Europe Chronicle |
TurkeyCheck your Midnight Express stereotypes at the door - this is a rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present. The Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, the cuisine is to die for, the coastline is a dream, and many Turkish cities are dotted with spectacular mosques and castles. And while costs are rising, Turkey remains the Mediterranean's bargain-basement destination...More Information on Turkey. Full country name: Republic of Turkey History of TurkeyMustafa Kemal, celebrated by the Turkish State as a Turkish World War I hero and later known as “Ataturk” or “father of the Turks,” led the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 after the collapse of the 600-year-old Ottoman Empire and a three-year war of independence. The empire, which at its peak controlled vast stretches of northern Africa, southeastern Europe, and western Asia, had failed to keep pace with European social and technological developments....More on History of Turkey. Overview of Turkey's EconomyGDP: US$508.7 billion Also Read: An insight on the Economy of Turkey Political System of Turkey- Foreign Relations Climate, Vegetation and FaunaTurkey's no footbridge between Europe and Asia. It's a 1700km (1050mi) drive from Edirne on the Bulgarian border to Kars on the Armenian border and a 1000km (620mi) hike from the Black Sea in the north to the Mediterranean in the south. Ticking clockwise from the northwest, Turkey shares borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq and Syria. The country is no desert-and-palm-tree album either: mountains, rolling steppe, meandering rivers, rich agricultural valleys and a craggy, beachy 8400km (5200mi) coastline all muck in to keep Turkey interesting. There are still considerable forests in northeastern Anatolia, the Black Sea area and along the Mediterranean coast, west of Antalya. Great swaths of wild flowers cover the steppes in spring making fine splashes of colour. Turkey has similar animal life to that in the Balkans and much of Europe: bears, deer, jackals, lynx, wild boars, wolves and rare leopards. The beautiful Van cat is a native: it has pure white fur and different-coloured eyes - one blue, one green. You're more likely to see cattle, horses, donkey, goats and sheep though. Turkish shepherds are proud of their powerful, fierce, Kangal sheep dogs which guard the flocks from wolves. Bird life is exceptionally rich, with a squawking mess of eagles, vultures and storks staking out airspace, as well as rare species such as the bald ibis. People: Modern Turkey spans bustling cosmopolitan centers, pastoral farming villages, barren wastelands, peaceful Aegean coastlines, and steep mountain regions. More than half of Turkey's population lives in urban areas that juxtapose Western lifestyles with traditional-style mosques and markets. Turkey has been officially secular since 1924, although 99% of the population is Muslim. Most Turkish Muslims belong to the Sunni branch of Islam, but a significant number are Alevi Muslims. Questions of the goals of political Islam and the aftermath of the 1984-99 PKK Kurdish insurgency continue to fuel public debate on several aspects of Turkish society, including the role of religion, the necessity for human rights protections, and the expectation of security. Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin constitute an ethnic and linguistic group. Estimates of their population range up to 12 million. Facts for the TravelerVisas: Citizens from a long list of countries do not require a Visa to enter Turkey. This list includes some South American, European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries, so it is worth checking out whether or not you will need a Visa. However, travelers from Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, Hong Kong, and a number of other countries do need a visa to enter Turkey. Holders of UK and American passports can obtain a Visa on arrival at the point of entry to Turkey. Those from the UK will pay 16 and Americans 20. All other travelers who require a Visa must apply for one before leaving for Turkey. Fees vary as do the lengths of time travelers are permitted to stay.
Health risks: malaria (Travellers to Turkey's steamy regions (the Mediterranean coast east of Mersin and the irrigated areas of southeastern Anatolia around Sanliurfa) should stock up on their favourite anti-malarial gear. This serious and potentially fatal disease is spread by mosquito bites and is endemic in most countries of the region (the exceptions being Singapore and Brunei). If you are travelling in endemic areas it is extremely important to avoid mosquito bites and to take tablets to prevent this disease. Symptoms range from fever, chills and sweating, headache, diarrhoea and abdominal pains to a vague feeling of ill-health. Seek medical help immediately if malaria is suspected. Without treatment malaria can rapidly become more serious and can be fatal. If medical care is not available, malaria tablets can be used for treatment. There is a variety of medications such as mefloquine, Fansidar and Malarone. You should seek medical advice, before you travel, on the right medication and dosage for you. If you do contract malaria, be sure to be re-tested once you return home as you can harbour malaria parasites even if you are symptom free. Travellers are advised to prevent mosquito bites at all times by wearing light-coloured clothing, long trousers and long-sleeved shirts; use mosquito repellents containing the compound DEET on exposed areas, sleeping under a mosquito net impregnated with mosquito repellent (it may be worth taking your own) and refraining from using perfumes and aftershave). Time Zone: GMT/UTC +2 Dialling Code: 90 Electricity: 230V ,50Hz Weights & measures: Metric Also read: Money and Cost required | List of Public Holidays in Turkey When to Go to TurkeySpring and autumn are the best times to visit, since the climate will be perfect in İstanbul and on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. It will be cool in central Anatolia, but not unpleasantly so. Visiting before mid-June or after August may also help you avoid mosquitoes. The Black Sea coast is best visited between April and September; there will still be rain but not so much of it. With the exception of İstanbul, Turkey doesn't really have a winter tourism season. Places catering to backpackers usually see Anzac Day as the official start of the season; those catering to package holiday-makers get going in early May. Peak season is from July to mid-September, when most Turks take their holidays. The best time to visit eastern Turkey is from late June to September. Don't plan to venture east before May or after mid-October unless you're prepared for snow. Try to avoid travelling during Kurban Bayramı, Turkey's most popular public holiday; you may also want to avoid the fasting month of Ramadan. Also Read: Getting Around Turkey | Turkey: Getting There and Away What to See in TurkeyMajor Tourist Attractions in Turkey Other Tourist Attractions in Turkey
Events in TurkeyThe cycle of music festivals is unceasing. In January, New Year concerts consist of lavish balls in Vienna. February brings Fasching (Shrovetide carnival) which celebrates the return of spring with masked processions and dances. Corpus Christi (the second Thursday after Whitsun) is heralded with more carnivals, some held on lakes in the Salzkammergut. The Vienna International Festival (from mid-May to mid-June) has a wide-ranging programme of arts and is considered the highlight of the year. Midsummer Night's celebrations on 21 June light up the sky with magnificent bonfires. The Salzburg International Festival takes place in late July and August and includes plenty of music by the city's favourite son, Mozart. National Day on 26 October involves lots of patriotic flag-waving. St Nicholas Day, on 5 to 6 December, marks the beginning of the Christmas season. What to do in Turkey?Water sports are big in Turkey because of the beautiful coasts and beaches. Yachting, water-skiing, snorkelling and diving are well represented. Because of the many antiquities in the depths off the Turkish coasts, scuba diving is regulated - check before you immerse yourself in treasure. Turkey has plenty of mountains there for the climbing - the mountain climbing scene is small but enthusiastic. There is decent skiing at Bursa, on Mt Erciyes near Kayseri, and at Palandöken near Erzurum. Equipment can be rented at the slopes, but don't expect Alps-league facilities. Cycling through Turkey is eminently possible and mostly delightful, but you may wish to bring your own bike (and spares) as renting and selling good bikes is not yet widespread.
