Village stay in Karaburun Izmir Turkey

KARABURUN VILLAGE TOURISM: EXPERIENCE THE RURAL LIFE IN TURKEY. ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE AND VILLAGE TOURISM IN KARABURUN DISTRICT Turkey-Real Estate Team (www.turkey-realestates.net) and izmirtourism ( http://www.izmirtourism.com/) act as the representative of Karaburun - district in promotional and marketing activities.
Karaburun is a district in the province of Izmir with the town of Karaburun as its center. Karaburun - district started with an extensive Ecological Agriculture Project, supported by the central and local authorities, as well as the funds of the World Bank and the European Union. The ecological agriculture has not emerged as a planned process, but as a result of the local farmers’ lack of financing in purchase of pesticides and advanced equipment. Though unintended in the start, a new developmental route has been opened in the form of ecological agriculture. The ecological agriculture simply means that no artificial means are employed. Scientific findings show that non-ecological agricultural products leave its damages on the human body. The taste which we had in our childhood has disappeared from today’s well-looking agricultural products. We believe that with the ecological agricultural products and the come-back of the taste, the district of Karaburun has a large marketing potential. The authorities have got certified the ecological character of the agriculture in the district. While one drives through the district, one can see amongst others the so-called ecological traps on the olive trees which are used to abolish the insects. In this connection it should be mentioned that the region is one of the first in Turkey in application of ecological methods. There is an already utilized large potential of export of the agricultural products from the district. Amongst others one can mention olive oil, artichoke, horse bean, mandarin and grapes. The flowers present also a potential: aloe Vera, narcissus, tulip and hyacinth. Besides this, the district has started with the export of such processed products as marmalades of narcissus, hyacinth and artichoke. The ecological agriculture has now become the locomotive for development in other areas in the district of Karaburun.
There is a common agreement in the district that there will be a controlled tourism activity, which will ensure that the local culture will keep its authenticity. The idea which has emerged is the village tourism. We can observe the different trends emerging in the world tourism market.
One trend showing itself is that more and more people look for new ways of vacation other than the pure sea-sand-sun tourism. The villagers in the district have organized themselves and are ready to allocate one or several rooms in their houses for the stay by the visitors. Living together with the villagers, a visitor will have the real chance to get a direct insight into the real village life. Such a stay differentiates itself from a short visit at a village. TURKEY REAL ESTATE TEAM ( http://www.turkey-realestates.net/ ) and izmirtourism ( http://www.izmirtourism.com/) offer the following services in the district of Karaburun:
1. Mediating between the local agricultural producers and foreign importers.
2. Arranging village stays both for individuals and groups. We would advise programs for student and farmer groups whereby they will have the chance both to study the village life, ecological agriculture and to have a relaxed vacation.





Sinan Tortum- Tour guide ( English and Norwegian) in Ephesus/ Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Foca, Cesme area and Real Estate Agent in Turkey
Sinan Tortum is the team leader of FELLOW GUIDES- a group of Turkish private tour guides with tour guide services in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla in Turkey in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.
We cooperate with the local agencies for tours in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla. We offer private and group tours in Turkey.
Sinan Tortum is also team member of www.izmirtourism.com which is a modern, friendly and comprehensive website about Izmir ( Smyrna), Turkey.
Representative for Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey- Dental Treatment Services in Izmir Turkey
http://www.sundentalclinic.com/
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66378 is the news about Dentist Ahmet Ozdemir and Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
Mail : stortum@yahoo.no
Cell : +90.539.224 00 93

