Travel advice - Turkey

I’ve returned last week from a perfect holiday in Turkey and I want to share some traveling tips I find essential. I’ll be short.

But fiiirst…There are 2 kinds of vacations you can have in Turkey, be sure to decide what you want from the start:

• typical traveling - that involves sightseeing, visiting, basically discovering a new country in as much detail as possible. In this case you need a proper home documentation. For such a trip in Turkey my recommendation is simple: do NOT go in the Antalya region or any region very near Antalya. There is really very little to see on that coast of Turkey. Instead go to Istambul, Ankara, Pamukkale etc. Maybe Raluca[RO] can give us more tips on this kind of trip when she returns from Turkey.

• total relaxation - sitting back, reading by the pool, sleeping in, eating well ,with not a single care in the world. That is surely something Turkey can offer you. All inclusive, of course. This is what me and my friends wanted and we got it in full. Therefore my advice are related to this kind of vacation.

My total-relaxation-in-Turkey tips:

1. Documentation

Go to a 4 start hotel, minimum 4 star, they are affordable in Turkey. (Ours was 5*) Do not even think of booking a room or leaving your country without checking out the hotel on tripadvisor or holidaycheck. It’s a must. Look at the ratings, look at the reviews, look at the pictures taken by other tourists. Priceless. In Turkey there can be HUGE differences between two 5* hotels and you don’t wanna be taken by surprise.

2. Tip tip tip!

The staff is generally very hospitable to tourists but keep in mind that the guys cleaning up your table are working 10-14 hours a day. They are not in swimming suits and can’t lay back by the pool if they feel like it. Moreover they surely have small salaries. Would you smile around the clock in those conditions? ALL the time? Tip them, when you can, how you can but tip them. It will surely improve your stay significantly.

3. No hablo englesh

Not everyone speaks in English. I know.. it’s amazing! In Turkey you don’t do much with English. Instead German or Russian will help you in any situation. If those aren’t your strengths be sure you know the universal language of POINTING … I did manage to learn one phrase in Turkish - Sarhos oldum - i.e. I’m drunk maybe it’ll help you

That’s it. For now. I wasn’t short. Damn. More pics here.

And another thing: thank you Travela for giving me a push to write this post. I’m not really generous to future tourists Can I still win if I write in English? hmmmm…