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rvanr

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Turkey Tips ?
« on: July 14, 2006, 04:25:26 am »

No, I don't want to know about stuffing and basting and oven temperatures!

I am going to Turkey for 10 days at the end of August. It is for business, but I can build in some leisure time. I'll arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday evening, work Thursdsay and Friday, have the some time off on Saturday and Sunday. Travel to Izmir on Sunday afternoon, work there on Monday. Maybe have the morning off and travel to Ankara on Tuesday afternoon. Work in Ankara Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Fly back on Saturday morning.

I have been to Istanbul before and have some idea of what to see there, but I have not been to Izmir or Ankara. Have you got any tips about those places? If Ankara is interesting I could fly back on Sunday instead.

Ruud
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abaazov

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« Reply #1 on: July 14, 2006, 10:33:03 am »

i dont know about Izmir, but Ankara is quite boring. if you can get away for a couple of days to cappadocia, that is definitely what you should do. cappadocia is a photographer's dream. closer to istanbul, you can go to ephesus, which is also quite impressive.
amnon
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Lisa Nikodym

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Turkey Tips ?
« Reply #2 on: July 14, 2006, 11:32:22 am »

I've been to many parts of Turkey over a number of vacations, and amnon knows what he's talking about.  Ankara was uninteresting (except for one wonderful museum of ancient Anatolian artifacts, not good for photography but excellent if one loves ancient art and archaeology).  Izmir is, similarly, an uninteresting big city, but has some excellent ancient sites nearby (see later in this post).  Cappadocia is the most spectacular part of Turkey - there's nowhere else like it - here's an example Cappadocian landscape:

Cappadocia

It's not a short drive from Ankara, however - you'd need at least a couple of days.  But, if you can manage it, it's *well* worth it.

In addition to Ephesus, other extremely photogenic ancient ruined cities in the Izmir region are Pergamon and Priene.

Lisa
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Frere Jacques

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« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2006, 05:44:29 am »

Ankara has these huge squatter suburbs (Turkish word gecekondu which I think translates to mushroom) -- they are whole areas homes that were built over night, taking advantage of a old Ottoman law that said if you could build your home in one night you were the legal owner. They are visually interesting. I would not, however, go exploring without a Turkish escort. The central Mosque is huge and can be be interesting at certain times of the day.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilization is absolutely worth the 10YTL entrance fee, although the Museum of the Ancient Near East in Istanbul managed to get the Treaty of Kadesh! Just above the museum is the old Byzantine (I think) citadel which has an outdoor market and some good restaurants. The government buildings in center city are all done in late 20s/early 30s Socialist Realist style -- I was particularly found of the train company (TCDD) headquarters -- it just screams WE ARE THE TRAIN COMPANY - YOU WILL TRAVEL WITH US! Ataturk's tomb has to be seen -- I think it redefines the word monumental. There are some other Roman/Byzantine/Ottoman building spread around, but that's about it. There are several trendy areas that look like any similar area in any European city and Embassy row would be nice for a walk if it weren't on a major boulevard with constant traffic!

Anyway, enjoy! I have fond memories of Ankara -- I was there for the wedding of a friend and the bride's family treated me like royalty! Turkish hospitality is all that you have heard!!!!!



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i dont know about Izmir, but Ankara is quite boring. if you can get away for a couple of days to cappadocia, that is definitely what you should do. cappadocia is a photographer's dream. closer to istanbul, you can go to ephesus, which is also quite impressive.
amnon
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alexrodriguez

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Turkey Tips ?
« Reply #4 on: July 19, 2006, 01:33:56 pm »

Quote
No, I don't want to know about stuffing and basting and oven temperatures!

I am going to Turkey for 10 days at the end of August. It is for business, but I can build in some leisure time. I'll arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday evening, work Thursdsay and Friday, have the some time off on Saturday and Sunday. Travel to Izmir on Sunday afternoon, work there on Monday. Maybe have the morning off and travel to Ankara on Tuesday afternoon. Work in Ankara Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Fly back on Saturday morning.

I have been to Istanbul before and have some idea of what to see there, but I have not been to Izmir or Ankara. Have you got any tips about those places? If Ankara is interesting I could fly back on Sunday instead.