The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zürich, including daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, ...
The Salzburg Card is highly recommended for visitors as it allows for unlimited public transportation, admission into several of the city's main attractions, and discounts at various places.
By Air
The Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is located 2 miles southwest of the city centre. The Airport has regularly scheduled domestic and international ...
By Bus/Tram
The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. Buses stop running at 11pm. Travelers can get a direct shuttle bus from Munich International Airport to Salzburg. The city itself is served by ...
Salzburg’s economy is strongly export-oriented, especially exports to the member countries of the EU. For many years Salzburg’s economy has occupied a leading position in Austria. On a European scale the province is one of the most dynamic regions.
In a recent survey of European regions Salzburg is listed as ...
Salzburg is at the Northern edge of the Alps and has a typical Central European climate with hot summers up to almost 40 degrees Celsius and cold winters down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.
So most of the year Salzburg has moderate weather conditions and should not keep you from ...
Maria Plain: church of pilgrimage
A church of pilgrimage and a Baroque gem in the outskirts of the city. Easily accessible by public bus, Maria Plain is the ideal destination for a quick trip.
Kleßheim Castle
A Baroque castle near the city that now hosts a Casino.
Liefering Parish Church
A mix ...
Salzburg's long history can be traced back to the Stone Age - but only in Baroque times it got really exciting! Here you will find a timeline with the most outstanding key events. Maybe you would also be interested in browsing the list of the Prince Archbishops. The first signs ...
Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, ...
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is ...
Upper Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports.
In ...
Travel Chronicle: Europe Destination GuideCopsa Mica : Romania Copşa Mică (Hungarian: Kiskapus, German: Kleinkopisch) is a town in Sibiu county, Transylvania, Romania, located north of... Solingen: Germany Solingen: Germany Solingen: Germany Solingen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located on the northern edge of the region... Leoben : Austria Leoben : Austria Leoben is a city in Styria, in central Austria, located on the Mur river. With a population of... Travel Chronicle: Germany Destination GuideDirect Telephone Services For those with AT&T, Sprint, and MCIWorldCom credit cards, all of these companies offer direct dial services that... A Realistic Budget A Realistic Budget The following is a budget for a typical two-month trip to Europe, for someone moving around quite a... Eight Favorite Works of Art and Architecture Eight Favorite Works of Art and Architecture These are my personal favorites with a brief explanation of eacn-Totally subjective, by the... Travel Chronicle: First Time in EuropeConsolidators We all know what a travel agent is; a consolidator is similar. These places, also known as bucket shops, deal... (Almost) Being There (Almost) Being There After all the planning and purchasing, it's finally getting close to departure time, and there are only a... Private Clubs and Private Thugs Private Clubs and Private Thugs While we're on the subject of no-neck bouncers, many of the clubs and dance spots in... Travel Chronicle: Europe Destination GuideWarning: main() [function.main]: php_network_getaddresses: getaddrinfo failed: Name or service not known in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 8 Warning: main(http://europe.travel-chronicle.com/europe-travel/random.php) [function.main]: failed to open stream: Success in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 8 Warning: main() [function.main]: php_network_getaddresses: getaddrinfo failed: Name or service not known in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 8 Warning: main(http://europe.travel-chronicle.com/europe-travel/random.php) [function.main]: failed to open stream: Success in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 8 Warning: main() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://europe.travel-chronicle.com/europe-travel/random.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 8 Browse the Europe Destination Guide Warning: main() [function.main]: php_network_getaddresses: getaddrinfo failed: Name or service not known in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 10 Warning: main(http://europe.travel-chronicle.com/europe-travel/drop.php) [function.main]: failed to open stream: Success in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 10 Warning: main() [function.main]: php_network_getaddresses: getaddrinfo failed: Name or service not known in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 10 Warning: main(http://europe.travel-chronicle.com/europe-travel/drop.php) [function.main]: failed to open stream: Success in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 10 Warning: main() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://europe.travel-chronicle.com/europe-travel/drop.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/tworld/domains/europe-chronicle.com/public_html/includes/bar14.php on line 10 |
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