Tourism

8 Christmas Market Routes That Can Be Visited With or Without a Visa from Obilet

The most magical time of the year is approaching. Christmas markets that will bring the New Year spirit to life with new wishes and hopes in the most delightful cities of Europe have begun to be set up. Obilet has prepared 8 route suggestions for the most delightful Christmas markets in Europe, which can be visited both with and without a visa.

It was published

6 months ago

28 Nov 2024

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

The eagerly awaited New Year spirit has begun to be felt with the opening of Christmas markets in different parts of the world. The New Year is finally here, where you can experience a city in its truest form, from giant Christmas trees to sparkling city decorations, from traditional gifts to local flavors. The delightful Christmas markets that start in mid-November and continue until the end of December in Eastern and Central Europe allow you to discover cities you have never seen before in their lively form, and present cities you know with a different beauty. Christmas markets, where traditional entertainment and city culture are experienced in addition to shopping, are also important in terms of reflecting the culture and entertainment understanding of countries.

Turkey's popular online travel application Obilet has compiled the Christmas markets that start in mid-November and continue until January for travelers. Don't make your decision without checking out the most enjoyable activities, from the oldest Christmas markets in Europe to the cities in Eastern Europe that can be visited without a visa. Join the New Year's fun in Europe by purchasing your flight ticket to destinations with or without a visa through the Obilet application at advantageous prices!

Europe's Most Iconic Christmas Markets in Vienna

In Vienna, where the oldest Christmas markets in Europe are held, the entire city takes on the Christmas spirit and turns into a giant marketplace from mid-November onwards. From Schönbrunn to Stephans Square, from Karls Square to Belvedere, from Maria-Theresien Square to Hirschstetten, the entire city is filled with markets. Most of the Christmas Markets open as of November 15th and welcome their guests until December 25th. In recent years, some markets have been extended until January 6th to accommodate the tourists coming to the city. Wintermarkt on Riesenradplatz and Schönbrunn are among these. Rathausplat and Stephansplatz can be visited until December 26th, while Belvedere and Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz can be visited until December 31st. Don’t leave Vienna without visiting a Mozart or Strauss concert and taking in the real Viennese atmosphere!

Never-ending Fun in Berlin

Berlin, the capital of Germany, takes on a festive atmosphere with its Christmas markets starting in November. Officially opening on November 27 and continuing until December 31, the Christmas markets are now opening from the beginning of November in order to serve both tourists and locals longer. Potsdamer Platz, which hosts one of the largest markets in the city, opened on November 1. You can enjoy your hot drink, potatoes and sweet waffles on the square, which guarantees enjoyable moments for its guests with its giant 12-meter-high toboggan run every year.

This year, Berlin-based light artist Christopher Bauder's light show with more than 100.000 lights offers a different experience among the fir trees. Christmas food and hot drinks at Uber Platz, fire shows, light and art installations at the historic Christmas market on Revaler Strasse, ice skating and tobogganing in Grünau and countless other attractions await you in Berlin.

Capital of Christmas: Strasbourg

One of the most delightful cities in France, Strasbourg, shines brightly with the Strasbourg Christmas Market held every year between November 25 and December 24. These events, which are one of the oldest Christmas markets in both France and Europe, offer not only shopping and a feast of lights, but also the city’s rich cultural past and food culture. Also known as the “Capital of Christmas” and established since 1570, the city’s largest Christmas market, Christkindelsmärik, promises a true Christmas market experience with its giant Christmas tree, mulled wine, Flammekueche, as it is locally known, and Alsatian sweets.

For Those Who Want to Feel the Christmas Spirit to the Fullest

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, hosts one of the most enchanting Christmas markets in Europe every year. The city's biggest event, which will be open from November 26 to January 6 this year, welcomes visitors with gifts and flavors made with traditional arts. Prague, one of the European cities where winter is most beautiful, makes its visitors experience the Christmas spirit to the fullest with its fairytale atmosphere. Prepare yourself for the freezing cold of Prague, especially in the evenings, and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.

Christmas Markets You Can Visit Without a Visa

Star of Eastern Europe: Belgrade

Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, offers a warm atmosphere to both city residents and visitors with its Christmas Market held between November 20 and January 6. Belgrade, which can be visited without a visa and has therefore seen high demand from Turkey in recent years, offers a perfect opportunity to discover the magic of Eastern Europe. The most important feature of the Christmas market held in the Novi Sad district of the city is that it is the oldest Christmas market in the country. You can have a pleasant time with local foods and souvenirs in the market, where a choir singing Christmas songs under a giant Christmas tree accompanies you in the background. Don't forget to dress warmly if you decide to go to one of the coldest cities in Eastern Europe.

A sparkling Podgorica

Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, is one of the places that has received many visitors from our country recently with its visa-free transportation, unique nature and culture. This delightful city takes on a completely different atmosphere with the approach of the new year. The market, which will be open from December 1 to January 6 this year, is enough to warm you up with its warm atmosphere despite the cold weather in December. With the advantageous flight tickets you will buy from Obilet, you can experience the joy of Montenegro, which does not yet require a visa, in the brightest form of the city.