Cesme in Turkey As A Quality Tourism Center

Cesme in the Aegean Region of Turkey: An Emerging Beauty for Turkish Tourism
Tourism in Turkey has so far mainly been based on the mass-tourism with the resort towns along the Mediterranean ( Alanya, Side, Antalya, Kemer, Fethiye) and Aegean Coasts ( Marmaris, Bodrum, Didim, Kusadasi and Cesme). Mass tourism has meant for Turkey increasing number of tourists to Turkey but also decreased revenues per tourist due to such arrangements as “all inclusive hotel packages”. One place in Turkey which has not utilized the economical potentials of the mass tourism is Cesme and we may say fortunately.
Cesme has been little affected by the requirements of mass tourism and fortunately it has protected itself as a sleeping, litt touched beauty. Now we believe that it is time for Cesme to emerge as a quality touristic resort, which will sell for a good price.
Cesme has a number of long sand beaches which make it an ideal place for the lovers of swimming. It is cooler in the summer time thanks to the cooling breeze unique for Cesme. Cesme is rich of hot thermal water sources.
Cesme is planned as a quality thermal spa center. The government of Turkey started a process whereby big areas in Cesme will be allotted for such touristic investments as spa hotels, treatment centers and golf courses. All these will make Cesme a leading tourism center in Turkey.
In this context, I must mention that Norwegian authorities are planning to found small towns for their elderly and retired people in Cesme. For this purpose a company named Norwegian Life Center was founded. Financed by the funds from Norway, this company makes the projects to found towns or, clearer to say, colonies of houses, mainly for the Norwegian retirees. Due to the press cover and news about these plans, there is an excitement amongst the local people in Cesme and Izmir area, hoping that thousands of norwegians will get settled in Cesme. Though the turkish papers mentioned hundred thousand norwegians to Cesme, I believe that this is simply a big exeggeration. Anyhow, the projects mentioned above points to the admirable place Cesme will have in Turkish tourism. Finally, I can also mention the project called Cesme Wellness Town , which a group of investors have been working on for the last 4-5 years. Cesme Wellness Town with congress centers, hotels, treatment centers and golf courses in Cesme will hopefully be realized.



Sinan Tortum- Tour guide ( English and Norwegian) in Ephesus/ Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Foca, Cesme area and Real Estate Agent in Turkey
Sinan Tortum is the team leader of FELLOW GUIDES- a group of Turkish private tour guides with tour guide services in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla in Turkey in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.
We cooperate with the local agencies for tours in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla. We offer private and group tours in Turkey.
Sinan Tortum is also team member of www.izmirtourism.com which is a modern, friendly and comprehensive website about Izmir ( Smyrna), Turkey.
Representative for Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey- Dental Treatment Services in Izmir Turkey
http://www.sundentalclinic.com/
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66378 is the news about Dentist Ahmet Ozdemir and Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
Mail : stortum@yahoo.no
Cell : +90.539.224 00 93

Mass Tourism, Diversification of Tourism and Health Tourism in Turkey

Mass Tourism, Diversification of Tourism and Health Tourism in Turkey by Tour Guide ( English and Norwegian) and Real Estate Agent in Turkey Sinan Tortum
Both due to the inefficiency of mass tourism caused amongst others by such trends as “all inclusive” my desire to let the younger generation of tour guides deal with mass tourism, my desire to engage myself in other areas of tourism in Turkey. Thanks to some coincidences, I became acquainted with health tourism in Turkey and my belief in this increasing day by day.
I performed for nine seasons duties of representation and tour guiding at Balcova Termal Spa for the Norwegian patients sent by the Norwegian Health authorities. In the beginning of this period, I was considering myself purely as a tour guide and I was not able to conceive the fact that the main reason for their stay at Balcova Termal Spa was treatments.
By getting in close contact with this group of patients, I learned to share their pains and so I could afterwards start seeing the huge potential of health tourism in Turkey.
Working as a tour guide in turkish health tourism is not a job of pleasures. Sometimes to share the patients’ pain and sorrow may also make the guide tired. Of course there are times when you share the pleasures. Anyhow, beeing a tour guide in health tourism requires patience. I mean that a tour guide working in health tourism should be concerned even with the heels of the patient’s shoes. Shortly speaking beeing a tour guide in the health sector means close and intimate contact with and follow-up of the patients.
The first area where I became acquainted with health tourism in Turkey was the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Every year 1.100 norwegian patients from Norway as the main group and other patient groups mainly from the Nordic countries have come to Balcova Termal Spa.
Afterwards, they were also offered dental treatment services at Sun Dental Clinic within Balcova Termal Spa, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey. Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey is led by the chief dentist Ahmet Ozdemir and has the website www.sundentalclinic.com.
These dental services ranged from sole porcelain crowns to bridges. It is also interesting to note that these patients bought glasses, which are usually half the price of those in Europe.
Eye-treatment by laser also offers a potential. In addition to smaller scale operations such as hernia, aesthetic operations, I have even observed some foreigners choosing to be operated at the turkish hospitals in order to save money and avoid the long queues in the home country.
Health tourism potential in Turkey covers a wide spectrum of applications. Last, but not the least, I can mention wellness-fitness, sslimming, detox programmes.
Turkey with health and treatment institutions and clinics and competitive prices has a big potential. In health tourism one has the advantage of making a reasonable profit if standards are met in contrast to the ineffeciency situation in the turkish mass
tourism.




