Welcome to the TravelPod forums

[funtraveler]

I am a person who loves to travel and experience new things. I live and grew up in the States, but I take pride in my turkish heritage. I visit Turkey almost every year (for about 2 months) and I absolutely love it there. The people are so friendly and inviting. Also, the atmosphere is great every where you go. I usually do a lot of traveling while I am in Turkey. I have visited many places such as Antalya, Pamukkale, the city of Troy, Cappadocia, and much more. Every where that I have been is absolutely beautiful. Each city or site in Turkey is unique in their own way and gorgeous for various reasons. It amazes me on how much culture and history Turkey has to offer. As you can tell I love Turkey because it is such a beautiful place, but I am curious to see what others think. My question is to those who have visited Turkey: How was your experience there and what do you think about Tukery overall?

[sweetfreedomros]

Yes, I definitely agree with you! Turkey is so fasinating... I had discovered Turkey in 2005 buy a random meeting on the internet and became friends with several people. I went out there in 2005 to Istanbul.. and loved it so much... I had never seen a Mosque before in person, so I was so fasincated. I returned last summer in August and it was like being home. I travel from Istanbul to Ankara to Hatay... then to Capadocia, then Isparta to Izmir to Ephesus.. then back to Istanbul. I only had 10 days!!! I wish I could take a month... if not 2 months like you!!! And to go every year! That is so awesome.. I am planning to go in March for 10 days just to hang out and take photos... I could wait until 2010 and stay for 3 weeks... well, I am always planning my next trip in my head.

So, yes, I agree with you... Turkey is so amazing!

[funtraveler]

Sweetfreedomros,
I am very happy to hear that you are so fascinated with Turkey. It gives me this great sense of pride when I hear people say good things about Turkey (especially like the comments you made) because of everything that is going on in the world right now...But, I'm really glad that you took the chance to go to Turkey after meeting friends on the internet. Anyways, I am amazed to see that you actually found a way to fit so much traveling and sightseeing in your ten day trip. That's crazy and seems almost impossible! But, I have to say that when you are Turkey there really is no time to sleep. Life there is an ongoing process that seems to never end. I am sure that your experience there was like none other and hopefully you will have just as much fun on future trips!! I wish you the best of luck and FUN during your next trip!! Get as much time as you possibly can off, because you will need every second of it to continue your adventures there!

[Jambo]

I like Turkey a lot - such a varied range of attractions, from the cross-continental exotic history of Istanbul to the gorgeous beaches in the south and the bizarrely stunning rock formations of Cappadoccia. I didnt get to the east (apart from Sanliurfa) but the west and centre certainly had a lot to offer.

To balance all this positivity, here are a couple of negatives. One, the cost of things is quite a shock for anyone who has worked their way up from the rest of the Middle East and Africa. See if you can do something about that, eh? Secondly, some of the touristy places are becoming a little too touristy (e.g. Olympos, Patara, Istanbul) but this is hardly unique to Turkey, so I shouldn't complain too much.

And the Gallipoli experience is very moving, particularly for a Kiwi like myself.

Here is our experience of Turkey.

[gordon48]

I have just found this site recently, and find it very interesting reading about other peoples travels around the world. I have lived and worked in Turkey off and on since 1982, and even have a home there. It is so nice to see all the blogs about Turkey, and how many people have enjoyed there stay their. Turkey is a country that you can spend years on vacation travel around and experiencing the different parts of it. I always recommend it to people who are wanting to go someplace different or have some weird idea about Turkey and the Turkish people. If you are a history buff, then Turkey is the place to go.

[charlamae]

I went on a Greek Cruise which stopped in Croatia and Turkey. I thought the Greek Islands were going to be the highlight, but it was definitely Turkey: the people, the ruins, the archaelogical sites, the history, the food ... all fantastic. I had no idea -- we don't get alot of news coverage about Turkey over here.

I know I was only there for one day, but i dream about going back. When people asked about my cruise, all I did was talk about Turkey.

[branefatboy]

Turkey has the best hotels and stuff in whole world.There you can fell like home...Turkey is amazing place to visit,especially the sea...

[ironman]

T B I L I S I

Map of Tbilisi and Flag of the city

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Tbilisi is mentioned in Georgian annals for the first time in connection with the events occurred in the IV century C.E. At that time it was already a powerful fortress which played an important defensive role in the struggle of the Georgian kingdom against foreign invaders, the Persians in particular.

