SJ TRAVEL TIPS | For a closer look at travel in Turkey

For more insight into Turkey before or after your trip, this page offers reliable sources of information which we either use ourselves or have personally checked. From listings of the best restaurants in Bodrum and Istanbul to recommended literature on Turkey, flight information, diving and bareboat sailing holidays in Turkey, or visiting take a look at our travel tips here.

PLEASE CLICK FOR OUR TRAVEL TIPS:

OFFICIAL TURKEY

FLIGHTS TO TURKEY

  • Turkish Airlines - International flights and domestic services from Istanbul to Milas-Bodrum, Dalaman, Antalya and other Turkish Airports.
  • Atlasjet - Flights within Turkey and to some European destinations.
  • Onurair - Flights to and from Istanbul, Bodrum, Izmir, Dalaman, Antalya and more.
  • Pegasus Airlines – Flights within Turkey and to some European destinations using mainly Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport on the Asian side of the city.
  • Sun Express – Flights mainly from Germany and Scandinavia to Izmir, Antalya and Istanbul. Also internal flights from Izmir.

RESTAURANTS IN ISTANBUL

  • Istanbul Hamdi restaurant is a great introduction to Turkey with good kebabs and a view of the Golden Horn.
  • Istanbul Sultanahmet Koftecesi an old and famous Turkish meatball restaurant, a great lunch stop after Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque.
  • Istanbul Feriye restaurant has tables right on the edge of the Bosphorus. The building is a converted 19th century Ottoman police station.
  • Mikla is a sleek and stylish urban restaurant on the rooftop of the famous Marmara Pera Hotel with views stretching to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. The menu has a Turkish-Scandinavian influence.
  • Suda Kebab, Kurucesme. On the water near Besiktas, Suda serves upmarket kebabs and spicy dishes inspired by the cuisine of Gaziantep in Eastern Turkey.

RESTAURANTS IN BODRUM

  • Bodrum Gemibasi Restaurant – One of Bodrum’s oldest restaurants and a favourite with locals. Mezes and fish are a speciality.
  • Bodrum Kocadon Restaurant – This 19th Century courtyard restaurant offers a romantic setting, candlelit in the evening and with a background of mellow jazz. Serves some traditional Turkish fish and meat dishes.
  • Bodrum Sunger Pizza – Probably the busiest all year round restaurant in town located on the main harbour opposite Bodrum Milta Marina. Sunger are pioneers of the homemade pizza in Bodrum, they also serve Turkish dishes and meze. The roof terrace is the place to dine.
  • Musto – Bodrum residents were delighted when Mustafa opened this restaurant on the harbour front. Musto is a place you can drop in any time and be sure to meet someone you know. The food is bistro style with fresh, high quality ingredients. The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious, no pressure to order a full meal when a drink and a bar snack will do. And Ayhan is the best head waiter in Bodrum.

TURKEY GENERAL

  • The Rough Guide to Turkey by Rosie Ayliffe, Marc Dubin and John Gawthrop. This is our favourite guidebook, scrupulously researched, it's descriptions perfectly capture the essence of the diverse land and culture of Turkey.
  • Bareboat charter Turkey British-run bareboat yacht charter company based in Yalikavak Marina on Bodrum Peninsula. High quality yachts and friendly efficient service from this young and enthusiastic team.
  • Istanbul information. Exploring historical sites, entertainment, hotel, restaurant and shoppers' guide to Istanbul.
  • Joe Rowles - Marine Surveyor, MCA, IIMS, RYA & YDSA accredited Marine Surveyor serving Turkey and the Eastern Med. region.
  • Real estate Turkey Simpson's Real Estate - comprehensive Real Estate service for people looking to buy, sell or rent property in the Bodrum area.

GENERAL TRAVEL

  • traveljunkies – A worldwide adventure, travel & activities directory & search engine, like Google only smaller.
  • biletium – Bus Tickets Booking Online and buy.

LITERATURE ON TURKEY

  • Turkish Waters & Cyprus Pilot - Rod Heikell. 'The Yachtsman's Bible' - a comprehensive guide to Turkey's coastline; anchoring, mooring and shore services. Regularly updated.
  • Birds Without Wings - Louis de Bernieres. The story of the fortunes of a Turkish village (somewhere near Fethiye) before, during and after the First World War. Louis de Bernieres has an amazing insight into the nature of Turkish village life. Highly believable characters and harrowing descriptions of the Gallipoli Campaign.
  • Portrait of a Turkish Family - Irfan Orga.
  • Crescent and Star Turkey Between Two Worlds - Stephen Kinzer.
  • Ataturk - Patrick Kinross.
  • The Ottomans, dissolving images - Andrew Wheatcroft.
  • Secrets of The Turkish Kitchen – Angie Mitchell Sunkur.
Footer