Turkey travel recommendations

yublocka

So in my usual last-minute style I am jumping on a plane to go to Turkey for a month tomorrow. Apart from a hotel in Istanbul I'm pretty much clueless and need to read lonely planet on the plane Who has already been there and has some great travel tips? From where to go, where to stay and what to shop I would love to hear it.

I know I haven't been around too much lately, but will definitely be here less often over the next month, although I'm sure I'll drop in once a week or so for a ylf fix!!!

tam

14 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from Debora

Kate

Veteran

I really don't think that you can go wrong in Istanbul, there is so much to explore. Be sure to visit all three sections of the city, eat a ton of Turkish ice cream, kebabs, and fresh squeezed pomegranate orange juice, and visit the Turkish baths. Most of the tourist attractions were great, the markets are an adventure, and it's a wonderful city to roam and see what you find. The seafood is delicious, the public transportation is jam packed, traffic is scary, the stray dogs (all spayed/neutered, immunized, and marked with an ear tag) are chill, and the language is quite difficult but many people speak English (and at least 4 other languages, or so it seemed). The bureaucracy and corruption can be awful when you're not a local, so try to avoid it if possible (in particular, don't mail things or have things mailed to you). Let me know if you have any more specific questions, and I'd be happy to help! But seriously, I don't think it's possible to have a bad time in Istanbul, just do some exploring and see what you find. And be sure to get ice cream, it's AMAZING (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dondurma).

14 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Make sure you pack something that qualifies as modest clothing. Head coverings may be required at some places, expecially those of religious importance. Also, something that you can cover shoulders with migth be a necessity, plus I'd check what length of shorts/skirts won't be frowned upon.

Btw, beware of Turkish coffee if you're used to instant coffees. That is strong and will keep you awake like nothing else

Enjoy.

14 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

You lucky fish;-) Istanbul is fantastic, Tam!! Kate and Ornela have great tips. I also recommend a day trip to the Princes' Islands. You can get there by ferry. The islands are very peaceful, with no traffic (except horse and cart). Take your bathing suit and go for a swim in the beautiful blue sea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes%27_Islands

Definitely try a glass of apple tea too, the seafood at the stalls along the harbour are fun as well.

I've only visited Istanbul so far, so no first-hand tips for the rest of Turkey, but Cappadocia is on my must-see list.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia

Have a fantastic holiday!

14 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

Me me me! I am a native so shoot! What is on the agenda? What do you want to see? Feel free to pm me!

I feel like the modesty requirements for clothing are always a bit exaggerated. Depends entirely on where you want to go, what you want to do. You will most likely need a scarf if you want to visit some of the mosques, but that is no different than visiting a church in Italy, for example.

14 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the great tips. Really appreciate it!!

Kate I like the sound of this icecream. Its my favourite food, and i'll be superhot there so I am sure I will get ALOT of experience in this area!!!

Ornela I like the sound of Turkish coffee too. Caffeine = good. Do you think singlet tops with wide shoulders (not spagetti straps) will be ok for most places? I was planning on wearing them a lot, as my tshirt/top collection is actually pretty lame.

Inge, thanks for the tip about the Princes island. I had read about that and was thinking about doing it as a day trip. Any other day trip suggestions other than just wandering around town? (which I am more than happy to do,of course) Cappadocia is on the list for sure - have actually organised 6 days of hiking there - a bit nervous about how that's going to go but should be great!!!!

Bella thanks! Will PM you now. Wasn' sure how much you were around here these days but was hoping you'd chime in!!!

Any more suggestions, keep em coming!!!

xx tam

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

I haven't been to Turkey, but I still have a few ideas. First, if you're going to be there for a month, the tail end of your trip will coincide with the beginning of Ramadan. That should be exciting! I thought I was going to be in Turkey for Ramadan last year and someone told me that the people are so friendly that it was likely I would get invited to someone's home for a celebration, and if that happened I should definitely take them up on the offer.

Are you open to taking trips that are more than day trips while you are there, since you have such a long time in the country? A friend of mine absolutely adored Ephesus, but I don't know if that's really a day trip from Istanbul. It's also on the Aegean and I know you can also do short boat rides from Ephesus to some of the Greek islands in the Aegean, so if you were interested in hitting two countries at once while you are there (that's something I love doing when I travel, but I know others prefer to spend all their time in one place), that would be a possibility.

14 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Interesting about Ramadan Steph, will def have to find ou more about it (since I know nothing). We'll definitely be leaving Istanbul - I'm there for about 6 days at the start. Epheses is on the itinerary, not sure about Greek islands as feel might need longer to do those properly as well. Food for thought though!!

14 years ago

Kate

Veteran

Also, in terms of getting scarves to cover your head, there are TONS for sale pretty much anywhere you go. I would pack light in general, and plan on buying some scarves and jewelry there!

The shirts sound fine. The only time modesty seemed to be a big concern was (like Bella said) when visiting mosques. Between being packed like sardines on the tram (seriously, I was really squeezed in there and mostly surrounded by 30-60 year old men) and being scrubbed by large women wearing only underwear while I was only in my underwear at the Turkish bath, I got the sense that modesty is very contextual in Turkey.

14 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Lucky you! Be sure to plan on shopping! My husband went there years ago and brought back lots of surprises. He found great buys on gold, brass, and leather.

Here are some photos of the things he brought back: a brass camel and horse for the children, brass shepherd's lanterns, a gold cartouche (my name in hieroglyphs) and a brass vase with inlays. He also brought me back a leather handbag which I no longer have.

Have fun and be sure to report back to us!

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14 years ago

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