Monument of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, founder of the city and Metekhi Cathedral

Click on the pictures to enlarge

The foundation of the city has come down to us as legend. One day King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting with his retinue in impenetrable woods whitchj at that time covered the slopes of the Mtkvari (Kura) Valley. While pursuing his game the king lost sight of the rest of the hunters. Suddenly a pheasant came flying out of bushes. The king hit him with an arrow.When he dismounted and wanted to pick up his bag he found that the pheasants had fallen into a hot spring and was cooked. The retinue found its ruler immersed in thought by a hot spring. King Vakhtang announced that a town would be built there and the he would name it TBILISI, "City of Warm Springs" in Georgian.

Tbilisi was repeatedly invaded all through the many centuries of its history. In the 730s the town passed into the hands of the Arabs who ruled in Transcaucasia for several centuries. Despite intervention and destruction, Tbilisi was in the XII-XIII centuries one of the populous and economically well developed towns of the Middle East. During the subsequent epoch, however, Tbilisi gradually fell into decay. This was caused by the constant invasions of enemy hordes and the break-up of the united Georgian state. It is estimated, that during this epoch Tbilisi was captured and razed to the ground more than 80 time ! The last time the city was subjected to a destructive attack of the Persian Shah Agha Mohammed Khan in 1795.

The panorama of Tbilisi from the old part of city

Click on the pictures to enlarge

A peaceful era of development in the history of Tbilisi started at the turn of the XIX century. Though Georgia was annexed by the Russian Empire, the repressive Russian regime brought political and ecnomical stability to the country. The construction of the Transcaucasian Railway provided for the city a convenient egress to the most important land and sea communications; a number of industrial enterprises were put into operation; trade and handicraft rapidly increased. Considerable changes occurred in the cultural life of the city; the network of the schools expanded, newspapers and magazine began to be published and thatres opened. (Unfortunately, thess changes were accompanied by a repressive policy of Russification of the local population.) The population of the city substantially increased and by 1897 numbered almost 200,000 men.

Monument of Yetim Gurji, national poet, who was writting his poems in Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijanian languages, and Old Tbilisi street.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Another major period in the history of Tbilisi began with the Independence of Georgia in 1918. Though the sovereign country lived for only three years, Tbilisi prospered and achieved a new level. Tbilisi State University was established in 1918 and many new enterprises put into operation. Yet, these developments were checked by the annexation of Georgia by the Soviet Russia in 1921.

The Tbilisi State University

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Still the city found its own way to prosper under the Soviet Regime. New districts were built, institutions established; an important project - embankment of the Mtkvari River, initiated in 1930, that prevented the annual deluges and floods. Though the first horse tramway was put into operation in 1883 along the present Agmashenebli Avenue, it was in 1937 the the first city trolley-bus traffic started on the same route. The location and appearance of Tbilisi are unique. The city is surrounded on three sides by the slopes of Trialeti and Saguramo-Ialoni ranges. The hollow in which Tbilisi lies merges with Lower Kartli Plain in the south-east and the Samgori plain in the east.Most of the city lies on the different slopes from 380 to 550 m. above the sea level.

As you approache Tbilisi, you can see Mount Mtatsminda ("The Holy Mountain") from far afar. At the foot of the mountain is the lower station of the funicular railway, while on the plateau that crowns the mountain is one of the city's parks, a large and beautiful building of the upper station and the TV tower. On the steep slope of the mountain, just above its foot, stands as though grown in the cliff, the ancient St. David Monastery. Its cemetery has a pantheon containing the graves of outstanding Georgian writers and public figures. Here Nikoloz Baratshvili, Ilya CHavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli, Vazha Pshavela, Yakob Gogebashvili, Niko Nikoladze, Galaktion Tabidze, Georgi Lebanidze, Iosif Grishashvili, Simon Chikovani and others found their last Peace.

Narikala Fortress in the background

Click on the pictures to enlarge

The city itself is a combination of Western and Eastern architecture and culture. The Old City has a narrow, winding and steep streets with typically oriental style. A unique hot spring bathes, that had excited King Vakhtang, are still functioning to the pleasure of visitors. The Narikala Fortress dominates this part of the city.

Among the main street of the city Rustaveli Avenue is noted for the beauty of its buildings and its luxuriant verdure. In the beginning of the avenue is the central square of the city - The Independence Square. In the 1850s a huge caravan-serai building was erected in the middle of this square. It was the first modern theatre building in the Transcaucasia and was richly decorated by G.G. Gagarin, well-known Russian artist who then served in Georgia. According to Alexander Dumas (the Father), in its beauty the theatre vied with the worlds best theatres of the times. In 1874 the theatre burned down and the owner of the caravan-serai prohibited its restoration. In our days, the square is fundamentally reconstructed and a beautifull square with paved road was made. The City Hall building faces from the one side. On the opposite side there is a monument to Alexander Pushkin, great Russian poet who lived in Tbilisi in 1829, and a street named after him runs nearby. Not far from the Independence square is a beautifull Neo-Classic building - a former residence of the vice-regent of the Emperor of Russia in Transcaucasia.

