Pages

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Egypt


Egypt



Egypt is the motherhood of civilization, a land of refuge and tolerance. This land, which frontiers have not changed for more than 5000 years, witnessed the succession of migrations, currents of ideology, philosophies and religious beliefs.Egypt is a diversified country, an open sky museum: pyramids and temples, monasteries and mosques, oases and deserts…. the waters of the Mediterranean reveal the glory of Alexandria, the Red Sea offers its: coral reefs, fauna, flora and crystalline water. Egypt is going to celebrate the seventh millenarian of its written history, in the year 2000, it will unite with the humanity in watching, from the top of the pyramids, the passage of another millenarian. In the north-eastern angle of Africa between Libya and the Red Sea opposite to the Mediterranean, Egypt extends over 1 million km2 frontiers with Sudan, Libya and Israel.Capital Cairo, 16 millions of inhabitants. Population and religion 64 millions of inhabitants, 90% of Moslems and 10% of Christians, mostly belonging to the Coptic Church. Climate and clothes Moderate climate at the coasts and the delta, hot in the south and the west; night is cold in winter. Light clothes (woolen at night). Protection against the sun. Shoes fit for long walks. Languages Arabic is the official language, English and French are spoken in tourists areas. Time / Hour GMT + 2 (October to March) GMT + 3 (April to September) Telephone Foreign countries to Egypt: 00 international, 20 Egypt, 2 Cairo, 3 Alexandria, 95 Luxor, 97 Aswan, 62 Sharm El Sheikh, 65 Hurghada / El Gouna / Soma / Safaga / El Kosseir / Marsa Alam.. Electric current 220 volts; in some areas 110 volts. Currency and fax Currency change is available in first class hotels.Fax is available in first and second class hotels. Mail A mailed letter to Europe would reach its destination within a week.



    Cairo  


Cairo sprang from the foundations of a recent town. recent, according to Egyptian time standards…. This region was originally settled in the Paleolithic and witnessed the development of the Neolithic communities…. This region was, since the predynastic period of the paranoiac era, a very remote extension of On, the center of Rae cult where the priests of Heliopolis worshipped the sun god…. It was there, that the battle opposing Hours to Seth took place, according to the Osirian legend It was also there, that the Persian invaders built in 525 BC the fort of Babylon to control the trade routes of the Old World….In 117 Trojan, the roman governor of Egypt, repaired the old canal originally built by the Pharaohs of the 12th dynasty to link, across the Nile dominated by Babylon, the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea…. During later periods of the roman occupation, a Christian community grew up around Babylon where the world's oldest Coptic churches were built, at the end of the 4thcentury: St. Sergius and St. Barbara. Taking hold of Babylon in 639, Amr Ibn El As, the leader of the Arab army, conquered Egypt and expelled the Romans…gradually, Egypt converted to Islam…the location of Amr's camp, in front of Babylon, became the center of a military city El Fostat or the tent… an extension was to be added by the Abbasssides El Asker or the soldiers... this was followed by another extension added by the Toulounides El Katayea or the tribes … therefore the city grew up in splendour: Amr's mosque, the world's oldest third mosque, the palace of the governor, public bathes, houses, gardens, markets…. In 969 Gohar, the Fatimides army leader built, to the north of El Katayea, a much larger city El Kahera or the victorious (Cairo)... .In 973 El Azhar mosque and Islamic University was built…. Cairo became the capital of Egypt… in 1176 Saladin built the Citadel and surrounded the old city and the capital, with defensive walls.  The reign of Ismail started, in 1865, a new era of modernization: Cairo was enlarged by adding new extensions (Road, Gézira, Giza, Dokki and Heliopolis) ….Wide streets adorned with trees, gardens, Opera house, houses and villas, large hotels ….In 1952, a revolution took place and Egypt became a republic, new cities were built around Cairo to solve the problems of overpopulation (Nasr city, Ramadan city, October city, Shourouk city, Oubour city…). Cairo today is one of the world's largest cities, it is a metropolitan city: many luxurious hotels, wide variety of restaurants, all types of museums, galleries of arts, Opera house and theaters, 5 large universities, sports clubs and stadiums, zoological gardens and entertainment centers (Wonder Land, dream Land, Aqua Park, Crazy Water….), movies and shopping centers, the Old Bazaar of Khan El Khalili, a large net of underground metro, bridges and highways, 2 international airports, floating hotels and restaurants on the Nile, modern hospitals and banks, aviation and tourist agencies, embassies and cultural centers, languages schools and universities…. And above all the welcoming Egyptian people. Explore Cairo  Cairo is a city that never sleeps, it is a 5000 years old megalopolis stretching to the pyramids. Memphis Necropolis In 3200 BC the legendary Pharaoh "Mena" unified Egypt and created the first state in history, his capital was "Memphis"….Parallel to the capital, on the Nile western bank, the "city of the dead" covered a sandy stretch 50-km long…. More than 80 pyramids, hundreds of tombs and mastabas bearing colored paintings which represent the daily life of the ancient Egyptians…. Giza pyramids and the sphinx built 4600 years ago for the pharaohs: Khufu, Khafra and Menkawra  Sakkara steps Pyramid, built 4700 years ago for the pharaoh Djeser, the first rocky construction in history  Egyptian Museum  Built in 1857, under the supervision of August Mariette, it contains the fabulous treasure of Tutankhamen, the hall of mummiesand the largest collection of Pharaonic monuments. Old Cairo Stretching on the Nile eastern bank, Old Cairo is a mixture of the present and the past, Coptic and Islamic monuments: Coptic Museum, the most beautiful collection of Coptic arts (icons, manuscripts, sacerdotal ornaments…)  Islamic museum, the most beautiful collection of Islamic arts (ivory-inlaid wooden doors and screens, mosaic and marble fountains, silver and gold inlaid weapons, colored glass cups…)  St. Serge church, built on the crypt in which the Holy Family stayed, it is regarded as a source of blessings  St. Barbara church built on the southern tower gate of Babylon fort and dedicated for the Virgin, it houses ebony and ivory inlaid wooden screens  St. Mercurius church, houses a collection of 175 rare icons.  Amr's mosque is the oldest one in Egypt, it houses a marble column sent from Mekka in 642  The Citadel and its alabaster mosque.  El Azhar mosque, the oldest Islamic university in the world. Khan El Khalily bazaars, the oldest market in Cairo (spices, fruits, ivory, silver, gold, tissues, restaurants and coffee shops of local type) Modern Cairo Opera house, with its galleries of arts and music halls. Heliopolis, with its commercial centers and gardens. Floating restaurants, navigating on the Nile. Sound and light show at Giza pyramids.

