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| Travel information and tips on Turkey including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Turkey, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Turkey! |
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Here is a quick overview on Turkey
Turkey is a paradise of sun, sea, mountains, and bikes that offers the vacationers a complete change from the stress and routine of everyday life. From April to October, most places in Turkey have an ideal climate that is perfect for relaxing on sandy beaches or enjoying the tranquility of mountains and lakes.
Turkey also has a magnificent past, and is a land full of historic treasures from 13 successive civilizations spanning 10.000 years. Even if you spend only a short time in Turkey, you can see a lot of this great past.
There is no doubt that one visit will not be enough, and you will want to come back again and again as you discover one extraordinary place after another. All of them, no matter how different, have one thing in common: the friendly and hospitable people of this unique country.
Click on Turkey in Depth for additional information to include just about everything you will need to know to plan your visit to this wonderful country. Included you will also find information on tourism and when is the best time to visit, the history of the country and it's people, the economy of Turkey, and much more.
For travel and tourism information contact the Turkish
Tourist Office at 212-687-2194. You can also contact the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Washington, DC for
additional information:
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
2525 Mass. Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: (202) 612-6700
Fax: (202) 612-6744
Email Inquiries:
info@turkey.org
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Kaunos Tours is a small friendly tour operator in Dalyan in South West Turkey. Specialising in outdoor activities, we have been supplying numerous international tour operators with exciting, adventurous and custom tours for over 9 years. We have a wealth of experience and have the best local guides and equipment available. Our philosophy is customer service and quality product, with emphasis on getting to know each customer's individual needs and then surpassing their expectations.
Travel Talk Greece and Turkey - The philosophy of Travel Talk is simple: to provide excellent value for money for budget conscious and adventurous travelers without compromising their experiences and providing quality transportation, accommodation, sight-seeing and information services. You'll be shown Turkey and Greece by the people who know it best by fully trained English speaking tour leaders. They will take you to all the important and hidden sites of the countries and give great information about every historical, cultural and natural sight. Check them out today.
Senkron Travel is an "A group professional Travel Agency of Turkey" located in Istanbul. They have been in the tourism industry for the last 15 years. They can help you organize any type of day tours in Istanbul or package tours throughout Turkey. They also can help you find the perfect accommodations within Turkey and Istanbul through their data base of great hotels with good prices. Domestic and international flight tickets can also be purchased through their agency. They specialize in small group tours.
Eastern Turkey Tours -
Turkey Travel with
Insight - Insight Travel offers
private and small group
tours in Istanbul and Turkey, such as cultural tours, city packages, blue cruise
and tailored tours. URL:
http://www.tour-turkey.com
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
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Travel
Etiquette
Behavior and customs vary greatly from country to country. We
discuss the correct travel etiquette so that you won't be caught out.
TravelEtiquette was formed to offer a unique reference
point on essential etiquette advice and information for worldwide
travel. Our features and articles are written by professional
journalists and experts - who have a particular interest, or a
background in this area. So – know before you go. Visit
TravelEtiquette so you will know how to, as the old adage states, “When in Rome,
do as the Romans do.”
Some
Things To See And Do In Turkey
Shopping
Turkey is a great place for shopping. The wide variety of Turkish art offers unique and original materials for the
giftware market. Since the traditional handicrafts differ from city to city,
unique products can easily found. And, thanks to earlier civilizations,
Turkey has a rich treasure made of motives and different techniques. The arts of working with mother of pearl, of marbling of decorating glassware
and ceramics of viewing carpets and rugs, and of jewelry - making have come till
today from thousands of years. Check the Traditional
Turkish Arts page for some good information on what to look for when you
are shopping the markets and bazaars of this wonderful country.
Outdoor Activities
Turkey is also a wonderful place for the outdoor enthusiast. A short list
of outdoor adventures would include yachting and sailing, diving, rafting,
windsurfing, spelunking, skiing and other winter sports, trekking and hiking,
golf, and bird watching. For complete information on some of these
wonderful outdoor activities in Turkey, go to Outdoor Adventures
in Turkey!
| Worldwide Riding Vacations : A Global Guide - Not just a guide to dude ranches, this handsome updated edition lists more strenuous and interesting equestrian trips by continent and then by country. Printed on heavy coated stock and illustrated with many color photographs, it includes over 100 entries. Each lists the company, address, phone number, E-mail, FAX, closest airports, price, and when available. There are descriptions of accommodations, meals, activities, and the horses and riding equipment, as well as a list of equestrian travel agencies and associations. British equestrian writer Ruler writes frequently on riding vacations and is an amateur horseman. Sacks, a former college professor, now owns a horse farm. Several locations for riding vacations in Turkey. |
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Click on Kaunos Tours for some great one-week tours and activities! Kaunos Tours is a small friendly tour operator in Dalyan in South West Turkey. Specialising in outdoor activities, we have been supplying numerous international tour operators with exciting, adventurous and custom tours for over 9 years. We have a wealth of experience and have the best local guides and equipment available. Our philosophy is customer service and quality product, with emphasis on getting to know each customer's individual needs and then surpassing their expectations.
