ABOUT TURKEY https://aboutturkey.net A country worth visiting Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:41:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://i0.wp.com/aboutturkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/cropped-about_turkey_fav.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 ABOUT TURKEY https://aboutturkey.net 32 32 194871850 How Far Is Pamukkale From Ephesus? https://aboutturkey.net/how-far-is-pamukkale-from-ephesus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-far-is-pamukkale-from-ephesus https://aboutturkey.net/how-far-is-pamukkale-from-ephesus/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:09:27 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=473 Pamukkale a.k.a. Hierapolis is known for its thermal waters and picturesque travertines. But it is not only the travertines that attract people’s attention but the town was very popular for almost more than twenty centuries. The name Hierapolis comes from the name of the wife of Pergamon King Eumenes II. and the town was built to honor Hiera. During the Neron Era, an earthquake demolished the town and Hierapolis mostly lost its Hellenistic structure but after rebuilt, it became a typical Roman City and very well preserved till today. Also, the place is accepted as one of the sacred places for Christianity as Philip, the Apostle who is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, was killed and buried here. Most of the buildings stand still and open for visits as an open-air museum all year long. With all these facts and the famous springs, Pamukkale(cotton castle in Turkish) attract thousands of local and foreign visitors each year.

Tomb submerged in a travertine pool in Hierapolis

Tomb submerged in a travertine pool in Hierapolis / Pamukkale

There are ways to get to Pamukkale. Many prefer making a daily trip as there are frequent flights from/to Istanbul. The ones touring Turkey generally stops there when heading to south or east, summer vacationists pick daily tours or drive, but also Pamukkale is quite accessible for the ones already visiting Ephesus. There is not much distance between the two tourist spots and accommodation facilities are very convenient. There is an airport called Cardak close to Pamukkale, so the outbound connection is nothing to worry about.

Pamukkale Hierapolis Ancient Column

Pamukkale Hierapolis Ancient Column

The distance between Pamukkale and Ephesus is more or less 200 kilometers and lasts less than 3 hours by car. Driving in Turkey is not a big deal as the motorways are in good condition and you may rent a car easily as there are many reliable companies. If you are not eager to drive, you may also get the train between Selcuk and Denizli and hop on the minibus heading to Pamukkale from the terminus. But always be sure in advance that the train operates as the times are not frequent. Also, there are buses that you may catch towards Denizli and make your own way to Pamukkale from there. There is another option which is to book a private tour or a van to drive you there, even if you are lucky enough and there is excessive demand, operators organize regular group tours between these destinations which are fairly more reasonable.

Topics You May Be Interested In

What to See in Ephesus

What to See in Cappadocia

The Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul

A Turkish Tradition “Belley Dance”

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What To See In Cappadocia https://aboutturkey.net/what-to-see-in-cappadocia/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-to-see-in-cappadocia https://aboutturkey.net/what-to-see-in-cappadocia/#respond Tue, 08 Jun 2021 10:12:41 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=463 Cappadocia is located in Central Turkey and is famous for its geographical features which is the long-term heritage of the extinct volcanoes surrounding the area. The beautiful landscape attracts thousands every year but the more interesting thing about Cappadocia is not the gorgeous landscape but the way of its transformation and the reason lying underneath. Being in the very center of Asia Minor and the Silk Road, Cappadocia witnessed too many civilizations along with the history but the major touch that made the settlement unique dates back to the runaway of the Christians from the Roman threat.
Cappadocia Cave
That is why it is also accepted sacred as it sheltered and conveyed Christianity in its early days. Later on Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans survived on the land through the centuries and finally, Cappadoccia became one of the landmarks of Turkey and it now displays all the facts that gathered all this period with such opulence.
There are lots of different things to experience in Cappadocia but we can briefly summarize what you should see during your visit to Cappadocia.

Goreme Open Air Museum

Goreme Open Air Museum
We may call this museum an open-air complex of churches and monasteries. These monuments were built between the 11th and 13th centuries and taken into the Unesco World Heritage List in 1984. This is a must-do place to be in Cappadocia to see the astonishing way to carve out churches from rock and worship in such conditions. The frescoes can still be observed in good conditions. There is an admission to enter and you may also use your museum pass. You can visit virtual Goreme Open Air Museum.