Sinai Sharm El Sheikh   ( Ras Mohamed ) Best Diving place in the world


The strategic position of Sinai and its mineral resources had always been of great importance to the pharaohs of Egypt who succeeded to keep Sinai under control. Historical traces of this influence are not the main attraction, Sinai visitors are interested in its beaches and its well known Monastery of St. Catherine  Sharm El Sheikh On Akaba gulf 340 km. to the south -east of Suez     "Sharm El Sheikh" is an important tourstic destination : beaches framed by multicolored mountains from one side and from the other side the blue sky sea , exquisite coral reefs ,luxurious hotels , marinas and diving centers…… Ras Mohamed On the southern peak of Sinai 55 km to the south - west of Sharm El Sheikh… Ras Mohamed is a natural reserve … a refuge for rare forms of life ... the Paradise of divers… Other Tourist centers Leaving Sharm El Sheikh and heading to the north, following the coast, there we have 3 centers known for: their beautiful natural frame, their beaches and their diving sites … these centers are Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. St. Catherine's Monastery It looks like a rectangular fort, surrounded by high granite walls enclosing the different elements of the monastery…built by the emperor Justinian in 527, it was originally the idea of the empress Helen of Russia. The monastery is lying between 2 sacredmountains: Moses mountain, 2285 meters high, on which the prophet received the "Tables of the law"… and St. Catherine mountain, 2367 meters high, on which the angels placed the body of the saint… discovered 500 years later, the body was taken  the monastery…. The main elements of the monastery are: A small mosque built in the 10th century Moses fountain and the garden  The library containing 3500 manuscripts (Greek, Arabic, Coptic, Armenian, Syrian, Slavic…) which represent the second best world collection after that of the Vatican  The museum containing the treasure: Russian and French cups, reliquaries, icons, crosses, sacerdotal ornaments  The Church of Byzantine Style, built in the 6 Th century, and containing : paintings of the prophets and the disciples, Russian lamps in silver and gold ,icons ……a marble sarcophagus containing the relics of the saint ……..the floor of the church is an Arab mosaic of  marble……

Hurghada Red Sea Coast 


 The beaches of the Red Sea are worldwide known: its clear blue waters, colored corals and rare marine life…. Mountains, having different colors and running parallel to the coastline, separated from the sea only by a plain, most of which is suitable for safari. It's moderate climate and enchanting natural beauty blend together to charm the visitors  The Red Sea is surrounded by Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen and Djibouti. Water temperatures range between 18° C and 21° C in winter, 21° C and 26.5° C in summer. Underwater visibility is excellent up to 30 meters, and diving is possible up to 45 meters. The average diving depth, however, ranges between 12 and 25 meters.HURGHADA About 395 km to the south of Suez, Hurghada has a very pleasant climate all year round and offers facilities for fishing and snorkeling, diving and windsurfing. It has camping sites.Hurghada is actually the foremost tourist resort on the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. Its unique underwater coral gardens are the best in the world. You can have a day-trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling and fishing or view the marine life through a glass-bottomed boat. When you're not in the sea you can go shopping or have a safari trip by jeep to the Red Sea Mountains.  El Gouna 22 Km. To the north of Hurghada, "El gouna" is one of the largest and most up-to date tourist resorts, housing hotels and restaurants, artificial lakes and marinas, playgrounds, an airport and diving centers….



Luxor


During the Memphite period of the Old Kingdom, it was only an obscure town known as Waset or the Scepter (Symbol of sovereignty)…. The power of Waset increased gradually, in 2060 B.C. Mentohotep, Prince of Waset, reunified Egypt and extended its sovereignty to Nubia… even when the Hyksos (asiatic tribes) invaded the Delta and Middle-Egypt in 1785 B.C., Waset did not submit… in 1580 BC. Ahmos, prince of Waset expelled the Hyksos, reunified Egypt and Waset became the capital of the New Kingdom, its god Amun became the supreme state god… during the next six hundred years, Egypt expanded to the south (Nubia and Kush) and to the east (the Euphrate banks), Waset reached the peak of the glory, the city of the one hundred gates: (luxurious palaces, huge temples, large gardens, trading centers, foreign embassies…) it became the cosmopolitan city of the Egyptian empire and the first city of the old world. The decline started in 1095 BC, when the great priest of Amum (Herithor) seized the throne and declared himself pharaoh….The divided Egypt weakened the Empire, strikes came from the south and the east until the Assyrians destroyed Waset in 665 BC leaving the glorious city in ruins. Waset remained forgotten during the periods of the Greek and Roman domination. When the Arabs conquered Egypt in 639, being impressed by the ruins of the palaces and temples in Waset, they named it "Aloksor"or the palaces known today as Luxor. When Champollion discovered the secrets of the hieroglyphic language in 1822, attention was drawn to Luxor. Adventurers, archeologists and visitors started to come, Luxor became a tourist center, a book of history… Explore the historic Luxor Born more than 5000 years ago: Luxor is by far the largest museum in the world. Whenever you walk, you will experience the past and the present at the same time. Built for eternity in granite and sandstone, the tombs and the temples still stand surrounded by houses, markets and hotels. "In the City of the living" Luxor and Karnak temple greet the sunrise. In the "City of the dead" the sunset throws its shadows through the statues and the columns  City of the Living Waset stretched along the eastern bank of the Nile, its houses and palaces did not survive, only the houses of gods are still there: Karnak temple: The largest temple in the world dedicated for Amun. The Pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom built the oldest structures, the latest ones were added during the Ptolemaic period. The most outstanding features are the White Chapel of Sesostris I and the Great Hypo style hall with its 134 huge columns. A long dorms, lined by sphinx statues, connected Karnak temple to Luxor temple. Luxor temple: Lying 3 km to the south of Karnak temple was built for Mutt. During the Opet (new year festival), Amun headed the procession starting from Karnak temple and joined his wife "Mutt" in Luxor temple, the main structures were built by Amenophis III and Ramses II Luxor markets: take you back to the middle ages.  Luxor museum: a very fine and exceptional pharaonic collection exhibited elegantly elouca: sail on the Nile to Banana island. City of the Dead On the western bank of the Nile, stretching parallel to Waset, lies the great necropolis: Mortuary temples of the great pharaohs, hundreds of rocky tombs dug in the mountains (Kings valley, Queens valley, Nobles tombs, workers tombs…) away from the Nile and humidity:  Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, contain the largest tombs dug deeply in the rocky mountains, the tombs walls bear colored paintings and inscriptions showing the journey of the dead to the underworld and his judgment, the tomb of Tutankhamun contains his mummy. The best well-preserved tombs are those of: Queen Nefertari, Prince Amunhirkhopchef, King Seti I, King Tutmoses III, King Amenophis II. Tombs of the Nobles and the workers: The most beautiful tombs of Egypt, its paintings show every aspect of life in Egypt during the period of the New Kingdom: Nakht (52), Menna (69), Sennefer (96), Rekhmara (100), Mahou (57), Ramose (55), Sennedjem (1)   Hatchepsut's temple, unique in its style, 3 successive and overlapping stories framed by the mountain. Nile cruises It goes up the Nile to Aswan (220 KM to the south of Luxor) allowing the passengers to enjoy the sceneries of the Egyptian campaign and to visit the Ptolemaic temples: Esna, Kom Ombo and Edfu  Edfu temple: the best well preserved of all Egypt's temples, built 2325 years ago for the worship of the god Horus.   Kom Ombo temple: The only double temple in Egypt, all the elements of the structure are doubled since it was built forthe worship of two gods: Haraeoris and Sobek.


