Top Tips for Top Trips to Turkey

For many visitors, Dalaman Airport transfers are the first introduction to this stunningly beautiful and historic part of Turkey. Once you've arrived and settled in to your accommodation, you may find some of the following tips useful.

Behave responsibly

South-Western Turkey has vast natural treasures and a rich history. The people are exceptionally friendly and, as a result of all of these things, it is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the country.

However, in spite of being a modern and secular country, Turkey remains relatively conservative. Yobbo and booze-fuelled anti-social behaviours are frowned upon more than might be the case in some other Mediterranean countries. So, if your idea of a great holiday is non-stop drunken mayhem from the moment you arrive on the Dalaman Airport transfers, you might want to think about going elsewhere.

Check out the history in advance

Turkey has one of the greatest collections of classical and earlier sites in the world.In and around this coastline, you’ll find sites such as Xanthose, Letoon, Patara and Pinara. Some of these date back to the 8th century BCE. Your enjoyment exploring them will be much enhanced if you get to grips with a little research on the history of the area before you visit it.

Take a gulet ride

A gulet is the generic name given to a range of small Turkish sailing vessels. They are mainly based in the larger ports like Marmaris and you can take trips along the coastline, stopping for fishing, swimming and sunbathing. The prices are typically reasonable (shop around though) and it’s well worthwhile, given the fantastic scenery. On top of that, you’ll also possibly get to sunbathe and swim on some incredibly isolated coves that can’t be reached by land.

Get to grips with haggling

In Turkish bazars, a degree of haggling is considered to be normal and ‘part of the game’. This doesn’t come easily to people from North America or Northern Europe, but it can result in some very substantial reductions on the asking price. Join in and be prepared to walk away if you can’t get a deal you like. Haggling isn’t normally applied in restaurants, food and provisions outlets, supermarkets or major shopping malls. It’s usually the norm in bazaars and markets, though, and applies to trinkets, tourist items, clothes and related items. It doesn’t usually take place in major western-style high-street shops.

Your hotel proprietor or staff might well know of the best places to haggle for some great deals. Ask their advice, though be cautious about agreeing if they offer to take you. If they do, you may find you’re under a degree of ‘gratitude-pressure’ to buy something once you’re there.

Dress modestly away from the beach

People in Turkey are very relaxed about near-nudity on beaches (and immediately off them), but in town centres, shopping areas and in banks, for example, a sensible degree of modesty is expected. So, swimwear in parks, gardens and restaurants, apart perhaps from beach-bars, might be frowned upon. Whether it’s politically correct or not, that might apply particularly to females.

Once you arrive on the easy to book Dalaman airport transfers, in no time at all you'll be settled in and enjoying the delights of this wonderful part of the world.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Dalaman airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.