Turkey

*Adam*

Any tips for a first trip to Turkey? Where's teh best place to change currency, what to take, what to buy when over there, what food to eat/avoid...basically everything!

*Adam*

Can anyone help me with this? We're flying out on Friday...

gingababe

Hi Adam ,
Which resort are you going to ??

Ginga

tiff

They like sterling in Turkey, although I would prefer to use my Nationwide debit card in the ATM's for the best rate and take a small amount of YTL to see me through the first day or so.

What to buy, textiles, leather, gold and silver jewellery, Turkish rugs, Turkish delight, pottery, fake designer stuff.

The food in Turkey is fantastic, you will get a better price if you eat in a Lokanta rather than a tourist sea front restaurant. Try gozleme, which are Turkish pancakes with a sweet (chocolate, honey etc) or savoury (cheese and spinach) filling. You will see women making them in the markets, on boat trips in towns etc. Pide is a Turkish style pizza, with a bread base and a meat topping, delicious. Try Raki which is a Turkish alcoholic drink served in a long glass, tastes disgusting to me though! They drink a lot of Turkish tea (cay, pronounced chai) in small tulip shaped glasses, add sugar to taste (no milk!)

Hope that helps a bit.

*Adam*

I'm going to Altinkum. Should be interesting...

Sadly, my trip's been organised very late, and neither of us have a Nationwide debit card, so sterling it will have to be! Heard the rate out there is about 2.63, which is good

tiff, whats a Lokanta? Will definitely take a look at the jewellery, leather and fake designer goods though!

I suffer with IBS, will the meat out there affect me, and is there any food I should avoid? (Apart from what I know sets me off...)

tiff

I dont know anything about IBS, but dont think there is any food in general you should avoid. A lokanta is a Turkish cafe, but not licensed to sell alcohol.

gingababe

Hi Adam,
The exchange out there today is 2.68, we take sterling out & then change when they have a good rate, all turks are happy to take sterling but be careful if they give you change in lira. There are some fab restuarants on the front but I tend to eat in the more traditional turkish lokantas,which are into the town , there are supermarket,so you can get anything you need.If you go to the markets I would recommend you watch your wallet.(just like you would in the U.K no different really)
The beaches are fab . They have some fab jewellery shops , the turkish carpets are fab as well as I have two ... but these shops are further out of Altinkum, you can get anywhere easily by using the dolmus. (a minibus)
Let me know which hotel & I will try to help you as best I can
Hope this Helps
Ginga

Nobjocki

Learn to walk past the people who are hassling you to buy stuff.
Don't be afraid to just totally ignore them - it's not rude.
And after the 100th time you won't even think about it.

*Adam*

Thanks for all the tips guys, sounds like Turkey's an interesting place to go!

Crazychik

I absolutely love turkey, I go every year.

I take plenty of English sterling out with me, like Tiff said, they do love it. But make sure what ever you buy, is rounded up/down to the nearest £ without losing out too much. I tend to half my money with lira & english!

With IBS, just basically avoid the foods you normally eat here. Turkey offer a wide variety of food, from your average, english fry up to chinese/indian. Just use your common sense. Obviously drink bottled water, not from the tap. Again, eat where the locals eat, cheap n nice! But you get just as good meal on the sea front.

I always take my mosquito plug ins. And use Avon Skin So Soft dry oil body spay (woodland fresh) as that acts a deterrant. And plenty of diahorrea sachets (incase).Ive never had a problem, but I dont leave home without them. start with a high factor (suncream), then work down. Turks sell Lemon water, this also acts a mosquito deterrant.

You must put used loo roll in the bins provided, do not put down the loo.

Do keep valuables under lock n key!
Watch out for the pick pockets also. you get them in any country anyway.

I never buy jewellery over there, but then - thats not for me. I do love the "fake" named clothes! I buy leather shoes, and textiles, whether its cushion covers or rugs. be carefull on your baggage allowance. I take an empty suitcase with me.

Travel in light clothes, nothing like jeans or jumpers. If your on a night flight, take the clothes with you and change on the plane. Babyface wipes or facial sprtiz works to cool you down,

Never refuse a drink if its offered when your'e in a shop - this is considered rude! The locals tend to offer you an apple tea, this is very refreshing and worth a try. I come home with loads to last me through out the year. Kids love it. And its cheaper than buying pop. As I dilute the granuals in a bottle of water, and hey presto! Instant apple tea. Its best cold.

If you enjoy cooking, spices are also cheap & cheerfull.

If you get the chance, go for a turkish bath/massage, very relaxing.
Even a haircut, they give you a massage also. My OH can recommend the throat cut razor shave. !!!

Be prepared to haggle if your'e shopping. Dont accept the first priced offered (unless its in a shop and its allready priced up). The locals love to haggle.
You will hears phrases like, come my friend, cheaper than Asda, your breaking my heart, I have a family to feed - etc, etc, etc. Its all in good fun!

Its a very friendly country, enjoy your time there!

Crazychik

Forgot to mention - try and avoid buyig "copied" perfumes/fragrances. They may look realistic in the boxes. But the contents - are not the same. Stick to Duty Free for perfumes.