Going to Turkey, what to do?

find out where Mirsad Turkcan is at.

 

I like Turkey. It's good.

 

Aren't they known for their male bathhouses? You can try those spots.

 

That's a long time. Cappadocia is worth a trip tho about 2 nights in goreme is enough. Have not been to Ephesus . Ankara doesn't get too many tourists, but I found it kind of pleasant, the museum of anatolian civilization there is pretty sweet.

In Istanbul IMO it's better to stay in Beyoglu/Galata etc than in Sultanameht - you can visit Sultanhamet for the sights by day, there is more happenin' on the other side of the Golden Horn at night.

 

gobble gobble

 

Just got back from a trip to Turkey and it is an amazing country. Was in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, and Pamukkale. Incredibly beautiful with a lot of historical sites and natural landscape. Great food and friendly people. Also very modern and developed. I had heard people raving about visiting the place before I went and I completely agree it is a great place to see.

 

It costs less to go from Europe to Turkey for a vacation than stay in Europe and have a vacation. It's that cheap in Turkey.

 

Lot of radical fundamental groups in and around Turkey...be careful...And remember Syria is her border.

 

I would stand on both continents in one city and tour the Zildjian factory, if that's a thing

 

ever been to a turkish prison?

 

Yes it is much cheaper. When I was planning my trip I was thinking of staying in Amsterdam for a couple of days and the flight from Minneapolis to Istanbul, with a stopover in Amsterdam, was about $300 USD cheaper than flying to just Amsterdam from Minneapolis.

For those wondering the Turkish Lira is about 3 TL to the $1 currently. A typical meal in Istanbul cost around 45 TL and in some of the other parts of the country that I was that was around 30 TL.

 

The day I got there there were two bombings in Ankara that killed over a 100 people also just before I left there was a mysterious hanging of a UN official in Ataturk Airport (the main airport of Istanbul). I personally felt pretty safe in Turkey and as far as things like petty crime that generally plague tourist areas Turkey seemed safer than many other places I've been too.

Of course we didn't go anywhere near the Syrian or Iraqi border. Also saw some people who said they were Syrian refugees in Istanbul but didn't see anything like the large crowds of Syrians that you see on the news. I was told by a Turkish guy in Ephesus that the only tourist place you will see a lot of Syrian refugees is Bodrum on the SW corner of Syria. That is one of the main setting off points for Syrians to try to get into Greece.

 

Only saw one from the outside. I do like movies about Gladiators though.

 

do both. Pamukkale's worth a visit too. All depends on your travel style and how much you want to squeeze in -- when I went, I spent about 10 days in Istanbul (not Constantinople) and felt that wasn't enough.

Good luck. Keep an eye on the travel advisories but don't sweat it too much.

 

I drove across that border in 2011. Times have changed.

 

Definitely Pamukkale. The travertines are amazing, there are the ruins of Hierapolis and you can get the chance to swim in a pool fed by the same hot springs that were attracting visitors in ancient times.