Sinan Tortum- Tour guide ( English and Norwegian) in Ephesus/ Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Foca, Cesme area and Real Estate Agent in Turkey
Sinan Tortum is the team leader of FELLOW GUIDES- a group of Turkish private tour guides with tour guide services in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla in Turkey in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.
We cooperate with the local agencies for tours in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla. We offer private and group tours in Turkey.
Sinan Tortum is also team member of http://www.izmirtourism.com/ which is a modern, friendly and comprehensive website about Izmir ( Smyrna), Turkey.
Representative for Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey- Dental Treatment Services in Izmir Turkey
http://www.sundentalclinic.com/
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66378 is the news about Dentist Ahmet Ozdemir and Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
Mail : stortum@yahoo.no
Cell : +90.539.224 00 93

Real Estate ( Property) Investments in Turkey

Turkey has recently become popular amongst the foreigners who would like to invest in real estates (houses, villas, land etc.). Turkey Real Estate Team (www.turkey-realestates.net) has noticed that almost all of the foreigners invest in real estates along the Southern and Western Coast of Turkey. Turkey Real Estate Team (www.turkey-realestates.net) wants to make you pay attention to the fact that Turkey is composed not only of the Southern Coast and the Western Coast. Turkey has been the cradle of civilisations and there are many places in Turkey where you can enjoy yourself with a residence. Why not, for example, Mardin, which was visited by Prince Charles? Mardin has been the melting point for many religions and different cultures. Or why not Istanbul? It is needless to talk about Istanbul which everybody knows about. Or Antakya- the old roman Antioch where there was the first christian congregation?






Sinan Tortum- Tour guide ( English and Norwegian) in Ephesus/ Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Foca, Cesme area and Real Estate Agent in Turkey
Sinan Tortum is the team leader of FELLOW GUIDES- a group of Turkish private tour guides with tour guide services in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla in Turkey in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.
We cooperate with the local agencies for tours in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla. We offer private and group tours in Turkey.
Sinan Tortum is also team member of www.izmirtourism.com which is a modern, friendly and comprehensive website about Izmir ( Smyrna), Turkey.
Representative for Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey- Dental Treatment Services in Izmir Turkey
http://www.sundentalclinic.com/
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66378 is the news about Dentist Ahmet Ozdemir and Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
Mail : stortum@yahoo.no
Cell : +90.539.224 00 93

How small I am in Ephesus

As a tour guide in Turkey, I have been in Ephesus over hundred times. If I were an ordinary visitor, not a guide, I would have perhaps visited Ephesus few times and it would be enough. I am never bored of beeing in Ephesus, though in the summer time I may be tired of hot weather-but this is not beeing bored. Ephesus means for me renewing my soul and insight into the life generally. At each Ephesus visit I learn who ( better to say: what) I am in the endless universe. Humans over an almost endless span of time have been born, lived and died and I, as a very small actor in the history of humanity, am also a temporary creature. Beeing away from the modern life of the cities and visiting Ephesus, I have the possibility to find myself again within a more moral and spiritual context.
Visiting Ephesus, you have the chance to experience the same as explained above and understand the life two thousand years ago. Humans of that era had both a better and worse life than us. The social diseases of our modern times-jealousy, ambitions, competitions- certainly influenced them; but I supposes that it was a less stressed life they had in Ephesus. They had more time for each other, cared less for what the others thought of them.
There was no doubt more injustice in the society. You could have become a slave with normally a very tiring life. But who can claim that now in the modern world injustice does not exist; slavery, for example, in other forms.
Ephesus gives me the opportunity to have reflections about the life when I see the ruins of huge building-restored or not. Inspired by the wealth brought to Ephesus mainly through the commercial contacts-Ephesians constructed monumental buildings; but they have not lasted for long, demolished by eartquakes and fire.
The main conclusion, then, after my visits in Ephesus: How small I am in the history of humanity.
Sinan Tortum


