- ACCOMMODATION
For individual travellers as well as for organised groups Turkey has a great number of lodging possibilities at various prices. In most places a family-like atmosphere and natural charm is dominant. Outside tourist centres the holidaymaker finds hotels and restaurants in all sizable places. On most long distance roads there are motels. Youth hostels do not exist in Turkey, except in Istanbul. The official classification of hotels, from a modest one marked by 1 star to the very luxurious one marked by 5 stars and , gives you a hint of the comfoit and the price of a room.
Due to the construction boom and the high inflation rate the housing situation changes all the time. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism, every year, publishes lists of hotels without an indication of prices. Officially licenced camping sites are available in tourist areas. Most of them are open from May to October. In general they are equipped with electricity, hot showers, a supennarket, and a restaurant. You can obtain a list of camping sites at the Turkish tourist agencies.
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In the interior of the country, however, there are no such places. Camping outside the official camping sites is allowed in Turkey. In general Turkish people are most helpful and will show you a place to camp in a charming scenic place, but camping in completely deserted areas is not recommended.
- Arrival by car
If you arrive by car the following documents are needed: National driver’s licence, car licence, third party insurance, and international green insurance card valid for the whole of Turkey.
The shortest route from London to Istanbul is via Brussels, Cologne, Frankfurt, Salzburg. Klagenfurt, Ljubljana, Belgrade. Nish, Sofia, and Edirne, a distance of around 3,300km. During summer months the roads and the Autoput through Yugoslavia are overcrowded with tourists and workers on home leave. To avoid the crowds there is the possibility of taking the road from Nish to Thcssaloniki (the distance is about 4.200km), or the road passing by Vienna, Szeged, Belgrade, and Sofia (total distance 3,500km). Drivers should realise that sections of roads are subject to tolls. Hungarian, Rumanian and Bulgarian transit visas should be obtained before setting out. Automobile clubs can give information about conditions of roads, traffic rules, actual prices for petrol, and how to get help in case of engine trouble.
- Arrival by train
The Simplon-Orient Express goes from Paris to Istanbul via Trieste. Zagreb, Belgrade and Sofia. There are also direct carnages from London and the Hook of Holland to Istanbul via Munich and Salzburg. Some of these trains have sleepers. The main European railway station of Istanbu: is called Sirkeci and is in the centre of the city, near the Galata bridge.
- Arrival by bus
All year round bus trips to Turkey are organised by numerous travel agencies and special bus companies. There arc regular services between Turkey and Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland. The journey lasts around 45 hours from Munich to Istanbul.
- Arrival by aeroplane
Turkey is connected with the most important centres of the world by international airlines. The duration of a flight, from London to Istanbul is around 3,5 hours. Other main Turkish airports are: Ankara, Izmir. Antalya and Dalaman. According to season, destination and airline, the prices vary between 400 and 900 dollars.
- Arrival by ship
Foreign shipping lines who organise cruises in the Mediterranean also have regular services to Istanbul, Izmir, Kuşadası and Bodrum.
From spring to autumn the ‘Turkish Maritime Lines” (TML) sails between Venice and Izmir once a week. Further information about time tables, ferry-boat prices and booking can be obtained in tourism and information offices as well as travel agencies.
- Banks
Banks which change money and accept Euro- and Traveller’s cheques are marked accordingly. Branches of all large Turkish banks are found in all cities and tourist centres. To change money in the streets is illegal.
- Baths
Because of strict cleansing regulations in the Islamic religion there have been many public baths (hamam) in Turkey since the Middle Ages. In general men and women go to different baths. If in a city there is only one bath, men and women use it on different days. In the middle of the bath-room surrounded by open cabins, is the so-called “Göbektaşı”. On this marble platform the guest, clothed with a “pestemal” round his hips, stretches out for a while to perspire. After that his/her skin is rubbed and massaged by attendants, a “tellak” (for men) or a “natır” dor women). Many old baths have interesting architecture. You find these particularly especially in Istanbul and Bursa.
- Beaches
Turkey has a coastline of about 8,000km, and the weather is suitable for bathing from early spring to late autumn. The Black Sea coast mostly has beaches with very fine sand. The main area of sea side resorts is the Aegean coast as well as the south coast. The most frequented places are Antalya, Kuşadası, and the more exclusive Bodrum. Numerous bays and quiet beaches are an invitation to sunbathe. However, nudism is not permitted.
