| CAMPING
Camping is not the accommodation
of choice among Turkish holidaymakers, and facilities for camping can sometimes be
relatively underdeveloped. However, they means they can also be havens of peace and
tranquility, even in high season. Campsites are often found adjacent to pansions, or
roughly established in their back gardens. If there is no site, and you still want to
camp, you can often do so for a nominal fee or for free. Standards vary hugely, from a
basic field to fully equipped sites. Charges fluctuate accordingly, running from $3 to $10
per night per tent.
For those who turn up without
camping gear, campsites often have permanently erected tents, complete with comfortable
mattresses, blankets and even clean sheets, along with simple A-frame wooden bungalows,
similarly equipped for rent. The price and value of the bungalows depends on the
individual site. They can be unbearably stuffy in the mornings however.
The most important consideration
in the summer is shade - to avoid a six a.m. wake up by roasting, you must pitch your tent
in such a position as to ensure that between 6 and 8 am you get the shade of one of the
clusters of olive trees with which most sites are adorned. This is a skill which will come
naturally to you after a few sweltering mornings.
There are some glorious places to
camp in Turkey, and many places where camping is dictated, either by the natural beauty of
the landscape or by the lack of any other choice. This is especially true of the Aegean
coast, where camping is the ultimate way to enjoy undeveloped but idyllic beautyspots.
Trekking is growing in popularity
among young Turkish people, and so camping in the wilds of the Kackar or Toros mountains
is catching on. Information on camping in national park campsites can be had from Tourist
Information Bureaus.
Youth Hostels
Youth hostels are not common in
Turkey, especially once you leave Istanbul. Pansions are so reasonably priced that there
is really no need for hostels. Some student dormitories, known as yurt, cater for short
term summer lodgers (aged 18-26 with IYHF, IYC or ISIC cards) between 15 July-10 September
but these are likely to be cramped, somewhat dreary and not centrally located. Information
can be obtained from the Yurtkur General Directorate (Telephone: 312-431 11 00).
Hostels in Istanbul:
Orient International Youth Hostel
Akbiyik Caddesi 13
Sultanahmet
212-516-0171 / 516-0194
Sultan Tourist Hostel
2 Akbiyik Caddesi
Terbiyik Sok 3
Sultanahmet
212-516-9260
Topkapi Hostel
Isakpasa Caddesi
Kutlugun sok 1
Sultanahmet
212-527-2433
Camp
Names & Addresses by Regions
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