Sinan Tortum- Tour guide ( English and Norwegian) in Ephesus/ Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Foca, Cesme area and Real Estate Agent in Turkey
Sinan Tortum is the team leader of FELLOW GUIDES- a group of Turkish private tour guides with tour guide services in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla in Turkey in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.
We cooperate with the local agencies for tours in Izmir, Selcuk, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Cesme, Foca, Karaburun, Sigacik, Teos, Dikili, Pergamon, Ayvalik, Akcay, Pamukkale, Cappadocia ( Urgup, Goreme, Avanos), Antalya, Kemer, Side, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, Didim and Urla. We offer private and group tours in Turkey.
Sinan Tortum is also team member of www.izmirtourism.com which is a modern, friendly and comprehensive website about Izmir ( Smyrna), Turkey.
Representative for Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey- Dental Treatment Services in Izmir Turkey
http://www.sundentalclinic.com/
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66378 is the news about Dentist Ahmet Ozdemir and Sun Dental Clinic in Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
Mail : stortum@yahoo.no
Cell : +90.539.224 00 93

Canakkale and Hotels

In the searching engines you would find several webpages about Canakkale in english, I suppose.
Let me divide canakkale in three sections :
1) The center of Canakkale-Canakkale is one of my favourite places in Turkey. Though it is at the upper end of the Asian part of Turkey, you will feel as if you are in a different country. Canakkale is very european and liberal. In the city center you will find the nice promenade along which you find restaurants, cafes and the trojan horse which was used in the last film of Troj. In Canakkale, one of the local specialities is "helva" made of cheese and there are several places serving that. It is a type of desert
Since the following hotels are in the very center of the city ( where you find the ferry-boat pier) and it is very lovely then I would advise a hotel in the center. In the center, because there are university students, there are quite many bars and cafees in european style, of course if you like this type of places. In the city center, you find the castle and a synagogue ( the last information I give because there may be some participants in this form of jewish origin; however the community leader should be contacted in advance for a visit, I suppoese- there is also a jewish cemetery outside the city.) Now few jews living in Canakkale. There is also an archeological museum which I have not visited.
Some of the hotels in the city center:
http://www.helenhotel.com/ ( Helen Hotel)
I stayed here once. Like a boutique hotel. I remember as if some of the rooms have windows opening into the hole inside the building, not opening to outside.
http://www.anzachotel.com/ ( Anzac hotel)
http://www.hotelakol.com/ ( akol hotel)
I remember this as a 4-star hotel.
http://www.truvaotel.com/ ( truva hotel)
A relatively old hotel. The website does not have an english section as far as I can see.
http://www.canakhotel.com/ ( canak hotel)
2) At the outer side of Canakkale. Some distance to the lively city center.
http://www.kolinhotel.com/ ( Kolin hotel)
The best and very good. But it must be expensive. If you like the luxoruous style, then this can be advised.
3) Guzelyali- a resort of Canakkale, ca. 10 km. from Canakkale city.
There you find some hotels too. There are municipal busses from the Canakkale city center. Only if you want a nice beach, this may be advised. Amongst others:
http://www.irisotel.com/
I stayed at this hotel several times. Very nice location and cosy hotel.
http://www.tusanhotel.com/
You can also look at the following website. In the website , not all the hotels are in Canakkale.
http://www.canakkaleotelleri.com/ ( website about canakkale hotels)
In the high season, it may be logical to make a reservation in advance. Pricewise, the above hotels must be around 40 USD for a double room or more with breakfast included. I suppose, there shall also be more reasonable but simpler hotels.
In Canakkale, there are shopping possibilities; close to Kolin Hotel, there is the shopping center Migros with a supermarket and some shops selling jewellery, cloths etc.
I send this detailed information not only as a response to the specific question about the hotels in Canakkale, but also as a general information about the city. I chose to call Canakkale a city, perhaps it is better to call it a town since it has approximately 70.000 inhabitants.
Canakkale has become university city with the modern university and active student life. I suggest that the visitors to Canakkale should not only conceive Canakkale as a base but as worthwhile destination. It is the European face of Turkey.
I hope that at the future-visits you will find the chance to visit two turkish islands in the Aegean Sea: Gokceada and Bozcaada.
Gokceada is the most western part of Turkey. Ferry from Canakkale or Kabatepe on the Gallipoli peninsula. ( ca. 2 hours)
http://www.gokceada.com/
Bozcaada may be accessed first by bus to Geyikli-Yukyeri pier ( ca. 40 minutes) and by ferry ( ca. 35-40 minutes)
http://www.bozcaada.info/
http://www.bozcaadatenedos.com/
I saw at some of the hotels leaflets advertising tours to Troj. Perhaps, this is the best way to realise a Troj-visit, since Troj is located some kilometers from the main road.
I hope that this information will be useful to those visiting the city of Canakkale.
Best Regards,
Sinan Tortum

