Turkey Travel Guide @ TravelNotes.org

Travel Notes: Asia: Turkey Travel Notes

Turkey tourist information with details about travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected Turkey links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel.

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Turkey - Europe or Asia

Although a member of NATO, most of Turkey lies on the Asian continent, as Anatolia.

Countries neighbouring Turkey are: Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

Only 3 per cent of Turkey, known as Thrace Turkey, is actually in Europe.

Visitors to Turkey, arriving in Istanbul, will probably cross the Bosphorus and enter Asia Minor.

Weather in Turkey

Adana Weather, Ankara Weather, Antalya Weather, Balikesir Weather, Bandirma Weather, Bodrum Weather, Bursa Weather, Diyarbakir Weather, Erzurum Weather, Eskisehir Weather, Gaziantep Weather, Iskenderun Weather, Istanbul Weather, Izmir Weather, Izmit Weather, Malatya Weather, Sakarya Weather, Samsun Weather, Trabzon Weather, Van Weather.

Istanbul

The Blue Mosque

Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey, which is Ankara, but it is the historic centre that bridges the two continents of Europe and Asia, at Galata.

Istanbul is still overcrowded, although it has cleaned up its act in recent years. The pedestrian zone bustles with young Turks talking into mobile phones and watching each other from outdoor restaurant tables, Italian style - granted the coffee is a little thicker, but the atmosphere is sweet.

Accommodation in Istanbul

Hotels in Istanbul:
Find hotels in Istanbul with special online rates.

Hotel Spina: Istanbul.
Utangac Sokak No 19. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. View Map. Official Website: Hotel Spina.	Located in Sultanahmet, this 19th century, wooden hotel adds a little Ottoman flavour to your stay in Istanbul. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Book a Room at the Hotel Spina The 24 reasonably priced rooms are atmospherically designed and there's a wonderful view of the Blue Mosque from the restaurant terrace.

Sort Istanbul Hotels by: Hotel Price, Hotel Rating, Hotel Name.

Hotel Hippodrome:
Located in Istanbul's old city, Sultanahmet, within easy walking distance of the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Underground Cistern and bazaars. Rooms are with Cable TV, mini-bar, direct dial telephone, hair dryer, shower and W.C. Free airport transfers.

Istanbul Tourist:
Comprehensive guide to Istanbul with an accommodation guide and tourist tips, instant online reservation service, guides to city tours, restaurants, night shows, shops, movies, concerts, fairs and festivals.

Turkey Travel

Many charter tourists to Turkey head to the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, and hardly even make the effort to visit Istanbul.

Granted, there is a lot of history and pleasure around the coastal resorts, but there is also a lot more to Turkey than cruising around Antalya, Alanya, Bodrum, Izmir and Marmaris.

Republic of Turkey:
All the facts and figures from the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Washington, DC.

Turkey has always been one of the most dynamic and exotic destinations. Travelling in Turkey is like a voyage in time, passing from one scene, legend or world to another. Visiting the historic city of Istanbul, where Romans and Ottoman Sultans once lived, will leave you breathless! The ruins of more than ten ancient civilisations make the country the world’s largest open-air museum.
Sent in by: Mahmut Kutlu.

Sirince

Sirince is a quiet, beautiful village surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, located in the hills 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Ephesus. The architectural legacy remains fully intact. Some tourism has arrived in recent years, but not so much as to destroy the traditional village rhythms.
Sent in by: Nisanyan Houses.

Travels in Turkey:
Bob Cromwell's travel tips, after eight trips to Turkey. Train schedules, suggested places to visit and background information. While buses are cheaper and go almost everywhere, don't overlook the overnight trains.

Turk Travel:
Directory of useful information for visitors to Turkey. Includes some outside links, in the Turkey City Guide section, and contact numbers for bus stations and emergency services.

Turkish Coast

Bodrum Ferry

If you don't have your own yacht, there is a ferry to Kos, Rhodes, Marmaris and other Turkish destinations.

Turkey's Past

The Hittite Empire (1900-1200 BC), covered most of Asia Minor and rivalled Egypt as a Middle Eastern power, until it was destroyed by invaders known as the Sea Peoples, towards the end of the 12th century BC; along with the western Anatolian city of Troy.

Turkish Odyssey:
A delightful guide to Turkey's past. History blends effortlessly with useful tips and places of interest.

Ataturk -- The Founder of Modern Turkey

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was virtually unknown until 1919, when he took the lead in thwarting the victorious Allies' plan to partition the Turkish core of the Ottoman Empire.

Ataturk divided the Allies, defeated the last Sultan and secured the territory of the Turkish national state, becoming the first president of the new republic in 1923.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk:
Without him, there might never have been a Republic of Turkey.

Historical Sights in Turkey

Antalya:
If you want to get away from the beaches, there are many historical sights in the region.

60km from Antalya airport, Side is a rich region with culture, history, unpolluted miles of beach.