Aswan


Yesterday and today Since the period of the Old Kingdom, Sian was the door of Africa controlling the trade routes from the south to the north…. It was the harbour and the market; its name is derived from Sianite or red granite extracted from its quarries…. Opposite to Sian or Aswan, is Abou or the island of elephants, capital of the first district in Egypt, housing the palace of its governor…. Because of its geographical position, it had been chosen by Erathostenes to calculate the radius of the earth in 230 BC…. Aswan gained more importance, after the high dam construction in 1972, it became a source of electrical energy and a water reservoir…Explore the historic Aswan Born more than 5000 years ago, Aswan has been the market of African products: spices, leathers, ivory, fruits and grains, baskets, mummified and living crocodiles…. It is the sunniest winter resort in Egypt, the Nile flowing through amber desert and granite islands covered with palm trees and tropical plants: Emlephantine island (Abou), and the ancient Nilometer measuring the floods  Botanical island, a small forest of tropical plants and birds  High dam, one of the world's largest dams (2100000 kw) and its lake, the second in the world, spreads to Sudan (500 km. Long)  Philae temple, built 2378 years ago, was transferred in 1972 to Aegilika Island which level is higher than that of the artificial lake… This temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis Lake cruise: it goes up to Abu Simbel (280 km to the south of Aswan) allowing the passengers to visit a series of temples built by the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom (Kalabsha, Wadel Seboua, Amada, Abu Simbel)  The colored and spicy souks of Aswan  The Nubian museum, housing the finest collection of Nubian arts and monuments.  Salvage of the Nubian temples The lower Nubia is the part of the Nile valley lying between the first and second cataract, its ancient name was Kush. Since the period of the Middle Kingdom, Kush was dominated by Egypt and assimilated gradually the Egyptian influence, pharaohs of successive dynasties extended the building of their temples to Kush, today Kush is completely submerged under the waters of the High Dam lake. In 1960, the UNESCO started a campaign to save the so-called Nubian temples, this successful campaign ended in 1972 Abu Simbel temples (280 km to the south of Aswan) Built more than 3250 years ago by the great builder Pharaoh Ramses II, the temples entrances are guarded by the Pharaoh colossal statues. The two temples are completely dug inside the rocky mountain, the salvage took place in 6 phases: Removing 300000 tons of rocks surrounding the temples, cutting the temple into 1036   blocks, and enumerating each one of them, transferring the 15000 tons of enumerated blocks to a higher ground level, reconstruction of the temples, reconstruction of the mountain surrounding the temples (the same phases were applied for the salvage of Philae temple lying between the High Dam and Aswan Dam).  Kalabsha temples (10 km to the south of Aswan) Built by the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom and restored by the Romans, dedicated for Egyptian and Nubian gods. Its original location was 40 km to the south of the actual one, and was transferred in the same way as Abu Simbel's.  Wadel Seboua temples (150 km. To the south of Aswan, 2 km north the original location) Built by Ramses II for Egyptian and Nubian gods.  Amada temple (180 km to the south of Aswan, 3 km north the original location) Built by the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom for Egyptian and Nubian gods. The best well preserved of Nubian temples, it was transferred in one block package on triple railways. Hermes travel was the first company to organize cruises, using a sailing yacht, on the lake to visit the saved Nubian temples…. Actually, it is the only existing sailing yacht on the lake.


Safaga


Soma Bay Soma is one of the latest tourist destinations in Egypt, 45Km to the south of Hurghada. Soma bay is well known as a very rich diving spot.  Actually, a new activity is going on…. Golf, for the time being the game is performed on 9 holes playing ground…. It is planned to enlarge the playing ground up to 18 holes.  SAFAGA  Safaga harbour, 60 Km to the south of Hurghada, is the exporting center of phosphates since it is very close to the phosphates mines…. Actually, Safaga has become a tourist destination specialized in diving holidays: the beaches and the diving spots are still virgin…. It is also an ideal site for windsurf activities…. A large number of luxurious hotels and tourist resorts provide to tourists the best facilities… Safari tours by jeep are organized to the Red Sea Mountains. El Kosseir El Kosseir, 80 Km to the south of Safaga, was the pharaonic harbour receiving precious stones, spices incense and ivory coming from Somalia (the country of Punt)…. Actually, besides being a fishermen village, it is a tourist resort known for its virgin diving spots and its luxurious hotels…. A Turkish fort, from the 16th century, is still standing in the middle of the village.