Tour Guide in Turkey- Turkish, Norwegian and English-* In Ephesus/ Selcuk, Kusadasi, Izmir, Cesme, Foca, Turkey and real estate agent in Turkey

Sinan Tortum is the team leader of FELLOW GUIDES- a group of Turkish tour guides with tour guide services in Turkey in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Polish.

Sinan Tortum is also team member of www.izmirtourism.com which is a modern, friendly and comprehensive website about Izmir ( Smyrna), Turkey. Sinan Tortum has also website www.turkey-realestates.net

stortum@yahoo.no

+90.533.724 63 65

http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Nevsehir as a base while in Cappadocia

I was in Cappadocia a week ago on an inspection trip. While in Cappadocia, the province center Nevsehir with approximately 70.000 inhabitants may be a base. The visitors to the area may stay at one of the hotels in Nevsehir. They are reasonable and clean. Especially in the winter months, the visitors find more activities in Nevsehir.
Nevsehir functions as a hub of a transport system in Cappadocia. You find regular direct busses/ minibusses to all the settlements of Cappadocia.
In Nevsehir, you can visit the local museum and a mosque complex named after the ottoman prime minister ( grand vesir) Ibrahim Pasa.

Sinan Tortum
Tour Guide in Turkey- English and Norwegian
stortum@yahoo.no
+90.533.7246365
http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Hacibektas in Cappadocia as an important center of Turkish alevis and bektasis

A Cappadocia-visit should also include a visit in the town of Hacibektas. The town is located nearly 1 hour's drive from Nevsehir. You take a local minibus or midibus from Nevsehir. By travelling northwards via the town of Gulsehir you arrive in Hacibektas.
Approximately one fourth of the people in Turkey belong to Alawi-Islam and Haci Bektas Veli is one of the leading personalities of this sect. Without a visit in Hacibektas, it is difficult to get a full picture of Turkey. In the present day world where we search for dialogue between the religions, it is probable that a key to this dialogue will show itself in Hacibektas. Alawi-bektasi sect of Islam is based mainly on the ideology of having the humanbeings in the center of all and with its simplistic ( and easy-to-understand) philosophy, it propogates for beeing a good person with a proper life.
In Hacibektas-town, I would suggest you visit two places:
1) Hacibektas Museum, which is the monestary where the pupils of Alawi-Bektasi sect were trained. There you find different section of the monestary with amongst others the kitchen and the tomb of Haci Bektas Veli.
2) By driving few minutes from the town center , you come to a type of open-air museum with an amphi-theatre and a "cilehane". "Cilehane" is a small cave and if you can pass through the small hole, this means that you are free from your sins. I could not manage this, possibly because I had a thick coat on me!
In the Culture Center of the town, you also may join at certain periods SEMA-performances, which is the Alawis' traditional dances.
I found a website about the town of Hacibektas but it is only in Turkish. At least in the main page, you find a video ( without voice) showing the town. Website address is http://www.hacibektas.com/
Greeting from Izmir-region
Sinan Tortum
Tour Guide in Turkey-English and Norwegian
stortum@yahoo.no
0533.724 63 65
http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Public Transport in Izmir Turkey

