Activities in Turkey
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FEATURED
Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
3-4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of…Not LP reviewed
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Harran-Nemrut Tours
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12-Island Tour
Many travellers sign up for the 12-Island Tour, a boat trip around Fethiye Bay (Fethiye Körfezi). The boats usually stop at six islands and cruise by the rest. Some are booze-cruise-style tours so check you're getting what you want. Hotels and agencies sell tickets or you can negotiate a price with the boat companies around the tourist office at the marina.
The normal tour (Fethiye Körfezi) visits Yassıcalar (Flat Island) for a stop and a swim, then Tersane Island for a dip in the turquoise waters and a visit to the ruins, followed by Akvaryum (Aquarium) for lunch, a swim and a snorkel. Cennet Köü (Paradise Bay) is next for a dip, followed by Klopatra Hamamı (Cleopatra's…
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Ambassador Spa
There’s no Ottoman ambiance on offer at the shabby spa centre of this hotel just off Divan Yolu, but all treatments are private, meaning that you get the small hamam all to yourself. Best of all is the fact that the signature 60- or 75-minute 'Oriental Massage' package includes both a hamam treatment and an expert 30-minute oil massage.
The spa's massage therapist Zeki Ulusoy is trained in sports, remedial and aromatherapy massage and he really knows his stuff – you’ll float out of here at the end of a session. The 'Oriental Massage' treatment costs between €50-60; a 50-minute 'Back to Traditions' package comprises a 20-minute body scrub and a 30-minute foam massage and…
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Bougainville Travel
A long-established English-Turkish tour operator with a solid reputation and much experience in organising any number of activities lasting a full day, including: canyoning (TL110); mountain biking (TL90); paragliding (TL210 for flights lasting 20 to 30 minutes); scuba diving (TL55 per dive including all equipment, TL80 for a first dive); and sea kayaking (TL70). They are also experts on Lycian Way trekking and designing tailor-made tours for all of Turkey.
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Yama Tours
A range of one day Cappadocia group tours to choose from and also three-day trips to Nemrut Dağı leaving on Monday and Thursday. An excellent choice of tour with friendly owner/guide, Mehmet.
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Korfez Diving Center
Ayvalık is famed among the diving fraternity for its red coral. Lying at depths between 30m to 42m, it's not for beginners though. The best dive sites to see it are at Deli Mehmetler, Ezer Bey and Kerbela. Other marine life you might come across includes moray eels, gropers, octopus, encrusting anemones and, occasionally, sea horses. There are various dive companies in Ayvalık who can organise trips to see the coral including Korfez Diving Centre.
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Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
Reopened in 2011 after a meticulous restoration, this twin hamam is now offering the most luxurious traditional bath experience in the Old City. Designed by Sinan between 1556 and 1557, it was built just across the road from Aya Sofya by order of Süleyman the Magnificent and named in honour of his wife Hürrem Sultan, commonly known as Roxelana.
The building's three-year, US$13 million restoration was closely monitored by heritage authorities and the end result is wonderful, retaining Sinan's austere design but endowing it with an understated modern luxury. There are separate baths for males and females, both with a handsome soğukluk (entrance vestibule) surrounded…
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Excursion yachts
Excursion yachts tie up in the Roman harbour in Kaleiçi. Some trips go as far as Kemer, Phaselis, Olympos, Kale (Demre) and Kaş. You can take one-hour or two-hour trips or a six-hour voyage which visits the Lower Düden Falls, Gülf of Antalya islands and some beaches for a swim. It's a good idea to ask about lunch when comparing prices; there's a big difference between a sandwich and a three-course seafood feast. Also ask if alcoholic beverages are included.
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Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul's Egyptian Bazaar
3-4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Breathe in the heady mix of spices and herbs in the Egyptian Bazaar, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of…Not LP reviewed
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Cihangir Sauna
This undeclared gay sauna hosts closeted neighbourhood and visiting types. The sauna facilities are clean, if somewhat threadbare. The proudly gay masseur is not only expert in the use of his hands, but generous in doling out local gay info when asked. Weekends can be crowded, and it’s busiest between 3pm and 7pm.
reviewed
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Orsep Royal Hotel
Conveniently located behind Sirkeci train station, this hotel has an excellent gym and wellness centre with an indoor pool, hamam, sauna, steambath, Jacuzzi and exercise equipment. There’s also a small rooftop pool with fabulous panoramic views.