The Paliashvili Opera House and Shota Rustaveli Academic Theatre

Click on the pictures to enlarge

On the opposite side of the Rustaveli Avenue stands the Kashveti Temple well known for its finest stone ornamentation. Further up the street visitor will find Rustaveli Theater with its domimant and unique facade, Paliashvili Opera house built in a graceful pseudo-moresque style. In the middle part of the avenue, one can find the Supereme Court of Georgia with its grand colonade; Academy of Science of Georgia built in Neo-Gothic style and crowned with a tall tower. Nearby is a newly erected monument to the greatest Georgian King, David Agmashenebeli....

A blend of cultures, a smell of spices on the air, different nations meeting on street corners, different faiths sharing the same courtyards ... this is Tbilisi, the city that has been dominated by traders, warriors, tyrants and dictators in turn. Take a walk around the old town, and breathe in the living past.Visit the bustling markets, the ancient sulphur baths, the dazzling treasury, and the magnificent churches, and gain a sense of the crossing place of the Caucasus. Tbilisi is a town which conquers you with a slow fascination and lodges in your heart forever.

[orik]

Turkey is always on the top of my travel list.

Great for travelling.

You can find each type of persons there, each type of culture -east, west.

A Lot of things from modern world, a lot of things from ancient world. Member of all religions (Islamic, Christian) live there.

It Is diffcult to find any other country in the world with such culture.

Once we made poll: Where Is The Best travel destination in the East. And Most of people voted for Turkey.

[tb66]

I am a person who loves to travel and experience new things. I live and grew up in the States, but I take pride in my turkish heritage. I visit Turkey almost every year (for about 2 months) and I absolutely love it there. The people are so friendly and inviting. Also, the atmosphere is great every where you go. I usually do a lot of traveling while I am in Turkey. I have visited many places such as Antalya, Pamukkale, the city of Troy, Cappadocia, and much more. Every where that I have been is absolutely beautiful. Each city or site in Turkey is unique in their own way and gorgeous for various reasons. It amazes me on how much culture and history Turkey has to offer. As you can tell I love Turkey because it is such a beautiful place, but I am curious to see what others think. My question is to those who have visited Turkey: How was your experience there and what do you think about Tukery overall?

We’ve got something in common then – I love to travel I just get that burning desire to
pack by bags and jump on a plane. I’ve been to Turkey a few times. I went with my parents and my girlfriend to the Kaya Valley. My girlfriend was pretty impressed by the luxury villa my parents had booked. It had an amazing pool. (For anybody wanting to impress their girlfriend my parents booked with Tapestry Holidays) I would be interested to know what the city of Troy is like. I thought the film was good. Turkish people are friendly and welcoming. Turkey has a lot to offer and more people should go there for a holiday! http://www.tapestryholidays.com

[arjunjha]

Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic whose political system was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I. Since then, Turkey has become increasingly integrated with the West through membership in organizations such as the Council of Europe (1949), NATO (1952), OECD (1961), OSCE (1973) and the G20 industrial nations (1999). Turkey began full membership negotiations with the European Union in 2005, having been an associate member of the EEC since 1963, and having reached a customs union agreement in 1995. Meanwhile, Turkey has continued to foster close political, economic and industrial relations with the Eastern world, particularly with the states of the Middle East, Central Asia and East Asia. Turkey is classified as a developed country by the CIA and as a regional power by political scientists and economists worldwide.

Anirban

Georgia Drug Treatment

[zugma]

Anyone interested to see some pictures and info about Turkey might find the following sites interesting.

www.vacationinginturkey.blogspot.com

www.turquoisesail.blogspot.com

Enjoy your tour

[jovanmkd]

I've heard abouth the turkish hospitality but never been there to actualy see for myselfe.Turkey is not very far from my country so i might go there next summer 2009.

[evamaria85]

I love to travel too, and this past summer I went to Turkey for the first time, on a trip through Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.

I have read quite a bit about Turkey in history, Galipoli and all that, and also in travel books and alike, and everybody kept going on how amazing a place it is...I cannot agree.

I arrived in Istanbul, and even though I dressed modestly (losse capri pants and a loose t-shirt) for such a Westernised capital, I kept getting cat calls and the like, not a very nice experience. The only place worse than Turkey in this respect was Cairo, where there are even more turists. But in the more conservative Muslim countries such as Syria and Jordan I got no cat calls, maybe some stares, but that is not too hard to live with.

The tour I was on went down the west coast of Turkey until Antalya, then inland to Cappadocia, and from there to Sanliurfa, via Mt. Nemrut.