The Valleys Of Cappadocia

Ihlara Valley
To make the most of the valleys, we recommend you to make the balloon ride if the weather permits. Otherwise, you may walk, take a jeep safari, rent a quad-bike or ride your horses in the beautiful valleys to experience what nature has become and how interesting that could be without human touch. Fairy chimneys will provide a natural plateau for you to take the best shots. Ihlara, Pasabag, Devrent Valleys are the ones to start with.

Underground Cities

Cappadocia Underground Cities
These are the most unrealistic structures that humankind has ever encountered. Even imagining is quite hard for the people living in honeycomb structures, centuries ago they built these cities just to be safe and carry on. This is the very example to understand the motive to change the world regarding the needs of human nature. Derinkuyu, Kaymakli and Ozkonak are the biggest underground cities in the region.

Cave Hotels

Cappadocia Cave Hotels
If you are planning to stay overnight, which you definitely must, to become a true Cappadocian you should stay in one of the cave hotels that are carved from the real rocks. There are lots of hotels that target different levels of budgets, from the cheaper ones to luxurious 5-star cave hotels. As it is important to have an authentic feeling, it would be much better to pick smallish ones operated by the local folks.

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What To See In Ephesus? https://aboutturkey.net/what-to-see-in-ephesus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-to-see-in-ephesus https://aboutturkey.net/what-to-see-in-ephesus/#respond Fri, 28 May 2021 10:38:30 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=438 EphesusEphesus was always a busy hub as it was a natural harbor for long, long years till it was mostly destroyed by the massive earthquake that hit the town in 614 AD. Also, the access to the Mediterranean lost its characteristic as the river carried the silt and piled up into the harbor. From 1000 BC till the earthquake it was ruled by the Greek colonialists, Pergamon and lastly the Romans. Ephesus was the second biggest city after Constantinopolis on these days. The wealthiness was coming from the commerce and the population of the town was about 225000 which is a significant number counting the overall population of the Roman Empire.

Ephesus was not only a commercially, culturally developed and civilized city but also had importance for Christianity as it became one of the key places to spread the religion in its early days. Stills, thousands of Catholics visit Ephesus for pilgrimage. Let’s see the sites to be visited during your Ephesus excursion.

Library of Celsus

Library of CelsusThis monumental library was one of the biggest libraries in antiquity and is maybe the symbol of the Ephesus Ancient Town. It was built in AD 110 to honor Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus, the father of the Consul Aquila. Although many parts are moved to the Ephesus Museum in Vienna, the façade could somehow be restored in 1970.

 

 

Curetes Way

Ephesus Curetes WayThis is the grand marble street which is one of the three main streets in Ephesus where you may get an image of the daily life of the Ephesians. The street got its name from the priests, it is stated between the Hercules Gate and Celsus Library. There were shops, statues, monuments and fountains around the street. There used to be houses on the slope where you may see the finest examples of the mosaics from that era.

 

Terraced Houses

Ephesus Terraced HousesThese houses were owned by the wealthiest Ephesians and still is excavating to display the privileged life of the upper-class society. The mosaics and frescoes are clearly visible and quite interesting as they take you to the Roman Times.

 

 

 

Ephesus Archaeological Museum

Ephesus Archaeological MuseumIn this museum, you have the chance to see the artifacts that are excavated from the Ephesus Ancient City such as the most beautiful statues, jewelry, coins and different utensils. To have a better understanding of Roman life, the museum deserves attention.

 

 

 

Basilica Of Saint John

Basilica Of Saint JohnAlthough it is mostly destroyed by the attackers, treasure hunters and many earthquakes, the Basilica holds its significance from the very moment it is built in the 6th century. It also hosts the tomb of St John, who traveled from Jerusalem to Ephesus to spread Christianity and wrote his Gospel here in Ephesus.

 

 

Temple Of Artemis

Temple Of Artemis EphesusBeing one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple was rebuilt twice and finally destroyed in V. Century AD. Now, only the ruins and foundation are now visible at the site. Was built to honor the Goddess Artemis and was described as the most wonderful monument of Greek Antiquity.