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Ocean Yachting Travel Agency
Next to the tourist office, Ocean Yachting sells boat tickets and organises parasailing (TL180 for 45 minutes), day-long rafting trips (TL85) and half-day horse-riding excursions (TL50) along with lots of other water sports, including so-called blue voyages.
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Nemrut Tours
Based in Hotel Nemrut. A great way to approach Nemrut Dağı from Kahta. Expect to pay around €100 per group for the longer tours.
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Boat Trips
While Marmaris Bay dolmuş-boat day trips (TL30 to TL35) offer eye-opening views and inviting swimming holes, you can really take things further by hiring a yacht, together with your own group of friends, or with random new ones, which offers the pleasure of a 'blue voyage' down the coast. So many old salts advertise tours that their yachts are practically bumping and grinding into one another on the docks. Blue cruises offered by the long-established Yeşil Marmaris Travel and Yachting are recommended. As for the rest, compare prices, ask around and negotiate.
Yachts sail from May to October, departing between 9.30am and 10am and returning around 6pm to 6.30pm. Before…
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Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar
8 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
This comprehensive sightseeing tour of Istanbul provides the perfect introduction to the fabled city that spans Asia and Europe. On this one day sightseeing…Not LP reviewed
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Dalyan Kooperatifi
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Aquarius
Unabashedly proclaiming itself as ‘the only gay sauna in İstanbul’, Aquarius can also lay claim to being the only one with a swimming pool in its premises, which means it comes closest to what most Western gay sauna habitués are used to – most notably a clean environment. An added attraction is the stable of 15 hunky delicious masseurs who take you into the private cubicles for a massage – be sure to negotiate the price and the service parameters clearly. Note: what goes on here should remain here.
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Istanbul by Night: Turkish Dinner and Show
4 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Istanbul by night means floodlit mosques, a fabulous Turkish dinner and a spectacular floorshow with bejeweled belly dancers. It's the ultimate Turkish…Not LP reviewed
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Cankurtan
This friendly company has a strong arts and culture bias. It organises a wide range of off-the-beaten-path walking tours of neighbourhoods around the city, including special tours of Jewish, Armenian and Greek neighbourhoods and to the Princes’ Islands. It also runs highly recommended visits to Sufi ceremonies at tekkes in Fatih and Silivrikapı. The company has a second office in Cankurtan, next to the entrance to Topkapı Palace.
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Cağaloğlu Hamamı
This is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the city’s hamams. Built in 1741 by order of Sultan Mahmut I, it offers separate baths for men and women and a range of bath services that are – alas – overpriced considering how quick and rudimentary the wash, scrub and massage treatments are. Consider signing up for the self-service treatment (€30) only.
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Laveda Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Istanbul
Luxurious Laveda offers Ottoman bathing rituals juxtaposed with modern wellness procedures. As well as the basic ‘Traditional Hamam’ treatment (given by an attendant who doesn’t hurry through the soaping, skin-peeling and water massage), there’s also a long list of spa therapies and massages, including a Sultan’s six-hands massage. The hamam, which is authentically set up, sports rich marble and soothing piped-in ambient music.
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Ağa Hamamı
Dating from 1562, this historic hamam has a low-key ambience and allows communal bathing for both genders, although scrubs and massages are conducted by same-sex masseurs in private spaces. Prices are surprisingly reasonable when compared with the historic hamams in the Old City, but standards of cleanliness could be higher.
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Private Tour: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace
8 hours (Departs Istanbul, Turkey)
by Viator
Take a hassle-free tour of Istanbul's most famous attractions with your own private guide to lead the way. You'll enjoy personalized attention on your private…Not LP reviewed
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Turkish Cultural Services Foundation
The historic Caferağa Medresesi is the home of the Turkish Cultural Services Foundation, which runs courses for locals and travellers in techniques such as calligraphy, miniature painting, ecru (paper marbling), binding and glass painting. Courses are organised into 2½-hour sessions one day per week over three months and cost approximately TL400. It also occasionally organises shorter courses costing TL120.
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Snorkel & Dive Center
The Snorkel & Dive Center is an excellent source of current information and also sells good-quality snorkelling and diving equipment, as well as organising dives. The company also runs PADI, NAUI and CMAS courses. A PADI Open Water course costs around €350 per person (including all equipment, tuition and books). It normally takes four days, though three days is possible at a push.
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