Travel tips for Turkey?
 

I will be travelling in Turkey in May/June for 2+ weeks and I would love to hear from other visitors their favorite towns, hotels, beaches and experiences. Any helpful tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I traveled in Turkey and do not have any specific suggestion. But my comment for you is that no matter where you go you will find some of the friendliest people on earth. My memories are mostly about the people. But I would recommend Ephesus.

Men - definately go to a barber shop. Turkish men are vain, and you will be treated to a fabulous haircut, massage, shave, cupping & tea. an experience not to be missed.

And, negotiate the price of fish before ordering it. Could be extremely expensive.
Turkey is fabulous.

You even get a flame treatment with the haircut.

It is wise to drink only bottled water. If you eat fruit, you should peel it. I know this sounds over reacting, but my son and I got the worse case of travelers ... (I won't describe it, but I am sure you know). We were trying to be careful and were drinking bottled water. It could have been the fruit or ice. I am not sure. It was horrible.

Istanbul was great. I was there for three days and loved it, the Blue mosque and the Hagia Sofia, the Sultans place, the bizarre; all wonderful and inspiring. The people are friendly and accommodating. Women need to be a careful though as men leer and will make unnecessary comments and advances. Basically a woman should not make eye contact with a Turkish man, as (it least was our experience) the men took that as their right to advance.

Turkey is indeed beautiful. We visited Bodrum, Izmir and Istanbul. Ephesus is not to be missed. If I never travel again I will have the memory of this recently discovered site.(recent compared to some others). Bodrum is a beach type resort area, which in the off season of October proved to be a great value with decent weather. Izmir is the Mediteranean headquarters of NATO and a university town. Lots of young people, interesting shopping and wonderful food. Istanbul proved to be difficult to get around as we experienced torrential rain for 6 days. It did not stop me from taking my boat ride up the Bosphorus! Be ready to buy in the Grand Bazaar, the tradespeople get very annoyed if they do not make a sale. Unlike some other authors here I did not find the people all that friendly. In fact they are out to make a buck off the tourist, which I guess is what tourism is all about??! Being two females traveling alone in a male dominated society was not the best. We were constantly harrassed by so called well meaning individuals who wanted to either "help us find our way", "escort us to a mosque" or "help us buy a rug".
The wailing at 5AM gets old as well. I would definately go again though with a man in tow!

I don't think I have ever been anywhere I enjoyed as much as Turkey. Even the early morning call to prayers were cool as far as I'm concerned. Unless you live in a middle eastern country this should be new to you. We were there in June and rented a cabin for 4 days on a Gulet. This is a small (usually 4 to 6 cabin) traditional Turkish wooden ship. We travelled from Antalya, another incredible town on the Med around the coast to Kas, a small resort town. We stopped to see ruins along the coastline, shop in little seaside villages, swim or float in the Med and have 3 meals a day cooked for us. We met people from other countries and had the experience of a life time. The little village I loved was called Kale and I think but am not sure, it is only accessible by water. I plan on doing this again in my lifetime, it was so much fun!

keep this thread going, great research material for our trip next year !

Be sure to a visit to a Haman(sp?) or Turkish Bath, unforgetable experience and inexpensive, your hotel can direct you to one. In Instanbul if you have a free afternoon take one of the boats to the Princess Islands. They don't allow cars so take a horse carriage ride around the island and have dinner at one of the sea side restaurants. Makes for a wonderful day.

Going for a ride on the public ferry for about $2 up the Bosphorus, eating the most wonderful calamari sandwich when we stopped on the Asian side.

The whirling dervish performance at the Galata monastery in Istanbul

Meeting the women making bread on a tour of Cappadocia

Visiting the Turkish bath in Istanbul

Going for a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia

Staying in a cave hotel in Goreme

Stopping at a gas station in the middle of nowhere and having them ask us in for apple tea.

Visiting the wonderful ruins at Ephesus

Spending hours wandering through the Grand Bazaar

there must be more, I have read that Turkey is in the process of passing several other european destinations in popularity.

Regarding the Turkish bath:

Give a nice tip to your attendant before you get started. Your experience will triple in pleasure.

Definitely agree with the recommendation re a Turkish bath. Ditto for the Turkish barber - my husband absolutely loved it.