I had heard a lot about the sight in Turkey, there were "wonderful" but I just found them...well...not bad, but not amazing either...I have seen many of the "Great" sites of the world, and when comparing the great sites of Turkey to those of other countries, Turkey just fell short.

There were of course highligths too, I was amazed at how many Turkish people spoke very well English and Cappadocia is a very, very amazing place...until we reached Cappadocia I felt that I had been wasting my time in Turkey, but Cappadocia was amazing, those mushrom hat hills, amazing jurasic scenery, now that is what I like.

I think one of the reasons why I didn't quite like the part of Turkey I saw was that I was too many trips to ruins and bland scenery.

I don't know if I'll go to Turkey again any time soon, there are many other places I would rather go, but a trip in a hot air balloon wouldn't be too bad;-)

I'm not saying "don't go to Turkey" I'm just saying that my expectations and the Turkish reality didn't go too well together.

Take care.

Best,

Eva Maria

[olwenjlangford]

I've heard abouth the turkish hospitality but never been there to actualy see for myselfe.Turkey is not very far from my country so i might go there next summer 2009.

Turkey is a very diverse country - East meets West and has become a favorite holiday destination over the last 10 years.

The Mugla district which takes in Fethiye, Kaya Koy, Olu Deniz, Ovacik and Hisaronu to name a few resorts find Azure Blue seas with a backdrop of Mountains a truly stunning landscape.

The people are extremely friendly and you may be mistaken into believing they have ulterior motives by trust me they don't and are just keen to make friends. Once you have a Turkish friend you have them for life!!

I can recommend this area - there are many privately owned apartments and villas and the owners are happy to rent out in order to cover their costs. This form of accommodation generally of a very high standard as the owners have often spared no expense with furnishing etc. Added to that there are no under occupancy charges as incurred with travel companies.

[manzara]

I am pleased to see so may positive reports on visits to Turkey and I do think it’s a great shame that Eva Maria’s visit was marred by cat calls in İstanbul and visits to sights which didn’t live up to high expectations.

I hope you will give the country another chance, Eva Marie. We have lived here since 1997, having abandoned the UK Rat Race and we just love the Turkish people for their friendliness and their inane gestures of genuine hospitality.

We have travelled fairly extensively throughout the country, too, and I can’t resist some of our highlights in the past 12 years.

Ephesus, of course, but there are other smaller sites with different kinds of appeal. Claros, for example (not far from Ephesus), the ancient oracle and temple of Apollo, set in a lush green valley. Claros rivalled the oracles of Didyma and Delphi during the Roman era. It’s such a peaceful, atmospheric spot and ongoing attempts to prevent flooding from a nearby river are necessary but the resident frogs and terrapins don’t seem to mind!


Aphrodisias in the Central Aegean region is one of Turkey’s most beautifully isolated major archaeological sites. Aphrodite, called Venus by the Romans, meant different things to many people. The goddess of spiritual love to some; to others the goddess of sensual love. Take your pick! Extensive restoration work is taking place here with the hope of this site rivalling Ephesus in years to come. It is certainly an evocative setting. On the day we visited the sky was blue and cloudless and the view through the remains of the Temple of Aphrodite to the snow-capped mountains beyond was stunning. Sensual even! The Theatre is one of the finest examples in Turkey, almost entirely intact and complete with stage area and labelled seats.

Eastwards now to Harran, via the pilgrimage town of Şanlıurfa, birthplace of Abraham. Harran, famous for its beehive shaped houses and one of the oldest settlements on earth having been continually inhabited for at least 6000 years. Another peaceful, evocative, ancient settlement.

Then, of course, Cappadocia. You mentioned a hot air balloon flight, Eva Marie. Our daughter and son-in-law took a dawn flight over Cappadocia last summer. Truly amazing!

Another favourite of ours is Safranbolu, north of Ankara close to the Black Sea coast. There can’t be many towns like it left in Turkey. The Rough Guide describes the town as “stunning” and the Lonely Planet says a highlight of visiting Central Anatolia is “to stay in a restored Ottoman house in Safranbolu”. They’re not wrong! Narrow, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, 17th century Ottoman baths, the Mosque in the town square and the bazaar where blacksmith, leatherworkers and saddle makers still work, all set in a deep valley where streams run through It’s a real find – and a few years ago declared a World Heritage Site.

So, just a few of our special places and as Turkish hospitality has been mentioned in a few threads, I think one of our experiences deserves a separate Post. I’ll get on with that now!

[kitkatgo]

I have not been to Turkey, but it is one of the places I want to go to...badly! Someday....

It looks like a wonderful place.