Top Turkey hotels
local food Istanbul
33 Reviews This syrupy sweet treat - dessert ring - is made from semolina and deep fried. It's very rich. You can find these in street carts all around Istanbul. Not one of my favorites, but a definite must-try!
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mosques etiquette Istanbul
26 Reviews It was nice to see and hear how Muslims pray in real, how they are invited for a pray, how they clear their bodies before pray, bowing at pray time or putting shoes after going out of mosques. Most...
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clothes Istanbul
9 Reviews Istanbul has all the seasons like winter, spring, summer and fall. So check the weather report before your visit. The city is with more than 14 million people and very cosmopolite. Unlike some...
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tea and coffee Istanbul
31 Reviews Being a coffee lover, I assumed that I was going to love Turkish coffee. But after my first glass of Turkish tea (cay), I was hooked!! We found every excuse to stop in one of the many cafes for a...
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turkish words Istanbul
14 Reviews The Foreign Service Institute is a branch of the US Department of State, so all their materials are copyright-free--anybody can use them without charge. Some generous people who owned the tapes or...
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nargileh Istanbul
11 Reviews This is an old looking teahouse where you also get the chance to try out a nargileh (water smoking pipe which bubbles when you suck air out of it). There are a few establishments inside but the one to...
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raki (drink) Istanbul
8 Reviews In meyhane culture it is very important to stay sober and cool, act reasonable while drinking. I’ve been in meyhanes in which waiters can kick you out if you get drunk and start to sing or talk...
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hospitality Istanbul
15 Reviews Yes, hospitality is a real characteristic of Turkish people, and my room in Dolmabahce Palace was very comfortable. I didn't want to abuse their hospitality, and that's why I didn't accept to stay...
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bargaining Istanbul
12 Reviews In Istanbul, and, I believe, other parts of Turkey as well, it is hard to imagine selling without bargaining. Even in shops, if you see it is like private owned, prices are not always fixed and it is...
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shoes Istanbul
8 Reviews Getting your shoes polished won't be a problem. On the major street you will find men that handle their antique tools with great enthousiasm. My advice is to pick out a seasoned shoe shiner and not...
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phone numbers Istanbul
3 Reviews International telephone access code of Turkey is 90.Then area codes. For Istanbul it is 212 (European side) and 216 (Asian side), Ankara 312 and Izmir 232. All telephone numbers are have seven digits...
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music Istanbul
8 Reviews In Istanbul people listen to all kinds of music, from rock to pop to jazz to metal to electronica, you name it and there's probably a club for it. Every year there is an International Jazz Festival,...
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tipping Istanbul
2 Reviews Turks are generally a welcoming race of people, eager to help and proud to show off their country. Sometimes the help can become overbearing. People here, once they've assisted you in any small...
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In Turkey everyone is a millionare. :)Turkish money unfortunately one of the least valued money in the world, Due to high inflation for more than 20 years, many zeros are covering the local currency..Currently highest Banknote is 20 million Lira.. Which is around 13-14 USD..The other Banknotes are 10 million, 5 million, 1 million, 500,000 and 250,000 TRL..The Coins are 250,000 - 100,000 and 50,000..
The Turkish Republic encompasses 780,000 square kilometers, which is a region about the size of the continental U.S., west of the Rocky Mountains. 97% of the area belongs to Asia, and 3% belongs to Europe. Istanbul is the only city in the world which lies on two continents. The Black Sea in the North, the adjoining Marmara Sea, the Aegean Sea in the West, and the Mediterranean Sea in the South for a 8,000 kilometer long coastline. The Asian part of Turkey is segmented by two gigantic mountain ranges; the Taurus Mountains in the South, and the Pontic Mountains in the North. Both ranges join each other in the East to form the Anatolian High Plains.
Zurna is a Turkish folk instrument of the wind type. Because of its strong sound it is generall played in tthe open air, on occasions such as village weddings, sending off the boys to military service, sport encounters, folk dances and similar ceramonial events.. It was the first melody instrument of the Mehter teams in the Ottoman period. It was also used in some traditional theater (ortaoyunu) peformances. It is generally accompanied with a drum. Because of the difficulty of its intonation and its high sound level, it is not used in musical groups. However, in the recent years it started to be used by some folk music groups.
One of another local costums of Turkey is the turkish bath for sure.. Turkish baths are famous all around the world... There are special massagers in the bath and after the massage you feel like reborn!!
