Visit to Turkey.

[GreginGa]

Anyone here ever been to Turkey? We're thinking about doing 3 or 4 days there is mid-Sept. We thought about flying back to Germany and visiting some of our former exchange students that we have hosted and I have supervised. The thing is getting my sister-in-law a EU visa will be tough. We can go on the cheap to Germany because of the lodging,but airline tickets will be more and I know its more expensive there. I've been in Turkey once for only about 4 hours on a cruise ship.

[Shadow]

I have been to Turkey about 7 times, although the last time was about 5 years ago.

If you prefer big cities and historic sites, go to Istanbul.
If you prefer sun, sea, beach and tourists, go to the Antaly area (Mediterranean)
If you prefer sun, sea and a bit less tourists, take the Izmir/Kusadasi area (Though still touristic)
If you prefer desert and sheep, go to the Van area.
If you want to take a risk of rain and go off the beaten path, the the Black Sea coast.

Turkey is a big country, with a lot of different people. Those who are not used to be around tourists are generally friendly. Others might show some foreigner fatigue at the end of the season.

[ScottinCrimea]

Our best friends live in Istanbul and I loved visiting there.  Easy visa and short flight for Ukrainians, plenty of Russian and English speakers, much to do and see, prices pretty reasonable.

[GreginGa]

Our best friends live in Istanbul and I loved visiting there.  Easy visa and short flight for Ukrainians, plenty of Russian and English speakers, much to do and see, prices pretty reasonable.

Do they have a pullout sofa? LOL

[Chicagoguy]

I was just there in June with my fiance for a total of 10 days. We took a package trip from Moscow. We went to the Antalya area and it was fine. Few Americans because we go to Florida, Mexico or Carribean for beach vacations. But English is fairly common.

Shadow is correct on destinations.
 My resort hotel was all Russians which I would not like do again but it was good for my woman. Turkey gets 4 million Germans and 2 million Russians each year.

Many Americans and Brits in the other areas of Turkey.

[Col HJ]

If you prefer big cities and historic sites, go to Istanbul.
If you prefer sun, sea, beach and tourists, go to the Antaly area (Mediterranean)
If you prefer sun, sea and a bit less tourists, take the Izmir/Kusadasi area (Though still touristic)
If you prefer desert and sheep, go to the Van area.
If you want to take a risk of rain and go off the beaten path, the the Black Sea coast.

Turkey is a big country, with a lot of different people. Those who are not used to be around tourists are generally friendly. Others might show some foreigner fatigue at the end of the season.

In my 5 visits I would have to concur 100% with the above. Istanbul was the hands down winner for me with drinking beer in the cliffs above Antalya on a cold night a close second. There is a boat tour through the Bosphorous that takes half a day and is well worth your while. If you are so daring as to the leave the beaten bath(eh tourists) and venture into any small remote city you will be very warmly received by the locals,despite the general worldwide hate of Americans there is substantial curiosity also. The Turks are a very kind people once you sort through the riff raff.