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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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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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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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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We mean ' yes ' ( evet ) by nodding forward and down.And to say 'no' ( hayýr ) we noad our head up and back or raise our eyebrowns at the say time o say no..that's what I do all the time..we mean ' I don'T know ' by wagging our head from side to side...So now you all know how to ignore 'dodgy carpet salesman around instead of talkinh..lol...
Five times a day Muslims prays in the mosque. Before entering a mosque, Muslims wash themselves and removes their shoes. Foreign visitors should also remove their shoes and show the respect they would do to any other house of worship. Women should cover their shoulders and legs. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques. overalls are provided for those who are not suitably dressed). When you are inside a mosque, even if it is not prayer time there will often be several people praying, so don't disturb them in any way, don't take flash photos and don't talk or stand in front of them.
U.S. Consulate in AdanaTel: 0090 – 322 – 459 – 1551British Consulate in AntalyaTel: 0090 - 242 - 824 - 6703Fax: 0090 - 242 - 824 - 6888 Passport/Visa Requirements Citizens from the following countries require a visum for a visit to Turkey: Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, YugoslaviaMost of the prices for a visum to Turkey are under 50 €. Exceptions are:U.S. Citizens: 100 €Canadian Citizens: 147.80 CAN$The visa is a stamp, similar to a postage stamp they paste in your passport, which is proof of permission issued by the Turkish Government, will be stamped in your passport when you go through immigration at...
There are four of us: myself, my husband, my daughter Fiona (17 years old) and my son Wessel 15 with shoulderlong hair)On our way we are greeted by: 'Whatsyourname?'we: My name's Marianne, This is Erik, and this is Fiona and that's Wessel.they: Are you Erik???????(It appears that erik is plum in Turkish)we: Yes, he's Erik.they: (pointing at Wessel) She's 'güzel'.we: Yes, he is beautiful.they: He??????we: Yes, he.they: You want drink tea?we: Yes, please.And for the umptieth time we are drinking tea with a Turkish family. It is difficult to make conversation. Fortunately, there is television. Randomly we point at the screen and try out some of our Turkish words. Resounding success! Soon the room fills up; relations, distant relations, neighbours, friends, they are all summoned. They all speak English, and how!Another day we are walking in single file. We are on our way from the hotel to...
I noticed men walking arm and arm and I thought they were all gay! But my friend told me that is normal among friends, they do that all the time, its a sign of friendship! Also, smoking of waterpipes in cafes. This was common all over Turkey. You would see people in cafes having tea and smoking waterpipes.
Always cover up in a mosque,long skirt,cover shoulders,take shoes off,cover head(women).Do expect Turkish men to chat you up.Do be aware of toilets in Turkey,the crouching ones.Also you do not flush paper down the loo,put it in the bin.On buses women are not allowed to sit next to a male stranger and women are not allowed to go into a traditional coffee,tea room,it's men only.Do give tips at restaurants and on trips,about 10% of the bill will be fine.Do try and learn a few words of Turkish ,people will be very happy you have made the effort.I am going to learn a few simple words as i know i will be returning many times.Do not be suspicious of people's friendliness,i was to begin with,then i rearalised that they are just being polite and friendly. Here is a small rug that i bought in Turkey.I saw it on my last day and used every penny that i had left.When i go back in Oct,im going to buy...
I didn't try desserts because i was so full.You must try mushrooms baked in the oven with cheese and garlic(yummy).Raki is the national alcoholic drink.It is a grape brandy with an aniseed flavour.It is strong.There are two types of lager available,Efes Pilsen is the local brand and is very nice.Tuborg is a Danish beer produced under licence in Turkey.Ipreferred the Turkish wine myself.It was very nice.Turkish spirits are nice served with the right mixers.I found vodka nice.The most popular drink of all in Turkey is Cay(tea) and this is what you will be offered in shops and by people who invite you to their homes.The food was great value,most nights we had a main meal with wine and bread for about £5 each.During the day,i had a glass of wine,stuffeb baked aubergine and bread for £3,great value....THE FOOD AT KALKAN WAS GREAT VALUE TOO.More stunning scenery.
There is a great restaurant at Kalkan harbour.Kebabs are popular and i loved the stuffed aubergines baked in the oven.Evening meals start with a selection of mezes(cold appetisers) which are bought to you on a big platter.You can have hot one's also.Fish is very popular here and salad and chicken and rice.My guide on one of the trips i went on said rice is grown in Turkey,which surprised me.I enjoyed the swordfish which i had some evenings and the chicken kebabs were wondeful.Lamb is used alot for kebabs,with grren peppers,tomatoes,and onions.There are lots of fresh fruits available,like melon,apple,banana and oranges.I did like the Turkish pizza,which is known as pide and it is topped with cheese,herbs,spinich or goats milk.
People will offer you endless cups of tea and want to chat with you and maybe invite you into thier homes.They are genuinely being friendly.They see us as guests and they are very polite people.I liked this.Feet are regarded as unclean,do not put your feet on tables or anything people will sit on.Remove your shoes if invited into a Turk home.Do not sunbath topless.Non Muslims should not enter mosques during prayer time and not at all on Friday,the holy day.The call of prayer comes 5 times a day,dawn to nightfall.I found this beautiful and mystical.One night there was a wedding down at the harbour front with live music and as soon as the prayer from the mosque started,all the restaurants and the wedding stopped their music so the prayer could be heard.That's respect .
NATIONAL ANTHEMIstiklâl Marsi Korkma, sönmez bu êafaklarda yüzen al sancakSönmeden yurdumun üstünde tüten en son ocak.O benim milletimin. Yildizidir parlayacak.O benimdir, o benim milletimindir ancak. Çatma, kurban olayim cehreni ey nazli hilâl!Kahraman irkima bir gül ne bu siddet, bu celâlSana olmaz dökülen kanlarimiz sonra helâlHakkidir hakka tapan milletimin istiklâl!TRANSLATIONMarch of Independence Fear not and be not dismayed, this crimson flag will never fade. It is the last hearth that is burning for my nation, <And we know for sure that it will never fail. It is my nation's star, shining forever, It is my nation's star and it is mine. Frown not, fair crescent, for I am ready to die for you. Smile now upon my heroic nation, leave this anger, Lest the blood shed for thee be unblessed.Freedom is my nation's right,Freedom for us who worship God and seek what is right.
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...
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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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