Turkey had been on my mind for quite a few years. Every year I would think about going to the place and then it would not materialize. This year I finally with a friend of mine - was able to pack the bags and head to my dream destination!
Days: The Trip was from 6th to 13th June - that makes it 8 days - one day was spent travelling - to save money - we did not travel by a direct flight that Turkish Airlines offer. One would ask - are these many days enough for Turkey? Yes & No - depending on what all you wanna see there. I would be covering all the places that I was able to cover in this much time - and also mention a few that are a must see but got left out due to lack of time.
A lot of friends asked on the cost involved in the trip. So, have tried to cover an idea of expenses as much as possible.
A lot of friends asked on the cost involved in the trip. So, have tried to cover an idea of expenses as much as possible.
Flight: Turkish airlines takes 5 to 6 hrs for a direct flight - so if you plan ahead well in time - a round trip from New Delhi to Istanbul should cost you 35k INR with them. Since it was my last minute plan - my friend and I took Air Astana - and it costed us the same. We decided to choose 11 hr flight via Almaty over direct flight of Turkish airlines as it was approx 47k INR by then. 11 hr flight gets tiring - so I would recommend book well in time or even if late - take direct flight - saves time and energy.
Visa: Its fairly simple and can be obtained on arrival - if you have valid US / Schengen visa. We didn't want the hassle of any complication on arrival, so we applied at Turkish embassy - and ours came in 3 days. Costed us approx 5k per visa. They only need basic documents like bank statement, IT return, and photographs.
Communication: I found this website on internet - that gives tab enabled with internet to the tourists. The tab has hot spot facility - and it was a great investment. For 7 days - they charged us 3500 INR - that's just 500 INR for 24 /7 connectivity - we had our whatsapp, viber all working.
Cannot rave enough about it. Please order from this site http://www.rentnconnect.com/
They have a pick up and drop box right at the airport. Super easy, fab services!
Currency: Everywhere in Turkey - one gets 10% discount on payment by cash - 10% at every spot means a lot of money saved. Hence, please convert your money into euros or Turkish Lira preferably from your home country or simply withdraw from ATM once in turkey. Turkish airport currency exchange are private and not run by government and hence exchange turns out to be expensive. As an international traveler - I have found withdrawal from ATMs to be more cost effective - as they give better exchange rate.
Istanbul: Starting at 11 am in morning from India, we landed at around 9 pm in eve. The hotel in Istanbul was booked by us already - from India - as we didn't want to look for an accommodation so late in night. First week of June apparently is peak season for them - and hence after going through a few 7 to 8 hotels and writing to them - we shortlisted on Dersaadet Hotel.
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| View from Dersaadet Hotel Terrace |
We took help from http://www.tripadvisor.in/ for finding these hotels. Stuck to top 20... Dersaadet is a sweet boutique hotel and very neat, clean, warm and friendly. You can check my review on the hotel http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g293974-d294931-r210311457-Dersaadet_Hotel_Istanbul-Istanbul.html
The room costed us approx 115 Euro per night - the area is dotted with hotels - one might get a hotel at as less as 60 Euro - however there seems to be a lack of space in Istanbul - as at this rate the rooms are even smaller. So best go with this or in same range.
Places To See Here: There is Blue Mosque, Sofia Hague, Grand Bazaar, Taksim, The various pubs in Taksim, Topkapi Palace etc. This is as per individual choice what one wants to cover.
Blue Mosque was 5 to 7 minute walk from our hotel - so we spent our time exploring around - and then the famous grand Bazaar - more than grand Bazaar - I liked Arasta Bazaar and then right next to Dersaadet hotel - there is a shop called Cocoon - this shop has lovely stuff. Expensive but we ended up buying a few tokens. They have quite a few shops in the area http://www.cocoonchic.com/cocoon/page/43/shops/ go to the one at St. No 15 - and you sure wont be disappointed.
In the noon - we had our black sea and Bosphorous cruise arranged through IBO tour and Cruise - they charged us 45 Euro for the trip which included pick up and drop, lunch and tea light snacks. Am sure this could be bargained better - we simply forgot to ask for a discount! In turkey everyone gives a discount - if you ask strongly - though usually its the discount if one pays in cash.
