ancient times was chosen by the Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines and Macedonians!
The main sources are Gazlygel and Hyudai. Here the beauty is not so much in the water (almost 60 degrees, be careful), but in therapeutic mud, which rises to the surface from a depth of 500 m. Local mud is recommended for diseases of the female reproductive system, rheumatism and neuralgia, and Gazlygel is recommended for diseases of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract (especially kidneys). All mud wraps!
The city is conveniently located: it is easy to get to it from Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara. Let it not take longer than a couple of hours by car or bus. There are many options to stay, there are also enough budget ones - it is easy to find a hotel in 2000-3000 rubles per night per person.
Çeşme (Aegean coast)
Already more "glamorous" and star resort, which has a lot of Europeans, local businessmen and show business stars. In general, the Aegean Sea is considered quite cool, but the local thermal springs ("çesme" and translated from Turkish as "fountain") in the bays are warm and comfortable water.
The thermal waters of Cesme are saturated with many elements: calcium, magnesium, bromine, iron ... So the springs in combination with the cleanest beaches ("Blue Flag" for almost everyone), thalassotherapy (algae wrapping), therapeutic mud are incredibly popular with both locals and foreigners.
Not far away, closer to Izmir, there are also popular sources of Balčov. They have been known since ancient times: they are mentioned in conjunction with the warriors of Troy and King Agamemnon!
Lake Salda, Buldur Province
Relatively little known among tourists, so there is a chance to have a great rest without a crowd of sufferers! Often called the "Turkish Maldives": there is an incredibly beautiful turquoise water, because the lake is placed in the crater of an extinct volcano - the surrounding landscape was formed by hydromagnesite rock (looks like quartz white sand). The lake is deep (184 meters), one of the top 5 cleanest freshwater on the planet, but to swim normally, you will have to sail 35 meters - shallow water persists for a very long time. By the way, the water is cool, even on hot days not higher than 22 degrees. The more pleasant it is to drink! Yes, the water here is very clean, drinkable, even sweet in taste.
Local waters are saturated with magnesium: welcome to all those suffering from skin diseases, arthritis and gout. Mud baths are also arranged, so be treated to glory.
The only drawback associated with the plus of a small number of people is that the infrastructure here is still weak. The road is excellent (from Antalya by car or bus you will get for 2.5 with comfort and beautiful scenery), but you will probably have to stop at a campsite or grab your tent.
Sulu Ada Island, Kemer
Another "Turkish Maldives", but already much more popular and noisy, there are always a lot of tourists. This is a very beautiful piece of the Mediterranean Sea with the purest water of turquoise color. Minus - there is not soft sand, but quite tangible large pebbles, so grab the appropriate shoes.
Turkish bonuses for beauty and health
Not thermal springs alone! The country is actively developing its medicine, including cosmetic medicine: the authorities are investing in the industry, clinics are buying the latest equipment, local doctors and nurses go to study and train in Europe and the United States.
What are the most popular, competent and popular operations can be noted:
- Hair transplantation. Istanbul has long been considered the mecca of such procedures. Interesting: here they offer to transplant not only the hair on the head, but also the beard! Prices start from 1500 euros, and the terms of trips - from 3 days: you will improve your appearance, and you will walk around the city, and medicines that support you on the road will be collected.
- Plastic surgery and various "improvements": veneers, changing the shape of the nose and ears, liposuction, chest operations, all kinds of transformations in the hands of skillful surgeons. The main thing is to find a really skillful one: the greater the demand, the higher the percentage of scammers and conovals who work in semi-legal / illegal clinics.
