BajaBlanca
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Has anyone been to Turkey? Any advice welcome.
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.
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SFandH
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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.
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David K
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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
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thebajarunner
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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.
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BajaBlanca
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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.
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vandy
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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.
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BajaBlanca
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I just looked it up and it does mention fishing. Hopefully Les can go out one day! Thanks for the tip!
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David K
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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.
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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.
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BajaBruno
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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.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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BajaBlanca
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So, I was paying attention in History class after all!
Thanks BajaBruno, the west coast looks incredibly beautiful.
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SFandH
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history or mythology class?
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BajaBlanca
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Both. and let's add Geography to the pile!
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twogringos
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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!
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BajaBlanca
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What a wealth of information! Looks like you went to a LOT of places!
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BajaTed
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Sorry to digress BUT
We need some maps of Baja in the 10th century BCE
Es Todo Bueno
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