BajaNomad

Has anyone been to Turkey? Any advice welcome.

BajaBlanca - 6-11-2021 at 11:50 PM

Hi! We are off to Antalya next Wednesday and I am so excited! We went to Istanbul 2 years ago, loved it and will probably include it again but we are starting in Antalya since a friend has offered their apartment to us.

I would like info on places you have been and what to expect. For sure we will go to Antalya since it is so close. We also have plans to go to Cappadocia to perhaps ride a hot air baloon.

Also, has anyone gone to a Turkish bath? Is it worth it?

Thanks for any and all input.

SFandH - 6-12-2021 at 06:33 AM

Lucky you! I Just "drove around" a bit using google street view and it looks great. Sorry, I don't have any info, but I've read that coastline is a great place to visit.

Post some photos.

David K - 6-12-2021 at 08:10 AM

Haven't been to Turkey, but if I did go, seeing where Troy was would be on my list!




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy

thebajarunner - 6-12-2021 at 10:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Haven't been to Turkey, but if I did go, seeing where Troy was would be on my list!




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy


We visited Troy and it was snowing... total bummer
Jumped off the bus, ran over and patted the leg of the Trojan Horse and dashed back to the bus,
Pretty brave driver (probably trained in Baja) because we kept on going and the roads in that area along the coast were winding and spooky with the light snowfall on the road.

My favorite part of Turkey was Istanbul, fabulous city.
Ephesus is well preserved and great history.

BajaBlanca - 6-12-2021 at 08:44 PM

Well, you learn something new every day. I always thought The Trojan horse was Greek! Thanks.

I found this photo on the internet...maybe we can sneak over to see Troy.


vandy - 6-13-2021 at 02:26 AM

Near Antalya is the coastal city of Kas. Friends were
raving ecstatically about it, telling me I had to visit.
Beautiful beaches, friendly people, ancient ruins, cheap hotels, great scuba dives, fantastic seafood restaurants...

Of course, I had to ask, "How's the fishing there?"
They didn't know.
I never went.

BajaBlanca - 6-13-2021 at 06:15 AM

I just looked it up and it does mention fishing. Hopefully Les can go out one day! Thanks for the tip!

David K - 6-13-2021 at 07:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
Well, you learn something new every day. I always thought The Trojan horse was Greek! Thanks.

I found this photo on the internet...maybe we can sneak over to see Troy.




It was... Didn't you see the movie (filmed near Cabo San Lucas)?
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts! A Greek gift to the people of Troy turned out to be their doom.

BajaBruno - 6-13-2021 at 01:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
Well, you learn something new every day. I always thought The Trojan horse was Greek!


The Trojans were Greek. 3,000 years ago (and for many hundreds of years after) the Greeks controlled the west coast of what is now Turkey. The whole sordid tale is told in Homer's Iliad (a good read, by the way). The Aeneid by Virgil (another good read) tells of some Trojan royalty escaping the destruction of Troy and ultimately becoming the scion of the Romans.

I was stationed in Turkey some 45 years ago. The west coast, Izmir, Istanbul, was lovely and the east of the country was mostly angry Kurds. But then, that was a long time ago.

BajaBlanca - 6-13-2021 at 09:30 PM

So, I was paying attention in History class after all!

Thanks BajaBruno, the west coast looks incredibly beautiful.

SFandH - 6-13-2021 at 10:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
So, I was paying attention in History class after all!


history or mythology class?

BajaBlanca - 6-14-2021 at 12:20 AM

Both. and let's add Geography to the pile!

twogringos - 6-14-2021 at 08:22 AM

We were there in March/April 2019. If you are driving, the infrastructure is great. Most everyone eats at the roadside gas/restaurant/ rest areas.
Allow plenty of time in Cappadocia, especially if you take a balloon ride. Visit one of the underground cities where early Christians hide (use a guide), and maybe stay in one of the hotels carved in the hills. Visit the travertine hot springs at Pamukkale and the ancient city of Heiropolis. The ruins of Asklepion at Pergamon, the first psychiatric hospital from the 4th century. Ephsus, of course, from 10 century BC, and near there, the Basilica of St. John the Apostile. The Anatolian Museum near Ankara was great, the monument to Adaturk is very popular with locals, but could be missed. Likewise Troy. How many times has the wooden horse been rebuilt? Our photo Troy is totally different that the one posted above. South of Istambul is Gallopoli, the WWI battlefield site. Very sobering. The west coast of Turkey along the Aegean Sea is a great place for R&R. In Izmir is the 12th Century camel stop on the Silk Road called "Caravanseria". Turkey is such a contrast between ancient culture and modern development. Enjoy!

BajaBlanca - 6-14-2021 at 09:40 PM

What a wealth of information! Looks like you went to a LOT of places!

BajaTed - 6-15-2021 at 07:28 AM

Sorry to digress BUT
We need some maps of Baja in the 10th century BCE:bounce: