Turkey

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May 24, 2013 10:31 AM
alrightalex

last reply
May 24, 2013 12:39 PM
maenad

3 replies
64 views
location: Turkey

group tour - bottled water dillema

hi,
im going on a 17 day group tour of Turkey and Im reading about the hotels we are staying in. Im finding that many of them have an outrageous policy of not allowing any outside food or drink, YES even water. Most of the hotels charge about 4 euros for a bottle, and i drink at least 6 a day - i will go broke!
there are grocery stores nearby but they say that they check your bags and will confiscate purchases until you leave. One travelocity review even said that the maid found outside water in her room and they charged them the hotel's price for that water!!
so im pretty sure i could sneak in a water or 2, BUT is there something i could buy to purify the tap water? i do have a mini electric tea kettle - would boiling it be enough? (so i guess i would have to buy one hotel water to refill so i could be seen outside of my room with it!).
It is hard to believe that the hotels a... more »

May 24, 2013 10:03 AM
geoffca

last reply
May 24, 2013 12:05 PM
sarikanarya

1 replies
22 views
location: Turkey

Whirling Dervises

hi all,

i'm visiting Istanbul soon. I would like to watch the whirling dervish while having dinner perhaps.

I am staying somewhere in Taksim area, but i don't mind any place around Haghia Sophia or the grand bazaar.

Anyone recommends anything ? and please state if it requires reservation or i can just go..

Thank you very much for your help ! :)

May 24, 2013 9:58 AM
geoffca

last reply
May 24, 2013 11:50 AM
sarikanarya

1 replies
28 views
location: Turkey

Topkapi Palace

I am looking to purchase e-tickets for the Topkapi Place and Harem before we travel, does anyone know if they have an expiry date?

Many thanks

May 23, 2013 11:52 PM
mikk

last reply
May 24, 2013 12:45 PM
maenad

3 replies
63 views
location: Turkey

İzmit > İznik (Νίκαια)

Hi!

Is there a direct bus from İzmit to İznik or do they all go via Sakarya?
Those sites find no option:
http://www.neredennereye.com/karayolu/

Thanks.

May 23, 2013 3:56 PM
gbarlow54

last reply
May 24, 2013 12:48 PM
maenad

4 replies
97 views
location: Turkey

Hiring Car in Turkey

I have been told by one of my sons friends that he would never drive in Istanbul - any comment
(Son's friend married and lives in Turkey so cant be simply ignored)

I didnt get to ask about the rest of Turkey

Any comments from anyone

May 22, 2013 6:32 PM
tomgoldrup

last reply
May 22, 2013 10:51 PM
tomgoldrup

2 replies
76 views
location: Turkey

Deniz Lake

Is it easy to get to Deniz Lake (located in Kackar Deglari Milli Parko) from Yusefeli? Can one get to the lake and back in one day or is it an overnight trek there and back. How would I get there from Yusefeli? Thanks.

May 22, 2013 6:30 PM
DebW63

last reply
May 24, 2013 1:10 PM
maenad

11 replies
193 views
location: Turkey

"Free" time in Istanbul

My 25 yo daughter and I, will be arriving in Istanbul on 16th August at 6.30am to join a 3 week tour of Turkey. We will be transferred to our hotel (Hilton Parksa, Macka) and then have the rest of the day free. We will have free time on the 3rd day also til 3.30 pm when we leave for Ankara. I have been to Istanbul before ( albeit , briefly as a day and half stopover on a cruise) and I went to Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Galata tower. The tour will also cover Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome so we are looking to spend our free time exploring on our own. As our hotel seems to be outside the main tourist area, I have been researching how we can access the other areas of the city and just need to confirm a few things. We would be happy to walk or use public transport but prefer not to use taxis, if possible.
On the first day, I thought we could walk? to Dolmabahce Palac... more »

May 22, 2013 5:45 PM
happywander

last reply
May 24, 2013 1:12 PM
maenad

2 replies
62 views
location: Turkey

Visa and Combo cruise and later Land trip

We are Canadians and have booked a flight to Istanbul, arriving a day before cruise, then a cruise of the Greek islands and mainland (with stops on Turkey Coast).

when we return, we are doing a separate land cruise. The way I read it we will each need a $192 multi entry visa.

Does anyone have any comments on this?

May 22, 2013 7:55 AM
geoffca

last reply
May 22, 2013 9:50 AM
sarikanarya

1 replies
92 views
location: Turkey

Istanbul Visit

Hi,

I will be spending 3 days in Istanbul. Is it worth it to be on visits to the sights with a guide, or do most museums and attractions have information one can read in English? What would be the best museums to see in a few days? Does anyone have any hints as to how to organize the days?

Thanks.

May 22, 2013 7:53 AM
geoffca

last reply
May 22, 2013 12:01 PM
maenad

2 replies
110 views
location: Turkey

Turkish Bath

Hiya,

This will be the first time I visit Istanbul. I am looking to have a superb Turkish bath and massage and would love to do it while I am there.

Can anyone recommend the best place to go?

Really looking forward to our holiday at the beginning of July.

Any advise is much appreciated.

May 22, 2013 5:18 AM
sbone_be

last reply
May 22, 2013 8:57 PM
chris1953

3 replies
98 views
location: Turkey

Long stopover in Istambul

Hello TT

I'm looking at a flight with a 24 hour connection in Istambul (!)

If I take it, will we have time to see a few things before the flight out (at 18.50) or is it not worth the hassle? (It'll be early Sept, and we'll have a 6-month old baby, although she'll be breastfeeding so no bottles to messa bout with)

Any idea if Turkish Airlines will provide accomodation, food etc? I've received mixed messages...

Thanks!

S

May 22, 2013 12:35 AM
eurotrash

last reply
May 23, 2013 5:09 AM
DavidM1

7 replies
161 views
location: Turkey

Getting to Ihlara valley

Our original plan was to leave Egirdir to Konya, see the Mevlana museum, stay overnight and bus to Goreme the next day. But now we are keen to see the Ihlara valley, and were wondering if we could somehow leave egirdir tomorrow morning, leave our luggage at the Konya bus station, quickly see the museum with a taxi, and then get to Ihlara via, Aksaray. It sounds like the day tours from Goreme are rushed and not for us. Otherwise we may skip the museum and just head to the gorge tomorrow. Thanks for any help.

May 21, 2013 8:39 PM
pcskey

last reply
May 22, 2013 2:41 AM
swampeastmike

1 replies
61 views
location: Turkey

Accomodation along our route

We will be driving from Savsat for 2 days in Karagol Sahara NP, and then onto a circular route back to the Savsat area and Trabzon. Can anyone tell us if there are accommodations along Routes 955 West and South from Savsat, then Route 060, East, and to Route 010 North. Ideally, we would like to have a halfway point around Penek (a town almost directly south of Savsat on 955. As we are traveling in June, and wonder if in this part of the country reservations are needed. Thank you.

May 21, 2013 7:19 PM
jackie3fl

last reply
May 22, 2013 7:51 PM
yaofeng

5 replies
124 views
location: Turkey

Visa

I am traveling from the USA. Does anyone know if I should do the visa paperwork electronically prior to arriving or should I just wait until I fly into ataturk? How about if Canadian citizenship?

May 21, 2013 10:54 AM
tandyworld

last reply
May 22, 2013 3:01 AM
sarikanarya

2 replies
94 views
location: Turkey

Secure lockers in a Hammam? (Istanbul)

Do most of the Hammams (Istanbul) have lockers in which to put items like a passport, cash, etc?
Just curious how secure they are or should leave this stuff in the hotel?

Edited by: tandyworld

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