Ruud
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I am actually interested in going to Turkey sometime next year and have been researching it a bit. I have spoken to Mehmet Ozbalci who has a tour company and specializes in photo oriented tours. You can visit his web site at www.turfantastik.com. He may be able to help out. The problem I am having is he needs a group of 4 or more, at this point its just me.

Alex
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MPS

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« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2006, 08:33:17 am »

I am married to a Turk, we go 'home' each year, if not twice or thrice.

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I am going to Turkey for 10 days at the end of August.

It's going to be very hot. Forget walking about extensively in the daytime.
The light is also going to be very strong; too much so for any decent outside photography bar the golden hours.

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I'll arrive in Istanbul on Wednesday evening, work Thursdsay and Friday, have the some time off on Saturday and Sunday. Travel to Izmir on Sunday afternoon, work there on Monday. Maybe have the morning off and travel to Ankara on Tuesday afternoon. Work in Ankara Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Fly back on Saturday morning.

Turkey is a huge country. My advice is to stay local and make the most of what you've got.

I'd spend the weekend in Istanbul:
You could shoot Sultan Ahmet (sp?) in the early morning whist the light is good.
Once it's too hot visit the Bascilla, Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar - photography is allowed inside, but be subtle in the Bazaars and watch your gear. Forget a tripod.
The Sultans Palace and Harem is worth a visit, but frankly not very photogenic, although the view over the Bosphorus from the tea garden is good.
Near to Sunset take a Bosphorous tour from the boats at the harbour by the Spice Market. They'll take you out of the Golden Horn where you'll the original Ottoman suburbs and wooden houses, Ataturk's House, and plenty more.

Sunday consider an early trip up the Galata Tower for some good views.
The old trams running up and down the main drag into Taksim are photogenic as well.
A ferry ride up the Golden Horn is also nice - get off the ferry at the last stop and take the cable car to Pierre Lotti which is a tea garden on top of a huge cemetery overlooking Istabul.

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I have not been to Izmir or Ankara. Have you got any tips about those places?

Ah Izmir, my wife's home town.

Izmir is close to Efes (Ephesus), but it's going to be very hot. If your schedule allows then try and stay in the town nearby (I forget the name) and get there early in the morning before the heat and crowds arrive.

The Izmir Bazaar is very nice - similar to Istanbul although a lot quieter and thankfully smaller. The tea house round the corner from the mosque inside the bazaar does the best Turkish Coffee you'll ever try!

The old Greek district of Izmir is very traditional and worth a look. Decent bars and fish restaurants in the side streets as well.

A ferry boat trip around Izmir harbour is also nice, espically at sunset. Take the ferry from Alsancak. Be wary of taking photo's in the city harbour itself - there are several military installations: signs will warn you not to take photos.

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If Ankara is interesting I could fly back on Sunday instead.

The majority of Turk's I know don't rate Ankara at all. Having spent one day there (en-route to Cappadocia from Istanbul by car - 2 hard days of driving) I wouldn't rush to return. ymmv.

If you get a taste of the country then flights from the UK to Turkey are pretty reasonable - check out easyjet/BA to Istanbul, or Cyprus Turkish Airlines to Antalya or Izmir.

Cappadocia is a trip in itself, best saved for the cooler spring time, out of season.

I've got to reiterate - it's going to be very, very hot.
Maybe it'd be better to put the photography in at second place and just take it easy.

İyi yolculuklar!
Mark
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abaazov

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« Reply #6 on: July 25, 2006, 08:46:25 am »

mark you are forgetting the agia sophia in istanbul, which in my mind is the most beautiful thing in istanbul. and the town next to ephesus is kusadasi i believe.
amnon
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Lisa Nikodym

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« Reply #7 on: July 25, 2006, 12:19:39 pm »

Ditto amnon's comment about Agia Sofia.  And yes, one of the towns near Ephesus is Kusadasi.  Even closer to Ephesus (practically at the edge of it) is the smaller town of Selcuk, which also has lodging.

Lisa
« Last Edit: July 25, 2006, 12:29:35 pm by nniko »
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rvanr

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Turkey Tips ?
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2006, 04:45:57 am »

Thanks for all the useful advice so far. It seems I'll have to use the work days to recover from the exertions of photography!  

We are getting used to higher temperature in the UK during the last few weeks (25-35), but I guess that Turkey will be in a different league altogether. I remember being in Luxor some years ago and trying to walk in the shade of lampposts (and I'm not that thin!)
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