Getting to Turkey

By Air
Various Airlines have regular flights to Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Adana, Trabzon and Dalaman, from the major capitals and cities of the world.
International airlines: Most international airlines have regular flights between the major cities of the world and Turkey.

By Sea
Passenger Ferries: Apart from the numerous cruises in the Mediterranean sea, several foreign shipping companies have regular services to the ports of Trabzon, Samsun, Istanbul, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Iskenderun.
Car Ferries: There are several car ferries for tourists who wish to take their cars while site seeing. Venice, Ancona, Izmir, Istanbul, Antalya and Kusadasi are on the main route of these ferry lines.
Lines between Turkey and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: Tasucu - Girne, Mersin - Magosa, Alanya - Girne.
Ferry lines between Turkey and the Greek Islands: Ayvalik - Midilli (Lesbos), Cesme - Sakiz (Chios), Kusadasi - Sisam (Samos), Bodrum - Istankoy (Cos), Marmaris - Rodos (Rhodes) Datca - Simi

By Train
Train journeys can be made to Istanbul directly from and via some of the major cities in Europe.

By Car
By private car: London - Istanbul, approx. 3,000 km., Milan - Istanbul approx 2,500 km.
Northern Route : Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey.
Southern Route : Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, and via ferry to Turkey.

By Bus
There are regular services between Turkey and Austria, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece; also Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Syria.
 

Historical and cultural sites

Turkey's humanized landscape is inseparable from its culture. Nevertheless, to the outsider, Turkey gives a new meaning to wilderness, because even in the most inaccessible or isolated parts (such as the high mountain tops or the secret places in the valleys) the visitor remains with the feeling that sometime in history this place, now wild and untended, has been the home to civilizations with settled villages and city life for nine thousand years in Anatolia.

These were people of different origin, coming in waves and mingling with those already settled, each time creating a new synthesis. Between 2000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., this landscape was the center of world civilization. Interpretation of the world scene today is predicated upon our understanding of what took place on this landscape during the last four millennia, and which is now manifested in the ruins and monuments which adorn the landscape.

Up until the advent of modernity (which in Turkey is associated with the comprehensive highway program of the 1950's) the landscape had remained as it was through millennia. When you see a replica of one of the first agrarian villages in the world, dating back to almost 7,000 B.C., in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara, you cannot miss the similarity between this prototype and all those others that you become what we call the vernacular. When you have got something that works, why change it?

In Anatolia, the settlement pattern is more or less how it was during the time of the ancient civilizations. There is a good chance that the road you are traveling on is the same one on which great warriors of the East and the West trod and colorful caravans passed along, and couriers of mail or secret treaties galloped. Perhaps it is the same road traveled by St. Paul and his disciples or by Sufis spreading divine knowledge. Perhaps Alexander the Great or King Croesus fought against their enemies on the same spot you are traveling.

Graceful aqueducts built by the Romans made urban concentrations possible. Bridges built by Sinan and other Ottoman architects dot the countryside and are still used for the safe passage of goods and services. Caravanserais dating back to the Seljuk Empire of the 11th century offered sanctuary and relief to weary travelers. You can even stay in a caravanserai, for several have been restored into luxury hotels. Many Medresses are also in good conditions, mostly used as museums today.

In addition to the historic edifices proudly displayed at the main archaeological sites such as Assos, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Miletus, Priene, Didyma, Aphrodisias, Heraclia, Myra, Olympus, Chimeira, Phaselis, Patara, Xantos, Pinara, Tlos, Letoon, Halicarnassus, Cnidus, Hattusas, Alacahöyük, Çatalhöyük, Yazilikaya, Nemrut, Zeugma, Psidian Antioch, Nicea, Sardis, Gordion, Caunos, Labranda, Perge, and Aspendos, many coastal villages and towns are blessed with their very own Anatolian ruins on the outskirts. This is usually an ancient theater commanding a spectacular view of the beach where, the villagers will tell you, Cleopatra often have swam. You don't have to look far for the agora either. It is probably where it has always been - right at the market place! Several villages are also privileged to have ''sunken cities" (Kekova) or ruins under the sea, which you can see if you look down into the crystal clear, turquoise waters.

The Anatolian hinterland will show you glimpses of other ancient civilizations: the Hattis, the Hurris, Assyrians, the Hittites, the Phrygians, the Urartians, the Lydians and the Lycians. From these civilizations come many familiar legends: women warriors known as Amazons, the wealth of the Lydian King Croesus, King Midas with the golden touch, and the Knot of Gordion that young Alexander was able to undo with the strike of his sword.

Then there are the lesser places, both sacred and ordinary, but with profound meaning: monasteries, tombs of local saints, heroes, artists or poets, mosques, churches, walls, fortresses, palaces, fountains, and cemeteries. The hillsides are covered with broken pieces of ancient pottery, contemporary walls often have corner stones which may date back to antiquity. Children play and sheep graze amidst fragile remains. Until very recently Fairy Chimneys in Cappadocia were used by villagers as cold storage for their food or wine cellars.

The very richness of the landscape poses grave challenges for historic preservation in Turkey. Good progress has been made in safeguarding the integrity of the most important sites, and work is ongoing to excavate, catalogue and preserve the country's tremendous legacy. Strict laws prevent the export of antiquities.
 

Thermal Springs (Spa)

Turkey is one of the 7 countries in the world in terms of thermal source richness with almost 1300 thermal springs throughout Anatolia. Of course the existence of seismic faults make the country very rich in this aspect. The temperature of these hot springs varies between 20-110 degrees Celsius (68-230 Fahrenheit), and their flow is between 2-500 liters per second. Turkey is using only a small percentage of the country's potential in terms of mineral springs, but today the Ministry of Tourism and private investors are contributing more to Turkey's map of spa tourism.

Ankara - Kizilcahamam (ph: 6.52-7.6)
It is located 86 km from Ankara at 975 meters above sea level. The water (37-47 C) contains sodium, calcium magnesium, bicarbonate and chlorine. It's good for drinking and bathing benefiting the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, gynecologic and digestive disorders.
Afyon - Hudayi (ph: 6.64-6.84)
It's a small treatment center 66 km from Afyon, 7 km southwest of Sandikli. The water (75-80 C, radioactive) contains sulphur, hydro carbonate, sodium, calcium, carbon-dioxide, bromide and fluoride, and are good for drinking and bathing and benefit rheumatic, skin, gynecologic, and digestive complaints.
Afyon - Orucoglu (ph: 6.4)
Orucoglu Thermal Center, next to a modern 428-bed complex, is 14 km from Afyon. The temperature of the spring water is 49 C and it's rich in carbon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, bromide and fluoride. The water has beneficial effects on arthritis, sciatica, disc hernia, neuritis, neuralgia, lumbago, osteoarthritis, and is also beneficial after orthopedic surgery and various other surgical treatments, such as post-operative therapy. Patients with skin ailments like psoriasis, eating problems, stomach, intestine and gall bladder, kidney, urinary tract and gynecologic disorders, and muscle and nerve fatigue also benefit from it. The composition is good for balancing the iron ratio, and has rehabilitation value in the treatment of hemiplegia.
Afyon - Gazligol
It's 22 km from Afyon on the road to Eskisehir. The water (40-71 C) benefits rheumatism, cardio vascular problems, digestive and intestinal complaints, kidney diseases, urinary tract, liver problems, metabolism disorders, orthopedic and skin problems.
Afyon - Omer and Gecek
It's 15 km to Afyon on the road to Kutahya. The water (51-98 C) has benefits to cure rheumatism, skin disease, cardio vascular problems, intestinal and gall bladder complaints, liver, joints and arthritis, eating problems, neuralgia and gynecologic disorders.
Balikesir - Gonen (ph: 7.36)
Situated to the north of Balikesir, it has a treatment center with 381 beds. Thermal waters (52 C) contain sulphur, chloride, sodium, hydro carbonate and carbon dioxide. Suitable for both drinking and bathing cures, the waters are beneficial for dermatologic, liver, rheumatic, urinary and nervous complaints.
Bingol - Kos
The Kos hot springs are located 20 km from Bingol on the Karliova road. The facilities include a hotel, several motels and guest houses, outdoor and indoor pools, restaurants, tea gardens, and a parking lot. Both locals and foreigners come here for healthy relaxation with peace in mind.
Bolu - Karacasu (ph: 5.82-6.32)
It is located 4 km south of Bolu on the Ankara - Istanbul highway, with a 250 bed capacity center. The water (44 C) contains calcium, magnesium, sulphur, bicarbonate, and benefit the cures of rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica and gynecologic, liver and kidney diseases.
Bursa - Cekirge (ph: 6.6-7.2)
Most of the thermal springs, in both modern and historical settings, are in the Cekirge district of Bursa. The waters (47-78 C) contain bicarbonate, sulphur, sodium, calcium and magnesium. It's suitable for drinking and bathing cures, and are beneficial for rheumatic, gynecologic and dermatologic diseases, post-operational problems and for the metabolism. A wide range of accommodations in tourist to deluxe-class hotels are available, as is medical supervision.
Bursa - Oylat (ph: 3.04-7.26)
Approximately 27 km south of Bursa in Inegol district, the water is very warm; the steam bath is heated to 40 C and the spring waters to 10 C. The water contains sulphur, bicarbonate, calcium, hydrogen ions and iron. With diuretic properties, the drinking and bath cures have a relaxing and sedative effect. There are a couple of hotels and motels near the center.
Canakkale - Kestanbol (ph: 5.92-6.94)
It's located 15 km into Ezine district south of Canakkale, 2 km from the Sea of Marmara. The waters of the various springs range between 21 C and 67 C, containing chloride, sodium, iron carbon- dioxide and calcium. Beneficial bath cures, mud-bath cures, steam and geyser cures are available at the thermal springs.
Denizli - Pamukkale and Karahayit (ph: 5.98-6.26)
It's located 20 km north of Denizli with over 500 bed total capacity hotels and motels. Thermal waters (42-56 C, radioactive) contain hydro carbonate, sulphur, calcium, carbon dioxide and iron, and are suitable for drinking and bathing helping heart and circulatory complaints as well as digestive, gall bladder, rheumatic and kidney diseases. Pamukkale is also a popular tourist destination in the Aegean region.
Eskisehir - Hamamyolu
Most of the thermal springs are near Hamamyolu Street in the center of Eskisehir. The waters (38-45 C) contain bicarbonate, sodium, and calcium and are suitable for both drinking and bathing cures of rheumatism, neuralgia, post-operational problems, digestive problems, kidney stones and gynecologic complaints, and for the metabolism.
Eskisehir - Sakar (ph: 7.6)
33 km north of Eskisehir near the town of Saricakaya. The water (35 C) contains sodium, magnesium and bicarbonate, benefiting skin problems, complaints of sciatica, rheumatism and kidney stones.
Izmir - Balcova (ph: 6.4)
Located 10 km west of Izmir in Balcova district with a 400 bed capacity and the largest indoor thermal pool in Turkey. A treatment center built nearby is very popular amongst Scandinavian tourists especially. The water (62 C) is suitable for drinking and bathing, benefiting sciatica, rheumatic diseases, gynecologic, orthopedic and nervous disorders, plus intestinal and urinary problems.
Izmir - Cesme (ph: 6.58)
They are located at the bay of Ilica and Sifne, 7 km east of Cesme (75 km west of Izmir) which has accommodation in every category and class with a total of 2,000 beds. The waters (42-55 C) contain chloride, sodium, magnesium, fluoride, and are suitable for drinking and bathing cures, benefiting dermatologic, gynecologic and urinary complaints as well as metabolic disorders.
Konya - Ilgin (ph: 7.0)
It's situated 88 km northwest of Konya with basic accommodations available but with an excellent treatment center. The water (42 C, radioactive) contains hydro carbonate, calcium, sodium and carbon dioxide, and are beneficial for rheumatic, dermatologic, gynecologic, urinary, circulatory and heart diseases, and also for glandular and digestive complaints.
Kutahya - Harlek (Ilicakoy)
It's located 27 km from Kutahya. The water (25-43 C) contains bicarbonate, sulphur, calcium and magnesium. The drinking and bath waters are beneficial for sufferers of rheumatism, hepatitis, bladder, skin and metabolic disorders.
Mugla - Sultaniye (ph: 6.68-6.74)
It's located in Koycegiz district of Mugla, at Sultaniye village. The water (32-42 C) contains chloride, sodium, hydrogen sulfide and bromide. Both the drinking and the bath waters have a relaxing and beneficial effect on sufferers of rheumatism, skin and blood disorders, heart ailments, bronchitis, nervous complaints, kidney and urinary complaints, metabolic disorders, and for elderly patients and convalescents.
Sivas - Balikli (Yilanli) Cermik (ph: 7.3)
This interesting and unique spa is situated 17 km northeast of Kangal in the province of Sivas. The water (36 C) contains bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium. The uniqueness of the baths comes from the fact that there are many small fish (2-10 cm long) in the water that play an important part in the cure of psoriasis. The waters are also beneficial for rheumatism, skin diseases, arterial sclerosis and gynecologic complaints. There are motels, restaurants and camping facilities as well as shop for provisions.
Yalova (ph: 6.88-7.48)
These thermal springs are situated 11 km southwest of Yalova with a capacity of about 800 beds between hotels and guest houses. The waters (57-60 C) contain sulphur, sodium and calcium, and are suitable for drinking and bathing cures beneficial for rheumatic, gynecologic, urinary and nervous complaints and controlling cholesterol and lipid levels.

Interesting facts about Turkey

-The famous Trojan Wars took place in Western Turkey, around the site where the Trojan horse rests today.
-The first church built by man (St. Peter’s Church) is in Antioch (Antakya), Turkey.
-The oldest known human settlement is in Catalhoyuk, Turkey (7th Millenium B.C.)

