Istanbul journal: Getting Lost (Figuratively) in Istanbul

"Time stands still here. I don`t worry about anything - what day it is, what time..nor do I care. I am living in complete bliss!"

a entry by Myra-World Explorer from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

I love every single facet of Istanbul - from the grandiose mosques to the gregarious people. I have to thank my former colleague, Erin, for recommending this place. I never knew how amazing this visit would be.

Stepping foot in my hostel -Paris Hostel and Hotel- was an immediate relief. I saw numerous tourists in the common area and based on the vibe alone, I knew I picked the right place. Soon after I checked into my dorm room, I received a much appreciated call from my Will (referring to the character from "Will and Grace"), Rene DValery. It was so nice to hear from someone ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Getting Lost (Figuratively) in Istanbul

"Time stands still here. I don`t worry about anything - what day it is, what time..nor do I care. I am living in complete bliss!"

a entry by Myra-World Explorer from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

I love every single facet of Istanbul - from the grandiose mosques to the gregarious people. I have to thank my former colleague, Erin, for recommending this place. I never knew how amazing this visit would be.

Stepping foot in my hostel -Paris Hostel and Hotel- was an immediate relief. I saw numerous tourists in the common area and based on the vibe alone, I knew I picked the right place. Soon after I checked into my dorm room, I received a much appreciated call from my Will (referring to the character from "Will and Grace"), Rene DValery. It was so nice to hear from someone ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Standing On Two Continents

"Two Days in Istanbul - Enough to Know You Need More!"

a entry by Wandering Spaulls from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

After Naxos we returned reluctantly by ferry to Athens, where we spent another night, and then caught the train to Thesaloniki (about 5 hours North), where we caught another sleeper train to Istanbul, which was a long overnight journey. For future travellers we would point out that there are actually very few options to get from Greece to Istanbul (may have something to do with the not-great political relationship between the two states) - we were very suprised at how difficult it was to get a ferry (for instance) - very expensive and very infrequent. The best option (although a real pain) ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: The Gateway to the West

a entry by Meghan & Chad from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

The city of Istanbul is an absolute must visit city for anyone wanting to visit Europe. We spent our first full day in the city walking around and getting our bearings. As a side note to any of you who are wondering, my camera that fell in the river magically started working once we reached Turkey and has been fine ever since. We saw lots of leather and fine Turkish carpets and kilims (like a carpet I guess?!?! Still don't quite get what the difference between the two is). We walked through the Arasta bazaar and saw more of the same as well as some fine gold and silver jewellery shops. We ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Ankara journal: Extra Time? More Ideas for Your Trip to Turkey

"I recommend spending an additional night in Istanbul if you have time..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Ankara, Turkey.

If You Have an Extra Night

Irecommend spending an additional night in Istanbul if you have time.There is so much to see and experience, its best enjoyed atleisure.

Anotheralternative is to fly to Ankara,the capital of the Turkish Republic, and spend one night to visitthe Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Thefinest museum in the country, it houses a stellar collection ofPaleolithic stone tools,Hellenistic and Roman sculpturesand fabulous pieces from around AsianTurkey.

If You Have More Time

Fortwo or more nights, from ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Pamukkale journal: Pamukkale - Spectacular white waterfalls

a entry by Leigh & Jo from a trip to Pamukkale, Denizli.

Thursday 14th June Kusadasi Pammukale Fethiye

Early morning run started the day off to a good start. Caught the dolmus (local mini bus) to the bus station to head off to Denizli. After all our hard planning we understood there was no direct bus to Pammukale but to our dismay we arrived at the bus station for a bus to pull over and ask if we were heading there. Unfortunately we had already bought our bus tickets, so had to take the trip to Denizli which was in a very comfortable coach they even sprayed the carpets throughout the trip with air freshner so took away a light stench of ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Instanbul: Days 1 & 2

"There is so much to do in Istanbul it nearly merits its own trip..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

Brief History

Greekand Roman ruins throughout Turkey attest to the fertile history ofthis primeval country. In fact rudimentary tools and fossils provepeople have inhabited Turkey since 20,000 BC.

Istanbulbecame one of the most affluent and opulent cities in Christendomfor nearly a thousand years, starting in 527-65 AD with EmperorJustinian.