 

 

House Of The Virgin Mary

House Of The Virgin MaryThis house located on the top of Bulbul Mountain is believed to be the place that Mary had spent her latest days. Virgin Mary may have come here with Saint John who was here in Ephesus trying to spread the religion. As an ordinary example of Roman Architecture, the structure resembles a church more than a house now which became a target for pilgrimage for Christians after Pope John Paul II pointed out that her shrine is a sacred place for all Christians.

 

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A Turkish Tradition “Belly Dance” https://aboutturkey.net/a-turkish-tradition-belly-dance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-turkish-tradition-belly-dance https://aboutturkey.net/a-turkish-tradition-belly-dance/#respond Thu, 22 Apr 2021 10:55:26 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=428 Turkish Belly DanceBelly dance is a traditional public entertainment commonly seen in the Middle East and Arab societies. The origin of the dance comes from Egypt and through history spread over geography. Belly dance is an artistic activity and a central figure of special events such as weddings, parties, meetings, etc. The tradition was always popular and even in the 21st-century belly dance is becoming trendy in civilized societies like the US and UK. There are schools that teach dance which is also accepted as a training method as you definitely need strong muscles to perform.

 

 

Turkish Belly DanceIt is mostly performed by women, the figures and clothes may differ among the countries. In Turkey, in Ottoman Times, belly dancers were mostly influenced by Egpytians however, now we may figure out the Gypsy effect in the Turkish way of belly dancing. The music is pretty lively, generally is in a 9/8 time signature and formed by oud, ney, clarinet kanoon and hand drums. Sometimes, the dancer accompanies the music with hand cymbals. Turkish costumes are more revealing than the other examples, they are very shiny, colorful and daring. Also, Turkish belly dance has its own characteristics regarding the moves. The most famous ones are the ‘Turkish backbend’ and ‘Turkish drop‘. Spins, shimmies and seductive floorwork are the key and distinctive moves of Turkish-style belly dance.

 

If you are looking to witness a belly dance experience in Turkey, besides the touristic organizations you may see them in some taverns, weddings, especially in circumcision feasts, new year parties and concerts. The easy way is to book a Turkish Night which is advertised all over, belly dancers are one of the main actors of the events. There are some shops that sell costumes which may be an authentic souvenir from Turkey. Also, some workshops teach how to belly dance, at least it could be a nice way of starting to learn during your visit to Turkey.

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Best Camping Sites In Turkey https://aboutturkey.net/best-camping-sites-in-turkey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=best-camping-sites-in-turkey https://aboutturkey.net/best-camping-sites-in-turkey/#respond Tue, 23 Feb 2021 14:08:19 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=417 Turkey is a fascinating country consisting of different geographical features and climates. Nature becomes tougher in the eastern part, that is why generally Western Turkey is preferred to camp in the summer and wintertime. Especially, camping is preferred by summer vacationists as the Mediterranean Coast provides an abundant nature for campers. In this article, we will point out some of the best camping sites in Turkey.

Butterfly Valley

Butterfly ValleyFirst of all, we should state that the valley is not accessible from the land but only there are boats to reach. Also, wild camping is not allowed and there are some establishments that you can set up your own tent or rent one of theirs. If you are not willing to do this, you may also camp in Faralya, overlooking the valley where you will witness an amazing view. The valley and Faralya are close to Oludeniz, Fethiye and Kabak Bay. You can spend days getting around and also you may climb to the Babadag to paraglide towards Oludeniz.

 

Akyaka Forest Camp

Akyaka Forest CampThe camping site is located by the water and inside a forest, operated by the government. The price is very reasonable to put your own tent. The facilities are ok. There are clean toilets, hot water and a market for your needs. The center of the town is walkable, you may reach the center in 10 minutes by walking and there are lots of bars and restaurants for you to spend an enjoyable night. In the morning you may walk down the stairs to jump into the freezing water to wake yourselves and later on take a walk to the other end of the bay to watch people kite surfing. If you dare, you also may rent one of them.

