Istanbul’s Transportation System

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey housing a population of approximately 13 million people which makes it practically one of the largest cities in Europe and Asia minor. The city sits on both Asia and Europe and that makes it the only city that is located on two continents. Istanbul used to be the capital to Byzantine Empire until it was conquered by Ottomans in 1453. The date is considered in modern history to be the end of Middle Ages. The modern day city is very different than what is used to be and witnessed a lot of changes and challenges since the end of the Ottoman Empire during the beginning of 20th Century. Because of its perfect location, Istanbul throughout centuries has never lost its important status as a port of commerce and a cultural center. With Turkey’s economy emerging again due to the latest reforms in the last years, the city has again started showing progress in going back to its glamorous days. Istanbul is 1 of the 9 candidates for the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics and it also hosts a lot of different international conferences and exhibitions throughout the year.

Istanbul has a well-established transportation network with bus routes reaching almost everywherein the city, trains from both Asia and Europe making it into downtown, various sizes of boats and ferries cruising along the coast of Bosphorus, a new and fast subway although it only serves a route with limited stations. Yellow cabs are easy to find almost everywhere in the city and they are not expensive at all. Taxis all charge according to a standard a meter and it doesn’t cost much to ride cabs around the city unless the distance is really long. But, some cab drivers are known to turn the ride into a thrill or a race which is not really fun unless you are missing your flight or in any kind of other emergency. Tipping is not needed at the cabs but you can round up the fee to the next Turkish Lira. You do not necessarily have to leave any extra cash after that. The speed of traffic, however, is likely to slow down a lot or almost stop at many intersections during the rush hours. The city center, however, has a lot to offer so this could be the ideal time of the day to take a walk around and discover the city.

On most of the popular routes, it is possible to take a shared cab which is named by locals as ‘Dolmus”. They are a little larger than regular taxis and they look like vans that can accommodate a total of 8 people including the driver. These automobiles are also yellow in color. The sign on the top of these autos reads ‘Dolmus” instead of “Taksi”. While some models might accommodate less people, most of them have a seating capacity of up to 8 people and they all charge a flat fee along the route depending on the distance. You can take the city boat or the ferry to ply over the Bosporus strait going all directions from Europe to Asia or the other way around. One of the best options to explore Istanbul is to do so on water. That is really a sight while you will have the advantage of paying nothing more than a regular transportation charge. For a quick trip from the European side, just jump on a ferry to Uskudar and you will be back in an hour or quicker.

If you are planning on using the public transportation network, you are advised to purchase “akbil” which is a pre-paid electronic chip embedded on a plastic similar to a key fob. Akbil users both save up to 20% of the total transportation costs and are also eligible to take free extension trips with other vehicles in the city network as long as both trips are within a limited period of time.
You can use the pre-paid credit on “Akbil” and you will have access to city’s entire public transportation network with just a tap on the turnstiles. At all times, there is a direct bus service between the two airports of Istanbul and the Taksim Square. Taksim is the center of the transportation network, with buses, subways and dolmus' coming in from various destinations all around the city. Taksim central bus stop and the central metro station is only a couple of minutes from the infamous Taksim Square.

Notable places to visit in the Istanbul include the Hagia Sophia, Leanders Tower, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and Yerebatan Cistern. Most of these historic sites are located in the old Istanbul part of the city and long term parking garages are available in this part of the city for those interested in parking their car for short to longer periods.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

In Turkey, the French interests have been saved

In Besiktas, a small poster placarded on the window of a mini-market warns the customers: "Here we do not sell French products". In this district of Istanbul, it is the only shop to be protesting openly against the law penalizing the negation of the Armenian genocide, and make a sales point of it. Since the vote of the deputies, the popularity of France is in badly shape within the Turkish public opinion, but the retaliatory measures against the French economic interests remain limited.

The following day after the adoption of the text, some sporadic reactions were recorded through the country. Carrefour, number one of the big distribution, underwent a fall of its sales turnover, clear but momentary. Trucks posting the logo of a French trademark were destroyed. Customs annoyances slowed down the importation of vehicles. At the national level, the Union of the Turkish consumers, an organization close to the islamo-nationalists mediums, maintains the dispute while calling for the boycott a new French product each week.Total was the first victim and has been boycotted for a few days, but by a small part of its customers only. L'Oréal also suffered, and the last target indicated to the public is Tefal. The selected strategy seems to consist in reaching emblematic trademarks, strongly visible, explains one French diplomatic source. On the other hand, the companies who invested in the Turkish market are saved: Renault, which employs 4500 people, was thus not aimed. The insurer Centered, associated with Oyak, the powerful pension fund of the Turkish army, was also not aimed.