Marsa ALam



 Lying 270Km to the south of Hurghada, it has several rest houses (such as the Egyptian Shooting Club) and is rich with marine life, being a village with a small harbour, Marsa Alam is the ideal base for a fishing holiday. There are a lot of fine offshore coral reefs… diving facilities are being developed. A natural reserve stretches from here to Gebel Elba in the south.

Oases



Surrounded by an ocean of sterile sands, the oases are green islands of fertile soil…. Many projects are executed to create a new valley, parallel to the Nile valley, in this so much promising region (more than 5 millions of feddans are available for agriculture)… Kharga ( 230 Km south to Assiut )  The most advanced and the largest oasis (area 3500 Km2, 60 000 inhabitants)… Hibis, the capital's name in Greek, is divided into amodern city and an ancient one (much smaller in which the narrow streets are roofed)…. Hibis temple, built by Darius the Persian 2500 years ago, was dedicated to Amun… an ancient Christian necropolis is lying north to Bagawat, the ancient capital…. Agricultural projects are very promising: 3000 natural sources of water, 500 artificial water sources, more than 4 millions of feddans are available for agriculture. To the south, the hot water natural springs (up to 43°C), well known for the treatment of rheumatism and allergies Dakhla ( 200 Km to the south west of Kharga ) Almost equal to Kharga (area 1500 km2, 50000 inhabitants).It is a group of 10 settlements, well known for its fruits, apricots, and mangos…. The capital Mut, goddess of Waset, houses the museum of inheritance (showing Dakhla culture and family life)… the ancient capital El Kasr (35 Km from Mut) is a labyrinth of mud-walled houses separated by very narrow alleys… A spring of hot sulfured water is close to the ruins of a temple dedicated to Amun. Baharia ( 330 km to the south -west of Cairo ) Its 10 000 inhabitants are divided between 4 villages, the largest of which is Bawiti famous for its dates…. The other three villages are well known for their water springs (27 °C). There are ruins of ancient temples at El Kasr… At Bawiti, ruins of an.

 <A HREF="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=ss_mfw&ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fbodcartip-20%2F8001%2Ff091b95b-7091-4122-bd1c-a400137bc9e4&Operation=NoScript">Amazon.com Widgets</A>




Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Top 5 Places to Visit


Top 5 Places to Visit in Turkey

Turkey is a vast and varied nation filled with plenty to explore – from the striking beaches of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines to the mountainous regions around Mt Ararat in the far east of the country. Scanning the highlights of the country, we’ve selected our opinion of five of the best travel-wonders in Turkey.
Cappadocia

The volcanic rock formations at Cappadocia are located within the Goreme National Park and are a popular tourist attraction in the region. Around 4,000 years ago, people started carving cave dwellings into the bizarrely shaped mounds of volcanic rock that were deposited by now extinct volcanoes. What remains is a remarkable and unique network of caves and tunnels, such as those at Derinkuyu, that stretch over 11 floors to a depth of around 85 metres.
Today you can still explore part of the Derinkuyu cave complex for a fascinating and truly unique glimpse into history. It’s also possible to take a hot air balloon ride above the Cappadocia area to view the rock formations from an alternative angle.
Hierapolis and Pamukkale

Around a 3 hours drive east from the popular holiday resort of Kusadisi or 4 hours drive north of Antalya, you will find the ancient city of Hierapolis. Founded in the 2nd century B.C. Hierapolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose name translates as “Sacred City” and is a beautiful and unreal landscape. A trip to Hierapolis rewards tourists with a selection of historic remains of the city, including the amphitheatre (top photo), the tombs of the Necropolis and the remains at the Temple of Apollo (the Greek God of the Sun).
The area is also famous for the Pamukkale hot springs, which appear white, due to the calcium deposited by the waters. Visitors to the springs can bathe in the warm waters which were once believed to have healing properties. Entrance to the springs and Hierapolis costs 20 Turkish Lira (approximately £9)*.
Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, and the only city in the world that sits on two continents, Asia and Europe. Istanbul has a rich history that can be seen all over the city. Sightseeing opportunities are everywhere - from the majestic Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace (centre of the Ottoman Empire for more than 4 centuries) in Istanbul’s old city, to the thousands of shops and stalls at the Grand Bazaar, the worlds largest covered market.
Ephesus

Located just a short 25 minute drive north of Kusadisi, the ancient city of Ephesus houses the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean region and was once home to the Temple of Artemis – one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Ephesus dates from the 13th century B.C. and was once a major port city with a large population. But when the port silted up, most of the citizens left, abandoning the city in a short space of time. Today many of the ruins still stand in surprisingly good condition. Visitors can still see the remains of the amphitheatre and library, along with many other ruins and relics. The Ephesus site will take a full day to see properly and entrance costs 20 Turkish Lira (approximately £9 or US$12.50)*.
Sumela Monastery

Sumela Monastery in the Trabzon province of North East Turkey is an amazing sight. The monastery is built in the most impressive, impossible and inaccessible location, in a hollow of a sheer cliff face a thousand feet above the valley floor, and it seems a miracle that the building manages to cling on to the rock. The monastery dates back to the 4th century when it was founded by a Greek monk known as blessed Barnabas. For those wanting to visit Sumela monastery and take a look around inside to see the monks living quarters and various relics and frescoes left behind, a 40 minute hike through thick woodland is necessary and an entrance fee of 8 Turkish Lira (about £3.50 or US$5)* is payable, but it is certainly worth the effort.

