View Full Version : Turkey: no idea
miss direct
11-08-2005, 18:23
I've booked a flight to Turkey for September, staying for 10 days. I'm flying in and out of Istanbul but would like to travel round and see different places. I'm finding it a bit daunting looking on the net, as it's such a vast country. Has anyone been and can recommend places I should not miss? Or any general advice?
Not sure if I have to pay a fee upon arrival at the airport. What about changing money? Don't really know what I'm doing do I? :confused: :)
phildwyer
11-08-2005, 19:12
I've booked a flight to Turkey for September, staying for 10 days. I'm flying in and out of Istanbul but would like to travel round and see different places. I'm finding it a bit daunting looking on the net, as it's such a vast country. Has anyone been and can recommend places I should not miss? Or any general advice?
Not sure if I have to pay a fee upon arrival at the airport. What about changing money? Don't really know what I'm doing do I? :confused: :)
Turkey's a great place, Istanbul in particular. Sultanahmet by day and Taksim by night would be the best bets. If you've only got 10 days you won't have time to see much else, I'd head down to the Bodrum peninsula(Gundogan or Yalikavak, NOT Gumbet,) or Antalya--both nice beach resorts. Oh yeah--10 quid fee on arrival, no departure tax, changing money is easy in the airport.
If you're a woman going on your own, be very careful in Istabul.
phildwyer
13-08-2005, 13:33
If you're a woman going on your own, be very careful in Istabul.
Istanbul is *much* safer than any big city in the USA or the UK.
passenger
13-08-2005, 13:39
Kalcan is wonderfull a small fishing village in the south well worth a visit
all i can remember is fish of the day Trout and its like an oven
jerseymonkey
13-08-2005, 13:48
If you can get to Capadoccia it's an amazing place. If you're not on too tight a budget there are fantastic cave hotels, the geography is amazing and there are loads of ancient cave churches which are quite cool. Kalkan is nice enough, but it doesn't really qualify as a fishing village anymore - it's VERY touristy (although the majority of the village is tasteful - very good but pretty expensive food - not sure I'd bother if you're on a budget).
Istanbul is also excellent - fantastic mosques and a lovely cosmopolitan feel (and excellent air conditioned trams!).
As a woman (although not alone) I did get stared at on the one occasioan I wore a low cut top (a lot of the turkish women wore more revealing clothes) but otherwise not a problem at all.
phildwyer
13-08-2005, 13:55
As a woman (although not alone) I did get stared at on the one occasioan I wore a low cut top (a lot of the turkish women wore more revealing clothes) but otherwise not a problem at all.
In Istanbul and Western Turkey as a whole, women dress exactly as they do in the West. Different story in the East--I got told to put my shirt back on on the ferry across Lake Van, and I'm a man...
Well, I was sexually assaulted by a group of men in a cafe, despite being covered from neck to toe.
Another rave for Cappadoccia. Place I really loved though was a beautiful little town called Amasya up by the Black Sea coast.
miss direct
15-08-2005, 10:52
Thanks for the replies. I won't be alone..I don't really wear revealing clothes even here. Is cappadicia (sp) really worth the trek from Istanbul?
I love shopping and want to buy stuff for my new flat and clothes, but am a bit scared of haggling. Any advice?
Well, I was sexually assaulted by a group of men in a cafe, despite being covered from neck to toe.
:( sorry to hear that moose! does anyone know, is there a problem anywhere other than istanbul? we might be going to turkey next summer, not sure where tho, and the one thing that puts me off is some of the things i've heard women have experienced there.
Bodrum is a former fishing village rapidly becoming a tourist resort but still maintaining much of its character. A perfect way of meeting the real Turkish people but from the security of tourist facilities and tour operators. Hot water is not on all day but there are flushing loos in most of the hotels. Go quickly because this is a historic fishing village that - judging by the number of hotels under construction is rapidly in danger of losing its character. Make sure you visit the market and sample the fish.
The one and only club in Bodrum is Hallicarnus' named after the Roman settlements in the area. One of the Wonders Of the World is situated on the outskirts of Bodrum but - as the local tour guides will tell you - much that is worth seeing was stolen and is now in the British Museum. Bodrum was the site of a revolt against the Romans during which 100,000 Romans were massacred after a Poll Tax was imposed on the local population. A short open taxi ride takes you to the deserted sandy beach of Gumbert where you can enjoy a swim or a Bar-b-q away from the crowds.... er this is from memory and my memory dates from 1988. I gather that Bodrum/Gumbert has changed a little since then!!
If you are in Turkey DO visit Ephesus if you get the chance - it will blow your mind!
Re safety - Istanbul is fairly safe but women can suffer harrassment. Away from the beaches/hotel dress modestly to minimise this.
phildwyer
15-08-2005, 16:06
Bodrum is a former fishing village rapidly becoming a tourist resort but still maintaining much of its character. A perfect way of meeting the real Turkish people but from the security of tourist facilities and tour operators. Hot water is not on all day but there are flushing loos in most of the hotels. Go quickly because this is a historic fishing village that - judging by the number of hotels under construction is rapidly in danger of losing its character. Make sure you visit the market and sample the fish.
The one and only club in Bodrum is Hallicarnus' named after the Roman settlements in the area. One of the Wonders Of the World is situated on the outskirts of Bodrum but - as the local tour guides will tell you - much that is worth seeing was stolen and is now in the British Museum. Bodrum was the site of a revolt against the Romans during which 100,000 Romans were massacred after a Poll Tax was imposed on the local population. A short open taxi ride takes you to the deserted sandy beach of Gumbert where you can enjoy a swim or a Bar-b-q away from the crowds.... er this is from memory and my memory dates from 1988. I gather that Bodrum/Gumbert has changed a little since then!!
Er, just a bit. Bodrum is now a huge, over-developed tourist town--still nice, but certainly no fishing village. And Gumbet is real package tour hell. The thing to do is travel around the quieter bays on the Bodrum peninsula--Gumusluk, Turgetreis, Yalikavak, Gundogan are all nice. You can get ferries to Kos for the day too.
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