Turkey is a paradise of sun,sea,mountains,and lakes that offers the vacationer 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 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.
TURKEY IN BRIEF
GEOGRAPHY: Turkey is 814,578 sq km in area.The European and Asian regions are separated by the İstanbul Boğazı(Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara and the Çanakkale Boğazı (Dardanelles).Anatolia is a high plateau rising progressively towards the east,broken up by the valleys of about 15 rivers,including the Dicle(Tigris) and Fırat (Euphrates).There are numerous lakes and some,such as Lake Van,are as inland seas.In the north the mountains along the eastern Black Sea coast run paralel to the Sea;in the south,the Taurus Mountains sweep down almost to the narrow,fertile coastal plain.Turkey enjoys a variety of climates,ranging from the temperate climate of the Black Sea region,to the continental climate of the interior,then to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal regions.The coastline touching the four seas that border the country is 8,333 km in length.
HİSTORY : Turkey has been called”the cradle of civilization”and by travelling through historic land,tourists will discover exacly what is meant by this phrase.The world’s first known settlement,a neolithic city at Çatalhöyük,dates back to 6,500 B.C. From the days of Çatalhöyük up to the present.Turkey boasts a rich culture that through the centuries of cultures makes Turkey a paraside of information and cultural wealth.Hattis,Hitittes,Phrygians,
Urartians,Lycians,Ionians,Lydians,Persians,Mecedonians,Romans,Byzantines,Seljuks,and Ottomans have all made important contributions to the history of the area.Ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give sufficient prof of each civilization’s unique distinction.
Turkey also has avery fascinating recent history.Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire,a young man named Mustafa Kemal,who was a soldier and a great visionary,took the defeat of World War 1 and turned in into a shining victory by libarating Turkey on October 29,1923.He led his country towards peace and stability that brought about tremendous economic growth and increasing modernization.Through decates of change and growth,Turkey stil boats growing success,living by Atatürk’s motto of ”Peace at Home,Peace in the World.”
POPULATION : Turkey’s population is about 73 million,40% of whom live in the countryside.The major cities are İstanbul, Ankara (the capital),İzmir,Antalya and Bursa.
LANGUAGE : The Turkish language belongs to the Ural-Altaic group and has an countryside.The Fino-Hungarian languages.Turkish is written in the Latin alphabet and is spoken by at least 150 million people around the world.
RELIGION: Although Turkey is 99% Muslim, it is a secular state that guarantees complete freedom of woe-rship ton on-Muslims.
WHEN TO COME
Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: These coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. The swimming season becomes shorter the further north one goes: Marmara and North Aegean-June to September; South Aegean and Mediterranean-April to October.
Black Sea Coast: Warm summers, mild winters, and relatively high rainfall.
Central Anatolia: Stepe climate with hot, dry summers; cold winters.
Eastern Anatolia: Long snowy, cold winters with mild summers.
Southeast Anatolia: Hot summer with mild, rainy winters.
WHAT TO WEAR:
a) Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean coasts: Light, cotton summer clothing and cardigans for evening.
b) Black Sea, Central and Eastern Anatolia: Summer wear, warmer clothing should be taken for cool evenings at high altitudes.
c) Comfortable shoes are necessary for visiting archeological and historical sites.
d) Sun hats and sunglasses are advisable in the summer.
e) Headscarves should be brought by women for visiting mosques.
HOW TO COME TO TURKEY
BY AİR:
Turkish Airlines (THY): THY has regular flights on Boeing 737-400’s, 737-500’s, RJ-100’s, and Airbus 310-200’s, 310-300’s, and 340-300’s to Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir, Antalya, Adana, Trabzon and Dalaman from principal capitals and major cities of the world.
International Airlines: Regular flights from all major cities of the world come to Turkey’s international airports.Information and Reservations: For more information contact THY offices. (see Useful Addresses)
BY SEA:
Passenger Ferries: Apart from numerous cruises in the Mediterranean, several foreign shipping companies have regular sevices to the ports of Trabzon, Samsun,İstanbul, Dikili, İzmir, Çeşme, Kuşadası, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya,Alanya,Mersin and İskenderun.
Car Ferries: There are several car ferries for tourists who wish to bring their cars while sightseeing: Conections run from Venice, Ancona, Brindisi, and Bari to İstanbul, İzmir, Çeşme, Kuşadası, Marmaris, and Antalya.
