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Eastern Turkey
Turkey is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and yet the rugged plateaus stretching east from Istanbul are rarely explored. Unique in offering in-depth coverage of this region, east of Ankara, Bradt’s Eastern Turkey is the only guide to unlock the full mysteries of this little-known region including the hugely significant archeological site of Gobekli Tepe. The perfect companion, the guide seeks not only to inform but also to entertain, written in an engaging style, with many highlighted boxes brimming with amusing anecdotes, Turkish proverbs and extracts from early Turkish literature, as well as full practical information on accommodation, transport, eating and drinking, trekking, bird-watching and wildlife for a memorable and successful trip.
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2011
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 24, 2011
Inspiring Travel Guide - but I'll still be taking another.
My 1997 Rough Guide to Turkey didn't cover the south east of the country and Lake Van. The section was left out as travel in the region was too dangerous - and had been for years. Times have changed and Bradt's new guide celebrates the fact that what was once the barely explored hinterland of eastern Turkey is now somewhere that can be relatively easily and safely travelled.
Looking at this guide is enough to convince me that I should have gone through the second half of my old Rough Guide years ago. Clearly there is plenty to interest any tourist or traveller. Some areas it covers might already be familiar - Cappadocia has attracted tourists for many years, the stunning remains of Hattusa are increasing familiar from TV history documentaries and the stone statues of Nemrut Dagi (which emblazon the cover of this guidebook and others). Other sights are less so and the beauties of Lake Van, the Kurdish heartlands and of the north east of the country are likely to draw many who get this book.
The style reminds me strong of the look of the old Rough Guides. There are some full colour photographs, both in a highlights section at the beginning and later in a central section of a few pages, but mainly the only illustrations are black and white maps and plans. Don't let that put you off, however, as there is more inspiration, feeling and local colour here than many guidebooks. The text is strongly descriptive and winningly opinionated about what is worth seeing and what is to be avoided. There is plenty about the culture you are travelling through. It is engaging enough to read simply as travel writing, rather than merely a guide as to what to see.
Covering only the eastern half of the country also allows for the guide to give greater detail than, perhaps, other guidebooks achieve in covering the same areas. This is, however, my one area of complaint as well. I find it hard to imagine that many will want to entirely ignore the west of the country, particularly the stunning city of Istanbul. Most tourists will, therefore, either have another guidebook - or want to buy one. And this guide is reasonably expensive.
What we have then is an advanced traveller's guide, something for those who feel like splashing out for a little extra depth and description as they go off the beaten track. For those people, I doubt this could be bettered and, having read it, I'm feeling the urge to join them.
My 1997 Rough Guide to Turkey didn't cover the south east of the country and Lake Van. The section was left out as travel in the region was too dangerous - and had been for years. Times have changed and Bradt's new guide celebrates the fact that what was once the barely explored hinterland of eastern Turkey is now somewhere that can be relatively easily and safely travelled.
Looking at this guide is enough to convince me that I should have gone through the second half of my old Rough Guide years ago. Clearly there is plenty to interest any tourist or traveller. Some areas it covers might already be familiar - Cappadocia has attracted tourists for many years, the stunning remains of Hattusa are increasing familiar from TV history documentaries and the stone statues of Nemrut Dagi (which emblazon the cover of this guidebook and others). Other sights are less so and the beauties of Lake Van, the Kurdish heartlands and of the north east of the country are likely to draw many who get this book.
The style reminds me strong of the look of the old Rough Guides. There are some full colour photographs, both in a highlights section at the beginning and later in a central section of a few pages, but mainly the only illustrations are black and white maps and plans. Don't let that put you off, however, as there is more inspiration, feeling and local colour here than many guidebooks. The text is strongly descriptive and winningly opinionated about what is worth seeing and what is to be avoided. There is plenty about the culture you are travelling through. It is engaging enough to read simply as travel writing, rather than merely a guide as to what to see.
Covering only the eastern half of the country also allows for the guide to give greater detail than, perhaps, other guidebooks achieve in covering the same areas. This is, however, my one area of complaint as well. I find it hard to imagine that many will want to entirely ignore the west of the country, particularly the stunning city of Istanbul. Most tourists will, therefore, either have another guidebook - or want to buy one. And this guide is reasonably expensive.
What we have then is an advanced traveller's guide, something for those who feel like splashing out for a little extra depth and description as they go off the beaten track. For those people, I doubt this could be bettered and, having read it, I'm feeling the urge to join them.
Displaying 1 of 1 review