| Tips and photos for Turkey vacations and tourism, posted by real travelers and Turkey locals. Map |
 | Turkey General Tips | Tips 1 - 10 of 677 |  |
 by hopang
Something must be done by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in order not to mislead any more foreign tourists who need help! We wasted at least half an hour of our time walking up and down searching for the tourist information office. Unfortunately not many locals including the shop owners know the whereabout of the tourist information office in Antalya!
The following are the particulars of the tourist information office in Antalya:-
Address: Cumhuriyet Cadessi, Ozel idare is Hani Alti, Antalya
Tel: +39 242 241 1747
Fax: +39 242 241 1747
Beside obtaining information regarding tourist attractions and destinations in Antalya, you may request for free maps of the city of Antalya and other regions in Turkey from the tourist information office instead of buying map from a souvenir shop which costs 5.00 Turkish lira (approximately 2.50 euros) each. Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
Visiting Turkey?
Read reviews about Turkey Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Armed soldier by deecat
I discovered that, for the most part, the Turkish people think of tourist as visitors and treat them likewise. They do not exploit tourists as some other nationalities do. I know that some people will disagree because they think that merchants who give free cups of tea are doing so to make a sale. Untrue. It is their way of being courteous to visitors.
I also learned that the Turkish people are honest. The only time I found this not to be true was at a carpet sales place.
The Turks are helpful. On several occasions, people not only directed us, but walked us to a location that we were seeking. [Even the armed soldiers were helpful].
From my experience, the Turkish Men were gentlemen. They were polite, concerned, and not at all "fresh".
However, the one area that bothered me in Turkey was in the role of the women. I am aware that the laws have changed and at least in writing, women now have right, but I observed that women usually defer to men and women still do ALL of the domestic chores [most of them work in the fields too]. Several times, I saw couples meet each other on the street, and the men would embrace, but the women stayed silently in the background.
Our male guide told us that even though it is illegal, polygamy is still practiced, and in very remote areas, men buy young wives for cash!
In the cities, especially Istabul, the women seem to have more rights and seem more equal. I saw women in professional jobs and in politics.
My favorite memory of Turkey involved a lovely family who escorted us to a local restaurant because the directions were too complicated. They told us that it was the best place to eat. They were right. We were the only tourist there. The locals were all so friendly and helpful. It was the most delightful and best meal I experienced while in Turkey. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Turkish Poppies by deecat
The national flower of turkey is the Tulip. They have records showing that tulips have been growing in Turkey since as early as A.D. 1,000!
When Sultan Ahmet II reigned, it was known as the Tulip Period because ambassadors were sent to watch other cultures and to bring back Turkish Tulips!
But, wildflowers seem to be the specialty of Turkey. There are many ornamental flowers such as the crocus and the lily, which are grown from the wild species found in Turkey. The farmers grow and export many varieties of flowers such as the snowdrops, cyclamen, and snowflakes.
In Isparta region in southwestern Anatolia, farmers grow special roses. The Turkish roses are recognized worldwide. The farmers grow these delicate flowers to export their oil [called attar of roses] to France for use in making perfume!
I saw fields of red Anatolian poppies, which the farmers sell around the world for use in medical prescriptions.
In addition, the Aegean and the Mediterranean areas are known for their glorious pink and white oleanders.
If you enjoy flowers as much as I do, be sure to visit one of the many national parks where you can see a wonderful array of flora. It's quite a sight...better yet, it's quite a scent for the nose! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Map of Turkey by deecat
I remember knowing about Constantinople and that it was the center of the Roman Empire. Then it became the capital of the Turkish empire [Africa, southeast Europe and much of western Asia].
I also associate Turkey with the old Greek story from mythology about a girl named Io. In this myth, the god Zeus turned Io into a cow to hide her from his jealous wife, Hera. Unluckily for Io, Hera saw through the disguise; thus, she sent a fly with a painful sting to torment Io. Io tried to escape the fly by running as fast as a cow is able to run. She ran the whole length of Greece from south to north; she did not stop when she came to the narrow neck of the sea between Europe and Asia. She plunged into the water, came ashore on the Asian side, and kept on running, leaving the neck of water with the new name Bosporus. Today, because of this small width, modern Istanbul has spilled across the Bosporus into Anatolia [the Asian part of Turkey.] That vivid myth always reminds me that Turkey is unique in that it spans two continents.
