TURKEY TRIP REVIEWS

Since joining Thorntree I have been delighted to read so many wonderful trip reviews.These are most often full of the small details so important and useful to independent travellers.How sad then that in time these slip down the forum pages and get lost or forgotten about.All that help…all that typing!So I have trawled through the last 12 months and collated all the trip reviews and,after equal amounts of bullying and flattery,Zabba(mmwwahh!)has agreed to make this a sticky,so it will now be at the top of the Turkey forum page,easily found(even for us computer dimwits!) with no need to trawl around the site.
Please check through and see that I have added yours,if I haven’t then please accept my apologies and add it on.If you notice others that are missing add those too.(I'm only human!)
If you owe us a review to repay the help and advice received from the forum then get typing now!... more »

Kurdish kindness

I have travelling through the south-eastern part of Turkey as I make my way to Iran. Sipping tea in caravan serai-turned-cafes, sampling local food and above all basking in the warmth of welcome. For many who are hesitant to visit the south eastern part of Turkey perhaps this post will help. Forgive the long post and enjoy the hospitality albeit vicariously.

It started with my arrival in Sanliurfa. I had wandered into a shop in search of an alarm, was invited to have tea and started talking to the owner. He bemoaned the fact that he rarely got to practice his english. Not only did we practice his english, but he introduced me to his friends, invited me to meals. I was introduced to the "regulars" at the local tea garden in Gumruk Hani and greeted like a local each day I went there. On hearing that I wanted to visit the ancient site of Harran near the Syrian border, he decided to ... more »

Fethiye

I'm flying into Dalaman in September. I will be heading to Kabak and Kas, but my flight lands quite late so I plan to stay in Fethiye on the first night. Can anyone recommend a pension or bed and breakfast for one night?

Thanks
Jude

19 hour layover in Istanbul

Folks, in August I will fly into Istanbul arriving at 23.05 and leave at 18.00 the following day. I intend to check in to a hotel/hostel when I arrive and am just looking for some advice on where to go.

I have seen the Han Hostel close to the airport, which seems fine, except that I will have all morning and early afternoon free and there does not seem to be a whole lot in that area. Is it worth getting the metro into the city and checking in somewhere there, so the next morning, I can wake up and be in the centre?

I have been to Istanbul once before, on another layover, but I didn't have to spend the night. It was enough time to visit a few places. I am not intending on going on a mad sightseeing blitz, but I was hoping to be able to spend a couple of hours in a part of the city with a good atmosphere, cafes etc. But I am a bit reluctant to be trekking into the city at that ti... more »

Short Bosphorus Tour

Hi all,

I'm planning to go for a short Bosphorus tour on Saturday. If I understood well, this tour brings you to Istinye and back.

I wanted to combine this with a visit to Besiktas and Ortakoy.

I thought about doing the tour early morning and having the afternoon the explore Besiktas and Ortakoy.

Now, I came across the ferry timetable which mentions departure at 13h30 from Eminonu and 13h50 from Ortakoy.

So, now my plan is to do Besiktas and Ortakoy in the morning and them hop on the ferry to Istinye and back to Eminonu.

My questions:

• Does this seem feasible to you?
• How long does it take to get to Istinye?
• How long does the ferry halt in Istinye?
• Will it still be light enough to enjoy the views on the sites between Ortakoy and Eminonu on the return?

Req. update transport from Ataturk to Istanbul OldCity

Hi All.

Using the search engine I came up with 2012 info. I am flying in tomorrow and I am seeking current info. If it helps I am staying in Orhaniye Cad.
Cheers

between Olimpos and Dalyan?

Hi! After two days in Olimpos, we have another couple of days to go with our baby to another beach before going to Serigerme or Dalyan.. Where can we go? In Kas I think that there isn't beach, Kabak maybe is like Olimpos?, Kalkan I think there isn't beach right the village, Oludeniz maybe to many tourists in August? Patara too many mosquitos?
Thank you for your help!

Ramadan in Turkey

Hi everyone

I am in Turkey from 21-26 July.

21/22 July in Ephesus and the rest in Istanbul.

I've heard that some tourist attractions like Hagia Sophia could be closed on some days during Ramadan. Anyone have any tips/advice?

Thanks
Brad

New Alcohol Laws

What alcohol sales have been banned between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.? Is it package sales? By-the-drink? Both?