Going to Turkey on a tour next week advice needed

maltaseagull · Feb 27, 2014

Hi, We are off to Turkey next week stopping off at Antalya,Kusadasi,Pamukkale & Kemer.

We are on B&B so would appreciate some advice on cost of meals, how much to tip, (so we take enough currency and don't offend or get ripped off) Is it worth just upgrading to half board at the hotels?

Also any suggestions on good value things to buy I have read Leather is good value but is it?

Thanks in advance for any sensible suggestions. But then again it is NSC so there will undoubtedly be some clever replies

Daffy Duck · Feb 27, 2014

While you're in Kusadasi, try to make time for a tour of Ephesus.

And in Pamukkale, make sure you have a swim in the thermal baths. It's just like swimming in warm Alka Seltzer.

Hillian1 · Feb 27, 2014

Buy one of these.

The Merry Prankster · Feb 27, 2014

Hillian1 said:
Buy one of these.

View attachment 51586

Welcome to another edition of "Hillian's World of Ignorance".

maltaseagull · Feb 27, 2014

Well, that's about par for the course

33% sensible replies, the rest just for fun.

Thanks Daffy

surrey jim · Feb 27, 2014

Eating out is relativly cheap. The Mrs and I went to Marmaris, eating in a resturant overlooking the harbour, three course meal with booze for £20 (this was the most we paid),

I would recomend you dont drink tap water as it has a high level of something in it which causes stomach upsets. Efes is the local lager and IMO bloody lovley.

pasty · Feb 27, 2014

Daffy Duck said:
And in Pamukkale, make sure you have a swim in the thermal baths. It's just like swimming in warm Alka Seltzer.

Seconded. Went there last year. Weird and wonderful place.

surrey jim said:
Efes is the local lager and IMO bloody lovley.

Double seconded :drink:

Comrade Sam · Feb 27, 2014

I've been married to a Turk for 17 years and head for Izmir the throbbing metropolis in that part of Turkey. Change money there as you'll get a much better rate, don't go half board just eat everywhere. (iskander kebab is a regional speciality, a million calories of meat, tomato, butter and yogurt and have kasandibi for pudding, also awesome fish). Probably the safest place in the world. Yes you must see Ephesus best Roman ruins after Pompeii and Herculanum. Hop around in the Dolmush, minibus taxis where you chip in the fare. It's a phonetic alphabet, check it out then you can easily read words out clearly and the locals will be extra helpful and always haggle- a little Turkish halves the price and being Turkish halves it again.

algie · Feb 27, 2014

Don't bother with Kusadasi. From Antalya travel up to and stop off at Fethiye.

SULLY COULDNT SHOOT · Feb 27, 2014

Comrade Sam said:
I've been married to a Turk for 17 years and head for Izmir the throbbing metropolis in that part of Turkey. Change money there as you'll get a much better rate, don't go half board just eat everywhere. (iskander kebab is a regional speciality, a million calories of meat, tomato, butter and yogurt and have kasandibi for pudding, also awesome fish). Probably the safest place in the world. Yes you must see Ephesus best Roman ruins after Pompeii and Herculanum. Hop around in the Dolmush, minibus taxis where you chip in the fare. It's a phonetic alphabet, check it out then you can easily read words out clearly and the locals will be extra helpful and always haggle- a little Turkish halves the price and being Turkish halves it again.

Not only married to a Turk. Live in Izmir too! :thumbsup:

All good advice on here. If you have any specific questions pm me. Will be in Antalya on business myself March 7-9.

p..s. yes to leather but bargain bargain bargain!

Hillian1 · Feb 27, 2014

The Merry Prankster said:
Welcome to another edition of "Hillian's World of Ignorance".

Fair point.

Seemed funny when I posted it, on reflection it isn't, especially bearing in mind recent events.

happypig · Feb 27, 2014

I've always tipped about 10-20%

It's currently over 3.5 lira to the £ so you'll be quids in but take Sterling or Euros to the market, you'll get a better deal there although, IMO, the markets are mostly full of fake tat for dopey tourists; last time I was there it was all those brightly coloured Dr Dre headphones (don't be tempted, they are shite).

Turks are probably the nicest people I've met, always friendly and helpful (sort of anti-Spanish)

algie · Feb 27, 2014

No take your money to a Turkish bank. I have yet to see better rates all the time i've been going.

It's also safer. None of this sleight of hand shit either.

3.71 Is absolutely staggering. I've never got 3.00 let alone the current rate in all the time i've been going. You won't get better again i feel. Will it top 4? Never has before.

http://www.garanti.com.tr/en

SULLY COULDNT SHOOT · Feb 27, 2014

algie said:
No take your money to a Turkish bank. I have yet to see better rates all the time i've been going.

It's also safer. None of this sleight of hand shit either.

3.71 Is absolutely staggering. I've never got 3.00 let alone the current rate in all the time i've been going. You won't get better again i feel. Will it top 4? Never has before.

http://www.garanti.com.tr/en

The present exchnage rates are a result of the poltical crisis going on in Turkey. It doesnt make it any more dangerous for tourists so dont worry.... but its good news for exachnging money. Algie is right do it in Turkey.

BTW, as you may know you need a visa which you can get at the airport. However theyve just set up a new online service so that you can pay and get your visa online and wont have to queue for ages at the airport.

Heffle Gull · Feb 27, 2014

be wary of restaurants advertising prices in Euros, they are normally more expensive.

If you are heading toward Belek (near Antalya, let me know, and I can recommend a couple of good places to eat.

Comrade Sam · Feb 27, 2014

Go and watch Goztepe! In the last 15 years I've seen them promoted to the top flight twice, reaching 5th, then we're relegated 4 times into a cruddy amateur league and bounced back to the 2nd tier and down to the 3rd again. They're the best supported team outside the big 3' getting over 80,000 for a 2nd division derby in the 80s and still mustered 6,500 in the 5th tier!

Poyningsgull · Feb 27, 2014

Don't bother with Troy. Total waste of time. Ephesus & Pammukale are great though

algie · Feb 27, 2014

SULLY COULDNT SHOOT said:
The present exchnage rates are a result of the poltical crisis going on in Turkey. It doesnt make it any more dangerous for tourists so dont worry.... but its good news for exachnging money. Algie is right do it in Turkey.

BTW, as you may know you need a visa which you can get at the airport. However theyve just set up a new online service so that you can pay and get your visa online and wont have to queue for ages at the airport.

I believe you can't get paper visas anymore. The law has changed. It's has to be done online.

pasty · Feb 27, 2014

algie said:
I believe you can't get paper visas anymore. The law has changed. It's has to be done online.

Has that changed recently? We went in Sept last year and still got a 'Turkish Tenner' paper one at the airport

maltaseagull · Feb 27, 2014

Thanks everyone for your help. Much better response than expected. We will be on an organised trip, so not sure if we will be able to do all the things suggested but have both agreed that if we like this trip we would return. NSC wins again

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