 

Dalyan Camping

Dalyan CampingThis little camping site has the most picturesque view that you may get from any camping site. It is located right in front of the Lycian rock tombs on the Dalyan River. You may jump into the river from the quay, take a riverboat to Iztuzu beach to swim with the carrettas or enjoy your book having a beer or wine waiting for the live acoustic performance at the end of the day. You will meet the most interesting people including the owner of the camping site.

 

 

Olympos

Olympos CampingOlympos is located in Antalya in Çıralı, it has its name from the ancient town which was a city in ancient Lycia. Olympos is located by the river in a valley and has a unique athmosphere by the ruins. The town became very popular among the backpackers during the 90s and still, it keeps its popularity for long years. The treehouses, bungalows and tents are the accommodation facilities and there are only a few bars that are open at night as many of the visitors prefer to spend the night by the ruins at the beach.

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The Most Instagrammable Places In Istanbul https://aboutturkey.net/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-istanbul/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-most-instagrammable-places-in-istanbul https://aboutturkey.net/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-istanbul/#respond Thu, 11 Feb 2021 11:45:20 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=404 dolmabahce palace instagram photoIstanbul fascinates millions of inhabitants and many other millions visiting the city every year. The metropole is known to be one of the most picturesque cities in the World. The city is quite famous for its inheritance from the Byzantine and the Ottoman Times and is proud to be looking after all the historical artifacts. But Istanbul is not actually a prodigal son but an author who emphasizes the flaunt of breathing in the very center of the modern world. There is indeed a lot of fittings in the streets of Istanbul for the ones who love to shoot, however the modern society has some indicators that the popular have to be followed. We tried to sum up the places in Istanbul that are heavily shared by the Instagram users in this article.

The Galata Tower

galata tower instagram photoGalata Tower was built in 1348 as a watchtower by Genoese, who were colonized in that area for about a hundred years. The watchtower is left to the Ottomans without any hassle during the conquest of Constantinople. By then, It is used for security purposes and it is now a museum expecting people to visit. From the top floor you can have the 360 views of the city and if you are lucky enough you can shoot the most memorable photos of Istanbul.

 

The Bosphorus Strait

Bosphorus Strait Instagram PhotoIt does not matter if you are in the water or by the shore, the strait provides the amazing views. Especially if you are able to capture the beautiful houses on the water, the time elapses and you definitely find yourself in another era in the history. It is indeed very nice to witness the society preserve the houses and the architecture in the authentic way. Do not forget that the best photos of the sundown are from the Golden Horn.

Rainbow Stairs

rainbow stairs Appraised by many instagrammers, this is the one of the best places to tell the others that you are actually in Istanbul. The stairs are the reminders of the protests that took place in 2013 for Gezi Park in Beyoglu district in Istanbul and later on they kept their shape with the help of the government as a result of their goodwill against the protestors.

 

The Domes Of The Grand Bazaar

The Domes Of The Grand BazaarThis is something that could not be accomplished by yourselves. Kindly ask a shopkeeper or your private guide to direct you to the location to experience the best. This place overlooks to the old city and provides the most beautiful views. By the way, it is not quite legal to be at the top of to Grand Bazaar just to entertain yourselves.

Istanbul is full of spots that lets you to shoot the most interesting photos, however you will surely need someone to direct you the places to make the most of it.

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Must See Sites in Antalya https://aboutturkey.net/must-see-sites-in-antalya/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=must-see-sites-in-antalya https://aboutturkey.net/must-see-sites-in-antalya/#respond Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:04:51 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=388 Antalya city is a Mediterranean must-see for any traveller coming to Turkey as it bears monuments from ancient Greek and Roman periods in every mountain and corner of the city. Antalya is the most visited city of Turkey with the longest beach of Turkey expanding from east to west with perfect nature for people all around the world. In this article we will list only a few of the city’s must see sites within limited time.

1 – Old Town (Kaleiçi – Antalya city center)

Antalya KaleiciWith its restored whitewashed and red-roofed Ottoman mansions, Antalya’s Old Town has been well-preserved by the Turkish authorities and makes for an excellent relaxed afternoon in the city.