-Ephesus and Halicarnasus (the place for the two of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world) are in Turkey.
-St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was born in Demre, on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast.
-Noah’s Ark landed on Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi) in Eastern Turkey.
-The last meal on Noah’s Ark, a pudding of sweet and sour taste (asure), is still served throughout Turkey.
-Turks introduced coffee to Europe.
-Turks gave the Dutch their famous tulips.
-Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents.
-Tradition in Turkey says that a stranger at one’s doorstep is considered "God’s guest" for at least three days.
-Turkey is noted for having one of the three most famous and distinctive traditional cuisines in the world.
-The First Ecumenical Council was held in Iznik, Turkey.
-Writing was first used by people in ancient Anatolia. The first clay tablets in the ruins of Assyrian Karum (Merchant Colony) date back to 1950 B.C.
-The oldest tin mine was found in Göltepe, 60 miles south of Tarsus.
-The first Neolithic paintings found on man-made walls are in Catalhöyük, Turkey.
-Anatolia is the birthplace of historic legends, such as Homer (the poet), King Midas, Herodotus (the father of history), and St. Paul the Apostle.
-Julius Caesar proclaimed his celebrated words, "Veni, Vid, Vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)" in Turkey when he defeated the Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea region of Turkey.
-Female goddesses like Cybele dominated the Central Anatolian pantheon for thousands of years before these supernatural powers were transformed to male gods.
-The Hittites sold Abraham the cave where he buried his wife Sarah, when the Israelites came to Palestine.
-The first church dedicated to Virgin Mary is in Ephesus.
-Cherry was first introduced to Europe from Giresun (Northern Turkey)
-Turkey has hundreds beaches and marinas which have the "Blue Flag" (an European award for the best clean water) on the Mediterranean and Aegean.

-The first recorded international treaty in the world was the Treaty of Kadesh between the Hittite and Egyptian Empires, Hattusilis III and Ramses II, in c.1275 BC.
-The oldest known shipwreck on Earth was found and excavated in Uluburun near Kas, in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.
-In 640 BC, for the first time in history, coins made of electrum were used by the Lydian king Croesus in Sardis, in Aegean region of Turkey.
King Midas lived in Gordion, capital of Phrigia.
-Alexander the Great cut the Gordian knot near Ankara. The double knotting technique used in Turkish rugs is also called as Gordian Knot.
-The Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis was said to be watered by a river which separated into four streams as it left the garden; two of them the Tigris (Dicle) and Euphrates (Firat) rise from the mountains of Eastern Turkey.
-Early Christians escaping from Roman persecutions found shelter in Cappadocia.
-The Seven Churches of Apocalypse are all situated in the Aegean region of Anatolia; Ephesus, Smyrna (Izmir), Pergamum, Thyatira (Nazilli), Sardis, Philadelphia (Alasehir) and Laodicea.
-Sultan Beyazit II dispatched the Ottoman Navy to bring the Jewish people who were expelled from Spain in 1492 and they were brought safely to the Ottoman lands.

-Istanbul has the historical building of Sirkeci Train Station. This was the last stop of the Simplon-Orient Express - "kings of trains and train of kings" - between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul) from 1883 to 1977. Agatha Christie was one of the passengers of this famous train.
-The number of species of flowers in Turkey is approximately 9,000, of which 3,000 are endemic. In Europe for instance there are 11,500 species. This shows the richness of flora and fauna in Anatolia. 

Useful phone numbers
 

Emergency

Ambulance: 112 (all over Turkey)
Police: 155 (all over Turkey)
Tourism Police: (0212) 5274503 (Istanbul only)
Gendarme: 156 (all over Turkey)
Coast Guard: 158 (all over Turkey)
Fire: 110 (all over Turkey)
Forest Fire: 177 (all over Turkey)
Yellow Pages: 118 (all over Turkey)
Tourism Info: 170 (all over Turkey)

Turkish International Airports

Adana: Sakirpasa Airport, Tel: (0322) 4350380 Fax: 4359126
Ankara: Esenboga Airport Tel: (0312) 3980000 Fax: 3980345
Antalya: Airport, Tel: (0242) 3303030 Fax: 3303302
Dalaman: Airport, Tel: (0252) 7925291 Fax: 7925296
Istanbul: Yesilkoy, Ataturk Airport Tel: (0212) 6636400 Fax: 6636250
Sabiha Gokcen Airport Tel: (0216) 5855000 Fax: 5855114
Izmir: Adnan Menderes Airport Tel: (0232) 2742626 Fax: 2742002
Trabzon: Airport, Tel: (0462) 3280940 Fax: 3259950
Bodrum: Milas Airport Tel: (0252) 5230101 Fax: 5230082
Nevsehir: Kapadokya Airport Tel: (0384) 4214455 Fax: 421445