Izmir, as the third biggest city of Turkey, has a good network of transport system utilizing possibilities at sea and on land. If you come to ızmir by air, the possibilities are as follows:
1-If you do not care about the budget, the easiest way is to take a taxi. To the city center it would cost appr. 25 USD. 2-Havas-local ground handling company operates coaches to differnt points of the city center and it costs appr. 6 USD. 3-Do not reckon with the train at the moment. There is a train station at the airport. However, the existing railway is beeing rehabilitated to become a part of the extended metro system; we expect that in one year's time it will be ready.
If you come to Izmir-port, then it is located in Alsancak in the very center of the city. If you have limited time in Izmir, then I would advise using taxi to reach, for example, the basar.
In case you come to the main central bus-terminal of Izmir, the best way is to take the socalled services busses operated by the bus-companies. At the bus-terminal, take the service bus to the city center. These service busses usually drive to the central parts of the city.
Within the city of Izmir, the main public transport means is the red municipal busses. As a foreigner in Izmir, it may be difficult to find out where to take the bus, which bus and to where. Therefore, unless you want an adventure, for short stays, I would not advise the municipal busses. In these busses you can use money ( appr. 1 USD) or you can use "Kent Kart" ( City Card). The last named can be bought at the bus ticket offices or at some shops. Look for the sign "Kent Kart" to buy this card. you pay appr. 3 USD and you have to fill in some credits which you then spend on the bus. You simply show the card to a device besides the driver and the cost shall be deduced from your total credit. Using "Kent Kart" is more reasonable.
Between the following points there are municipal boat/ ferry services:
Passanger boats Konak/ Karsiyaka/ Konak, Konak/Bostanli/ Konak, Konak/Bayrakli/Konak, Goztepe/Karsiyaka/Goztepe ( few departures a day) and ferry boats ( for cars and passangers) Uckuyular/Bostanli/Uckuyular. In the summer, there are boat trips from Konak to Alman Adasi outside Urla, where there are swimming possibilities.
Izmir Metro approximately 11 km. long with 10 stations is what we can be proud of. The end stations are Bornova and Uckuyular. If you are in the very center of Izmir-close to the Basar, the nearest stations are Konak, Cankaya and Basmane. The Municipality of Izmir is extending the metro system; after the construction of the new railways and the rehabilitation of the existing ones, it will be a superb development in the public transport system of Izmir.
In addition, there are also minibus ( "dolmus") services usually outside the very central parts of Izmir.
Taxi in Turkey in general is quite reasonable. So, if you as a visitor does not have stressing budget limitations it is an advisable means of transportation. You should of course remmeber to provide for that the taxi-driver turns on the "taksimetre" showing how much you should pay.
Greeting from izmir, turkey
Sinan Tortum
Tour Guide in Turkey-English and Norwegian
stortum@yahoo.no
+90.533.7246365
http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Ozdilek Shopping Center Izmir Turkey

Ozdilek is a chain of shopping centers and then means a level of quality. Located at Balçova - Inciraltý, 3 km to Çeþme Motorway, Özdilek Ýzmir Shopping Center serve with it's Store, Grocery, and Cafe & Restaurant divisions. What I like in Ozdilek best after shopping is to sit down in the cafe and restaurant section. Drinks in the cafe section and food in the restaurant section are reasonable. You taste the tasty turkish dishes there. In the supermarket section on the ground floor, everything you would find in a similar supermarket in the world. In the upper floor, textiles, white goods and electrical devices. Just what the quality found there costs
Theme: Department Store
Address: Inciralti Cad. No:67 Inciralti Balçova/IZMIR
Phone: 90.232.278 12 00
Directions: In Iciralti, down Crown Plaza Hotel. therefore very easy to find.
Website: http://www.ozdilek.com.tr/uk/alisveris/izmir.asp
Other Contact: ozdilek@ozdilek.com.tr

Sinan TORTUM
Tour Guide in Turkey
stortum@yahoo.no
+90.533.7246365
http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Balcova Spa Hotel-Restaurant: A restaurant down the forest in Izmir-Turkey

While in Izmir, why not visit Balcova Spa Hotel ( Balcova Termal Tesisleri) and have a dinner in the restaurant section. There are two main dinner alternatives. The first one is to enter into the indoor restaurant with buffet where you can eat as much as you want and choose between the hordovrs, main dishes, dessert and fruits. For this buffet you pay approximately 15 Euro. The second alternative is the alarte restaurant. Alacarte restaurant is active on the second floor over the terrace of the hotel when it is not hot enough outside and outside at the terrace from May to the end of October. You can choose between kebap types and european dishes. Excluding the dinner you can reckon with 15-20 Euro per person for a satisfying dinner.
Theme: Fast Food
Price: US$31-40
Comparison: more expensive than average
Address: Vali Huseyin Ogutcen Caddesi, No: 2 Balcova-Izmir-
Phone: +90.232.2590102
Directions: Located in Balcove-district at the outskirts of Izmir. Walking distance from the cable car.
Website: http://www.balcovatermal.com/