 

 

 

 

2 – Waterfalls

Antalya Kursunlu WaterfallCity can be named as ‘City of Waterfalls’ as well because there are a lot of waterfalls in this city to see and enjoy the unique nature of the river that runs all the way from the Taurus Mountains to terminate in the Mediterranean Sea. Kursunlu Waterfall, Yukari Duden Waterfall, Asagi Duden / Karpuzkaldiran Waterfall (most famous one by the sea), Manavgat Waterfall, Degirmendere / Gizli Cennet Waterfall, Ucansu Waterfall, Sapadere Waterfall are seven most famous ones that worth visit by a tourist.

3 – Ancient City of Aspendos

Antalya Aspendos TheatreAlong with many other relics from ancient period, world wide famous Aspendos Theatre is here and still in service for some special concerts, dating back to 160-180 A.D. and best-preserved theatre of its kind in the world.

 

 

 

4 – Perge Ancient City

Perge Ancient CityPerge is an amazing archaeological site that you just have to visit, the former capital of Pamphylia was founded around 1000 BC and there are a host of incredible ruins for you to explore; the stunning Roman theatre is the highlight of many people’s trips. The Roman baths, Hellenistic Gate, and Acropolis are all particularly interesting. Perge also has an amazing chariot racing stadium for you to check out; it used to be able to accommodate 15,000 spectators, approximately the size of Hippodrome Square in Istanbul.

5 – Termessos Ancient City

Termessos Ancient CityMount Güllük – Termessos National Park is a must-visit for wildlife lovers with mountain goats and deer calling the preserve home. It’s forest expanse also boasts yet more ancient ruins: the wonderfully preserved city of Termessos. Relics of the ancient Pisidian site of Termessos are situated at an altitude of 1,000 meter, the unrestored city includes numerous stone structures and imposing walls. With the magnificent Taurus Mountains as a backdrop, the city’s ancient theatre offers the best view for citizens.

6 – Hadrian’s Gate

Antalya Hadrian's GateHadrian’s Gate is a fantastic monument that was built to honor the Roman Emperor Hadrian who visited the city of Antalya in 130 AD. The triumphal arch is remarkably well preserved and still serves as one of the main entrance gates to the historical Kaleici neighborhood.

 

 

 

7 – Lycian Way

Antalya Lycian WayThe Lycian Way, a 540km path that reaches all the way to Fethiye, a famous touristic town in the west along the coast, starts right outside of Antalya. Rituel of 29-day Lycian Way is the most adventurous method of exploring the Turkish Mediterranean coast and is often named one of the world’s most challenging long-distance hikes.

Of course these are not all sites but there is a lot more to discover during your city tour such as Olympos and the flames of Chimaera Mountain, abandoned Kayakoy Village, Lara Beach, Koprulu (Köprülü) Canyon National Park and Rafting, rich collection of Antalya Archaeological Museum and a lot more will be waiting for you to discover.

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What Is Must Not Do While Visiting Istanbul https://aboutturkey.net/what-is-must-not-do-while-visiting-istanbul/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-must-not-do-while-visiting-istanbul https://aboutturkey.net/what-is-must-not-do-while-visiting-istanbul/#respond Wed, 20 Jan 2021 12:13:52 +0000 https://aboutturkey.net/?p=377 There are plenty of articles that are telling you what to do in Istanbul, however, despite the must-do stuff, there are many traps that you should be aware of during your visit to Istanbul. It is not quite easy to sum them up but still, to have a common sense, we would try to underline some points which will definitely be helpful to watch yourself.

Booking Group Tours Addressed By The Hotel Receptionist

Istanbul Grand BazaarIt is widely-known that these tours are only operated for one main reason, to gather clients from different hotels by sharing the margin of 50% to create an opportunity to sell some goods worth money. The drivers are rarely on time to pick up the guests, the guides do not show too much interest in making the guests live the history but mostly push them buying stuff during their visits to certain shops. Needless to say, the included lunch is never satisfactory but just a show-off. If you still have no other chance but to join this kind of tours, it is recommended to stay away from the pushing sales crowd in the stores visited.