Lines between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
Taşucu-Girne
Alanya-Girne
Mersin-Gazimagosa.
Ferry lines between Turkey and the Grek Islands:
Ayvalık-Midilli (Lesbos)
Çeşme-Sakız (Chios)
Kuşadası-Sisam (Samos)
Bodrum-İstanköy (Cos)
Marmaris-Rodos (Rhodes)
Datça-Sömbeki (Symi)
Information and Reservations: Turkish Maritime Lines. (see Useful Addresses)
BY RAIL: Train journeys can be made to İstanbul directly from and via some of major cities in Europe.Information and Reservations: Turkish Railways (TCDD). (see Useful Addresses)
BY ROAD:
Private Car: London-İstanbul, approximately 3,000 km.
Northern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey.
Southern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, with a ferry to Turkey
BY COACH: There are regular bus services between services between Turkey and Turkey and Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece as well as Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Syria. (see Useful Addresses)
“MAVİ YOLCULUK” – BLUE VOYAGE
The popular “ Blue Voyage” itinerary extends from çeşme ( Aegean Coast) to Antalya(Mediterranean Coast).Yachts depart from İzmir,Çeşme,Sığacık,Kuşadası,Bodrum,Datça,Marmaris,Göçek,Fethiye,Kalkan,Kaş,Kemer and Antalya.The “Blue Voyages”are arranged by various agents as well as by individual groups for 8-12 persons.These tours can be arranged between April and October.
YACHTING
Marinas and resorts : All ports of entrt in Turkey(listed in the Passports and Visas section) are in a position to receive sailboats year round.Supplies (food and motor fuel)are also available Marinas provide mooring,maintenance,repair and dry-dock facilites,and tourist,scoial and cultural services for yachtsmen.
The following marinas maintain international standarts: İstanbul Ataköy,İstanbul Kalamış,İzmir Levent Marina,Çeşme Altın Yunus,Kuşadası,Bodrum,Marmaris Netsel,Marmaris Albatros,Marmaris Bay Marina,Kemer Turban,Fethiye Club Marina and Antalya Setur and Kaleiçi Marinas,Antalya Setur Marina and the holiday village of Altın Yunus at Çeşme,both managed by the Tourisim Bank of Turkey,are open year round anda re fully equipped.
Marina capacities Sea Land
İstanbul Ataköy 650 150
İstanbul Kalamış 540 200
İstanbul Fenerbahçe 1250 200
İzmir Levent 70 40
Çeşme Altınyunus 125 70
Kuşadası Setur 450 179
Bodrum Karada - 375
Marmaris Bay Marina 50 70
Marmaris Netsel 720 150
Marmaris Albatros 150 350
Göçek Cub Marina 160 -
Kemer Park Kemer 200 100
Antalya Setur 200 200
Antalya Kaleiçi 65 -
RAFTING: Another of naturel’s gifts to Turkey are its rivers.They provide perfect conditions for canoeing,skiing and rafting.These rivers are: Çoruh,Barhal,Berta,Fırtına,Çolaklı,Köprüçay,Manavgat,Dragon,Göksu(Silifke),Zamantı,Göksu(Feke),Kızılırmak,and Dalaman Stream.
GOLF Turkey’s historical and natural beauties include well-maintained and secluded golf courses.Golfers will be delighted with the 18-hole golf lings,which are maintained up to international standards.In addidion,there are open tournaments.
AIR SPORTS : There are several locations in Turkey that provide perfect conditions for all types of wind and air sports.These sports include single engine flights(Ankara),parachuting and plane gliding(Eskişehir),hang gliding,and hot air ballooning(Cappadocia-Nevşehir).There are services that provide instruction courses in these sports for groups of 10 people or more,providing they speak the same language.
