 Turkey is at the northeast end of the Mediterranean Sea in southeast Europe and southwest Asia. To the north is the Black Sea and to the west is the Aegean Sea. Its neighbors are Greece and Bulgaria to the west, Russia, Ukraine, and Romania to the north and northwest (through the Black Sea), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran to the east, and Syria and Iraq to the south. Turkey is an epic drama, an awesome land with a rich culture that forever charms and delights. Walkabout Travel in Turkey offers you an exclusive way to discover the country's treasures. Whether you like sightseeing or archaeological sites, endless beaches or adventure, we share a vision of Turkey that differs from the mainstream. Our holidays celebrate the real culture of Turkey, its people, its extreme landscapes and its natural wonders. We pride ourselves on presenting a more authentic and lasting impression for all our guests with a touch of Turkish hospitality.
When?
The peak season is the national holiday time from July to mid-September. It’s best to visit before or after this period to avoid the crowds and also the mosquitoes. Snowfall between November–May could hamper tourism in eastern regions.
How to Reach
?
Turkish Airlines (THY): THY has regular flights to Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, Trabzon and Dalaman from principal capitals and major cities of the world. International Airlines: Most international airlines have regular flights from all major cities of the world to Turkey's international airports, especially to Istanbul.
Visa
Visa is required to visit Turkey. Citizens of India must get a visa prior to entering into Turkey.
Currency
The official currency of Turkey is the Turkish lira (TL), although the money was called the Turkish pound in Ottoman Turkey. There are 100 Kurush to every unit of Turkish currency (TL) but because inflation is so high in Turkey Kurush are rarely used. Metal currency in Turkey consists of coin money that comes in 500, 1000, 2500 and 5000 Turkish lira. Paper currency in Turkey comes in 1000, 5000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 money notes although with inflation continuously on the rise it is likely that money of higher denominations will be introduced in future.
Things To Do in
Turkey
Istanbul
Hagia Sophia is a great architectural beauty and an important monument both for Byzantine and for Ottoman Empires. Once a church, later a mosque, and now a museum at the Turkish Republic, Hagia Sophia has always been the precious of its time.The mystical city Istanbul hosted many civilizations since centuries, of which Byzantium and Ottoman Empires were both the most famous ones. The city today carries the characteristics of these two different cultures and surely Hagia Sophia is a perfect synthesis where one can observe both Ottoman and Byzantium effects under one great dome
Topkapi Palace
The word harem, as meaning taboo and/or forbidden, had been used for family concept in the Islamic society. Harem is the private and prohibited place where the dynasty lived in the Ottoman Palace The word harem, as meaning taboo and/or forbidden, had been used for family concept in the Islamic society. Harem is the private and prohibited place where the dynasty lived in the Ottoman Palace. Harem is a rather important complex in terms of architecture that contains examples of palace architecture styles belonging to various periods starting from 16th century to early 19th century, where hundreds of concubines and haremchiefs that consisted the families of Sultans lived together.
Harem has approximately 300 rooms, 9 hamams, 2 mosques, 1 hospital and dormitories as well as 1 laundry room. Harem that displayed a hierarchical development rather than sistematic burned in 1665 on a large scale. Harem that survived today has been enlarged with the restorations after the fire and occacional expansions within time. General plan of Harem consists of dormitories that surround the entrances divided by doors one after another, rooms, pavilion and service buildings.
Being supported by many dynasty palaces, mainly Old Palace, Topkapı Palace Harem constituted one wing of coverts kapıkulu staff in accordance with the Ottoman administration understanding. The concubines that were taken into Harem used to learn the Turkish-Islamic culture at best. Thus, a part of concubines that were raised as wifes for the Ottoman dysnasty used to stay in Harem as administrative head of servants, whereas the best of them would be offered to Sultan and constitute the dynasty.
Blue Mosque
The cascading domes and six slender minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque (better known as the "Blue Mosque") dominate the skyline of IstanbulIn the 17th century, Sultan Ahmet I wished to build an Islamic place of worship to rival the Hagia Sofia and the mosque named for him is the impressive result. The two great architectural achievements stand next to each other in Istanbul's main square, and it is up to visitors to decide which is more impressive.
Galata Tower
Galata Tower was built by a Genoese colony in 1348 as a part of their fortifications. From the early 13th century, after the fourth crusade, there had been a Genoese settlement in the city, as Latin Kings had been in powere from 1204 - 1216. Those who built the tower were the decendants of these crusad
Taksim Square
Taksim Square is the most known modern city center of Istanbul. Many hotels and restaurants are in or near the Square and on Istiklal Street, and there is a local bus terminal for public transportation and the main subway station. Istiklal pedestrian street has many bars, night clubs and movie theaters therefore it's always busy with young people almost for 24 hours a day. The Square is also the meeting place to celebrate New Year's Eve, parades, public concerts and other shows.
Ankara
Ataturk Mausoleum
The Atatürk Mausoleum, symbol of the new Ankara, is located on the Anit Tepesi, beyond the railroad station, about 2.5km/1.5mi southwest of Ulus Meydani. Designed by the Turkish architect Emil Onat and erected between 1944 and 1953, the mausoleum is a notable example of modern Turkish architecture. The complex comprises a Path of Honor flanked by reclining Hittite lions, a Court of Honor, the Atatürk Mausoleum itself and a museum.
Roman Bath
Of all the leisure activities, bathing was surely the most important for the greatest number of Romans, since it was part of the daily regimen for men of all classes, and many women as well. We think of bathing as a very private activity conducted in the home, but bathing in Rome was a communal activity, conducted for the most part in public facilities that in some ways resembled modern spas or health.
Genclik Parki
The "Youth Park", a large green expanse south of Ulus Meydani in the heart of Ankara, was another of Atatürk's inspirations. Laid out as part of the development of the New Town it replaced what had previously been a swamp. Together with the adjoining "Luna Parki" (entrance fee), the Gençlik Parki with its tea gardens and restaurants, fountains and artificial lakes (pedalos) is a source of great pleasure to Ankarans - as also is its "Wedding House" to the capital's bridal couples.
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