Another State of Eastern Europe: Skopje

If you haven’t had the chance to see Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, before, the Christmas markets offer a great opportunity to see it at its most colorful. You can explore this beautiful city while doing your New Year’s shopping at the city’s largest Christmas market, which is set up every December and is open until December 31st. You can discover Macedonia’s traditional handicrafts and cuisine at the Skopje Christmas Market, which is at the forefront of visa-free Christmas markets. You can witness Skopje at its most beautiful on the bridges over the Vardar River, which runs through the city center, visit the Archaeological Museum, visit the city’s most bohemian venues in the Debar Maalo district, and relax in Karposh, a relatively quieter area. If you want to visit the Turkish Bazaar, which is located right in the city center, you can see Turkish and Balkan restaurants serving traditional food, as well as Ottoman inns, baths, and caravanserais.

Longest Christmas celebration in Tbilisi

Compared to other Eastern European cities, Christmas starts late and is celebrated for a long time in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, where the fun begins at the beginning of December, combines with other religious holidays in the country and continues until the end of January. Tbilisi, which follows the Julian calendar and therefore officially celebrates Christmas on January 7, hosts one of the biggest celebrations in Eastern Europe on the night of December 31. The sparkling atmosphere of Tbilisi Freedom Square begins this year with the installation and lighting of the traditional Christmas tree on December 13 and continues until the end of January with the rich flavors of Georgian cuisine, handmade gifts and hot drinks.

Source: HORECA TREND and Obilet

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The Star of the Orange Blossom Festival: Orange Blossom Tea

As April, the season when orange blossoms smell so sweet, approaches, preparations have begun for the International Orange Blossom Carnival. The festival, which will be held for the 4th time this year between April 13-13 in Adana, will take tea lovers on a journey to the orange groves of Adana with Beta Tea, an Adana brand that has endeared Turkish tea to the whole world.

It was published

2 months ago

April 2 2025

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

The 13th International Orange Blossom Carnival, which will bring together visitors from all over Türkiye and the world in Adana, will take place between April 4-13, 2025 with the theme of “Children of the World”. As the countdown begins for the festival, which is organized every year with the slogan “In Adana in April”, Beta Tea, an Adana brand that has endeared Turkish tea to the whole world, will accompany the festival excitement with sweet surprises.

Special Flavors for Those Who Want to Enjoy the Festival

Beta Tea will give festival visitors a sweet break with its carefully prepared tea collections and orange flavors. The brand, which will host tea lovers with its special tea collections at Adana Beta Tea House, will crown the festival with its orange blossom tea that carries the fresh aroma of orange flowers grown in the fertile soil of Adana. Beta Tea, which will also double the pleasure of tea with its handmade orange chocolates specially produced by Benuta, will win the hearts of its guests with the orange cookies it will offer alongside the tea services.

Benefits of Orange Blossom Tea

The benefits of Orange Blossom Tea, an indispensable part of the Orange Blossom Festival, are endless. Enriched with citrus fruits such as orange, tangerine and lemon and in perfect harmony with the deep flavor of black tea, this unique tea offers health and flavor together. Bringing together the freshness of spring and the feeling of rebirth in every sip, Orange Blossom Tea is full of antioxidants rich in health and contains plenty of vitamin C. Orange Blossom Tea, a part of the Beta Tea Fusion series, leaves a balanced and rich taste on the palate with the perfect harmony of sweet and sour notes.

For an Energy-Filled Festival: Citrus Garden Tea

In addition to the star of the festival, Orange Blossom tea, another magnificent tea from the Beta Fusion series, Citrus Garden, will help you start an energetic day with lemon, orange, tangerine and bergamot aromas. Citrus Garden, which is a blend of citrus garden fruit and black tea, revitalizes your body and refreshes your mind with its natural fruit pieces and plant extracts. An unforgettable festival awaits flavor enthusiasts with this special blend of tea.

Source: HORECA TREND and Beta Tea

El Salvador Awaits Turkish Investors

El Salvador invites investors and business leaders in Türkiye to invest in the country. El Salvador Export and Investment Promotion Agency announced this important call to the Turkish business world through HORECA TREND. As HORECA TREND, we share with you the message of El Salvador's investment opportunities.

It was published

2 months ago

March 17, 2025

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

"Dear Investors and Business Leaders in Türkiye, El Salvador is rising as a leading investment destination in Latin America, offering unique opportunities in the food & beverage production, accommodation, tourism and travel sectors. With its dynamic economy, investment-friendly policies and strategic location that provides access to North and South American markets, now is the right time to explore the opportunities our country has to offer!

Why Invest in El Salvador?

Growing Food & Beverage Industry

This rapidly developing sector, whose exports will reach 2024 billion USD in 1,13, is supported by modern production facilities and expanding international trade agreements.
The tax and customs advantages under the Free Trade Zone Law and numerous Free Trade Agreements provide great convenience in exports.