WINTER SPORTS : Winter sports resort in Turkey are generally located in forested mountain average heigh.The following ski and winter sports centers are easily accessible by road or by Turkish Airlines domestic flights:
Ağrı- Bubi
Ankara-Elmadağ
Antalya-Saklıkent
Bingöl-Kurucadağ
Bitlis-Sapgör
Bolu-Kartalkaya
Bursa-Uludağ
Erzincan-Bolkar
Erzurum-Palandöken
Gümüşhane-Zigana
Kastamonu-Ilgaz Mountain
Kayseri-Erciyes
INTERNATIONAL SKI TOURNAMENTS
International Youth Cup (Alphine Discipline),Uludağ-Bursa: March
International Endurance Cup (Arctic Discipline),Uludağ-Bursa: March
Palandöken Ski Cup,Palandöken-Erzurum: April
European Cup Meadow Skin
MOUNTAINEERING
Kaçkar Mountains 3,932 m
Ala Mountains 3,100 m
Hasan Mountain 3,268 m
Erciyes Mountain 3,916 m
Boklar Mountain 3,654 m
Büyük Ağrı Mountain 5,134 m (Mt.Ararat)
Süphan Mountain 4,058 m
Cilo-Sat Mountains 4,135 m
Mercan Mountains 3,293 m (Munzur)
THERMAL RESORTS: In Turkey,there about 1,000 thermal springs scattered throughouth western Anatolia.Thermal spas with facilites for therapeutic treaments are as folows:
Ankara-Kızılcahamam
Afyon-Hüdayi
Afyon-Oruçoğlu
Balıkesir-Gönen
Bingöl-Kös
Bolu-Karacasu
Bursa-Çekirge
Bursa-Oylat
Çanakkale-Kestanbul
Denizli-Pamukkale and Karahayıt
Eskişehir-Hamamyolu
Eskişehir-Sakar
İzmir-Balçova
İzmir-Çeşme
Konya-Ilgın
Kütahya-Harlek(Ilıcaköy)
Muğla-Sultaniye
Sivas-Balıklı(Yılanlı)Çermik
Yalova
PLATEU HIKING The pleteaus of Turkey are a unique experience in themselvs.The high plateaus are meadows with large grasslands, plenty of water and natural beauty.The Tekir and Bürücek,meadows on the Toros(Taurus)mountains will present you with scenes from a hidden paraside.The Black Sea region plateaus have natural beauty and people there stil observe the original meadow life of old.Artvin-Kafkasör,Rize-Ayder,Trabzon-Kadırga,Karadağ,Erikbeli,Hıdırnebi,Giresun-Kümbet,Sinop-Güzfındık and Bozarmut, Ordu-Keyfalan-Çambaşı are of most spectacular areas in that region.
NATIONAL PARKS
Aladağlar (Ala Mountains) (54,524 ha)
Altınbeşik Cave (11,156 ha)
Altındere Valley (4,800 ha)
Başkomutan (35,500 ha)
Beydağları-Olympos (Bey Mountains)
Beyşehir Gölü (Lake Beyşehir) (88,750 ha)
Boğazkale (Boğazköy)-Alacahöyük (2,634 ha)
Dilek Yarımadası (Dilek Peninsula) (27,675 ha)
Gelibolu Yarımadası (Gallipoli Peninsula History Park) (33,000 ha)
Göreme (9,572 ha)
Güllük Dağı-Termessos (Mt.Güllük) (6,702 ha)
Hatilla Valley (16,988 ha)
Honaz Dağı (Mt. Honaz) (9,219 ha)
Ilgaz Dağı (Mt. Ilgaz) (1,088 ha)
Kaçkar Mountains (51,550 ha)
Karagöl-Sahara (3,766 ha)
Karatepe-Aslantaş (7,715 ha)
Kaz Dağı (Mt. Ida) (21,300)
Kızıl Dağ (Mt. Kızıl) (59,400 ha)
Kovada Gölü (Kovada Lake) (6,534 ha)
Köprülü Kanyon (Köprülü Canyon) (36,534 ha)
Kuşcenneti (Bird Paradise) (64 ha)
Marmaris (33,350 ha)
Munzur Vadisi (Munzur Valley) (42,000 ha)
Nemrut Dağı (Mt. Nemrut) (13,850 ha)
Saklıkent (Hidden City) Canyon (12,390 ha)
Soğuksu (1,195 ha)
Spil Dağı (Mt. Spil) (5,505 ha)
Truva (Troy)
Uludağ Mountain (12,732 ha)
Yedigöller (2,019 ha)
Yozgat Çamlığı (Yozgat Pine Grove) (264 ha)
MUSEUMS : Most Turkish museums are open every day of the week,except Mondays.Palaces are also closed only on Mondays.The famous Topkapı Place is closed on Tuesdaysinstead of Mondays.In order to receive permission for photos or films in museum or at ancient ruins,a fee,which varies according to the etrance fee,is charged.The photographing or filming,for commercial use,of yet unpublished objects which are copyrighted,requires a special permit from the general Directorate of Antiquities and Museums,In Ankara most museums are closed on the first day of religious holidays.