Nargile is our local costum.. It works in an interesting way... There's water inside and even if you smoke, the water absorbe some of the harmful part.. There are alot of tastes you can try.. The heavier is the pure one, it called tombeki.. Or you can tke it with apple, strawberry,... even with cappucino!
This kebap is special from Bursa. It can be made from doner or special meatballs.. But the best one is made with doner.. It has small cube cut special bread and on it there is souce with tomatoe and butter.. It's served with yogurt... I won't be able to write more.. I can't resist... <8)))
Meals: When eating a meal, especially in a Turks home, it's polite to finish everything on your plate. Tuks have been known to be offended if a meal they prepare has not been finished. Restaurants are totally different. Eat as much as you like on your plate when in a restaurant.Toilets: The man who stands outside the public toilets asking for money is responsible for it's cleaning. He generally asks for 250.000 TL (15p), so don't deny him.Identification: Turkish law requires every individual to carry ID or some kind, even travellers. Make sure you have a licence, passport or some form of identification on you at all times.Prayer Time: No doubt you will hear the call to prayer coming from the local mosques. One word of advice , if you "take the ***" in front of the wrong people, expect to end up worse for wares. One Israeli backpacker in 1998 was beaten upvery badly after he took it upon...
Cover Up: Don't forget to take your shoes off when entering a mosque. Always cover your shoulders and and legs as well. Most tourist mosques will offer a robe to wrap around yourself if you are wearing shorts or a skirt, but in the smaller towns show respect by covering up.Touts: Little do you know, but touts are strategically placed all over the touristy places. So, remember if you are purchasing something, whether it be a carpet, souvenir, a bus or plane ticket and you are taken to the shop by someone, he/she will normally take a commission of what you paid which lessens your bargaining power.Prices: Many of the hostels/hotels/pensions will quote in US$. The reason for this is the Turkish Lira is such a feeble curency, it fluctuates everyday, where is the good old USD is much harder.Army: Every Turkish man has to join the army for 18 months at the age of 20. There is no way of avoiding...
Ataturk: On the subject of bagging! Never even think about bagging the big guy, Ataturk. He is respected and held at the highest esteem by one and all. It is even against the law to say his name in vane or damage any sculptures, statues or monuments in his name.Bargains: Turkey is full of suprises, and every corner you turn, you will be awe-struck with what she has to offer. You can pick up a bargain in any of the numerous bazaars and markets, but remember you are a tourist, and first prices will almost always be ridiculous. Haggle with the stall owners and don't fall for the guilt trips they try and put on you. In the Grand Bazaar, start your bargaining at less than half the original price.Cut!: Young boys dressed in a white suit, sultan hat and carrying a cane are about to be circumcised. It is a tradition to visit close family and friends before having the chop. Gold medallions are...
Geographily, Turkey is seperated into 7 regions and we can say every region's people has their own special traditions, special music and dances and special Turkish accents. But as a common custom in Turkey, we can talk about the hospitality. I'm sure you've always heard stories about this subject, but i can assure you these stories are not exagurated. Getting away from the touristic sites, you can easily be a guest in a Turkish house, for dinner or accomodation. Probably, when you're walking on the street and taking pictures as a normal tourist, it's gonna be children who first get in touch with you and try to take you home. GO! You won't regret. Families would love offering you food and bed for free although they are not very rich and sometimes (very rare though) they even buy your bus ticket to your next stop. They are not only very happy that you're visiting our country but also sorry...
Esans Hotel Istanbul
7 Reviews and 181 Opinions a very new hotel. very near to grande museums and sophia dome. sea is very near to hotel. we enjoy...
Welcome Barut Hotels Lara Spa Antalya
5 Reviews and 511 Opinions This was our first time in Turkey and first time in an all-inclusive hotel. i have to say - we all...
El Vino Hotel Bodrum
2 Reviews and 272 Opinions This small property is both central (10 min walk to the bazaar and waterfront) and secluded and...
Reviews and photos of Turkey attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Turkey sightseeing.
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Q: Hi, my wife and I organize trips for high school students (groups of approx. 35 ppl) and our next trip is scheduled for June-July...
A: Hi, Turkey is stable, with broad-minded politians & people. I had never thought about visiting TR, till I all of a sudden & surprisingly decided! Why? A VERY...
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