* Note: Prices correct at time of publication


 http://www.travel-wonders.com

Infomation (Money- Health-Visa -Insurance)


Practical information
Money & costs              
Costs
Turkey is no longer Europe’s bargain-basement destination, but it still offers good value for money. Costs are lowest in eastern Anatolia, and Cappadocia, Selçuk, Pamukkale and Olympos still offer bargain prices. Prices are highest in İstanbul, İzmir, Ankara and the touristy coastal cities and towns. In these places you can get by on €30 to €40 per person per day, provided you use public transport, stay in pensions, share bathrooms and eat out at a basic eatery once a day (add extra for entry to sights). Away from İstanbul, and the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, budget travellers can travel on as little as €25 to €35 per day. Throughout the country for €35 to €55 per day you can upgrade to midrange hotels with private bathrooms and eat most meals in restaurants. On more than €55 per day you can enjoy Turkey’s boutique hotels, take occasional flights, and wine and dine out every day.
Although inflation has dropped from the stratospheric levels of the 1990s to around 9%, if we quoted Turkish new lira, prices would probably be out of date before long.
Tipping
In the cheapest restaurants locals leave a few coins in the change tray. Elsewhere you should tip about 10% to 15% of the bill. Some more expensive restaurants automatically add a 10% or 15% servis ücreti (service charge) to your bill, but there’s no guarantee this goes to the staff, so you may want to tip the staff directly.

Tips are not expected in cheaper hotels. In more expensive places a porter will carry your luggage and show you to your room. For doing this (and showing you how to turn on the lights and the television) he’ll expect about 3% of the room price.

It’s usual to round up metered taxi fares to the nearest 50 kuruş, so round up YTL4.70 to YTL5. Dolmuş drivers never expect a tip.

In Turkish baths you should tip around 10% to 20% to the masseuse/masseur. In the tourist-oriented hamams the fixed price may already be so high that you may assume that service is included, but it usually isn’t and a tip is appreciated.

If you are shown around a site that is not normally open to the public or are given a guided tour by the custodian, you should certainly tip them for their trouble. A few YTL for 10 or so minutes is usually fine.
Economy
Turkey is infamous for a galloping inflation rate that tipped 77.5% in the 1990s, with so many zeros regularly added to the currency that having a tea for 1, 000, 000 Turkish lira no longer seemed a joke.
An economic collapse in early 2001 compounded the country’s woes. Inflation skyrocketed and the value of the Turkish lira plummeted. Kemal Derviş, a newly appointed Minister of the Economy, succeeded in sweet-talking the IMF for loans and made much-needed economic reforms, thus avoiding a potentially disastrous downward spiral.

By January 2005, under the direction of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the economy was considered robust enough to introduce the new Turkish lira (Yeni Türk Lirası) and finally do away with six zeroes on each and every banknote. For a year or so the yeni lira looked fairly stable, but in early 2006 a global downturn saw an exodus of international money and the currency lost some 18% of its value. Investors were left feeling shaky, sadly reminded of Turkey’s vulnerability due to its high debt and current-account deficit. While the AKP had been boasting about bettering their IMF repayments, they were left red-faced. With the aid of the Central Bank the currency is back on track – for now.
Money
Turkey’s currency is the Yeni Türk Lirası (New Turkish Lira; YTL). Lira comes in coins of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kuruş and a 1 lira coin, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 lira.
After decades of rampant inflation – as high as 70% – the Turkish lira started to stabilise in 2003; by 2004 inflation was down to around 12%. The Yeni Türk Lirası was introduced in January 2005. However, it still makes sense to wait until you arrive in Turkey to change your money into lira since you will probably get a better exchange rate inside the country than outside. Turkish lira are virtually worthless outside Turkey, so make sure you spend them all before leaving.
Restaurateurs and shop owners don’t often carry large-denomination notes on them, so try to keep a supply of small money on you for small payments.
ATMs
ATMs dispense new Turkish lira to Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro card holders. Look for these logos on the machines; they are found in most towns. Virtually all the machines offer instructions in English, French and German. It’s possible to get around Turkey using only ATMs, provided you remember to draw out money in the towns to tide you through the villages that don’t have them, and keep some cash in reserve for the inevitable day when the machine throws a wobbly, or it’s a holiday. You can usually draw out about €350 per day.

Note that if your card is swallowed by a stand-alone ATM booth, it may be tricky getting it back in a hurry – these booths are often run by franchisees rather than by the banks themselves.
Cash
US dollars and euros are the easiest currencies to change, although many banks and exchange offices will change other major currencies such as UK pounds and Japanese yen. You may find it difficult to exchange Australian or Canadian currency except at banks and offices in major cities.
Credit cards
Visa and MasterCard/Access are widely accepted by hotels, shops, bars and restaurants, although not by pensions and local restaurants outside main tourist areas. You can also get cash advances on these cards. Amex cards are rarely accepted.
Moneychangers
It’s easy to change major currencies in exchange offices, some post offices (PTTs), shops and hotels, although banks tend to make heavy weather of it. Places that don’t charge a commission usually offer a worse exchange rate instead.
Although Turkey has no black market, foreign currencies are readily accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants in many tourist areas.
Travellers cheques
Our advice: don’t bring them! Banks, shops and hotels usually see it as a burden to change travellers cheques and will either try to get you to go elsewhere or charge you a premium for changing them.
Health & safety
Before you go
A little planning before departure, particularly for pre-existing illnesses, will save you a lot of trouble later. See your dentist before a long trip; carry a spare pair of contact lenses and glasses (and take your optical prescription with you); and carry a first-aid kit with you.
It’s tempting to leave it all to the last minute – don’t! Many vaccines don’t ensure immunity until two weeks after they are given, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (otherwise known as the yellow booklet), which will list all the vaccin­ations you’ve received. This is mandatory for countries that require proof of yellow fever vaccination upon entry, but it’s a good idea to carry it wherever you travel.
Travellers can register with the International Association for Medical Advice to Travellers (IMAT; www.iamat.org). Its website can help travellers to find a doctor with recognised training.
Bring medications in their original, clearly labelled, containers. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your med­ical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea. If carrying syringes or needles, be sure to have a physician’s letter documenting their medical necessity.
Insurance
Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expend­itures (in Turkey doctors generally expect payment in cash). If you are required to pay upfront, make sure you keep all documentation. Some policies ask you to call a centre in your home country (reverse charges) for an immediate assessment of your problem. It’s also worth ensuring your travel insurance will cover ambulances or transport either home or to better medical facilities elsewhere. Not all insurance covers emergency medical evacu­ation home by plane or to a hospital in a major city, which may be the only way to get medical attention in a serious emergency.
Your travel insurance will not usually cover you for anything other than emergency dental treatment.
Recommended vaccinations
The World Health Organization recommends that all travellers, regardless of the region they are travelling in, should be covered for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as hepatitis B. While making prepar­ations to travel, take the opportunity to ensure that all of your routine vaccination cover is complete. The consequences of these diseases can be severe and outbreaks do occur in the Middle East. Rabies is also endemic in Turkey, so if you will be travelling off the beaten track you might want to consider an anti-rabies jab.
Internet resources
There is a wealth of travel health advice on the internet. For further information, the Lonely Planet website (www.lonelyplanet.com) is a good place to start. The World Health Organ­ization (www.who.int/ith/en) publishes a superb book, International Travel and Health, which is revised annually and is available online at no cost. Another website of general interest is MD Travel Health (www.mdtravelhealth.com), which provides complete travel health recommendations for every country, updated daily, also at no cost. The website for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (www.cdc.gov) is a very useful source of traveller’s health information.
Further reading
Lonely Planet’s Travel With Children is packed with useful information on topics such as pretrip planning, emergency first aid, immunisation and disease information and what to do if you get sick on the road. Other recommended references include Traveller’s Health by Dr Richard Dawood, International Travel Health Guide by Stuart R Rose MD and The Travellers’ Good Health Guide by Ted Lankester, an especially useful health guide for volunteers and long-term expatriates working in the Middle East.
Dangers & annoyances
Although Turkey is by no way a dangerous country to visit, it’s always wise to be a little cautious, especially if you’re travelling alone. Be wary of pickpockets in buses, markets and other crowded places. Keep an eye out for anyone lurking near ATMs.
In Turkey safety seems a low priority. Holes in pavements go unmended and unlit at night; precipitous drops go unguarded; safety belts are worn only as long as it takes to drive past a police officer before being released; lifeguards on beaches are conspicuous by their absence. Don’t even ask yourself how safe it is for a dolmuş driver to be negotiating a bend while simultaneously counting out change! Things are changing slowly, but parents of young children in particular will need to be on their guard at all times.
At the time of writing, travelling in the southeast is safe as the unrest there appears to have largely subsided. However, the Kurdish issue is far from resolved, so be sure to check the situation before setting out.
Scams & druggings
Turkey is one of the friendliest and most welcoming countries on the planet, but there will always be a few sharks in the mix. Although it wouldn’t do to be paranoid about potential scams, it does pay to be careful, especially in İstanbul.
One of the most popular scams targeted at single men is the nightclub-bar shake-down – it mostly happens in İstanbul. You probably know the scene: you’re strolling through Sultanahmet, when you’re approached by a dapper young man who starts up a conversation. After your initial hesitation, and once you realise he’s not affiliated with a carpet shop, you start chatting away. He’s says he’s off to meet friends for a drink in Beyoğlu, as there’s nowhere to party in Sultanahmet. Would you like to go along? Woohoo! You go into a bar and are approached by some girls by which time it’s way too late to back out. When the bill arrives, lo and behold the girls’ outrageously expensive drinks appear on it. It’s no good claiming you have no cash on you – you’ll be frogmarched to the nearest ATM and ‘persuaded’ to cough up. If this happens to you make sure you report it to the tourist police; some travellers have taken the policeman back to the bar and received some or all of their money back.
Drugging isn’t a common problem, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. In this situation a single guy is approached by two or three so-called friends, often claiming to be from Egypt or Lebanon or Romania and often accompanied by the fig leaf of a woman. Fall for this one, and you risk finding your drink spiked and waking up in some unexpected location with all your belongings, right down to your shoes, missing – or worse. When the missing person billboards in 2005 went up for a Korean tourist, most locals knew the fate of this unlucky young man – a month later his body was found on the outskirts of İstanbul. Most likely he was a victim of a drugging gone wrong.
Moral of these stories? Single men should not accept invitations from unknown folk in large cities without sizing the situation up very carefully beforehand. You could also invite your new-found friends to a bar of your choice; if they’re not keen to go, chances are they are shady characters.
We’ve also heard reports about two female travellers claiming to have their drinks drugged at a camp in Olympos.

