The Blue Mosque
Istanbul may not be the capital of Turkey, which is Ankara, but it
is the historic centre that bridges the two continents of Europe
and Asia, at Galata.
Istanbul is still overcrowded, although it has cleaned up its act in
recent years. The pedestrian zone bustles with young Turks talking into mobile phones and
watching each other from outdoor restaurant tables, Italian style - granted the coffee is
a little thicker, but the atmosphere is sweet.
Accommodation in Istanbul
Hotels
in Istanbul:
Find hotels in Istanbul with special online rates.
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Hotel
Hippodrome:
Located in Istanbul's old city, Sultanahmet, within easy walking distance of the Blue
Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Underground Cistern and bazaars. Rooms
are with Cable TV, mini-bar, direct dial telephone, hair dryer, shower and W.C. Free
airport transfers.
Istanbul Tourist:
Comprehensive guide to Istanbul with an accommodation guide and tourist tips, instant
online reservation service, guides to city tours, restaurants, night shows, shops, movies,
concerts, fairs and festivals.
Although a member of NATO, most of Turkey lies on the Asian continent, as Anatolia.
Only 3 per cent of Turkey, known as Thrace Turkey, is actually in
Europe. So most visitors to Turkey will cross the Bosphorus and enter Asia Minor.
Many charter tourists to Turkey head to the Mediterranean and Aegean
coasts, and hardly even make the effort to visit Istanbul.
Granted, there is a lot of history and pleasure around the coastal
resorts, but there is also a lot more to Turkey than cruising around Antalya, Alanya,
Bodrum, Izmir and Marmaris.
Republic of
Turkey:
All the facts and figures from the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Washington, DC.
Sirince
Sirince is a quiet, beautiful village surrounded by vineyards and
olive groves, located in the hills 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Ephesus. The architectural
legacy remains fully intact. Some tourism has arrived in recent years, but not so much as
to destroy the traditional village rhythms.
Sent in by: Nisanyan Houses.
Travels in Turkey:
Bob Cromwell's travel tips, after eight trips to Turkey. Train schedules, suggested places
to visit and background information. While buses are cheaper and go almost everywhere,
don't overlook the overnight trains.
Turkey Travel Advisor:
Information on travel to popular destinations in Turkey: Bodrum, Cappadocia, Istanbul and
Marmaris.
Turkish Calendar:
What's happening around Turkey from month to month.
Turk Travel:
Directory of useful information for visitors to Turkey. Includes some outside links, in
the Turkey City Guide section, and contact numbers for bus stations and emergency
services.
Bodrum Ferry
If you don't have your own yacht, there is a ferry to Kos, Rhodes, Marmaris
and other Turkish destinations.
The Hittite Empire (1900-1200 BC), covered most of Asia Minor and
rivalled Egypt as a Middle Eastern power, until it was
destroyed by invaders known as the Sea Peoples, towards the end of the 12th century BC;
along with the western Anatolian city of Troy.
Turkish
Odyssey:
A delightful guide to Turkey's past. History blends effortlessly with useful tips and
places of interest.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was virtually unknown until 1919, when he
took the lead in thwarting the victorious Allies' plan to partition the Turkish core of
the Ottoman Empire.
 |
Ataturk:
The Biography:
The first full-scale biography in over twenty years of the controversial founding father
of the Turkish Republic. Andrew Mango strips away the myth, to show the complexities of
one of the most visionary, influential, and enigmatic statesmen of the century. |
Ataturk divided the Allies, defeated the last Sultan
and secured the territory of the Turkish national state, becoming the first president of
the new republic in 1923.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk:
Without him, there might never have been a Republic of Turkey.
Antalya:
If you want to get away from the beaches, there are many historical sights in the region.
60km from Antalya airport, Side is a rich region with culture,
history, unpolluted miles of beach.
Cappadocia Online:
Europeans discovered the region of Cappadocia in the early 18th century and sometimes it
seems as though little has changed.
Pasha Han Hotel:
Located centrally in Goreme, Cappadocia, the hotel is 83km from Kayseri Airport, 270km
from Ankara Esenboga Airport, and 12km to Nevsehir city centre. With its original
architecture in perfect harmony with the natural look of the region, the 8 tastefully
decorated rooms have a capacity of 23 beds.
