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| Unfortunately,
the 1970’s film Midnight Express did a disservice to Turkey,
depicting it as a pretty horrible place. However, rather than
challenge the film and other unfortunate misinterpretations of
Turkey, we’ll simply say nearly 10,000,000 million visitors
come to Turkey on vacation every year. The majority are from Western
Europe and about 450,000 are from the United States. Based on
the rapid increase in the number of visitors to Turkey and first-hand
knowledge, we can say not only is Turkey safe, it may be the friendliest
place your clients ever visit. |
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| Absolutely
not. The only time visitors to Turkey are asked not to wear shorts
and women are requested to cover their heads is when they visit
a mosque or Orthodox church. This is asked as a gesture of respect,
much as when tourists visit European cathedrals. While, for cultural
or religious reasons, many Turkish women do cover their heads,
most do not. Shorts in the summertime, especially in resort areas,
are every bit as popular with Turks as with tourists. |
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| Tap
water all over Turkey is drinkable. Visitors, however, may prefer
the readily available and inexpensive spring-water since Turkish
tap water is highly chlorinated and doesn’t taste very good.
As far as food goes, while they should exercise the same caution
they would in any other new country, visitors need not worry about
what they eat. Visitors are encouraged to explore Turkey’s
excellent and varied cuisine, particularly its kebabs and local
fish, without worries. |
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| Contrary
to popular belief, Turkey has more ruins from the classical era
than anywhere else and many of them are in better condition than
those in other places. Turkey’s ancient cities and sites
are largely from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, but Turkey
also has a variety of ancient sites pre-dating the classical period,
like Hittite, Sumerian and Urartian cities. Turkey also has a
wealth of Byzantine, Seljuk Turk and Ottoman sites, plus important
Armenian cities and even Crusader castles. What’s even more
exciting is that Troy, the city of Homer’s Illiad, is in
Turkey, as is the city of Ephesus, whose Temple of Artemis was
one of the wonders of the Ancient World. |
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| Of
course you can… Cheers! In fact, you’ll find your Turkish
hosts will probably join you in a drink and take great pleasure
in initiating you to the delights of Turkey's national drink:
Raki. Similar to the French Pernod but with more of a kick, raki
is an integral part of Turkish cuisine and has a unique culuture
surrounding it. Raki is traditionally enjoyed along with appetizers,
called meze. Served in small portions like tapas, meze includes
everything from goat cheese to grilled calamare. Raki also goes
exceptionally well with freshly-caught grilled and fried fish
- both Turkish specialties. |
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| Over
250 domestic flights on Turkish Airlines and other Turkish carriers
are available everyday. And, no, they are not on teeny, scary
propeller planes. All domestic flights are on mid-sized Boeing
and Airbus aircraft. However, if you have a taste for the thrills
of propeller airplanes or even sea-planes, those are available
for rent, with a pilot, or if you’re a properly licensed
pilot, for you to fly yourself. |
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| Turkey
has a very low crime against women are particularly uncommon.
Women can very comfortably travel alone and walk alone at night
in all of Turkey's major cities. Outside of urban areas, all visitors
are treated as "guests of god" and can expect a warm
welcome. However, it is important to realize that in rural areas
people are more conservative, as in any country, and it is polite
to observe local customs by dressing in pants or a long skirt
and avoiding tank tops or cutt-off t-shirts. |
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| All
drivers with a valid license can drive in Turkey. If you're not
accustomed to heavy traffic, you might not want to drive in Istanbul.
Otherwise, driving is quite enjoyable and makes for a great way
to see Turkey. Please note, however, that cars with automatic
transmissions are not common and it is helpful to be able to drive
a car with a stick-shift. |
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| Yes,
Turkey is a country in which Islam is the largest religion. However,
Turkey has substantial Christian and Jewish populations. More
importantly, it is a country where religious toleration is enshrined
in the constitution and one of the central principles of society.
Turkey's tradition of religious toleration is centuries old. Just
one example is the story of Turkish Jews. When the Jews were driven
out of Spain in the 15th century, Sultan Beyazit II invited them
to Istanbul, providing them with transportation from Spain to
Turkey and also with housing on their arrival. |
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| Major
credit cards are welcome at many shops and restaurants in Turkey.
Traveler’s checks are also an option, but, as a rule credit
cards are more convenient. ATMs all over Turkey provide cash advances
on Visa and MasterCard and also accept Cirrus and other major
bankcards. When you use an ATM, you receive your money in Turkish
Lira, which is charged to your card at the daily exchange rate
on that day. Banks’ exchange rates are generally better than
those at hotels but not quite as good as those at change bureaus.
American dollars are also almost universally accepted. |
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| Not
at all. In fact, Turkish hotel rooms compare quite favorably with
hotel rooms in Western Europe. Not only will you have your own
bathroom, it is not uncommon to find that your bathroom, in addition
to hot water, has a heated towel rack, built-in hairdryer and
a special electric shaver adapter! Other amenities regularly found
in Turkish hotels with three or more stars include a mini-bar,
in-room electronic safe, satellite television, modem jack and,
of course, a breath-taking sea-view from the balcony. |
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