Turkey Travel Tips

Turkey Travel Tips

With the help of Mary Bai, General Manager for CTC Turkey (888.711.4500) in Hanover, Maryland, my friend and I spent two unforgettable weeks in Turkey in early May of 2008. Our best investment was a tour guide for the first week while we were orienting ourselves to a foreign country with unfamiliar customs and language. That was a brilliant decision for two senior women! These guides are not only friendly and polite but an incredible source of information smoothing the way through any obstacles that might arise. Prebooked boutiqe hotels were charming, friendly and very reasonably priced.

The trip began in Istanbul in an elegant hotel within walking distance to significant sites such as the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque etc. In Istanbul we took advantage of good restaurants, a cruise on the Bosphorus and a memorable evening of Sufi dancing in a small hall which added an intimacy that probably would not have occurred elsewhere. Three days later we flew to Cappadocia in the interior where we were greeted by a new guide who would remain with us and lead us through this wondrous area of conical outcrops referred to as fairy chimneys with hidden chapels and frescoes from the 4th C. AD. Our hotel was a cave; an elegant cave from the 5th or 6th C. in breathtaking surroundings. A wondrous experience! I won’t forget the descent to an underground city built to house the inhabitants under attack for up to three months. An hour was more than enough for me!

Two days later we begin an eight hour drive across the plains along the route of the great spice caravans traveling to China. We crossed over the Taurus Mountains finally descending to the beautiful Mediterranean and the town of Antalya where we began our visits to the ancient ruins of Roman times – Ephesus. There was so much to take in as we continued down the coast to Kas where we would say good-bye to our friendly guide and settle in to a small boutique hotel, Gardenia with excellent food, beautiful rooms, owners who not only spoke English but were utterly charming and helpful. I loved Kas with its beautiful setting on the Mediterranean and small enough to be explored on foot. From here there were options to visit interesting boutiques and for more day trips to new sites and experiences. Also look for the BEST Turkish delight ever! I could go on forever but I would suggest that you go and find out for yourself about this remarkably friendly country.

A final word about the food; as a vegetarian I thought I must be in heaven as Turkish chefs created amazingly delicious, inspired combinations of spices and vegetables using lentils, chick peas, fresh goat cheese and yogurt for protein. So-o-o good. As I write I wonder how soon it will be until I return to this remarkable country.

You might also like: