My tour plan is from July 30 to Aug 5 covering Istanbul,Pamukkale & Cappadocia..on an average two days per place..
A person who reads Nil's posts could think to encouter European standards in Turkey, what is misleading especially if one wants some holiday with children out of tourists' villages but in bigger towns (or all Kappadocia).
and
I'm aware that you were talking "Istanbul", which however is, fwIn, in Turkey (or do you want to give it back to Greece? )
The real problem is not that I might have a very little idea,
but that anybody got no real idea how Turkey "really" is.
I'm aware that Turkey in civilization matters has been ahead - in comparison to all other European countries - until +- 19th century, and that up from Mr. Evren times have changed, too.
But you still can find yourself easily in a situation like this:
http://www.spiegel.de/unispiegel/stu...-a-843787.html
P.S. You could elsewhere, too; but it is more unlike to happen, at least in European countries except Belarus. You hardly find Reisewarnungen for other European countries but Turkey. It's up to the Turks to change that.
Hopefully they will succeed.
Just recently a police chef and his family is arrested because his son was carrying an archeological finding (a stone with writings on it).
http://www.20min.ch/schweiz/romandie...ngnis-10570385
We (Turks) are very picky on this
Ohh, I should open a new tread for this one
BTW, if you still need help with istanbul or turkey in general just drop a PM.
First things first:
• The weather will be HOT! so make sure you drink enough water. However, please remember that right now it is ramadan in Turkey, so try not to poke people with your water bottle
you can find the 5 day weather look ahead from here : http://www.dmi.gov.tr/tahmin/il-ve-i...spx?m=ISTANBUL
• Even though Turkey is relatively a cheaper country. in Istanbul you can expect the prices to be higher. depending on the Restaurants you go and the shops you go, the prices can go higher as much as Europe.
so what to do in Istanbul?
Historical Istanbul:
• the old city of istanbul is a must see. This is the place where the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Saint Sophia and much more. Basically, this is the center of the eastern Roman and later Ottoman empires. ( http://www.istanbultravelguide.net/oldcitytour.htm )
TIP: generally the museums are free for students and children under certain age.
• On the upper levels of the old city you can visit the big Bazaars("kapali carsi", the Egyptian bazaar, etc).
• I suggest you to visit the " Galata Tower" for a nice view of istanbul. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galata_Tower
• On the Asian side of, you can visit the small tower called "Kiz kulesi" as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiz_Kulesi
Natuaral Istanbul
• The Bosphorus is a world famous place. a tour on the bosphorus with ferries is a must do in Istanbul.
TIP 1: the place to take tour is from "Ortaköy" at the european side. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortak%C3%B6y
TIP2: In Ortakoy, I can suggest you to taste a speacial Turkish fast food called "Kumpir" . http://www.google.com/images?q=kumpi...w=1280&bih=862
• Taksim and Istiklal avenue will give you a very realistic picture of Turkey and its demographics. The places will always be crowded with people from all over the world. A must see in Istanbul. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0stiklal_Avenue
Shopping Istanbul
• Istanbul has a million opportunities for shopping. i will devide them in to two: city shopping and mall shopping
• city Shopping: you can visit the major streets like: Istiklal Avenue, Cadde bostan and Bagdat avenue, Abdi Ipekci Avenue, Nisantasi
• mall shopping: CevahirMall( largest mall of europe), Kanyon mall, IstinyePark . http://www.istanbulcevahir.com/english/index.html , http://www.kanyon.com.tr/#/en/homepage/ , http://www.istinyepark.com/a
TIP1: At these places you can find something for every budget from local brands to high end luxury brands.
TIP2: Some of the best local brands are NetWork ), FaBrika, Sarar ((Business clothing), Derimod (leather), Mavi Jeans, LTB (Casual), L.C. Waikiki ( for kids).
Gurme Istanbul
• I kept the best to the last Remember Istanbul is a citywhere the cultures meet. This is best reflected in the food.
• First suggestion: what ever you do, DO NOT eat doner. We have mouch more to offer.
• Breakfast: We Turks care alot to have a good breakfast. I don't know where your hotel is, so i can not give you a certain name, but try to have a local traditional breakfast.
• Lunch: Not too heavy, but satisfactory for day long visits. some suggestions are: Lahmacun, Pide, Kumpir, Kofte . Portions you can adjust with the number of pieces.
• Dinner:
Fish: I know you have alot of fish in Malaysia,but it is time to try the mediterian style some good fish restaurants are balikci selahattin http://www.balikcisabahattin.com/ (remeber to make rservation Tel: 0212 458 18 24 ) , posidon Tel: 0212 263 38 23 , Kiyi Tel: 0212 262 00 02 . You can google them as well for location.
TIP1: I don't know if you are taking alcohol,but the local drink Raki is strongly recommended with fish. Additionally, Turkish wine is not well known but very delicious as well.
TIP2: the small appetizers called "meze" is a huge part of the fish eating culture in turkey and Greece.so Try as much as you can.
Kebab: Ok, you are still in an oriental country, so lets taste the Kebabs. My suggestions are:
suada (great location) : http://www.sudakebap.com/ (highly recommened)
Develi : http://www.develikebap.com/eng/index.html
Kasibeyaz: http://www.kasibeyaz.com.tr/et/et.cfm
• Deserts: Turkey is well known for its very sweet(but heavenly delicous) deserts. "Baklava" is a must to try in Turkey.
• Drinks: The world famous " Turkish Coffee" can be found almost everywhere in Istanbul. Suggestion is to have it after a meal. remember to tell how sweet you want(bitter, medium,sweet)
Since you are going there in winter I strongly recommend you to taste an ancient drink called "Salep". It will warm you up in the cold. http://www.google.com/images?oe=utf-...w=1280&bih=862
TIP1: You can find Baklava in the Kebap restaurants you go.however, you can try the specialty shops as well. The most famous are: Güllüoglu and Mado.
TIP2: Mado, I just mentioned is a patiserie chain in Turkey where you can find very nice turkish deserts(baklava,etc.), turkish coffee, salep, very special turkish ice cream ( kesme dondurma). http://www.mado.com.tr/
Important numbers : Police (155) , ambulance (112)
so , this is all from my side. if you need anything else just let me know.
FINAL TIP: THE TURKISH PEOPLE ARE GENERALLY VERY FRIENDLY, BUT SOMETIMES TOO FRIENDLY : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvUQQF5S4Dg&feature=related
best news is that this time of year it is easy to get excellent dinner reservations anytime before the sun sets - the food in Istanbul is excellent and ridiculously cheap relative to its value (I have a serious fetish for steakhouses and the best steakhouse I have been to is in Istanbul).
Swiss has direct flights from Zurich to Istanbul, getting in and out is easy as pie. half of the flights are Swiss and half are serviced by Turkish Air - half of the flights will have 1 or 2 Swiss or Germans, and the other half will have 1 or 2 Turks (you can probably figure out which).
enjoy, you'll have a great time.
Asking the same question as posted from the OP.
we are soon to travel to Turkey (Antalya) for a holiday in October and would like to know how safe it is to travel now.
anyone who has been recently there , can you please provide your inputs about the general feeling of safety and anything we should know particularly.
especially after the recent political events there and also the neighbouring countries situation, it is always helpful to hear recent first hand experiences.
Thanks in advance.
cheers
happycreature
Thanks for your reply. may i know if that was a generic answer or something that you are giving based on your recent travel experience there.
cheers
happycreature
Yes we will be in a all inclusive resort in Antalya. not sure if it is advisable to venture out and experience the town a little bit on our own.
cheers
happycreature