Thismagnificent metropolis was once the Byzantine capital known asConstantinople, adorned with grand palaces, public buildings and churches, includingthe splendid Haghia Sophia.

Crusaderssacked the ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Gallipoli journal: Gallipoli

a entry by Destiny2007 from a trip to Gallipoli, Canakkale.

I went to Gallipoli. I saw the shores where the troops landed and the high rocky plains they climbed. It was emotional to be there and see so many tomb stones named and unnamed and know ther eis a connection to my country and my people. you begin to understand teh conflict and the emotions behind these neighbouring countries who experience this constantly. It was very different though, sweet because the Turks and the Australian-New Zealand, English and Canadians all share a mutual respect for the event even though they were fighting on different sides.

I found it interesting that the ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Pergamum journal: Pergamum, Izmir and Istanbul: Day 9

"The Greek ruined city of Pergamum, also called Pergamon and Bergama, is perched on a hilltop and a truly dramatic site..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Pergamum, Izmir.

Drivefrom Kusadasi to Pergamum(approx. 3 hours).

To do in Pergamum

TheGreek ruined city of Pergamum,also called Pergamonand Bergama,is perched on a hilltop and a truly dramatic site. Settled in the 8thcentury BC, Alexander theGreats generals ruled thisimportant center.

Templeof Trajan This whitemarble temple with tapered columns and stone foundation was completedaround 117-138 AD.

Altarof Zeus One of thelargest temples in the complex, the altar was removed andpainstakingly rebuilt at the PergamonMuseum in Berlin

Theatre This ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Ephesus journal: Ephesus and Kusadasi: Day 8

"Ephesus was one of the greatest cities in the western world, and the magnificent ruins attest..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Ephesus, Turkey.

Drive from Bodrum to Ephesus (approx. 3 hours).

Along the way, stop at Selcukto see theHouse of the Blessed Virgin, believed to be whereshe spent the last years of her life.

Ephesus was one of the greatest cities inthe western world, and the magnificent ruins attest. Originally aGreek city dedicated to the Anatolian Mother Goddess Cybele in 1000BC, the current ruins are a city founded by Lysinachus in the 4thcentury BC. Under Roman rule Ephesus flourished and became animportant trading harbor and center for Christianity.

Library of Celsus Erected in114-17 ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Gallipoli journal: ANZAC Day - The Dawn Service

"...on the squat toilet while the train goes through a wobbley section. Good times!"

a entry by ~Jason~ from a trip to Gallipoli, Canakkale.

Dear All, Sorry it's been so long between updates. Last time I believe I was in dodgy Bucharest, Romanina. The place was so uncomfortable that I didn't leave from a 500m area of the station. Incidently, I later found out that the 500m area within the station is the most dodgy part of Bucharest. I caught the train to Istanbul and met the same girl that I met in the net cafe in Bucharest who was from either Brisbane or Perth. 18 years old and loved to talk. But just idle comments. Nothing important. Or even relevant sometimes. Just chit chat. "Look at all the dogs" "What do you think that thing ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Cappadocia journal: Cappadocia: Days 3 & 4

"Also known as the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys, due to the odd-shaped eroded tuff (solidified volcanic ash) formations, the region of Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is truly distinctive..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey.

Days3 & 4: Cappadocia

Alsoknown as the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys, due to the odd-shapederoded tuff (solidified volcanic ash) formations, the region ofCappadociain Central Anatolia is truly distinctive.

Getting to Cappadocia

Flyfrom Istanbul to Kayseri(approx. 1 1/2 hour flight)

Drivean hour to Cappadocia,a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Where to Stay in Cappadocia

Fora one-of-a-kind experience, stay in a cave hotel in Urgupor Goreme

TheYunak Everli inUrgup comprises six cave houses dating from the 5thand ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Cappadocia journal: Fairy Chimneys

a entry by SalReid from a trip to Cappadocia, Turkey.

After stopping in for a night in Egirdir (a beautiful little town on a little Island on a lake, with mountains all around and an army Commando training camp) enroute to Cappadocia we found ourselves staying in a cave with a CRAZY lady!!!