Cappadocia Online:
Europeans discovered the region of Cappadocia in the early 18th century and sometimes it seems as though little has changed.

Pasha Han Hotel:
Located centrally in Goreme, Cappadocia, the hotel is 83km from Kayseri Airport, 270km from Ankara Esenboga Airport, and 12km to Nevsehir city centre. With its original architecture in perfect harmony with the natural look of the region, the 8 tastefully decorated rooms have a capacity of 23 beds.

Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi)

Mentioned in the Bible as the place where Noah's ark came to rest, Mount Ararat is Turkey's highest peak (5,122m), and is situated in the Eastern Highlands; near the border with Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Turkey Travel Tips

Clothing

When visiting Marmara, the Aegean and Mediterranean, during the warmer months of June to mid-September, take light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for the evening.

For the Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolia, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes.

In winter, woollens and rain-proofing are needed as most of the country is cold and rainy. The  Mediterranean coastal region doesn't get very cold but Central and Eastern Anatolia is snowy in the higher regions.

Remember to bring comfortable shoes when visiting archaeological and historical sites.
Sent in by: TWARP Tours.

Maxi Turkey:
Get tips on travel in Turkey by talking to the Turkey travel community.

Turkish Language and Culture

Language Learning:
Online resources to help you learn Turkish before you travel to Turkey.

Turkish Culture:
Language, religion, mythology and art, if you would like to get to know Turkey better here is where to start.

Accommodation and Tours in Turkey

Alta-Tours:
Alta Tours is a designer of unique cultural and historical adventures for all ages, with experienced and licensed tour escorts who bring the history and culture of Turkey to life.

Anzac House Hostel:
Anzac House Youth Hostel is situated in Çanakkale, 300km south of Istanbul, about 6 hours by bus. Travellers come to Çanakkale to tour the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli and the ancient city of Troy. Internet access and friendly staff.

Asian Turkey Tours:
Adnan Tanguler was born in Urgup, Cappadocia -- in one of the famous cave houses. Since studying Tourism Business and Administration, Adnan has now chosen to specialise in tour-guiding and maybe one day can turn his old cave house into a tourist hotel. Tours listed are only outlines, as each tour can be customised to suit the client's interests.
Discounts for Travel Notes members.

Cappadocia Museum Hotel:
Located in Uchisar, the Cappadocia Museum Hotel reflects the history of the region on a wide scale and also displays historical artefacts around the hotel and in the traditional arched and rock carved rooms.
Discounts for Travel Notes members.

Danytur:
Escorted cultural coach tour itineraries and private yacht charter vacations.
10% discount to Travel Notes members.

Dedeman Hotels and Resorts:
The largest hotel chain in Turkey, with hotels and resorts throughout Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Moldova and Tashkent.

Ephesus Tours:
Sardunya Travel, established in 1997, offer private shore excursions in Turkish ports of call such as Kusadasi/Ephesus, Istanbul, Bodrum and Antalya. Customised tours available on request.
10% discount to Travel Notes members.

Erokoy Travel and Tours:
Anatatolian Discovery tours are ideal for those who have too much time in Marmaris and would prefer spending seven days off-road in Anatolia than roasting on the beach. Day trips out of Marmaris also available.

Gallipoli and Troy:
The Hassle Free Travel Agency organises highly-informative tours of the Gallipoli battlefields and the ancient city of Troy.

iexploreturkey:
A joint Australian and Turkish owned tourism company that specialises in packages and tours within Turkey and Greece.

Lotus Motel: (Antalya-Side)
Brand new, with swimming pool, private beach, bar, authentic Turkish cuisine, personal service, free pickup and drop off at Antalya airport. Rich breakfast for two included.
10% discount for Travel Notes members who stay for one week; 15% over 1 week stay.

Omar's Destination Services:
By touring Turkey's cities and visiting its archaeological, cultural and historical sites, the past and the present come alive. Arranges daily excursions, roundtrips, biblical tours, Anzac tours, and Blue Cruise charters.

Small Hotels of Turkey:
Sevan and Mujde Nisanyan have compiled an independent guide to small, charming, individual and truly extraordinary hotels around Turkey. Alongside the properties are illustrated attractions in the area as well. A handy companion to the website is The Little Hotel Book.

SRM Travel:
Tankut Aran and his wife, Lale, organise a limited number of 'off the beaten track' tours around Turkey so that every traveller can have their own unique experience.

The Blue Cruise:
7 nights/8 days along the Turkish Mediterranean Coast for $400. Meals, crew, fuel, harbour dues, yacht facilities are included. Departures are Saturdays and Sundays, April to October.
10% discount to Travel Notes Members.

Turkey Central:
A searchable database of Turkey's tourism Web sites. Thousands of links to hotels, city guides, tour operators, and travel-related media.

TWARP:
More than 10 different programs to take you to the highlights and major sights of Turkey. From 3 to 14 days.

Turkey Travel Guides

Books on Turkey Travel:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in Turkey.