Turkey travel tips

Following are regularly updated travel tips for Turkey.

The text below is from the comprehensive holiday travel tips to be found at
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April 8 2008 Turkey travel tips

Istanbul's economy has been strong since the turn of the century and this is reflected in the construction of new cultural attractions such as the Istanbul Modern museum of contemporary art on the banks of the Bosphorus.

Sultanahmet is the city's main tourist district but more realistic adventures can be enjoyed in areas such as Beyoglu and Pera, which are vast warrens of art galleries, cafes, antique stores and clubs.

Istanbul has a fantastic nightlife and holidays in this city are much cheaper than in western Europe. US$9 will buy you a good meal in 2007. Don't travel to Istanbul without visiting the Grand Bazaar, first built by the Ottomans in 1461 and now housing more than 4,000 shops - making it the world's biggest covered market. The Grand Bazaar is divided into districts, each with its own character, and the complex has been described as the most beautiful shopping experience in the world. Bargains can be had but the shopowners can quickly spot sucker tourists who haven't checked the local market before trying to barter for an item.

In central Istanbul surrounding the famous Blue Mosque is the area known as Sultanahmet, dense with carpet shops, cafes, bazaars, tourist coaches, upmarket hotels and even a pair of 4000 year old Egyptian obelisks.

Nearby is the stunning Haghia Sophia former church and mosque built some 1471 years ago and now a World Heritage listed museum.

Most settlements along the Aegean coast have been modernised but you can still find some antiquated towns such as Ayvalik (January average 11 degrees, August average 34 degrees Celsius), where colourful horse-drawn carts still trot through narrow, cobbled streets lined by thick stone walls and the ancient homes of merchants. Ayvalik was built in prehistoric times but rose to prominence in the 16th Century under the Ottoman Greeks. Western tourists mostly head further south to fine sand beaches and tourist hotspots such as Bodrum, but native Istanbul residents often prefer Ayvalik - which is renowned for its yoghurt, cheeses and olive oil.

Travellers should note that in early 2006 there were signs of bird flu in more than a third of Turkey's 81 provinces, particularly to the east and in Ankara but including Istanbul and tourism areas along the Aegean coast. There have been several deaths and authorities fear the H5N1 virus may become endemic in Turkey. There has been some panic among locals, most domestic fowl have been slaughtered and tourists should be wary of the risk in eating poultry or making contact with birdlife, particularly in eastern Turkey.

There is a strong mix of different nationalities in the streets of Istanbul but Turks predominate elsewhere. English, French and German are common second languages but don't always rely on convenient translation during your travel in Turkey, particularly outside tourist areas.

Women are often sexually harrassed if they appear to be western tourists or flaunt their beauty. It's worth dressing down and possibly wearing trousers to turn men off.

Women should cover their heads if they enter any mosque and not sit with men inside the building.

If you're in Istanbul, avoid the city's notorious traffic jams if possible. To avoid traffic, it's a good idea to catch one of the dirt-cheap trams that runs through Istanbul, many providing swift and comparatively comfortable transport to most of the prime tourist spots.

Public commuter ferries are also a very cheap way to get around and to enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, which is effectively a 32 kilometre long freeway. Ferry fares on the Bosphorus start from 1.3 Turkish lire (about US$1)in 2007. A recommended ferry destination is the Prince's Islands, a group of nine islands 9 kilometres from Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara. Buyukada is the largest and most beautiful of this island group, having no cars, and is about an hour by ferry from Istanbul.

If you're heading out of Istanbul, be aware that Turkey has one of the worst road tolls in the world and it's worth ensuring that you choose a reputable bus company to minimise the danger. All the bus fares are cheap by western standards.

A highlight of travel on Turkey's south-west coast is the private hire of a power boat or gulet, one of the many quaintly converted wooden fishing boats that offer a holiday adventure on the calm waters of the Mediterranean.

A private charter allows you to share the vessel with friends rather than potentially incompatible strangers, along with a skipper, cook and crew member if needed. Boat charters can be organised in coastal towns such as Bodrum and Marmaris, and holiday-makers can enjoy weeks of leisurely cruising with frequent stops to explore small bays and villages.

As a rough guide, a group of eight tourists could probably expect to hire a gulet for about US$60 per day per person, meals included.

The more upmarket and expensive ports along the Lycian coast (known in tourist circles as the Turquoise Coast) are Marmaris and Bodrum. Gocek is a more down-to-earth sailing port.

There is usually plenty of nightlife on the streets of Istanbul and Turks tend to party late into the night.

The old city of Istanbul on the west of the Bosphorus is a tourist mecca. The Grand Bazaar in the old city has more than 4,000 shops selling an amazing range of goods and is one of the oldest shopping centres in the world.

Most Turks live on the east or Asian side of the Bosphorus, which is a giant suburbia but still worth touring.

Food? Eat on the streets and you'll find vendors everywhere with interesting snacks that cost a pittance.

Eat a feast in a restaurant and it'll only cost a few dollars.

The potent anise liqueur of Raki is Turkey's national drink and, yes, you can easily find plenty of Turkish baths in all cities and towns if you want to enjoy a soothing rub-down.

Tourists should note that there have been terrorist attacks in Turkey over the past decade and it's worth getting embassy or consular advice before you travel to south-east and eastern parts of the country, particularly the provinces of Sirnak, Hakkari, Tunceli and Diyarbakir.

Terrorism fears have worsened with suicide bombers killing dozens and injuring hundreds of people in Istanbul in late 2003, fatal bomb blasts in Istanbul and Ankara in July 2004 and further incidents in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

A dolmus is the cheapest way to get around Turkey and meet the locals face-to-face, although normal taxi fares are usually reasonable.

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