Akbük Villa - Getting There

Flights

BA do a good direct service from Gatwick to Izmir. The prices are very competitive. Go to: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/
public/en_gb

For other flights, try a comparative search on www.travelsupermarket.co.uk or http://www.traveljungle.co.uk/.

Easyjet also began flying to Istanbul in June 2006
(go to http://www.easyjet.com/en/book/index.asp). For connecting flights to Bodrum, try for example http://www.exclusivetravelturkey.com/airfares.htm.

Charter Flights are also available from a number of destinations, such as Exeter, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, East Midlands etc on http://www.charterflights.co.uk.

There are connecting flight from Glasgow to Stansted with Ryanair http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/.

Transfers

Our agents can arrange transfers for you from Izmir or Bodrum airport to Akbük for £150 or £80, respectively. This covers transfers to and from the airport and is per party. Transfers to be booked one week in advance, payable upon arrival at accommodation.

Car Hire

We are looking at obtaining discounts with Proper Car rentals, available at both Izmir or Bodrum airports and for the same company to sell us airport transfers, again at a discounted price.

Please note villa bookings run Saturday to Saturday.

Visa Requirements

For Stays under 3 months, no visa is required. Beyond 3 months, a Visa is required. The Turkish Government currently levy a £10 per person visa charge for British Nationals payable on arrival in Turkey.

This fee can only be paid with English notes - cheques, cards and coins are not accepted and no changes given. In other words, have your TEN Pound notes ready. For any other nationality please contact Turkish Embassy.

PS. As an American, I paid in £ notes as well.

Health

The Turkish Authorities do not require Vaccinations. The Turkish health care system is of a good standard, with many modern, clean hospitals. Walk-in private clinics are commonly available which offer an exceptional level of service at a very reasonable price.

Turkey is not in the EU so you MUST HAVE travel insurance. Most travel insurance companies cover Turkey under standard European policies. Please check with your insurance company.

TIPS WHILE IN TURKEY

Turkish Bath

Turkey's tradition of a sociable bath time goes back to the influence of the Romans, and a visit to a traditional bathhouse is a memorable part of any visit to Turkey. After putting your clothes in a locker, you put on a wrap(pestamal) and proceed to the main bath area where an attendant will delivers a refreshing body scrub of varying degrees of intensity. In preparation for the massage next comes the rinsing and shampooing. The massage should be on the great slab of marble that dominates the center of any hamam. In a very touristy hamam the experience may be disappointingly mild, perhaps because the massaur thinks you might not recover from the full, highly invigorating treatment. If the masseur uses only soap, rather than oil, then it is not the real thing. The traditional hamam has separate days of the week for male and female customers and will use male and female masseurs respectively for each sex.

Raki

The national alcohol drink is distilled from grape juice and flavoured with aniseed. It is usually mixed with water, where it becomes cloudy and should be drunk with you meals. The high alcohol content, over 40 per cent, may explain why it is not so popular as an aperitif, because it certainly packs a punch, especially on an empty stomach. Try it with some cheese and watermelon or melon.

In the Know

Shake hands and spend a few minutes making small talk before getting down to business.
Learn few words of Turkish; your efforts will be greatly appreciated.
Take off your shoes on entering a mosque or private house.
Accept a second glass of tea offered; to refuse implies that the first visit was below standard.
" Women should cover their head and both sexes should cover shoulders and knees when entering a mosque(do not enter at all during prayer times)
Do not point your finger, kiss or hug anyone of the opposite sex or blow your nose in pub

Turkey is the paradise of sun, sea, mountains, and lakes that offers the vacationer a complete change from the stress routine of everyday life. From May to October most places in Turkey have ideal climate that is perfect for holiday of relaxing on sandy beaches or enjoying the fresh weather, and scenery of mountains and lakes. Turkey also has a magnificent past and is a land full of historic treasures from 13 successive civilisations, spanning many years. Even if you spend only short time in Turkey, you can see a lot of this great heritage. There is no doubt that one visit will not be enough and you will want to come back again and again. No matter how many you discover, different as they are, they all have one thing in common, the friendly and hospitable people of this unique country.