Hello! I will be coming to Turkey at the end of May to mid June and will be making my way from Istanbul to Fethiye, flying out of Dalaman. Firstly, I'm a bit worried about the men situation. I REALLY don't like being hassled by men who think English women are easy. Sometimes women speak to men because they are being nice or polite! Even though I will be dressed respectfully, is it worth just ignoring all men that try to talk to you? Does anyone have any recommendations about how to get round this tricky issue?
Secondly, I'd like to go to Troy and Ephesus on the way down to Marmaris. Is it better to hire a car, or try and do it by bus? Is driving problematic?
Thirdly, I'd LOVE to dive or snorkell around a sunken city. Can anyone recommend any?
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
Many thanks.
Susan
It's much cheaper to take a bus. There are very good buses everywhere.
I have been in a sunken city near Kas, after Fethiye, if you come from Marmaris.
About hassling I can´t help you. I'm a man, I've been in Turkey five or six times and I have never seen situations like that.
If you cross Fethiye, don't miss Kalkan and Kas.
Have a nice time.
the buses are fine.
i'm female and i go to Turkey at least twice a year, i haven't had any real hassle to speak of. I think the only way near the sunken city at Kas is to sea kayak, i think diving or snorkelling is forbidden, its something we were hoping to do this year but we'll make do with the kayaking.
As legless says, the buses are fine and very comprehensive. You shouldn't have a problem finding one that's heading in the direction you want.
About the hassle - I'm going to sit on the fence on this one. Yes, a lot of the Turkish men I have encountered have seemed to think English girls are 'easy', but there again what they see in the tourist resorts, or on satellite television just reinforces that stereotype. However, not all of them have thought that, and I've met plenty of lovely people who haven't hassled me in the slightest.
I would just recommend you go about as normal, but perhaps avoid eye contact as you walk along. Turkish women seem to do this, and don't get hassled so much.
The only sunken ruins I know of are that of Myndos, which is just by the village of Gumusluk on the Bodrum Peninsula. The ruins are supposed to be lovely, although I've never actually seen them myself.
I think that both #2 and #4 have summed it up pretty well. As for the sunken city check out Kekova and it can be reach by boat either Kas, Kalkan, Demre or Üçagiz. Diving or snorkelling around the ruins is yes forbiden. But you can swim in certain area close by. the boat captains will take you to the places that are allowed.
Simena is a popular Lycian site, situated upon one of the most attractive spots of the Turkish coast. The name "Kekova" is Turkish for "plain of thyme" and describes the region encompassing the island of Kekova, the villages of Kaleköy and Üçagiz and the three ancient towns of Simena, and Tersane (meaning "shipyard", as its bay was the site of an ancient shipyard, with mostly Byzantine ruins). Both Simena and Teimussa have a large necropolis. Teimussa is now the village of Üçagiz, where boats set off for tours of the area.
Thanks for that witty insight Tretower. Moron.
If you have time I would stay in Ucagiz. Its beautiful, near that sunken city, and the part of the Likya Yolu around there is beautiful.
I am in Turkey now and am traveling by myself, and have not had any problems other than stares of curiousity, and that is mostly in the more conservative areas. I do tend to look away from the men who are looking at me (mostly groups of men talking together).
In Istanbul, you will find plenty of men that come up and talk to you - however, the only reason they are doing this is to try to sell you something. I tried to be polite at first and then just started ignoring them - it's the only way they will not hassle you.
"Are English women easy? "
From what I see in Bodrum or Kusadasi, if I had never been to England I would get the impression that they really are.
Stayed in Fethiye 2 years ago, gatta place by the way. But!! the Turks hassle everybody, not just the women. We found it was usually good-natured, but persistent - you only had to sit on a park bench and someone would pop up trying to sell you fake fragrances, watches, whatever. In the main though, the Turks are very friendly people, but just a bit pushy.
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