Eastern Turkey Tours -
Turkey Travel with
Insight - Insight Travel offers
private and small group
tours in Istanbul and Turkey, such as cultural tours, city packages, blue cruise
and tailored tours. URL:
http://www.tour-turkey.com
Major Tourist Attractions in Turkey
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
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Would some come to Turkey just to eat out? Yes, They would. Turkish food is famous throughout the world. Painstaking preparation of simple, but fresh ingredients brings out the richness of their flavors in a way that never fails to delight. The range is enormous, from the many soups to an astonishing variety of hors d’oeuvers (meze) followed by meat and fish dishes. Then pause a while to contemplate the famous Turkish sweets and pastries before finishing with Turkish coffee. All Turkish food prepared fresh ingredients. The country produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and, being surrounded on three sides by sea, the range of fish to be found is considerable.
Among alcoholic drinks are the light Turkish beer, local wines, and the national drink, "Raki" (an anisette), which clouds when water is added, giving it the popular name of "lion’s milk." The drinking of raki is a rite in itself, and it is traditionally accompanied by a variety of "meze" (hors d’oeuvers), Whenever you go, coffee or tea will be offered to you. Bottled drinking water and mineral water are easily found everywhere. Tap water is drinkable but the taste is not good because it is chlorinated.
Especially in large cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and ızmir, you can also find restaurants which feature Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, French, Swiss, German and Italian cuisine. Here is a quotation fro the Star Tribune. It was located in their "Taste Section."
"Culinary Crossroads -- One country, many flavors: Turkey’s location, rich history and spiritual relationship with its food have created a distinctive culinary tapestry that evokes the tastes of Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean." By Jon Tevlin. Star Tribune Staff Writer; February 17, 1999, Minneapolis, USA
WINE TASTING
Anatolia was one of the first wine drinking countries in the world. Wine was drunk as a ritual around 2.000 B.C. Hittite Emperors offered wine to their gods in order to thank for what they had. Reliefs portraying these offerings can be seen at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in ankara. The main wine production centers are Ankara, Göreme and Yozgat in mid-Anatolia; Tekirdag, Mürefte, sarköy, MarmaraIsland, and Avsa Island in the Marmara Region; and Bozcaada, Izmir, Sirince, Denizli, Güney and Sal in the Aegean Region, In Anatolia, which is known as the land of wine, it is inexpensive and delicious.
Types of Wines
SUGGESTIONS FOR DINING
Here are some suggested and recommended places for
dining in some of the larger cities of Turkey.
IN ISTANBUL
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Asitane Restaurant
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Since 1991, Asitane has been
compiling authentic recipes from a number of sources including (just to name
a few): the kitchen registers from Topkapı, Dolmabahçe and Edirne Palaces -
documents in Beyazıt and Millet Libraries, and a book entitled “Bir Ziyafet
Defteri” detailing the circumcision ceremony in November 1539 of Beyazıd and
Cihangir, the two sons of Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent. With over 200 original recipes from which to choose, each year Asitane offers special menus such as the “Ramadan Menu”, “Dishes from Mehmet the Conqueror’s Reign” during the week celebrating Istanbul’s conquest, “Fish and Sea Food Week” in the autumn, “Food from Istanbul Kitchens”, “Aphrodisiacs from the Palace Menu”, and a “1950’s New Years Menu”. The Ottoman style brunch on Sundays is always popular also. Asitane is very particular about the ingredients used in preparing these special dishes and keeps to the original recipies whenever possible. Each dish on the menu comes with its original Ottoman name. |
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Tugra Restaurant: The traditions of Ottoman sultans live on today in
Tugra. An unbelievable night awaits, with a lounge that feel like an Ottoman
court, meals from the palace kitchens and classical Ottoman music. A few recommendations:
Char-grilled rump of lamb, stuffed chicken breasts, "Naim Efendi" and
walnut ice cream served on top of milk pudding.
Haci Abdullah: Oldest licensed restaurant, has been serving traditional
Turkish meals since 1876. Beef & onion stew served over pureed obergine,
large beef chunks cooked with kasar cheese, eggs and vegetables and the lamb shank
in thick tomato sauce are the specialties of this restaurant that prepares 125
different dishes daily. Pickles, compotes and the quince dessert clotted cream
have developed praiseworthy reputation over the years.
Konyali Topkapi: The ideal place if you would like to dine in the fashion
of an Ottoman Sultan in an historical palace commanding a splendid view of the
Bosphorus and Leander’s Tower. Well-known not only for its location in Topkapi
Palace, but renowned for its cuisine as well, Konyali has over 100 year of
history. Opened about 30 years ago in Topkapi Palace, Konyali has a vast menu
which includes such favorites as hünkar begendi, stuffed chicken, stuffed lamb,
all manner of cold olive oil appetizers and examples of Ottoman sweets. Closed
on Tuesdays. Serves Lunch only.
