CAMPING

Scenerywise, lushnesswise, bythewatersidewise ( yes we did invent the word ), Turkey is a beautiful place for camping. When travelling throughout the country one can not refrain oneself from asking for many more camping facilities to be brought to life in Turkey than what is found. For one thing camping is not very common amongst the Turkish holidaymakers, thus, facilities for camping can sometimes be poor.

However, with the popularization of the alternative tour programs, camping is also growing and developing in Turkey. 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 $5 to $15 per night per tent.

If you do not carry your own camping gear, you might find out some camps that have ready tents. Sometimes a simple wooden bungalow would do.
The price and value of the bungalows depends on the individual site.

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 very many in Turkey. The reason for this is that the pansions or bed and breakfast places are very reasonably priced. 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 )