Getting A Ride To The Hotel From The Airport

Istanbul AirportThis is the other thing that you should watch during your visit to Istanbul, or Istanbul Airport. You can get much better prices before arriving at Istanbul on the Internet. There are reliable service providers that you can easily find out through the well-known websites. The reviews will give you ideas about which one to pick. At the airport, you may face prices that three or four times the prices that could be found online.

 

Hailing A Taxi Cab On The Street

Istanbul TaxiTurkey, especially Istanbul is famous with the taxi drivers and how they fake. If you do not want to be a part of the problem, there are ways to stay out of it. If you need a cab from the hotel, simply ask the receptionist to get you one to stay out of the trouble. If you are on the street and you need to get somewhere, use applications like ‘Bitaksi’ or ‘Itaksi’, they will both keep you out of trouble. You may also pay the due with your credit card if you use one of these services.

 

Dining Under Galata Bridge

Galata Bridge RestaurantsThe atmosphere and the view could be somehow appealing but the service and the food that you get in regard to what you pay will always be disappointing cause the bridge will remain the as the spots for the tourists. Mostly advertised by the concierge of some hotels, these restaurants continue to be money traps for tourists. In spite, the fish restaurants on the Asian Side of Istanbul are recommended for tourists who seek the better versions of Turkish Tavernas.

The last thing to be advised is getting a guide before going shopping in any spot in Istanbul or Turkey as there is an understanding of a tourist price tag. If you are not that into the bargaining part, your guide will manage for you.

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How to Use High Speed Rail (Fast Train) During My Turkey Tour? https://aboutturkey.net/how-to-use-high-speed-rail-fast-train-during-my-turkey-tour/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-use-high-speed-rail-fast-train-during-my-turkey-tour https://aboutturkey.net/how-to-use-high-speed-rail-fast-train-during-my-turkey-tour/#respond Tue, 12 Jan 2021 13:41:45 +0000 http://aboutturkey.net/?p=156 Yuksek Hizli Tren in Turkish and known as Fast Train Line of  Turkey abbreviated as YHT. The fast train line is supported financially by TCDD Transportation company (known as Turkish State Railways) and government to enlarge the net of railroad and increase of transportation with train in every corner of Turkey.

high speed railCurrently Fast Train of Turkey is available in Istanbul (both Asian and European sides of city), Ankara, Konya, Eskisehir, Bilecik and these are the main cities of Marmara region and Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. This line is connected with Marmaray Tunnel under Bosphorus Strait to get European side of Istanbul city. Started operating in 2009 with attendence of President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan today it’s expanding the network. Current railroad is approximately 770 km (480 miles) but with ongoing expansion projects it will be almost double size untill the end of 2023. The speed of high speed rail is between 250-300km per hour can be converted as How to Use High Speed Rail (Fast Train) During My Turkey Tour? however please note that in some areas this speed is limited to 120 km per hour due to safety reasons. If you are a rail buff you will definitely love this journey.

Operating 26 train service per day in total under normal circumstances however with coornavirus restrictions this number has decreased to 16 per day. Also please note that trains are not available on lockdown days which covers most of the weekends in early period of the 2021. As a precaution only bottled water is provided in the train during corona virus process.

yht train insideTrains offer firstclass, business class and economy class service which is available between all cities that’s in the net. Tickets are available between Istanbul – Ankara Cities which takes around 4 hours 30 minutes, Ankara -Konya with duration of 4 hours 30 minutes and Ankara – Konya which takes 2 hours. Catering service is available in the train for guests who prefer having snacks on their journey. All cars are designed with disabled access so every passenger can easily get to train. In every train 2 seats are available for wheelchairs and responsible staff will help from station till train to each guest.

Do I need HES Code to get to High Speed Rail (Fast Train)?

Hes Code PassportTurkish citizens are required to get HES Code in website of Ministry or HES application with their identity numbers. On the other hand foreign visitors are not required as they don’t have a local identity number for records. Tourists can urchase tickets without HES code.