Sinan TORTUM
Tour Guide in Turkey ( ephesus, kusadasi, izmir, pamukkale)
stortum@yahoo.no
+90.533.7246365
http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Village stay in Karaburun Izmir Turkey

NEWS NEWS NEWS
I represent a new social program of village stay in Karaburun-Turkey Village House Rooms for rent in Karaburun-area We can observe the different trends emerging in the world tourism/real estate market. One trend showing itself is that more and more people look for new ways of vacation other than the pure sea-sand-sun tourism. The villagers in Karaburun-district have organized themselves and are ready to allocate one or several rooms in their houses for the stay by the visitors. Living together with the villagers, a visitor will have the real chance to get a direct insight into the real village life. Such a stay differentiates itself from a daily visit in a village.

This rental program is realized in cooperation with Karaburun Agro Tourism Cooperative ( Website in turkish: www.karaburunagroturizmkoop.com) and several private persons. We advise you also to visit the website of The Municipality of Karaburun (www.karaburun.bel.tr) High standards ( air-conditioning, European type toilets etc.) cannot be expected; however we try our best to arrange for them. Since some pre-work is needed, a processing and registration fee is charged to cover our costs. Therefore, these stays may not be attractive for those staying for few nights. We will not mediate any bargaining about the prices, since this type of stays involves much energy from the side of the house-owners. We avoid the idea of cheap tourism.

Rates :
Processing and Registration Fee per Rental : 20 Euro
Room with Three Beds : 275 Euro per week
Room with Two Beds : 210 Euro per week
Single Occupancy : 150 Euro per week
Breakfast per person : 2 Euro per time
Dinner per person : 3 Euro per time
Total amount due should be in our account latest 2 weeks before the arrival date. No refund shall be made later than 2 weeks before the arrival date. Such cases can only be referred as an insurance case.

Transfers and tours in cooperation with an authorized travel agency:
Return Transfer Izmir-airport/ Village / Izmir-airport:
1-3 persons : 180 Euro ( by car)
2-12 persons : 270 Euro ( by minibus)
13-20 persons: 320 Euro ( by midibus)

Following tours are arranged with minimum 6 participants. For less than 6 participants please ask our representative:
Get-acquainted-with-Karaburun-tour/ Olive-oil factory, Mordogan (Halfday tour)- 20 Euro Ephesus ( Daily Tour) - 55 Euro per person with entrance and lunch included
Izmir-Shopping/ Carpet, Jewellery, Leather (Daily Tour) - 25 Euro

Sinan Tortum
Tour Guide in Turkey
stortum@yahoo.no
+90.533.7246365


http://sinan_tortum.sitemynet.com/tourism/

Tour Guide Turkey: Tour Guide Turkey Sinan Tortum

Tour Guide Turkey: Tour Guide Turkey Sinan Tortum

Tour Guide Turkey Sinan Tortum

SİNAN TORTUMTURİST REHBERİ(İngilizce-Norveçce)
SİNAN TORTUMTOUR GUIDE TURKEY(English-Norwegian)
I have been in the tourism sector since 1990. I want to take you to the hidden corners of my country.
A warm welcome to you visiting my page. I can claim that you came to the right address.Turkey is a country with many interesting sides. History, culture, nature, cuisine, people and more. You need a guiding which would satisfy your lust for knowing something about every thing. I believe in the modest philosophy of a great philosopher, who once said if there is something I know, it is that I do not know anything. Therefore, I see guiding as an interactive process whereby the guide and the participants exchange knowledge and experience.I want to give the participants insight into the hidden corners of Turkey.Though, I have my permanent address in Izmir, I can be your guide to any part of Turkey for tours with longer duration. This year I have also started with real estate business. I would also be pleased to assist you in real estate purchase in Turkey.

Having been in different sections of Turkish Tourism, I can offer transport and hotel reservations together with the guiding services.I guide in English and Norwegian. I hope that you will have the chance to meet me, who is friendly and sympathetic.
*Half day tours ( up to 4 hours):90Euro
* Full day tours without overnight Per day : 120 Euro
* Full day tours with overnight Per day : 140 Euro
* Supplement for day(s) in the Eastern /Southern :60 Euro