France is the 5th supplier of Turkey, and the two hundred French companies present on its ground employ 65000 Turks. Ankara could not penalize these major actors without suffering serious economic and social damage. Too hard reprisals would also endanger its candidature to the European Union. For all these reasons, the government privileged a contained reaction after the vote of the French Parliament. Publicly, the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, put aside a possible official call for the boycott, while stating that he wouldn't treat an injustice with another injustice. According to an economic expert, the government lets the active networks of the public opinion act in its place. They function as dissuasive weapons and serve its strategy. Thus, it is the TESK, the Turkish Confederation of the craftsmen and the small shopkeepers, who invited its members to do without French products. Even there, the watchword was weakly followed, except by the Federation of the bakers, which claimed the stop its French imports.

In fact, Ankara takes a wait and see position. Certainly, threats will be put at execution only if the French Senate votes for its turn the text on the penalization of the Armenian genocide. In this case, rather improbable, the French companies would be isolated. Areva, which undertook the construction of three nuclear thermal power stations (2 billion euros each one), is found in the first line. Just like Eurocopter, which received two invitations to tender for 102 helicopters for the army, or Alstom, very close to gain the contract for the materials which will equip Marmaray, a railway tunnel under the Bosphorus, for an amount of 700 million euros. In 2001, after the law on the recognition of the Armenian genocide, Thomson, Bouygues and Alcatel had been marginalized on the Turkish markets.

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Excursions In Mersin Cesmeli, Turkey

Turkey is the newest holiday destination for many Europeans. Turkey is building many apartment complexes all over the country and especially along the Mediterranean coast. A city that has such an apartment complex is Mersin Cesmeli on the southern coast of Turkey.

Not just for blue seas and the beautiful weather, Mersin is also known for the many fun things a tourist can do for fun. There are many tours, and fun things to do. For example the Heaven and Hell Tour which visits some of the cavas that bear the same name.

You leave at 9 am to visit the Heaven and Hell Caves, after which another cave is on the program, which has the somewhat medical name: the asthma caves. Then it is off to the Akyar or white rocks; a real treat for the eyes. Lunch is included in this tour and after lunch you’re off to some mosaic museums in Narlikuyu. The day ends with a visit to the Kizkalesi, also named the Maiden's Castle.

After a day of natural wonders it is time to see some human history. The Uzuncaburc Tour for example gives you the chance to visit the Cambazli church and the Olba (aqueduct.) Uzuncaburc was given city status and renamed to Diocaesarea in 72 AD and in the area you can visit the the Zeus Olbios temple, amfitheater, Tyche temple, city- and parade port, Hellenistic Tower. In the end of the day you will return to your hotel via Isikkale and Karakabakli, 2 old roman establishments.

Back to nature with a bird tour! The Bird Paraidid Tour for example is great fun if you love the flying inhabitants of Mersin Cesmeli and its surroundings. One tip is to go with the early tour that starts at 7 am already to make sure all birds are still in the mood to show of their beauty. The walk takes about 4 hours and lunch is included. Obviously it is smart to wear good shoes and it is also advised to bring water as there are no places to buy drinks during the walk. After the walk a lunch is included.

Perhaps by now you need a day to rest and enjoy a day at the pool of the apartment complex. But there are more tours and excursions available around Mersin and they’re too good to pass. The Alahan Convent Tour could be your next excursion. A visit to the Frederick Barbarossa Monument at the Göksu river for example is an excellent option, followed by a stop at the bridge over the Göksu to appreciate the beautiful panorama. This is a great place to take some wonderful pictures. (with or without you in the foreground) The day isn’t over at this time. Next on the program is a lunch in the city Mut, which is famous for its mosque from the time of the Seldjoeken and the Pasha tombe. Then you get the chance to visit a park that contains trees of over 300 years old. The day ends with a visit to a typical Turkish herbs and spices market.

The ruins of Basilicas (Kanli Divane) from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods can be visited with the Kanli Divane Tour, which starts at 9 am. Also on the program is Ayas a ruin of an amphitheatre. Korykos, the vestiges of what in former days was the village of Kizkalesi is next on the program followed by a lunch in the same village.

Let’s go on with a relaxing Pick nick Tour. There are 2 locations for this pick nick, the Kayacik Valley and Akyar. The choice of which of these 2 locations to go to, depends mostly on the weather. After the pick nick the rest of the day can be enjoyed at the apartment complex, which by now should be your favorite resting place.

Are you still up for more walking and fun?