IN KUSADASI
| Cafe Seyhan - Centrally located, part of Kusadasi' s oldest history! Quality, friendly service at very reasonable prices! We can cater for large parties or romantic tables for two also we have a large cool, green garden for romantic nights together. Our menu includes as follows : Turkish dishes., French cuisine, seafoods, vegeterian dishes, pizzas, steaks, European foods, Chinese dishes and Indian foods. CAFE SEYHAN, Sağlık Str. No:63 Kusadasi-Turkey. Tel : +90 256 614 79 85. E-Mail : info@cafeseyhan.com. www.cafeseyhan.com. |
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Degirmen: Probably on of the
Turkey’s most attractive restaurants in terms of set-up, Degirmen (The Mill)
occupies an impressive stone mansion on a vast farm with an artificial lake,
free-roaming geese centuries old cypress trees. The interior is filled with
well-chosen antiques and fine woodwork. The menu is based on traditional Turkish
cuisine with plenty of superb lamb. Try the keskek, an old-fashioned paste of wheat
and boiled meat which has disappeared from the menu of most restaurants, as well
as the splendid tandir and hünkarbegendi. A variety of village style breads
come freshly baked.
Köy Sofrasi: One of the finest examples of Aegean rustic life in Turkey.
A true family affair with granny stuffing grape leaves while the girls work in
the vineyard alongside, and plenty of floor cushions on which to doze under the
shade of gnarly olive trees. Yogurt is made in earthen pots from the fresh milk
of the house cows. The breakfast with omelet's and grape jam is splendid. The
kitchen is spotlessly clean.
IN BODRUM
Antique Theatre: This gourmet
restaurant located in one of the Bodrum’s finest and coziest small hotels, was
reviewed glowingly by the New York Times. Lit by candles and torches, it offers
a remarkably romantic setting at night with the Crusade fortress of Bodrum as a
spectacular backdrop. The menu reflects the style of Selmin Bsak, an art
historian, and the culinary passion of Zafer Basak, a professor of economics. It
combines Mediterranean themes with the classic flavors of French cuisine.
IN MARMARIS
Hümeyra: A small, lovingly
outfitted, "feminine" restaurant which raises the banner of
traditional Turkish home cooking against the tide of foreign restaurants that
have invaded the harbour area, Hümeyra is a hobby cook who settled in Marmaris
after a career in administrative jobs in the big city. She often shares the
kitchen with her mother, producing such old –fashioned Turkish delicacies as
the körfez kebabi, stuffed wine leaves and wonderful pastry desserts. The view
of the harbour from the terrace is spectacular.
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One of the favorite pastimes of visitors, and for some, one of the prime reasons to visit, is shopping in the markets and shops for traditional Turkish arts. Go to Traditional Turkish Arts for some good information on what you should be looking for so you can take home a souvenir with meaning.
Ephesus is one of my personal favorite places to visit in Turkey. I could spend hours exploring the ruins of this once great city. This is one place any student of history and the Bible should visit.
Both the Aegean Coast and the areas of the Mediterranean around Antalya are well worth a visit and are favorites of everyone who visits there.
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Turkey Business Etiquette and Culture
- An excellent guide to business culture and etiquette in Turkey.
Executive Planet™ provides
valuable tips on business etiquette, customs and protocol for doing business
worldwide. Our guides are co-authored by experts in international business
etiquette, who are available to answer your questions on the discussion board.
This guide to Turkey business etiquette and culture covers many aspects of doing business in Turkey. It is our goal to provide practical, accurate, and up-to-date tips on Turkey business culture and etiquette, written by experts in business consulting in Turkey. We encourage visitors to leave questions or comments on our discussion boards, moderated by experts in intercultural training and business. Click On: Executive Planet - Turkey
This guide contains the following articles:
Let's Make a Deal - negotiating tactics, the value of connections, recommended
business card style and content, business card protocol, sitting and presenting
yourself in meetings, language for brochures and promotional material, pace of
business, preferred presentation styles, final agreements, thinking styles,
adherence to company policy, and more on Turkey business culture . . .
Prosperous Entertaining - typical mealtimes throughout the day, best venues for
business entertaining, punctuality for social events, dinner table seating
etiquette, mealtime etiquette, importance of alcohol, toasting, guidelines for
hosting a banquet/social event, what foods should be served/avoided, accepting
and declining invitations, and more on Turkey business etiquette. . .
Appointment Alert! - typical vacation times, recommended appointment times,
length of the lunch hour, signals that indicate beginning or end of an
appointment, best arrival time (early, late, right on time), and more on Turkey
business culture. . . Gift Giving - recommended gifts, gifts to avoid, good and
bad colors for wrapping paper, how to present a gift to individuals and groups,
guidelines for receiving gifts, and more on Turkey business culture. . . First
Name or Title? - using titles such as 'Doctor', naming conventions to avoid,
when to use first names, and more. . . Public Behavior - how to greet strangers
and introduce yourself, the rules for men shaking hands with women, acceptable
demeanor, rules for eye contact, gestures/sayings to avoid, and more on Turkey
business culture. . . Business Dress - is dress modest, conservative, etc.,
specific dress requirements for men and women, what visitors should wear to
social functions, and more on Turkey business culture. . Conversation - welcome
and unwelcome topics of conversation, the role of compliments, the tone of voice
to be used, whether your hosts are physical or more reserved, and more on Turkey
business etiquette. For additional information, click on
http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Turkey