It's also interesting to note that the original Turks were more Chinese than European in appearance; that characteristic is rarely seen in Turkey today. Turks are often thought to be Europena when they visit central Asia.
I was quite amazed when I visited Turkey to discover that many Turks looked like Greeks I had just visited or like Italians I admire so much. Strangely, some Turks are fair-haired and blue-eyed, but most are dark-haired with dark eyes.
My favorite memories of Turkey have to do with the people....they are very kind and polite. I was impressed with the beauty of the country, the astounding architecture, and the unique flavor of both Europe and Asia. * Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Street in Ankara by MalenaN
The city is now Turkey's second largest with a population of 4 million.
In the north is the old city, Ulus, and to the south is the new Ankara, Yenisehir.
The two must sees in the city are the Museum of Anatolian Civilisation and Anit Kabir (Atatürk Mausoleum). Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Turkey?
Read reviews about Turkey Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
 Sitting Mother Goddess
from Catal Hüyük by MalenaN
As you enter the museum you will start your tour from the right and come to rooms with items from the Palaeolitic period, Neolitic period (Catal Hüyük), Chalcolithic era, Bronze age (Alacahöyük), Assyrian (Kültepe), Hittite (Hattusas), Phrygian (Gordion), Urartian and Lydian eras.
The museum is housed in an old Han (covered market with workshops) from the 15th century.
The entrance fee is 10 000 000 TL.
It might be closed on Mondays. Leave a Comment
|
 Evening in Amasra by MalenaN
It is a lovely place!
I had heard from Erkmen that two bus companies goes all the way from Istanbul to Amasra. They are As74 and Ozemniyet. Other buses go to Bartin and from there you take a dolmush. The dolmush takes 30 minutes and costs 1 650 000 TL.
I bought my ticket at a travel agent in Istanbul. They had tickets with Metro (which is a good company). To Bartin it took six hours and the price was 20 000 000 TL. Leave a Comment
|
 Atatürk Mausoleum, Ankara by MalenaN
As you enter the mausoleum (Hall of Honour) you come into a room with lofty ceiling. There are some gold mosaics, and in the front is a big cenotaph made of one single piece of marble. The tomb is in a camber below.
Official visitors normally come to the mausoleum and one, or two days, after my visit (can't remember) Bush was here to put a wreath of flowers on the cenotaph.
In the towers there are exhibitions of personal items of Atatürk (even two cars), documents and photos and text about the construction of the mausoleum.
Below the Hall of honour there is a museum of "the war of independence", and the beginning of the Turkish state and its founder Kemal Atatürk. It is a very patriotic museum. In the first part there are scenes from trenches with sounds and a lot of paintings. Leave a Comment
|
| | |
 Ottoman houses in Safranbolu by MalenaN
Safranbolu is situated about 200 km north of Ankara. Buses go to and from Ankara/Istanbul from Kiranköy, a small town close to Safranbolu. Between Kiranköy and Safranbolu there are frequent buses and the ride takes just a few minutes. Leave a Comment
|
 by junecorlett
We did not know this either, and spent the first five minutes waiting around. All the signs were in Turkish.... The ATM's in Turkey only dispenses Turkish Lira. We did not know this.
After using the ATM we had to go into the bank to exchange to Euro's as we were only in the port for the day. bank client told us what to do.
How nice it would be if my country had the same system. Leave a Comment
|
|
Istanbul Hotels
Luxury Sultanahmet Hotel From 50. Breakfast, Tax & WiFi Included! Amiral Palace Hotel
Conveniently located in Sultanahmet Book online and save now! Istanbul Hotels
Up to 70% Off Top Istanbul Hotels. Prices Include Breakfast & Taxes! Istanbul Hotels
Find Hotel Reservations, Vacation Packages, Discounts & More on Bing Hotels in Istanbul
Luxury Hotel in Old Istanbul Centre Full Spa & Gym Facilities. Book Now Sponsored Links
More Turkey Travel Deals Turkey Tours
National Geographic Award Winner Custom Itineraries & Private Guides Luxury Bosphorus Resort
Book a special luxury Four Seasons B&B package starting 360/night Marriott Greece Hotels
Marriott's Official Site. Book Best Rate Guaranteed & Earn Rewards. Sponsored Links
|
