Turkey 2014

Route 2014

• Days: 17 days
• Period: April.
• Weather:We had very little rain. Mostly sunny and spring temperatures. In the night mostly cold. Especially on higher altitudes (here trees had no leaves yet). 
• Roads: Are in very good condition. Even the smaller roads have been transformed into 4-lane tarmac. Only bad road was the road from Kars to the Georgian border. Tarmac but with a lot of holes.

Turkey 2007 & 2008

Route 2007

• Days: 9 days
• Period: End of March / beginning of April.
• Weather: Although the weather along the coast can be great (about 20 degrees) we experienced cold weather and a lot of rain throughout the whole country. In Cappadocia it is still very cold at this time of the year. Frost and snow are normal.
• Roads: Are in good condition

Route 2008

• Days: 5 days
• Period: Beginning of May
• Weather: Although the weather along the coast can be great (about 23 degrees) we experienced cold weather with some rain and even snow. On the passes west of Erzincan we had snow and throughout the whole of Anatolia the temperature was max. 10 degrees during the day. In Istanbul it was warmer (around 18 degrees) but still quite fresh and also here we had some rain.
• Roads: In genaral all tarmac roads are in good condition, but some parts where damaged and although repaired still a bit bumpy.

General information:

• Currency: New Turkish Lira (YTL).

• Internet: Available at a lot of places, wi-fi in many places

• ATM's: Maeastro, Cirrus and Visa can be used everywhere. It is even possible to pay with Maestro as petrol stations.

• Creditcards: Accepted in many places

• Safety: Nothing special. We experienced Turkey as a safe country.

Prices: (per April 2014)

• Value Money: 1€ = 2,89 YT

• Fuel: 4,25 YTL for 1 liter of diesel (= about  €1,47). 
• Camping: about 25 YTL per night
• Ferry to Cannakale:  32 YTL for 2 persons and a car

Visa (data from January 2014) 

• From 10th of April 2014 you must apply in advance. Website:  https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

• E-visa validity: 6 months

• E-visa periode of stay: 90 days
• Price 20 $
  

Border crossing

• ENTRY 2014: At Ipsala on the border with Greece, the crossing was very straight forward without any difficulties. Carnet the passage is not needed here.

• EXIT 2014 : At Turkgözü going to Georgia. Very straight forward, no costs. Make sure you keep the printed copy of your e-visa that was stamped when you entered the country. You need to show it when you leave. 

• ENTRY 2008: At Bazargan on the border with Iran. During lunch this border post is closed. It opens again and 1:30 PM Turkish Time. On the border the checked the jerrycans. Bringing extra diesel from Iran is forbidden. Entering Turkey from this side without an insurance is impossible, your insurance registration number is registered in their computer. If you do not have an insurance you must buy one. This is possible on the border 45 YTL for 3 months. To enter Turkey a Carnet the passage is not needed. The car will be registered in the owners passport.

• EXIT 2008: At Ipsala in the border with Greece. Leaving Turkey on this Border was quick and easy without any costs. When your Carnet is not stamped, you do not have to go to customs. Just drive through and show your passports and car documents when required.

• ENTRY 2007: Coming from Bulgaria, the crossing was very straight forward without any difficulties. Carnet the passage is not needed here.

• EXIT 2007 : Going to Syria. Very chaotic border post. No further costs

Highlights or not

We were in Turkey before so we only visited the site we have not been yet, therefore only reviews on this.

• Troye: Not very special. The horse looks really fake and the ruins and not restored; just stones lying everywhere.

• Cappadocia: The best place in Turkey. The landscape is beautiful; but go there when the weather is warmer.

• Underground cities in Cappadocia: worth visiting. Unbelievable how deep below the ground.

• Catalhöyuk: Unesco site. Not very special, but visit is free and also free camping on the parking.
• Sultanhani: Beautiful restored caravanserai. Worth a visit. Entry 3 YTL per person (2014)
• Zeytin Restaurant in Urgup: One of the best places to eat local food and not expensive
• Nemrut Dagi: Big heads on top of the mountain. Impressive place and very nice views. Last 3km to the top is a steep drive. Costs 2014 = 11 YTL per person.
• Sanliurfa: Great city and the best place to see the most beautiful dressed Kurdisch women. Bazar is a must. Birth cave of Abraham is not very special although it is great to see how the local worship in this place.
• Harran: village with the famous beehieve house. We liked it a lot. Great atmosphere.
• Mardin: Beautiful old centre, nice place but expensive hotels and finding a place to camp is hard as the city is built on a hill
• Diyarbakir: Centre of Kurdisch culture. We did not like the city very much
• Akdamar Island (Lake Van): Great trip. Costs 2014 = 10 YTL per person for the boattrip and 5 YTL for entry of the island and visit to the Holy Cross Church
• Ark of Noah in Nuh'un: Being a Christian and having seen many documentries on this place it was special to be here. Visit is free and you will be one of the few tourist that come here. (place is near Dogubayazit, gps data will follow)
• Ishak Pasa Serayi Castle in Dogubayazit: One of the nicest castles we have seen. Definitely worth a visit. Costs 2014 = 5 YTL per person.
• Ani: Old silk route city and once the capital of Armenia. Now it is a ruin but the atmosphere is great. The place is huge and walking around overlooking the Armenian planes is beautiful. Costs 2014 = 8 YTL per person.
  

Dutch Embassy (data from Jan. 2014)

Hollanda Caddesi No. 5
Turan Günes, Yildiz
06550 Ankara
Phone:    + (90) (0) 312 - 409 1800
Noodgevallen buiten kantooruren: + (90) (0) 532 - 233 5330
Fax:    + (90) (0) 312 - 409 1898
E-mail:    ANK@minbuza.nl

Ambassadeur:  Dhr. Ron Keller

Openingstijden Ambassade: maandag t/m vrijdag 09.00-17.00 uur
Openingstijden consulaire afdeling : maandag t/m vrijdag 08.30 -12.00 uur
telefonische inlichtingen maandag t/m vrijdag 13.30-16.00 uur
vragen kunt u ook per e-mail sturen naar ANK-CONS@minbuza.nl

Tips

• To enter Turkey you must have a valid insurance. For EU insurances, Turkey is included in the Green Card. When you do not have an insurance you must buy one at the border.

Holidays

1 January - New Year

13 April - Day of the Child (Cocuk Bayrami)

1 May - Day of spring

19 May - Youth and sports day (Genclik Bayrami)

30 August - Day of Victory (Zafar Bayrami)

29 October - Day of the republic

GPS-waypoints 2014

Grid: Lat/Lon hddd°mm.mmm"