BootsnAll Travel Community

I've been trying to get off my ass and write more substantively about a short trip, but until I do I want to tell everyone about why your next destination should, nay must be Turkey. This, from the Russia junkie.

It's huge, it's deep, it's tasty, it's open. Istanbul is an immediate assualt in a way that comes up to the senses and says come on, there's more, there's more, and when you say 'that's enough', retreats kindly and understandingly until the next round. If I could have stayed longer, as much of my curiosity had been revealed would have been answered, if only I asked.

Everyone on the boards has experienced kindnesses on the road. Each culture has its own entrances. The Turkish one is humor, and communality. I traveled with an acute advantage: three adorable children, who brought out the most caring and gracious in everyone we met. Other than that, the usual exchange (I know no Turkish) was a desire to communicate as much as possible with a nod, a smile and a gesture that said that it's okay.

This would make Turkey a fine destination all by itself. Unfortunately, there's all that natural beauty, spectacular Roman and Greek ruins, and fine cuisine to sample. And Turkey is so damned BIG, there's tons more to see. Traveling with kids on a short timeline, we only scratched the surface. The kids thought that what we saw was the living end, proof that when you travel you cannot experience it all, you have to pace yourself within the limits of you and your ken. You can always go back again.

As a Russophile, I'm originally interested in Turkey's Ottoman heritage, but now see the depth of the place and understand why people plunge deeper. I take at face value the sentiment I often heard from Turks: 'It's so good to see Americans here'. Apparently after 9/11 a lot of tourism has dried up. At home, people were aghast that I would go to a Muslim nation for fun, let alone jeopardize my children into the bargain.

I'm astonished that Americans think that Turkey would somehow represent an Islamo-fascist hellhole that you'd be insane to visit. It's beautiful, welcoming, and a great tourist value to boot. I'll be back.

BnA, take note: this is the place for independent travel. Don't take the tour, don't think that you'll come up short if you don't have local smarts. They want you to visit. Aside from the desire for commerce, the Turks just know they've got a good thing and welcome all those who see it the same way. More details on this trip soon, but in the meantime if you're not traveling here you're missing out in a big way.

I am so happy that you had a good time there.

Thanks for your post. I'm planning on going to Turkey for 2 weeks at the beginning of Sept or end of Oct this year. I am looking forward to it!

Yay! so happy to hear that (not that it's the first time, of course) - we will be there in just a couple of months!

Always had the reputation for being an interesting country where east meets west and great to hear you had a good time Sputnik and only wish they could shake off domination shackles in respect to Cyprus and the Kurds.

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only wish they could shake off domination shackles in respect to Cyprus and the Kurds.

I agree, however when one selects their vacation destination based upon the government's karma, one is left with very few choices (other than perhaps New Zealand). As always, separate the people themselves from their fucked up government. It is the polite thing to do.

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As always, separate the people themselves from their fucked up government. It is the polite thing to do.

That should be in the backpackers code.

Yep, only too true re separation and even the Maoris have got a bee or two in their headwear.
Apologies for going Sputnik & folks.

I want to hear about the breakfasts that your hotel provided.

Thanks for the post. Turkey's been on my "radar screen"/short list of places I really want to go to in the near future, possibly this summer...depending on better/worse times of year to go, etc.

I will be going to Turkey for the month of May and its really good to hear such wonderful things about it. Its surprising what most people don't know about Turkey. It seems like its just lumped in with the 'Middle East at War' countries to many of the 'non-traveler' people I talk to. I'm very confident now that it will be a great and rich experience.
Caroline

my parents were there not even a year ago and they said that it's really beautiful. They had a great time there.

Is it a good place to travel alone, and how are the language barriers? Im looking for someplace to kill a few weeks before I meet up with friends in Greece.

You would have a great time on the Fez Bus. And yes, language is not a problem.
Turkey is cheap, it's cheerful and there is heaps to see and do.

Well I'll be travelling alone in Turkey for a month. I feel confident from all the reading I've done online and people I've talked to that it is safe and bus transportation is great. There will be lots of australians kicking around from ANZAC day on April 25 and I've also read many times that people come across a lot of single female travellers (don't know your gender but just in case). Besides if you go in May I will be there!
Caroline

Oh yes, there will indeed be a lot of folks there around ANZAC day. The buses are wonderful, my only advice is to try and reserve your tix in advance so that you get the seat that you want.

And whatever you do, allow yourself at *least* three days in Goreme.

Turkey, eh? Wasn't even on my radar, but it is now. Tell us more.

By the way, doesn't Turkey make you sleepy?
(Sorry, I couldnt resist.)

The Fez bus looks good. Im male by the way. Probably be there in June/July.

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Originally posted by static:
You would have a great time on the Fez Bus. And yes, language is not a problem.
Turkey is cheap, it's cheerful and there is heaps to see and do.

The Fez bus option DOES look cool. I'm not usually one for the whole "organized tour" thing, but theirs seem like a great way to get to know the country. Okay, I'm really thinking Turkey now for this summer....

good to hear more good things about turkey. everything i've read and heard has been overwhelmingly positive.

i will be there this summer as well... just under 2 months, most of which will be spent attending middle east technical university in ankara. i am hoping i make time for many weekend trips, though.

i found this helpful, by the way, it might interest some of you...

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/index.html