Mount Ararat
(Agri Dagi):
Mentioned in the Bible as the place where Noah's ark came to rest. It is Turkey's highest
peak, at 5,122 m., and is situated in the Eastern Highlands; near the border with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Clothing
When visiting Marmara, the Aegean and Mediterranean, during the warmer
months of June to mid-September, take light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for the
evening.
For the Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolia, warmer clothing
should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes.
In winter, woollens and rain-proofing are needed as most of the
country is cold and rainy. The Mediterranean coastal region doesn't get very cold
but Central and Eastern Anatolia is snowy in the higher regions.
Remember to bring comfortable shoes when visiting archaeological and
historical sites.
Sent in by: TWARP Tours.
Maxi Turkey:
Get tips on travel in Turkey by talking to the Turkey travel community.
Language Learning:
Online resources to help you learn Turkish before you travel to Turkey.
Turkish
Culture:
Language, religion, mythology and art, if you would like to get to know Turkey better here
is where to start.
Alta-Tours:
Alta Tours is a designer of unique cultural and historical adventures for all ages, with
experienced and licensed tour escorts who bring the history and culture of Turkey to life.
Anzac House Hostel:
Anzac House Youth Hostel is situated in Çanakkale, 300km south of Istanbul, about 6 hours
by bus. Travellers come to Çanakkale to tour the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli and the
ancient city of Troy. Internet access and friendly staff.
Asian Turkey Tours:
Adnan Tanguler was born in Urgup, Cappadocia -- in one of the famous cave houses. Since
studying Tourism Business and Administration, Adnan has now chosen to specialise in
tour-guiding and maybe one day can turn his old cave house into a tourist hotel. Tours
listed are only outlines, as each tour can be customised to suit the client's interests.
Discounts for Travel Notes members.
Cappadocia Museum
Hotel:
Located in Uchisar, the Cappadocia Museum Hotel reflects the history of the region on a
wide scale and also displays historical artefacts around the hotel and in the traditional
arched and rock carved rooms.
Discounts for Travel Notes members.
Danytur:
Escorted cultural coach tour itineraries and private yacht charter vacations.
10% discount to Travel Notes members.
Dedeman Hotels and Resorts
International:
The largest hotel chain in Turkey, with hotels and resorts throughout Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Moldova
and Tashkent.
Ephesus Tours:
Sardunya Travel, established in 1997, offer private shore excursions in Turkish ports of
call such as Kusadasi/Ephesus, Istanbul, Bodrum and Antalya. Customised tours available on
request.
10% discount to Travel Notes members.
Erokoy
Travel and Tours:
Anatatolian Discovery tours are ideal for those who have too much time in Marmaris and
would prefer spending seven days off-road in Anatolia than roasting on the beach. Day
trips out of Marmaris also available.
Gallipoli
and Troy:
The Hassle Free Travel Agency organises highly-informative tours of the Gallipoli
battlefields and the ancient city of Troy.
iexploreturkey:
A joint Australian and Turkish owned tourism company that specialises in packages and
tours within Turkey and Greece.
Lotus Motel: (Antalya-Side)
Brand new, with swimming pool, private beach, bar, authentic Turkish cuisine, personal
service, free pickup and drop off at Antalya airport. Rich breakfast for two included.
10% discount for Travel Notes members who stay for one week;
15% over 1 week stay.
Omar's
Destination Services:
By touring Turkey's cities and visiting its archaeological, cultural and historical sites,
the past and the present come alive. Arranges daily excursions, roundtrips, biblical
tours, Anzac tours, and Blue Cruise charters.
Small Hotels of Turkey:
Sevan and Mujde Nisanyan have compiled an independent guide to small, charming, individual
and truly extraordinary hotels around Turkey. Alongside the properties are illustrated
attractions in the area as well. A handy companion to the website is The Little Hotel Book.
SRM Travel:
Tankut Aran and his wife, Lale, organise a limited number of 'off the beaten track' tours
around Turkey so that every traveller can have their own unique experience.
The Blue Cruise:
7 nights/8 days along the Turkish Mediterranean Coast for $400. Meals, crew, fuel, harbour
dues, yacht facilities are included. Departures are Saturdays and Sundays, April to
October.
10% discount to Travel Notes Members.
Turkey Central:
A searchable database of Turkey's tourism Web sites. Thousands of links to hotels, city
guides, tour operators, and travel-related media.
TWARP:
More than 10 different programs to take you to the highlights and major sights of Turkey.
From 3 to 14 days.
Books
on Turkey Travel:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in Turkey.
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