While you're there
Availability & cost of health care
The standard of the health care system in Turkey is very variable. Although the best private hospitals in İstanbul and Ankara offer world-class standards of care, they are expensive to use. Elsewhere, even private hospitals don’t always offer particularly high standards and their state-run equivalents even less so. Some patients may have contracted hepatitis during their stay in hospital.
For basic care for things such as cuts, bruises and jabs you could ask for the local sağulık ocağuı (health centre), but don’t expect anyone to speak anything but Turkish. The travel assistance provided by your insurance may be able to locate the nearest source of medical help, otherwise ask at your hotel. In an emergency, contact your embassy or consulate.
Medicine, and even sterile dressings or intravenous fluids, may need to be bought from a local pharmacy. Nursing care is often limited or rudimentary, the assumption being that family and friends will look after the patient.
Standards of dental care are variable and there is a risk of hepatitis B and HIV transmission via poorly sterilised equipment, so watch the tools in use carefully. Your travel insurance will not usually cover you for anything other than emergency dental treatment.
For minor illnesses, such as diarrhoea, pharmacists can often provide advice and sell over-the-counter medication, including drugs that would require a prescription in your home country. They can also advise when more specialised help is needed.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is spread through close respiratory contact. It causes a high temperature and severe sore throat. Sometimes a membrane forms across the throat requiring a tracheostomy to prevent suffocation. Vaccination is recommended for those likely to be in close contact with the local population in infected areas. The vaccine is given as an injection alone, or with tetanus, and lasts 10 years.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food (particularly shellfish) and water. It causes jaundice, and although it is rarely fatal it can cause prolonged lethargy and delayed recovery. Symptoms include dark urine, a yellow colour to the whites of the eyes, fever and abdominal pain. Hepatitis A vaccine (Avaxim, VAQTA, Havrix) is given as an injection: a single dose will give protection for up to a year while a booster 12 months later will provide a subsequent 10 years
of protection. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines can also be given as a single-dose vaccine (hepatyrix or viatim).
Hepatitis B
Infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse can all transmit hepatitis B. It can cause jaundice and affects the liver, occasionally causing liver failure. All travellers should make this a routine vaccination, especially as the disease is endemic in Turkey. (Many countries now give hepatitis B vaccination as part of routine childhood vaccination.) The vaccine is given singly, or at the same time as the hepatitis A vaccine (hepatyrix). A course will give protection for at least five years. It can be given over four weeks or six months.
HIV
HIV is spread via infected blood and blood products, sexual intercourse with an infected partner and from an infected mother to her newborn child. It can be spread through ‘blood to blood’ contacts such as contam­inated instruments during medical, dental, acupuncture and other body-piercing procedures and sharing used intravenous needles.
Leishmaniasis
Spread through the bite of an infected sandfly, leishmaniasis can cause a slowly growing skin lump or ulcer. It may develop into a serious, life-threatening fever usually accompanied by anaemia and weight loss. Infected dogs are also carriers of the infection. Sandfly bites should be avoided whenever possible.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is spread through the excreta of infected rodents, especially rats. It can cause hepatitis and renal failure that may be fatal. It is unusual for travellers to be affected unless living in poor sanitary conditions. It causes a fever and jaundice.
Malaria
You stand the greatest chance of contracting malaria if you travel in southeastern Turkey. The risk of malaria is minimal in most cities, but you should check with your doctor if you are considering travelling to any rural areas. It is important to take antimalarial tablets if the risk is significant. For up-to-date information about the risk of contracting malaria in a specific country, contact your local travel health clinic.
If you’re travelling in southeastern Turkey it’s as well to be aware of the symptoms of malaria. It is possible to contract malaria from a single bite from an infected mosquito. Malaria almost always starts with marked shivering, fever and sweating. Muscle pain, headache and vomiting are common. Symptoms may occur anywhere from a few days to three weeks after a bite by an infected mosquito. The illness can start while you are taking preventative tablets if they are not fully effective, and may also occur after you have finished taking your tablets.
Poliomyelitis
Generally, poliomyelitis is spread through contaminated food and water. It is one of the vaccines given in childhood and should be boosted every 10 years, either orally (a drop on the tongue) or as an injection. Polio may be carried asymptomatically, although it can cause a transient fever and, in rare cases, potentially permanent muscle weakness or paralysis.
Rabies
Spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal, rabies is fatal. Animal handlers should be vaccinated, as should those travelling to remote areas where a reliable source of post-bite vaccine is not available within 24 hours. Three injections are needed over a month. If you have not been vaccinated and you suffer a bite, you will need a course of five injections starting within 24 hours or as soon as possible after the injury. Vaccin­ation does not provide you with immunity, it merely buys you more time to seek appropriate medical help.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is spread through close respiratory contact and occasionally through infected milk or milk products. BCG vaccine is recommended for those likely to be mixing closely with the local population. It is more important for those visiting family or planning on a long stay, and those employed as teachers and health-care workers. TB can be asymptomatic, although symptoms can include a cough, weight loss or fever months or even years after exposure. An X-ray is the best way to confirm if you have TB. BCG gives a moderate degree of protection against TB. It causes a small permanent scar at the site of injection, and is usually only given in specialised chest clinics. As it’s a live vaccine it should not be given to pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals. The BCG vaccine is not available in all countries.
Typhoid
This is spread through food or water that has been contaminated by infected human faeces. The first symptom is usually fever or a pink rash on the abdomen. Septicaemia (blood poisoning) may also occur. Typhoid vaccine (typhim Vi, typherix) will give protection for three years. In some countries, the oral vaccine Vivotif is also available.
Yellow fever
Yellow fever vaccination is not required for any areas of the Middle East; however, any travellers coming from a yellow-fever-endemic area will need to show proof of vaccination against yellow fever before entry to the Middle East – this normally means if a traveller is arriving directly from an infected country or has been in an infected country during the previous 10 days.

The yellow-fever vaccination must be given at a designated clinic, and is valid for 10 years. It is a live vaccine and must not be given to immunocompromised or pregnant travellers.
Traveller’s diarrhoea
To prevent diarrhoea, avoid tap water unless it has been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected (with iodine tablets). Eat only fresh fruits or vegetables if they’re cooked or if you have peeled them yourself, and avoid dairy products that might contain unpasteurised milk. Buffet meals are risky since food may not be kept hot enough; meals freshly cooked in front of you in a busy restaurant are more likely to be safe.
If you develop diarrhoea, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, preferably an oral rehydration solution containing lots of salt and sugar. A few loose stools don’t require treatment, but if you start having more than four or five motions a day, you should start taking an antibiotic (usually a quinolone drug) and an antidiarrhoeal agent (such as loperamide). If diarrhoea is bloody, persists for more than 72 hours or is accompanied by fever, shaking chills or severe abdominal pain, you should seek medical attention.
Heat illness
Heat exhaustion occurs following heavy sweating and excessive fluid loss with inadequate replacement of fluids and salt. This is particularly common in hot climates when taking unaccustomed exercise before full acclimatisation. Symptoms include headache, dizziness and tiredness. Dehydration is already happening by the time you feel thirsty – aim to drink sufficient water such that you produce pale, diluted urine. The treatment of heat exhaustion consists of fluid replacement with water, fruit juice, or both, and cooling by cold water and fans. The treatment of the salt-loss component consists of consuming salty fluids such as soup or broth, and adding a little more table salt to foods than usual.
Heat stroke is much more serious. This occurs when the body’s heat-regulating mechan­ism breaks down. An excessive rise in body temperature leads to sweating ceasing, ir­rational and hyperactive behaviour, and eventually loss of consciousness and death. Rapid cooling by spraying the body with water and fanning is an ideal treatment. Emergency fluid and electrolyte replacement by intravenous drip is usually also required.
Insect bites & stings
Even if mosquitoes do not carry malaria, they can cause irritation and infected bites. Using DEET-based insect repellents will prevent bites. Mosquitoes also spread dengue fever.
There is a risk of bee stings along the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal areas. Bees and wasps only cause real problems for those with a severe allergy (anaphylaxis). If you have a severe allergy to bee or wasp stings you should carry an adrenaline injection or something similar. There is a particularly higher risk of bee stings in the area around Marmaris in southwest Turkey.
Sandflies are located around the Mediterranean beaches. They usually only cause a nasty, itchy bite, but can carry a rare skin disorder called cutaneous leishmaniasis; use a DEET-based repellents to avoid bites.
Scorpions are frequently found in arid or dry climates. Turkey’s small white scorpions can give a painful bite which will bother you for up to 24 hours, but they won’t kill you.
Snake bites
Do not walk barefoot or stick your hand into holes or cracks. If bitten by a snake, do not panic. Half of those bitten by venomous snakes are not actually injected with poison (envenomed). Immobilise the bitten limb with a splint (eg a stick) and apply a bandage over the site, with firm pressure, similar to applying a bandage over a sprain. Do not apply a tourniquet, or cut or suck the bite. Get the victim to medical help as soon as possible so that antivenin can be given if necessary.
Water
It’s probably not wise to drink Turkey’s tap water if you’re only here on a short visit. Stick to bottled water, boil water for 10 minutes or use water-purification tablets or a filter. Do not drink water from rivers or lakes since it may contain bacteria or viruses that can cause diarrhoea or vomiting.
Travelling with children
All travellers with children should know how to treat minor ailments and when to seek medical treatment. Make sure children are up to date with routine vaccinations, and discuss possible travel vaccines well before departure as some vaccines are not suitable for children aged under one year. You may want to consider giving children the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) if they haven’t already had it.
In hot, moist climates any wound or break in the skin may lead to infection. The area should be cleaned and then kept dry and clean. Remember to avoid contaminated food and water. If your child is vomiting or experiencing diarrhoea, lost fluid and salts must be replaced. It may be helpful to take rehydration powders for reconstituting with boiled water. Ask your doctor about this.
Children should be encouraged to avoid dogs or other mammals because of the risk of rabies and other diseases. Any bite, scratch or lick from a warm-blooded, furry animal should immediately be thoroughly cleaned. If there is any possibility that the animal is infected with rabies, seek immediate medical assistance.
It always pays to double-check the drug and dosage your child has been prescribed by doctors or pharmacists in Turkey as they may be unsuitable for children.
Women’s health
Emotional stress, exhaustion and travelling through different time zones can all contribute to an upset in the menstrual pattern. If you’re using oral contraceptives, remember that some antibiotics, diarrhoea and vomiting can stop the pill from working and lead to the risk of pregnancy. Remember to take condoms with you just in case. Condoms should be kept in a cool, dry place or they may crack and perish.
Emergency contraception is most effective if taken within 24 hours after unprotected sex; ask at a pharmacy for the ertesi gün hapı (the morning-after pill). The International Planned Parent Federation (www.ippf.org) can advise you about the availability of contraception in Turkey and other countries. Sanitary pads are fairly readily available in the country, but tampons are not always available outside major cities and are expensive – bring your own from home.
Travelling during pregnancy is usually possible, but there are important things to consider. Have a medical check-up before embarking on your trip. The most risky times for travel are during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when miscarriage is most likely, and after 30 weeks, when complications such as high blood pressure and premature delivery can occur. Most airlines will not accept a traveller after 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy, and in the later stages long-haul flights can be very uncomfortable. Antenatal facilities vary greatly in Turkey and you should think carefully before travelling in out-of-the-way places, bearing in mind the cultural and linguistic difficulties, not to mention poor medic­al standards you might face if anything goes wrong. Take written records of the pregnancy, including details of your blood group, which is likely to be helpful if you need medic­al attention while away (in Turkey you have to pay for blood infusions unless a friend supplies the blood for you). Ensure your insurance policy covers birth and postnatal care, but remember that insurance policies are only as good as the facilities available.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding it always pays to double-check the drug and dosage you have been prescribed by doctors or pharmacists in Turkey. The appropriateness of some drugs and correct dosage for pregnant or lactating women is sometimes overlooked. You can use the earlier websites to check the generic drug and its recommended dosage.
Visas
Working visas
It’s best to obtain a çalışma vizesi (working visa) from the Turkish embassy or consulate before you leave your home country. At least two months before your departure date submit in person the completed visa form, your passport, a photo of yourself, your proof of employment (a contract or letter from your employer) and the required fee (between €140 and €200, depending on your nationality). After about three weeks (Inşallah, God willing), your passport will be returned with the visa stamped inside.
Once you arrive in Turkey with a work permit, you must obtain a ‘pink book’ (a combined work permit and residence permit) from the emniyet müdürlüğü (security police). If your employer doesn’t do this for you, apply with your passport, five passport photos and the processing fee (€320 for a year, but check as it rises regularly). Your pink book should be ready in three or four working days and replaces the visa in your passport. It’s renewable every year as long as you can prove you’re still working.
Most people who are working in Turkey illegally (as private English tutors, for example) cross the border into Greece, Northern Cyprus or Bulgaria every three months rather than bother with the cost and hassle of trying to extend their visa or get residency. In theory an immigration officer could query a passport full of recent Turkish stamps. However, in our experience most of them happily turn a blind eye to this bending of the rules.
Note that rules seem to change regularly, so see www.e-konsolosluk.net and the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country for the latest information about visa requirements.
Travel insurance
Find out in advance if your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expend­itures (in Turkey doctors generally expect payment in cash). If you are required to pay upfront, make sure you keep all documentation. Some policies ask you to call a centre in your home country (reverse charges) for an immediate assessment of your problem. It’s also worth ensuring your travel insurance will cover ambulances or transport either home or to better medical facilities elsewhere. Not all insurance covers emergency medical evacu­ation home by plane or to a hospital in a major city, which may be the only way to get medical attention in a serious emergency.

Your travel insurance will not usually cover you for anything other than emergency dental treatment.
Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com