- Car hire
In big cities and holiday resorts you can rent a car from national and international car leasing companies. The fees correspond to European prices.
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- Customs
When entering the country the traveller can import an unlimited amount of foreign or Turkish currency. The export of Turkish currency is limited to the equivalent of 3,000 dollars. Personal objects can be brought into the country free of duty. Domestic animals can enter the country only with a Veterinary Health Certificate and a document, not older than 15 days, affirming vaccination against rabies.
- Clothing
For hot days in summer light cotton clothes are the best. Sandals are comfortable for walks. Solid shoes arc recommended for sightseeing tours and excursions. The climate of the interior of Anatolia features a remarkable drop in temperature after sunset. Therefore your travel bap should include a sweater or a woolen jacket. For visits to mosques women need a kerchief and a long-sleeved blouse.
- Electricity
220 volt, alternative current.
- Entry and exit formalities
For a stay in Turkey of up to 3 months your passport or identity card is sufficient. For a longer stay you need a visa. Travellers under 16 years of age must be identified either by a child’s identity card (with picture) or by an entry in the passport of an adult.
- Food and drink
In Turkish cooking Arabic-Asiatic traces are still to be found. Typical of these are grilled or steamed meat and fish, fresh salad as an extra dish, a great variety of soups, cold and hot entrees (mezeler), as well as sweet desserts,
The laws of Islam forbid the eating of pork. Recommended are: Beef and veal, lamb, all kinds of poultry, venison, all types of fish and shell fish. The most frequent main dishes are well spiced meatballs called “kofte”, and “kebap”. that is meat in little cubes or on a grill spit. The majority of the Turkish population prefers lamb and mutton, puff pastries filled with minced meat or cheese (borek), and products of the country, mainly vegetables and fruit which are inexpensive. Nibbles of hazelnuts and kernels of pumpkins, sunflowers, or pine cones are a must. You can get all kinds of drinks starting with cold water, mineral water, liquid yoghurt (ayran), fruit juice, beer, Turkish wine, tea, coffee, ending with Turkish raki. an anisette (40-50% alcohol) which regulates the functioning of stomach and intestines.
- Health
The Turkish health service is good. Many Turkish physicians have studied abroad and in general speak at least one foreign language. The fees for medical treatment, medicine, and stays in hospitals, are lower than in most European countries but have to be paid in cash and immediately.
- Hunting
Tourists are only allowed to take part in a hunt organised by a travel agency or the relevant ministry. Private hunting is strictly forbidden. For further details, please apply to the association of travel agencies in Turkey. (Türsab, Cumhuriyet Cad. 187, Elmadag-Istanbul)
Insurance
Each vehicle must be insured. Drivers should have a green international insurance card valid Tor the whole of Turkey, or should attain short time insurance upon entering Turkey.
- Mosque visits
Faithful Moslems are called to prayer in the mosque by the muezzin. Before prayer the faithful perform ritual washing and remove their shoes when entering the mosque. Non-Moslems and foreign visitors are requested to lake off their shoes too, and to behave respectfully. Mosques should not be visited during the hours of prayer. Women are expected to wear a kerchief or hat and to cover their arms. Men wearing shorts are not permitted to enter expected to wear a kerchief or hat and to cover their arms. Men wearing shorts are not permitted to enter.
- Museums
Museums in Turkey are open every day except Mondays. Palaces are closed Mondays and Thursdays. An exception is Topkapi Palace in Istanbul which is closed on Tuesdays. For taking films or photographs in areas of historical ruins and in museums an additional fee is often asked at the entrance.
- Newspapers, magazines
In all large cities and tourist centres you can buy foreign newspapers and popular magazines on the day of their publication or a day later.
- Nightlife
If you want to go out at night Turkey offers you a large choice of cultural entertainment. In Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir .works of Turkish and foreign composers are performed by the State Symphony Orchestra, the State Opera and the Ballet under the leadership of worldfamous conductors.
Nightclubs with their rich, varied programmes offer quite different entertainment. In holiday resorts you can enjoy discotheques and other popular gatherings.
