Kurban Bayrami in Turkey
 

We will be in Turkey this fall during Kurban Bayrami. The first day/night of the holiday we will be at Lake Bafa and then for the remaining days will be in Selcuk. We have lodging reservations and have a car. I am wondering how we will be affected by the holiday in terms of closings for the 4 days of Kurban Bayrami. I know banks will be closed.

The first day of the Bayram will be rather quiet and not fun because of sheep being slaughtered in villages around Bafa if you reserved at Kapikiri/Herakleia. Either sleep late that morning or arrange for an early hike up the mountains to the pre-historic drawings cave or to the monastery. If you're staying at Club Natura, that is a stand alone facility.

I do not remember, but will surmise that there will be most restaurants, especially along the highways and in touristic areas open on the first day also, as well as all tea houses and cafes.

Other days, it will be festive and everything should be open.

There will be more than usual traffic because of local tourists.

I hope you will also consider Dilek Lagoon and Doganbey village with its natural life museum for endemic fauna and flora, if you are visiting Priene.

Say hi to my old American friend from Atlanta who lives half the year in Bafa and has olive groves in case the locals mention him and he is around.

Thanks! We're staying at Selene's Pension. Tell me where to find your friend from Atlanta and be happy to say Hi!

Just ask for "The American" living in Bafa. if you have time.

Will do!

I was in Selcuk and Sirince during the first three days of the Bayram holiday in 2006 and didn't experience any inconvenience. On the contrary, I encountered lots of wonderful, happy Turkish people who were all enjoyng the holiday, eager to chat and share a meal or drink with me; I felt completely at home and very welcome during this festive time. Restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as small local businesses, were open and thriving.

I was in Istanbul during the last days of Ramadhan preceding the holiday and I really enjoyed that too. The festive eating and celebrating when the fast was broken at sundown each day is something I'll never forget.

Enjoy your time there. The food is wonderful. Turkey is one of my favourite countries and one I will definitely return to someday.

Thanks, Mathieu-I was hoping to hear just what you wrote.