Honestly I am not sure I have ever met anyone that crazy who claimed (at least I think she would have if I confronted her) to be sane. The cave was TINY and there were 5 beds with about 400mls between them! The lady had her gear spread out on every surface and had spent the entire day packing after having been in Cappadocia for 3 days! We got the hell ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Selcuk journal: The Turkish Bath Experience.

a entry by wendyp from a trip to Selcuk, Turkey.

After stocking up on water it was only a short drive to Troy .The ruins of Troy were not the most impressive but it is the site of the wooden horse which was used during the Trojan War. The Achaeans filled the horse with soldiers and the trusting Trojans took the horse in to their city thinking that it was a harmless gift .However during the night the soldiers emerged and the Greeks took the city.

Only a minute from the ruins we stopped at this small shop/caf which sold every imaginable tacky gift from swords to costumes to jewellery .But the best thing about the shop was a framed ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Konya journal: Konya, Hierapolis & Pamukkale: Day 5

"Konya is home to the Sufi Mevlevi Order, also known as whirling dervishes..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Konya, Turkey.

Gettingto Konya, Hierapolis & Pamukkale

Unfortunatelyto see these sites the only alternative is a 9-hour drive.

Ifyou wish to skip these, you can drive from Cappadocia back toKayseri andhop a flight via Istanbul to Bodrum,on the Aegean coast.

What to Do in Konya

Drivefrom Cappadocia to Konya (approx. 5 hours). In the 12thcentury, Konya was the capital of the SeljukSultanate.

Enroute, stop at Agzikarahan Caravanserai,a 13th century inn for travelers.

Konyais home to the Sufi MevleviOrder, also known ...

Mev ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Istanbul - Paris of the East

a entry by emily tanbt from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

More photos of Istanbul can be viewed here!

Day 0 - On Emirates, Transit at Dubai Airport

Had a free breakfast as we had a 9 hours transit (but we were really fed up with this particular waiter with poor service standard & hence left), washed up at a secluded toilet that we found near the business center (yay!! as it contains body lotion & soup which we spreaded very generously on our bodies due to air dryness) and eventually concussed at the waiting area, to quote my fren "we slept like shit". Haha! We are like how crude! I was checked as I failed the metal detector test. ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Antalya journal: Antalya - nice port and mountain backdrop

a entry by Leigh & Jo from a trip to Antalya, Turkey.

Tuesday 19th June Olympos Antalya

Another scorching hot day! Breakfast again was lovely and fresh and the apple tea went down a treat! We decided to catch the 12pm bus to Antalya but our host said that she could take us directly at 4pm to the old town, so we decided to lounge around the open air treehouses with rugs and cushions inside and play a few games of table tennis. Leigh fell asleep in the treehouse and due to the heat woke up drenched in sweat. I thought Egypt was hot but this is relentless!

We headed off to Antalya in the afternoon and arrived at our hostel in the old ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: There is no place like this...

"You have a program for tonite? -Serdar"

a entry by seby from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

My flight left from Athens at 8 in the morning. i had no idea what to expect when arriving in Turkey. After landing I waited in line for over an hour to obtain a Visa and then have my passport stamped. My luggage had already been turned into lost and found. First thing I observed. Most local women were covered. Arms. Legs. Ankles. This encouraged a quick WC stop where I quickly pulled out my leggings and a hoodie. Still feeling like a tourist with my semi*blonde hair and massive pack I made my way throuhg the Metro to the actual train. In the midst of stares and curious glances I ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Kusadasi journal: Kusadasi - heat, clear oceans, adventures to Ephesus

a entry by Leigh & Jo from a trip to Kusadasi, Turkey.

Tuesday 12th June Samos Kusadasi

Managed to get a couple of hours kip over the 6 hour trip before arriving to the disbelief of the world, Jo was awake before sunrise and not in a foul mood. To our delight we found a boat leaving for Turkey at 8.30am in the morning so had a nice stroll around the harbour, which resembled Oriental Parade in Wellington. We then got sucked into buying tickets on a boat excursion in Southern Turkey for 3 nights, 4 days and have been wondering why we agreed to this as it was not something we planned to do.. although we did only have minimal plans in ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Bodrum journal: Bodrum: Days 6 & 7

"This harbor hamlet is a top European holiday hot spot, with chic hotels, trendy restaurants, nightclubs and boutiques..."

a entry by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Bodrum, Icel.