Then lets continue with a mountain walking tour through some mountain villages and by the Göksu river. You will get to do a firm walk and visit some authentic Turkisch mountain villages and get a taste of the rural and country life of Turkey. The tour ends with a typical Turkish rural meal in one of the villages.

Last but not least, for the real hunters out there, we can on a Boar Hunt Tour in the woods of Silifke. The tour is more expensive, but is guided by an experienced hunter and guns and ammunition are provided. You will have to walk a lot during this tour though, most likely because the boars don’t agree much with your plans for that day.

Mersin Cesmeli and its surroundings are an exiting, adventurous place to spend your vacation. The numerous excursions and activities available keep every active vacationer busy, but at the same time the relaxation seeker can have just as much fun in the apartment complex.

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Travel To Turkey - Tips For Travellers

Before traveling into Turkey, you will need to apply for a visa. Visas can be purchased at the the various entry points around the country. Traveler's checks are not accepted, and you will have to pay with cash. You can avoid the hassles of having to purchase a visa upon arrival by applying for one over the internet. Visas are needed for those who are citizens of either Great Britain or the United States. The visas will expire ninety days after they are purchased.

If you want to pay for a single entry visa, it will cost approximately $26. If you want a multiple entry visa, the cost is approximately $87. They need to be made out to the Turkish Consulate. The best time to travel to Turkey is between April and October. The weather is gentle during the spring and fall months, but temperatures become much colder during the winter. It will sometimes snow in the mountains during this time. During the summer, the coasts are very popular. Between the cities of Antalya and Izmir are a large number of coves, and the country is well known for having excellent rivers.

The three most prominent forms of transportation in the country are trains, buses, and planes. All of the large cities in the country have airports, and international as well as domestic flights are available. If you are looking for a low cost way to get around, the bus is your best option. A number of companies feature bus trips around Turkey both day and night. The buses are comfortable, and passengers are offered tea and other refreshments. The country also features a intricate railroad network. These railroads all connect to the large cities, and many contain sleeping compartments where you can get some rest.

When it comes to hotels and accomodations in Turkey, you will be happy to know that Turkey offers a wide range of places which can match virtually any budget. Large international hotels can be found in major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, and they also offer local establishments as well. If you are looking for a list of hotels ranked by quality, the Ministry of Tourism has an extensive guide which can be useful. In addition to the many international hotels, travelers can also stay at Ottoman style homes and other historic places.

When it comes to culture Turkey has played a pivotal role in the development of three major religions, and these are Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Turkey is unique in that these three religions have worked together side by side in a peaceful manner for much of the country's history. Because of this, the country has a culture which has traditionally been connected to these religions. It should also be noted that Turkey has an excellent exchange rate, and this makes it an affordable place to visit. Turkish Lira can be purchased in the country at any bank or exchange rate office.

There are nearly 100 different festivals held in Turkey each year. In addition to the Turkish festivals, many international events are held there as well. A large number of art festivals are featured, and are very popular.

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Turkey Twitter

Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye), known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (help·info)), is a Eurasian country that stretches across the Anatolian peninsula in western Asia and Thrace (Rumelia) in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries: Bulgaria to the northwest; Greece to the west; Georgia to the northeast; Armenia, Azerbaijan (the exclave of Nakhichevan) and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the southeast. The Mediterranean Sea and Cyprus are to the south; the Aegean Sea to the west; and the Black Sea is to the north. Separating Anatolia and Thrace are the Sea of Marmara and the Turkish Straits (the Bosporus and the Dardanelles), which are commonly reckoned to delineate the boundary between Europe and Asia, thereby making Turkey transcontinental.

Turkey is the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, a major historical power which lasted for more than six centuries on three continents, controlling most of Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. As a result of its location astride Europe and Asia, Turkey has come to acquire increasing strategic significance. Turks are the largest ethnic group with minorities of Kurds. Islam is the predominant religion, and the official language is the Turkish language.

Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic whose political system was established in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the aftermath of World War I. Since then, Turkey has become increasingly integrated with the West through membership in organizations such as the Council of Europe, NATO, OECD, OSCE and the G-20 major economies. Turkey began full membership negotiations with the European Union in 2005, having been an associate member of the EEC since 1963, and having reached a customs union agreement in 1995. Meanwhile, Turkey has continued to foster close cultural, political, economic and industrial relations with the Eastern world, particularly with the states of the Middle East and Central Asia, through membership in organizations such as the OIC and ECO. Turkey is classified as a developed country by the CIA and as a regional power by political scientists and economists worldwide

Article Source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey