Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Travelling in Turkey
By Sea : Turkish Maritime Lines has several coastal services providing excellent opportunities for sightseeing. They leave from Galata Bridge (Karakoy side), Sirkeci and Eminonu. It is advisable to make early reservations for tourist cruises. There are also organized tours on both sides of the Bosphorus. For further information, see Useful Addresses.
Ferry Services :
a) Istanbul - Mudanya
b) Istanbul - Bandirma
c) Eskihisar- Topcular
d) Canakkale- Eceabat
e) Gelibolu - Lapseki
f) Yukyeri - Bozcaada
g) Gokceada - Kabatepe
h) Istanbul - Izmir
i) Bodrum - Kormen (Datca)
j) Istanbul - Sinop - Samsun - Ordu - Giresun - Trabzon - Rize Seabus Service :
a) Bostanci - Kabatas
b) Bostanci - Kartal
c) Bostanci - Karakoy
d) Bostanci - Buyukada Island
e) Bostanci - Yenikapi
f) Bostanci - Bakirkoy
g) Kadikoy - Bakirkoy
h) Kadikoy - Karakoy
i) Kartal - Yalova
j) Yalova - Kabatas
k) Buyukada Island - Kabatas
l) Bostanci - Yenikapi-Marmara - Avsa Passenger Services :
a) Bogazici
b) Karakoy (European side) - Haydarpasa (Asian side)
c) Karakoy (European side) - Kadikoy (Asian side)
d) Sirkeci - Kabatas - Istanbul Islands - Yalova - Cinarcik
Marmara Passenger Services :
a) Istanbul - Marmara and Avsa Islands
b) Avsa Marmara and Erdek Lake Van Transport :
The Akdamar Island boats have daily services during the tourist season. There is also the train ferry across Lake Van from Tatvan to Van, continuing to Iran. For further information, see Useful Addresses.
By Rail : The wide network of the Turkish State Railways connects most major cities. The trains have couchettes, sleeping cars, restaurants, with lounge cars offering first and second class service.
In the Aegean region, it is possible for groups to charter a steam train which has all kinds of facilities for trips with a route of your choice allowing you a more relaxed way of traveling through this beautiful region. Train charters are also available for all areas of Turkey for large groups.
Road Network : Turkey has an extensive network of well maintained roads linking its towns, cities,and popular tourist areas. When arriving from Europe, the Bosphorus crossing to Asia has been greatly facilitated by the completion of the istanbul bypass, and the two Bosphorus (Bogazici) bridges which lead to the Istanbul - Ankara Expressway. The E80 and E90 are the two main roads leading to Turkey from European borders, they also link the Iranian and Iraqi borders. These expressways have been constructed according to Asian and Middle East International road network standards.
Road Signs : Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on Road Signs. Archaeological and historical sites are indicated by yellow signs.
Traffic Circulation : Traffic circulates on the right and the Turkish Highway Code is similar to those of European countries. Outside cities, traffic moves freely, the Istanbul - Ankara highway being the only one on which traffic is heavy. There is a 50 km./h. speed limit in urban centers and a 90 km/h limit outside urban centers.
Petrol : Filling stations are well distributed over all roads, and those on the main highways often have attached service stations and restaurants, and are open round the clock. Unleaded fuel is available at all stations.
Repairs : There are numerous repair garages in towns (grouped along special streets) and along principal highways. Spare parts are readily available. Turkish mechanics are well trained in the repair of both Turkish and foreign cars. In addition, assistance can be received from the Touring and Automobile Club
Car Rentals : There are many rent-a-car services in Turkey. They are placed on the airports, ports, and near by all big hotels. The addresses and prices can be obtained from the local Tourist Information Offices or travel agents.
Inter City Coaches : Many private companies provide frequent day and night services between all Turkish cities. Coaches depart from the bus station (otogar) in large towns, and from the town centre in smaller regions.
Taxis and Dolmus : Taxis are numerous in all Turkish cities and are recognisable by their yellow color. The fare shown on the meter reads according to the distance traveled.
The 'dolmus' a special service found only in Turkey, is a collective taxi which follows specific routes and is recognizable by its yellow band. Each passenger pays according to distance traveled and can get off at specific stops. The relatively cheap fares are fixed by the municipality. The 'dolmus' provides a service within large cities, to suburbs, airports, and often to neighboring towns. This is a very practical means of transport and much cheaper than a taxi.
Friday, August 8, 2008
HOLIDAY IN TURKEY
If you are aged between 12 and 29, get ready for the holiday of a lifetime! Just join the ICEPworld Holiday in Turkey Program and you will be provided with your own room in a Turkish family home. What better way to experience Turkish hospitality and to discover Turkish cuisine? You will be treated as a member of the family and will be welcome to join in family outings such as visits to friends and interesting places and activities such as camping, sports, etc.
(Full-board accommodation will be provided but you are responsible for your travel expenses to, from and within Turkey as well as your own private expenses such as telephone calls, pocket money etc. The duration of the stay can vary; however, the maximum stay allowed in Turkey is three months.)
NOTE TO PARENTS
Parents of participants in the 12-17 age-group in particular, will naturally be concerned for their child’s comfort and happiness. We can assure you that all our host families are carefully vetted and have a good educational background and standard of living. We guarantee to place your child in a family with a child of the same sex and similar age, so that s/he will have plenty of opportunity to make friends. Turkish families are very caring and protective of their children and your son or daughter will receive the same care and attention as their own. If you wish, you may travel with your child and stay with them in their host family home for the first few days, you can be sure that your child’s host family will be delighted to meet you!
HOSPITALITY
Turks are very generous and hospitality is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish way of life. You can expect a very warm reception and attentive care during your stay. Your host family and their friends will show their interest in you by asking lots of questions, and invite you to social occasions and other events where you will be treated as an honoured guest. In fact, you will find that most people you meet are friendly and courteous to strangers, whether they're foreign or not!
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
This program is open to applicants from the countries listed below. We cannot accept applications from nationals of any other country.
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegowina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Moldavia, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Property for sale in Turkey
Friday, January 25, 2008
HOW TO COME TO TURKEY
BY AIR:
Turkish Airlines (THY): THY has regular flights in Boeing 737-400's, 737-500's, RJ-100's and Airbus 310-200's, 310-300's and 340-300's for Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya,Adana, Trabzon and Dalaman from the principal capitals and major cities of the world.
International airlines: Most international airlines have regular flights f4rom all major cities of the world to Turkey's international airports.
Informations and reservations: Fore more information contact THY office and http://www.turkishairlines.com
BY SEA:
Passenger Ferries: Apart from numerous cruises in the Mediterranean, several foreign shipping companies have regular services to the ports of Trabzon, Samsun, Istanbul, Dikili. Izmir, Cesme,Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Iskenderun
Car Ferries: There are several car ferries for tourists who wish to take their cars while sightseeing: Venice, Ancona, Brindisi, Bari, Sochi, Istanbul, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Antalya, Trabzon.
Lines between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus:
Tasucu - Girne
Alanya - Girne
Mersin - Gazimagosa
Ferry lines between Turkey and the Greek Islands:
Ayvalik - Midilli (Lesbos)
Cesme - Sakiz (Chios)
Kusadasi - Sisam (Samos)
Bodrum - Istankoy (Cos)
Marmaris - Rodos (Rhodes)
Datca - Sombeki (Symi)
Information and Reservations: For more informations contact Turkish Maritime Lines.
BY RAIL:
Train joumeys can be made to Istanbul directly from and via some of the major cities in Europe.
Information and Reservations: Fore more information contact Turkish Railways (TCDD), see useful adresses
BY ROAD:
Private car: London - Istanbul, appoximately 3.000km
Northern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey
Southern Route: Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy with a ferry to Turkey
BY COACH:
There are regular services between Tutrkey and Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and Greece; also Iraq, Iran. Jordan, Saudi Arabia; Kuwait and Syria.
Welcome to Turkey