After the cruise, we walked through the streets of taksim and walked from the square to our hotel in Sultanahmet - which was quite nice. Good exercise and got to know the city.
Day 3: We sorted our travel to Cappadocia by booking the bus tickets and hotel, we refused to take any tour packages - as they were very restrictive and bound one to a schedule. Hence, self bookings get better deal and hotel and comfort.
Buses are quite cost effective in Turkey - one overnight journey ranges from 1500 - 2000 INR, flight one side within Turkey is around 5 to 6k INR, and trains really didnt have connectivity where we went except for our last stop and they for approx 300 km charge 500 INR.
Buses are quite cost effective in Turkey - one overnight journey ranges from 1500 - 2000 INR, flight one side within Turkey is around 5 to 6k INR, and trains really didnt have connectivity where we went except for our last stop and they for approx 300 km charge 500 INR.
After exploring Taksim, we traveled overnight from Metro Bus to Cappadocia. The bus terminal in Istanbul is huge and messy. One has to work a bit to find ones way around it. Best is company people dropping you to terminal - however, even after reaching terminal - you need to find your way around and figure which bus you need to take, Once that sorted, its fine - they serve food and water on board. The bus stops quite a bit on ways - and takes one till Goreme - that is the hub of Cappadocia. All hotels are 5 minute walk from there and they pick up complimentary from the bus station.
Our hotel there was http://www.kelebekhotel.com/
Please see my review at http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g297983-d298402-r210312840-Kelebek_Special_Cave_Hotel-Goreme_Cappadocia.html
Book this hotel as this hotel also serves vegan breakfast in Kings Valley to its guests complimentary.
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| Breakfast in Kings Valley |
Hot Balloon is not to be missed while you in Cappadocia, apart from that there are lot of ancient churches to explore. I particularly liked visiting Bazaar 54, a weaving center.
Do not forget to visit here http://www.cappadocia54.com/ for a carpet weaving workshop.
Rest we hiked, explored underground city. There's lot to do and then on Day 5 evening - we moved in bus to Pamukalle.
Day 6: Here we did a mistake, instead of taking services from Pamukalle Bus, we took Metro Bus. Metro Bus outlet in Pamukalle sucks.. sorry there isn't any other word for it. We were tired and wanted to get to our hotel - and they made us wait - as being a small place the owners had asked the bus people to drop us to their hotel. In that 2 hour wait - they only sold us packages on checking Pamukalle and leave in eve. Since we had already done one night in bus, we didnt want to travel again even if for just 3 hours in the eve to our next destination.
Anyways - the bottom line is avoid Metro Bus station at all costs from Pamukalle - the office has so many sweet talkers or thugs would be the right word.
In pamukalle we stayed at Sinter Terrace Hotel.
Pamukalle is beautiful - looks exactly like it does in movies and pictures.
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| Sacred Bath |
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| Traventines |
Day 7: After staying overnight at Pamukalle - we left early in morn by train to Ephesus. Its again a small place and we had a chance to visit the amphitheater and Temple of Artemis there.
For some lovely food in Selcuk - stop here.
My review for this place: http://www.tripadvisor.in/ShowUserReviews-g293976-d1162342-r210320834-St_John_Cafe_Shop-Selcuk_Izmir_Province_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html
We covered all the place on foot in 4 to 5 hrs and were able to catch our flight back to Istanbul. All flight service providers have free shuttle service from Selcuk to Izmir.
Reached Istanbul by 7pm - checked into Dersaadet Hotel.
Day 8: Strolled around Taksim and took our flight back to India in the eve at 10pm.
TIPS
- Do not use the word complimentary - if you wanted something discounted, extra value, use the word 'free'
- Do not forget to have Turkish Tea
- Avoid Metro Bus services to and fro from Pamukalle
- Bargain in Bazaars, Hotels might be fixed on rate - but in markets they reduce price
- Carry Cash for more discount
- Avoid Package Tours
- There is a bit of eve teasing - so be on guard in main city Istanbul
Places That I Missed Visiting
- Visit Perga / Anatolia
- Kas - was one place I really wanted to visit but missed due to lack of time
Rest I can go on and on, on beauty of places I visited or things to do there - if you need specific details on anything - please let me know. Hope I will be able to help.
Its a beautiful country and do visit - you will come back with bag full of memories and photographs!
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