 

 

How Can You Book the Fast Train (High Speed Rail) Tickets?

official website of TCDDYou can visit official website of TCDD to book your ticket in person and TC identity card or your passport will be enough instead of printed tickets. Please remember that original passport is required to get to train otherwise passport copy is not accepted.

 

 

 

ataturk mausoleumYou can start your journey in Bakirkoy or Sogutlucesme Station to Ankara as first phase of the trip. Within 5 hours you will get to Ankara city and see highlights of city in one day. Taking early morning train is suggested if you would like to embrace the capital city of Turkey. Ankara Castle, Mousaleoum of Ataturk (founder of modern, secular Turkish Republic) and Anatolian Civilizations Museum are the most important highlights of city. If you have the bug we definitely suggest you to visit Chess Museum of the city, it holds a rich collection of hess from different countries and time periods of time, you will definitely have a star on your eyes.

 

 

Mevlana Green TombAfter an overnight stay in Ankara you can get early morning train to Konya city. Upon arrival to station in city center your first stop should be Mousaleoum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi which is also known as Green Tomb. Famous Islamic philosopher of his era and with all embracing/welcoming ideology had produced worldly known book of Mesnevi. Then second stop of your tour can be Alaaddin Hill and castle of the ancient town adorned with symmetrical examples of art. In order to see ceramic examples of the Selcjuk State you can visit Karatay Madrasah Museum and wooden-stone art examples can be seen in Ince Minare Madrasah Museum. As all these sites are in 10 minutes walking distance from each other you will have enough time to taste local food such as ‘etliekmek and tandir kebabi‘.
An overnight stay is suggested if you would like to join our Private Catalhoyuk Tour to witness Neolithic age relics and archeological area, otherwise you can fly back to Istanbul or use afternoon train which will take 4 hours 30 minutes back to Istanbul.

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How Safe Is Turkey For Solo Women Travellers https://aboutturkey.net/how-safe-is-turkey-for-solo-women-travellers/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-safe-is-turkey-for-solo-women-travellers https://aboutturkey.net/how-safe-is-turkey-for-solo-women-travellers/#respond Tue, 12 Jan 2021 11:23:34 +0000 http://aboutturkey.net/?p=130 Turkey HippieTurkey became one of the most appealing destinations for travelers because of its accessibility, budget-friendliness and the variety of things that the country is offering. Tourism was heavily affected by terrorism for long years and people were scared to travel to Turkey however the situation got much better lately and there is no security problem for the last couple of years. People used to travel to Turkey without any hesitation to witness the Turkish hospitality, especially in the 60s and 70s Turkey was a major checkpoint of the hippie trail and there were no significant cases besides the backlash of few villagers among the others. Also, the crime rate remains low like in the past but something has started to occupy potential visitors’ minds, which is violence against women.

industrial city istanbul turkeyIt is still obscure if the number of cases is recently raised that much or they become visible with the utilization of social media. But there is one explanation that makes sense about the phenomenon. The migration from the countryside to the industrial cities made certain things harder for women. They had to face and confront certain diversities coming from the foundation of modern Turkey and the behaviors adopted by the modern society of Turkey. It is not the village anymore but the family members or friends still try to carry on their traditions and most of the incidents result as a cause of this conflict. As stated before, news spread easier and wider than before and an assessment becomes inevitable. Well, it is indeed a very serious problem for the public, but the solution is likely hiding beneath the perception of the malignity.

turkey religion and cultureIf we return to the question, Turkey has not changed a lot since the 70s and still, the tourists are welcome along the country. The things to be considered and paid attention to are pretty much the same with every other country in the world for solo women travelers. They should, unfortunately, watch their behaviors especially to the opposite sex to avoid being misunderstood caused by the cultural diversities. It is not advised to wander alone in certain spots which are also dangerous for solo locals. The last thing is to be aware of the cultural and religious sensitivities before ruining stuff and that’s it. Remember that Turkey has lots of diversities between the regions and cultures may totally differ from each other. This is evidently what makes Turkey so special and unique.

When you consider the facts and watch yourself, Turkey will become one of your favorite destinations and there is nothing to worry about visiting Turkey. No matter what kind of a traveler you are, you will be able to find an appealing way to discover the abundance of Asia Minor.

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