- Petrol
The network of petrol stations is sufficient in all parts of Turkey. The prices for petrol and especially diesel oil are below the level of European prices.
- Shoeshine boys
In Turkey shoeshine boys are pan of daily life in the streets. They should be paid generously, that means about 1 dollar.
- Taxis
Taxis in Turkey are yellow and have the lightened sign “Taksi” on their roofs. They are equipped with a taxi metre. It is advisable, though, to ask for the approximate fee before the ride. For a special length of time or a round trip through the city, generally you can come to an agreement with the taxi driver.
- Thermal baths
Turkey has over 1000 thermal baths excellent for cures, and in almost all of them there are the relevcnt installations. You can obtain a list of thermal baths and their special qualities, as well as information about hotel facilities from tourist agencies.
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- Time switch
Turkey has East European time. Since there is a summer time fixed in most European countries as well as in Turkey the difference in time is
1 hour for Germany, 2 hours for England, which applies all year round. That means, when coming to Turkey you must set your watch 1 hour or
2 hours ahead.
- Traffic signs
In Turkey international traffic signs are in use Yellow signs indicate archaeological and historical places. Other signs are: “Girilmez” = No entrance, “Giriş,” = Entrance, “Çıkış” = Exit, “Tehlike” = Dangerous, “Yasak” = Forbidden.
- Trips by boat
The “Turkish Maritime Lines” (TML) cruises from Istanbul along the coasts of the Black Sen and the Mediterranean, The stops are long enough for passengers to visit the harbours and go on short excursions.
- Trips by bus
A trip by bus is a great pleasure in Turkey. Buses of private companies differ im the comfort they offer.They are on lime, fast, and never take more passengers than they have seats. On long distances drinking water in closed bottles cooled in ice-boxes, and eau de cologne are distributed to the passengers. Frequent stops for rest are made at parking places near the road or at fuel stations. In large cities the points of departure arc the bus stations called “Terminal” or “Garaj”. From these you can also get tickets for all bus companies.
- Trips by Car
Turkey has a good road network. A foreigner certainly needs to gel used to the habits of native drivers. Non-lighted cars parked on small roads at night are often the cause of traffic accidents. Turkish traffic rules conform to those of Europe. Outside cities and villages a maximum speed of 90km/h is permitted; in cities and villages 40km/h is the maximum speed allowed. An absolute alcohol prohibition for drivers is in force. In case of accident the police must be informed. Without the official report of an accident the Turkish insurance companies do not reimburse.
- Trips by “dolmus”
A dolmuş, is a collective taxi running between definite stops. Each passenger pays a fee fixed by the city administration according to destination. There are fixed stops. To ride by dolmus, is not only more sociable and more practical, it is also much cheaper than a ride in the private yellow taxis.
- Vaccinations
To enter Turkey no vaccinations are required.
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- W.Cs
There are a lot of public W.C.s, especially near mosques. In general you find ground level Oriental-type toilets. Often there is a lack of toilet paper. W.C.s for men are labelled “Bay”, for ladies “Bayan” or “Bayanlar”.
- Walks
In tourist centres and cities situated on the sea there are beautiful promenades along the coast with restaurants and taverns where you can have a drink after your walk. Many Turkish cities have beautifully laid-out parks with little lakes and cafes inviting you to rest. The charming inland region of many seaside resorts gives you the opportunity for long mountain tours and hiking, where you can see the original nature of the country and experience the hospitality of its in habitants.
- Water sports
In a country like Turkey with a coast line of 8,000km all kinds of water sports are favourite leisure time activities of holidaymakers. In many bays of the south coast skin-diving has become a favourite sport for tourists. Crystal-clear water and unspoilt sea flora and fauna attract divers.
In larger resorts wind surfing, sailing, and water skiing are very popular. The necessary equipment as well as courses for beginners and experienced sportsmen, are very often provided by the hotels. Fishing is allowed without a licence in permitted areas. Details about fishing zones, licenced fishing equipment etc. can be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, fishing department.
- Winter sports
Centres for winter sports are situated mostly in wooded mountain areas at a medium height. Information about skiing facilities can be obtained from tourist agencies. In many areas of eastern Turkey, moving about by skiing is not a sport but a real