P_M

I hope someone out there can answer this question. I am considering a trip to Turkey from Dec 4-16 but I've just discovered this major holiday is from Dec 7-11. Will there be a lot of closures during this time? Should I re-schedule?

Thanks in advance.

P_M

Anyone?

Seamus

Dang, P_M, you started me thinking that maybe I should go also and we could have a GTG in Istanbul. Then I found this http://tinyurl.com/4fkdfy and changed my mind. Sounds like it may not be the easiest time to visit Turkey.

tower

P_M:


Just saw a flick last night in Turkish and German with some very good scenes aken in Turkey..."Edge of Heaven", a very intriguing story.

We were once in Turkey during a major springtime holiday and everything seemed to remain open...many front yard had sheepo hanging from a tree, slaughtered for the Holiday feast.

I wouldn;t have any particular worries about being in Turkey in December, regardless of the above newspaper article.

Stu T. (I've got pre-digital scanned pics of many areas of Turkey which I'd be happy to send you...need an email address to do so)

stu T. [email protected]

P_M

tower, I would love to see your pics, thank you. You've got mail.

Seamus, thanks for the article. It looks like closures will only be on the first day of the holiday and I can probably handle one day of closures and just a bit of chaos. I was afraid everything would be shut down for all 5 days in which case I would definitely reschedule.

I could re-schedule if I absolutely must, but this would be a very good time for me to take off work. The jury's still out, I'll give it more thought.

swisshiker

I can see it now, a Texas-sized GTG in Turkey with P_M and Seamus! How fun would that be!

P_M - are you all set for December? We're probably heading that way but not until spring 2009. Lots to research until then. Have pretty much decided NO to Egypt, but really like the idea of Turkey (and the Greek Islands).

P_M

Hi there swisshiker,

I'm not all set just yet. Yesterday I was just about to book when I learned about this holiday and it threw me a curve ball. I want to do a little more research before making a decision, and of course I started by asking the Fodorites.

tower

P_M:

Haven't seen your email...pix are ready to send, they cover a good part of Turkey based on a few of our visits..all pre-digital camera days, so, although they're sharp and clear, I had to scan them from the photos and I haven't figured out how to enlarge them for better viewing...but they'll give you a good idea of certain major sights (Cappadocia, Turquoise Coast, Antalua, Ephesus,Pamukkale, Istanbul, the Bosphorus ferry, etc. )

stu T.

P_M

That's strange, I sent the email before posting this. I'll send you a note from another email address.

tower

P_M

just sent you a bunch from all over Turkey...enjoy

stu t.

P_M

UPDATE: I have been speaking via email with our good Turkish poster Murat who has provided much valuable info. According to Murat the closures will only be for 1 day and most everything else will be operational, especially in the major tourist areas. Murat also said the Turkish people do a lot of traveling during this holiday. That's OK w/me, I look forward to meeting more Turkish travelers. And who knows, maybe by being in Turkey during this holiday I'll come back with some great stories about my adventure.

Seamus, if you're still thinking of a GTG of us turkeys in Turkey, gimme a shout.

Seamus

AAaarrgghhhh - you, my dear, are behaving like what Sister Mary Rapknuckles called a near occasion of sin.
December, huh? Let me get through next week's Paris trek and then decide... but keep tempting me.

P_M

Of course Turkey will be cold in December, but c'mon Seamus, we get enough fun in the sun here in TX. Just think, we might see snow in Cappadocia. Now that's something we never see here in the land of the endless summer. ;-)

While you're trekking around Paris next week I'll be trekking around Peru. So happy trekking to you and I'll see ya when we both are back in TX. &lt