Drivefrom Pamukkale to Bodrumon the coast of the Aegean Sea (approx. 2 1/2 hours).

Ifyou wish, stop at Aphrodisiasen route (approx. 45 minutes from Hierapolis). Used as a shrine asearly as 5800 BC, the site is dedicated to the goddess of love,Aphrodite.

Highlightsare a well-preserved theatreand stadium and the 2ndcentury Tetrapylon gatewaywith Corinthian columns.

Thefashionable resort town of Bodrum was originally a 4thcentury BC Dorian city called Halicarnassus.Now this harbor hamlet is atop European holiday hot spot, with chic ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Kusadasi journal: Seriously

a review of Club Jade, a thing to do in Kusadasi, Turkey.

OK so this place could be on a TV show or in a movie. It is on the water and there are wooden platforms that are out on the water with oversized pillows to lounge on. They bring you plates of fruit with your drinks and the lightin is PERFECT. There are tiki type torches and soft white lights strung about giving the entire open air bar a perfect ambiance. Just go and see...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Istanbul - Capital city full of Mosques and Culture

a entry by Leigh & Jo from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

Wednesday 20th June Antalya Istanbul

After the really nice hostel tried to rip us off, we caught a 20min taxi to Anatalya airport. Again being up at 6am was not the best for Jo, but the morning sunshine is just so bright you feel like it is middayish. We realised that we had booked to go to Istanbul Airport on the Asia side and wanted to go to the European side, so after a bit of discussions with the ticket counter and check in desk they swapped our flights for free and we were able to catch an earlier flight!! Great start to the day!! We arrived in Istanbul airport around 8.30am and ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Istanbul journal: Istanbul Constantinopal

a entry by Destiny2007 from a trip to Istanbul, Turkey.

Got to stay in a hotel! It's cool. We had another guide. The first night we ate at a great restaurant with chanderliers, etc. It didn't feel that tough - camping afterall. I saw traditional dances similar to Greek and Russian. There was knife throwing and belly dancing. It was so good!! W ate great food. It was a better set up than the Greek dinner and dancing we saw. I was somewhat disappointed because the Greek one experience has weak food and old overweight dancers performing for our tour. When I had seen such wonderful dancers back in Trikala I was annoyed that they didnt represent our ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Kusadasi journal: LUCKY me

a review of Hostel Stella, a place to stay in Kusadasi, Turkey.

Lucky, the owner, will meet you at the door with homemade Turkish meatballs and if you are there on a weekend he will want to take all of you out to Club Jade. But the doorm on the top floor has an AMAZING view with a fierce breeze the blows through the massive room at night as you overlook the harbor.

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Turkey journal: Turkey: A 10-Day Itinerary

a journal by michelle finkelstein from a trip to Turkey.

9Night / 10 Day Itinerary

Exotic and mysterious, ancient yet contemporary,Turkey is a land of great artistic and architectural treasures,astounding natural beauty, glorious mosques, treasure-filled bazaarsand whirling dervishes. Geographically and culturally, Turkey is abridge between Asia and Europe, Islam and Christianity, old-worldtradition and modern chic. A genuine crossroads of civilizations,Istanbul comprises Thrace, the small area around Istanbul,which is part of Europe, and Anatolia, the majority of thecountry, which is part of Asia. Istanbul is the meeting ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]

Pergamon journal: Troy sans Brad Pitt

"TESH EE COUR E DEM.... this of course means THANK YOU"

a entry by seby from a trip to Pergamon, Izmir.

OK so I havent even seen the movie. And I have tried TWICE to read Homer`s The Iliad and The Odessy. And twice I have placed it back on my shelf. Perhaps I will appreciate it more now that I have literally stood in the same spot as the infamous Trojan Horse and see the ruins of the nine cities that were built one on top of another over the course of thousands of years, kings, and wars.

Again without my precious little Turkish tour guide, Capt Ali, these sights and ruins would have meant nothing. But Ali accompanied us for FREE on our second day to show us the sites. Donald and Jill ...

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[Source: Turkey Travel Blogs on RealTravel]