Posts filed under 'Turkey'
If you are bored with Spain, Turkey, Italy, France or the USA why not try the latest adventure to hit planet earth? Space Travel – No really, space travel is now a reality! On July 24th the first spaceflight was arranged for a paying tourist by an agency that prides themselves as specialists in Space Adventures. You can zoom off to space and meander around in space for a mere $15 million dollars. Well that’s the latest and apparently much cheaper than the $35 million quoted earlier this year. (source = BBC)
Now it looks like Russia is considering the possibility of people walking around the international space station, as long as they have a months training prior to the trip and they have the psychological and physical ability.
Well I know I won’t be spacing out! I don’t have the cash, the guts and the inclination.
How about you?
by Doreen B.
August 3rd, 2006
Turkey has become an extremely popular holiday destination for the British. When we travelled to Turkey we found that the most popular tourist destinations where buzzing with Brits. The flight took us about four hours and we found pretty cheap flights because we booked a packaged holiday. Our site, IndigoGuide gives you some good information about Flying to Turkey.
While I was doing some research on flights to Turkey, I came across this sight:
bookingbuddy.com.
What I found helpful about the site is that it gives you access to all the major travel sites within one site so it was easy to compare prices and availability.
If you are travelling extensively around Turkey then you might want to investigate some of the domestic airlines as a means of getting around. Here are three alternatives to the State airline: Fly Air - www.flyair.com.tr, Onur Air - www.onurair.com.tr, and Atlas Jet - www.atlasjet.com. If you want to use the state airline then visit: www.thy.com.
For those travelling to Turkey for the first time, you should bear in mind that it is illegal to travel around the country without having photo ID. My advise to you is to keep a certified copy of your passport with you at all times and leave your passport in the safe at the hotel.
Other advice is to buy and drink bottled water. Most the locals don’t drink from the taps. Also, be really careful of the main alcoholic drink ‘Raki’. It is 45% proof but looks just like water. It is definitely advisable to take it easy on that stuff.
Obviously check out your visa requirements as this varies from country to country. When we travelled all we needed was our current passports and we got our visa’s stamped at the passport control. It is also courteous to try and learn some basic Turkish words like; please, thank you, how much, hello, goodbye, yes, no, water, toilets etc.
One last word of advice. Whenever we travel to another country we always find out what is expected with regards to tipping. In Turkey, if you are satisfied with the service then you tip between 10 and 15%.
If you think our section on Turkey needs more information please let us know?
Doreen B.
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February 20th, 2006
Yip, that’s right - Tulips were originally sent to Holland in the 16th century from Turkey. Turkey has the most amazing history and when I went to the country, I did not spend enough time there so I want to go back. I spent too much time in Marmaris shopping.
If you want to do more than shop then check out a place called ‘Spil Mountain’ National Park in Manisa. Its in the Aegean region of Anatolia and they have a great variety of Tulips growing wild. Definitely something for the nature lovers. Its an area you can visit during winter and summer. You can do some trekking or camping or you can hire a bungalow for the less adventurous like me and if you are going, apparently you need to see the famous “crying rock” of Niobe.
If you want more stuff on Turkey let me know. We have covered the basics about travelling to Turkey but there is soooo much more to the country.
December 28th, 2005
Ever wonder how St Nicholas (Santa Clause) stories spread across the world when he was actually born in Turkey? Well its because during the middle ages the sailors claimed him as their patron. Why? Well because when he was sailing on one of their ships they were hit by a storm. St Nicholas stayed calm and prayed and suddenly the wind and waves stopped and the sailors felt that because of his faith and prayers their lives were spared. The sailors spread the word and so today we have Father Christmas in soooo many countries. Today most of Europe still celebrates December 6th as the main day for gift giving. The 6th of December is the day of his death, so he is remember on this day. Now you have a good story for the kids at Christmas time.
If you want to visit his last resting place, it is in a place called Myra, on the south east Lycian coast in Turkey. There is a lot to see and do as Turkey offers tons of history, archeology, culture, shopping and swimming. Try starting your trip in Antalya which is the capital of the Turkish Mediterranean Coast. It has a modern city but still emanates the charming historic core. Antalya is only about 90 miles from Myra if you are keen to take the kids to the birth place of Father Christmas. How about some comments?
December 19th, 2005
As money is a Travel Essential, I thought I would share some stuff with you about money and travelling to Turkey. If you have not already heard, Turkey has changed its currency so that the lira is no longer worth millions anymore.
Our kids will be disappointed because they thought they were just the bees knees when we visited Turkey. They were worth a few million lira’s in pocket money. Anyway, the new currency, known as the “New Turkish Lira” (YTL) as well as the new sub-unit they created, called the new kurus (YKr) can be used side by side until 31 December 2005.
Another thing, don’t take cash with you because because pick pocketing in any major tourist destination is common. The ATM’s in Turkey are widely available in all major cities as well as all major tourist areas. You can also get local currency at banks and the exchange bureaux, which are known as DOVIZ in Turkish.
December 12th, 2005
Did you know that Turkey produces and exports about 70 - 75% of the worlds Hazelnuts? Hazel nuts are low in fat and high in protein and the Hazelnut trees grow mostly on the eastern, middle and western part of the Black Sea.
For a holiday with a difference why not try the Black Sea for its unique diversity. Visiting that part of the country will expose you to rocky mountains, cool waters, tea plantations, hazelnut, tobacco and corn growers. There is also a little island called Giresun, which is situated on the northeast of Anatolia . This little island has a castle, a catholic church and a mausoleum. It is famous for its thermal springs and mineral water and also for the AKSU FESTIVALS which take place annually between May 20-23. Giresun Island has natural beaches and every night during summer months, Tours are organised between Giresun Island and Giresun Port. So if you are sick of the usual hum drum holidays give it go. For more information on Turkey in general fo to:
http://www.indigoguide.com/turkey/
December 9th, 2005
The first time I (Doreen) went to Turkey with the family, we stayed in Icmeler (at the Marti Hotel). It was one of the best family holidays we ever had. The Turkish food was great. We had a funny pancake type thing filled with chicken and some type of green stuff but we didn’t care because it tasted fabulous.
For entertainment, we did the mud bath thing, the scuba diving thing, the jet skiing, the massage thing, the Turkish bath thing and the boat trips etc.. This was one of the most successful family holidays we ever had. The Turkish people were really friendly (the men a little too friendly with the teenage girls - so just watch that side of it) and helpful. Although Icmeler is touristy, it is still relatively placid compared to Marmaris. Let me know if you want more info or just share your experiences with me.
December 6th, 2005
In 2003 I took my family to Turkey (Steve). The main reason for this was because it was one of the few countries that one could visit on a South African passport without having to get a visa. I must say, now that my kids are a lot older I think it was the last “real” family holiday that we had. I will remember it with very good memories - still have the family video of us all scuba diving!! I am also not happy with this section of the site - it lacks lots of information. We are working on it. Please give us your feedback.
December 1st, 2005