We love Turkey
Will be going in Sept again 5th time!
get to airport - hire car and off you go.
Accomodation is no probs - average b&b is £ 6 per night pp (with aircon).
We land at dalaman as it is central to all the lovely places to see.
Not been to Istanbul.
People are very friendly.
We would advise against Bodrum - unless you really like being hassled and very loud nightlife.
Olu Deniz is preety, but touristy.
Kas is out of this world. Popular with the Turks.
Pamakale is best done on your own steam- coach tours are a nightmare.
We stayed in a hotel in Pamukale and visited the site when all the coaches had gone. Heaven!
We stayed package the first time and had dysentry. Since travelling independantly, we have never been ill!
I think some of the package hotels kitchens leave a lot to be desired, and you are a captive audience.
Eat out - very cheap, and food cooked fresh.
I could go on, but if you need any further info, just ask.
Enjoy Turkey.

cparris, I got a case of the ______ too.
Was traveling by bus with Turkish people and driver who didn't know English (not that I expected them to). I ran to the bus driver and got him to stop the bus, and ran outside. I'm sure the other people on the bus were happy I got out of the bus in time!

We will be going to Turkey in October and plan to visit a Haman. Everyone suggests you tip before the rubdown. What is considered "a good tip"?

Any tip at all is greatly appreciated, and a tip of two or more dollars will buy you heaven.
I once tipped three dollars, and I finally had to ask the guy to stop.

Turkey is a wonderful country. We have sent a few months there traveling. Once you visit Turkey it is hard to go anywhere else. My advice is start your travels in Istanbul (at least 3 nights) and continue travel the coast to Fethiye. Stay in the small town of Dalyan and choose the hotel Dalyan for a great small hotel on the river.

Any comments re: tour companies. Im considering Insight but also wonder about Pacha tours and one called Cutural Folk Tours Intl led by Bora Ozkok? Anybody been on any of these tours? Thanks

I guess the good thing about the travelers.... was that I did lose 10 pounds. We ended up leaving our tour and taking a boat to Samos, Greece where we had quite a nice time.

Please excuse this question as I mean no disrespect and it is asked in all sincerity. In view of some of the current anti-American sentitments swirling have any recent travellers to Turkey felt unwelcome?

I don't mean to start a troll tirade. Just a cautious traveller.

Cheers, the turnip

The Ayasofia Pansionylari is a hotel behind Aya Sofia. It consists of rooms in townhouses previously owned by Ottoman government officials. They are built up against the Topkapi Palace walls. Good price, quite comfortable.

Pammukale was too cold to fully enjoy during our visit in May/June, but it was fun.

If you are a man, the Turkish guys will treat you well.

It is not difficult to learn a few words of Turkish and they will go a long way.

Dear Turnip - expect a warm welcome in Turkey. We have just returned and we found the Turks to be the most friendly, congenial, and welcoming of people. Though they did not allow America to use Turkey as a staging point in the war, they do not feel that this should be taken as an anti-american sentiment. Most Turks we talked to felt they were placed in a no-win situation - either upset the US or face anarchy in their neighbor. I will not comment on the "political correctness" of their decision, but I will say that we were treated as friends and we never experienced any anti-american sentiment. Go and enjoy a truly fantastic and friendly country!

LEANNAT: You asked about tour companies - I went with Pacha Tours and it was excellent; extremely knowledgeable guide. Even lucked out with a 4 person tour (thought they would have cancelled with just 4 of us but they said, you paid so you go!). I have a trip report if you're interested (or anyone else). Just e-mail me at [email protected].

eurotraveller: Do spend time in Cappadocia - amazing place, other worldly. Istanbul is amazing with the mosques, palace, Grand Bazaar and cruise on the Bosphorus.

Turkey always rises to No.1 when I'm asked about my best trip. Have a wonderful time.

To help avoid intestinal problems...make sure you enjoy the yogurt with every meal; do not drink fuit juice unless it's bottled (could be made from concentrate); and do not have any lettuce. Those are the big 3.

Once in Greece, how do we get to Istanbul? Do we have to go to Rhodes and then ferry to Turkey? What is the best way to leave Greece, visit Turkey, and come back to Greece?

Airfare Athens to Istanbul is very cheap ! Marmaris or Bodrum to Istanbul is a fair old hike !!