Great Potential in Tourism & Accommodation Sector

El Salvador is recognized as one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the world and is distinguished by its impressive beaches, volcanoes, and historic colonial cities.
A multi-phase development plan Surf City The initiative aims to transform our coastline into a world-class tourism destination.
Government incentives, stability in security, customs and immigration regulations make investing in hotels, resorts and tourism infrastructure extremely attractive.

Investment Friendly Business Environment

Legal frameworks exist that provide financial incentives for foreign investors and ensure investment stability.
A young and talented workforce and competitive operational costs make El Salvador an ideal location to expand your business.

With strong economic growth and strategic government initiatives, El Salvador is ready to welcome Turkish investors looking to expand in Latin America! We invite you to visit our country, explore the opportunities and see that now is the time to invest in El Salvador.

We look forward to building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships with the Turkish business community.”

Source: HORECA TREND and El Salvador Export and Investment Promotion Agency

Turkish Flood to Dubai for Eid

With both the Ramadan holiday and the school break coinciding with the same time, Turkish investors have once again turned to Dubai. While Turks are lining up to buy homes in Dubai, Turkish real estate agents operating in Dubai expect interest to increase even more.

It was published

2 months ago

March 17, 2025

Author:

Elif Akin Yuksel

The coincidence of the Ramadan holiday and school holidays has caused Turkish investors to turn to Dubai again. Dubai, which has increased its appeal in terms of real estate investments in recent years, is attracting great interest from Turkish investors in particular. While the tax advantages, high rental income and luxury living opportunities in the city make Dubai stand out in terms of investment, there is great activity in housing purchases during this period.

Turkish real estate agents operating in Dubai state that demand for housing has increased in the region with the holiday. It is stated that interest in projects that provide residence permits has increased, and investors are heading to Dubai to evaluate both holiday and business opportunities. Regular flights by airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Emirates also make the city more accessible to Turkish investors.

Turkish Influx to Dubai

While this rise in the real estate sector is expected to continue in the coming period, the interest of Turkish investors in the housing market in Dubai is increasing day by day.

Dubai has become one of the favorite addresses of Turkish investors in recent years. The Turkish contracting sector has an important position worldwide and is the second country to undertake the most overseas projects after China. Turkish companies have taken part in more than 13.5 projects worth $150 billion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to date, and this figure is expected to increase in the coming years.

Özden Çimen, Founder and CEO of Parcel Estates He made comprehensive assessments on the opportunities offered by Dubai and the increasing interest of Turkish investors. Çimen said, “Dubai is not only an investment center for Turkish investors; it is a safe haven in search of economic stability and quality of life,” and explained the opportunities of this unique market and the solutions they offer to investors.

$3 Billion Purchase from Turks in Dubai

Çimen, who said that Turkish investors have made a total of $2024 billion worth of housing purchases from Dubai as of 3, said, “This corresponds to approximately 10 thousand housing purchases. This figure is expected to reach $2025 billion in 5. Dubai continues to be an attractive market, especially for Turkish investors, due to its high rental income and low tax rates. Buyers who act with a long-term investment perspective will continue to evaluate opportunities in Dubai.”

Turkish investments, which were 2022 million dollars in 608, exceeded 2024 billion dollars in 3, placing our country among the top 10 countries investing the most in the Dubai real estate market. Behind this rapid rise lies Dubai's tax-free real estate market, residence advantages such as golden visa, and visionary projects for the future.

“Dubai is a Safe Haven for Turkish Investors”

Çimen, who attributed this increase in interest from Turkish investors to both Dubai’s advantageous structure and the economic conditions in Türkiye, said: “Dubai’s lack of income tax, the ease of residence permit programs such as Golden Visa and its position among the world’s top three tourism destinations are constantly increasing the interest of Turkish investors. Dubai’s infrastructure investments in line with its 2040 Vision, the increase in employment rates and high housing demand also support the dynamics of the market.”

Özden Çimen stated that the legal difficulties and pricing problems in the real estate market in Türkiye also lead Turkish investors to seek a regulated market like Dubai: “The economic fluctuations in Türkiye, property owners’ inability to reach target prices and difficulties in rental processes are attracting our investors to Dubai, which is a more stable market.”

Mid-term Break Increases Interest of Turkish Investors

The fact that 100 thousand Turks visited Dubai during the mid-term holidays was also reflected in housing sales. Çimen stated that Parcel Estates confirmed the interest with the increased traffic and sales volume during this period: “Many Turkish investors who visited Dubai during the mid-term holidays returned by making investments. Dubai is a city that exceeds the expectations of those who come as tourists or investors. While visitors in cities such as Istanbul, London and New York spend an average of 12-13 billion dollars, this figure increases to 30 billion dollars in Dubai. This is a clear indicator of the investor and tourist profile that Dubai attracts.”

Özden Çimen, who said that more than 2024 thousand housing purchases and sales were made in Dubai as of 220, said, “The total market volume of these transactions is estimated to be at the level of 250 billion dollars. According to the evaluations made by sector experts, it is predicted that the growth trend of the Dubai real estate market will continue and this record will be carried even further in 2025.”

Source: HORECA TREND and Parcel Estates