Lonely Planet Turkey

Amazon.com

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years, and as a result has experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

This bestselling guide is the ticket to no-nonsense travel in Turkey. Far-reaching coverage of the sights--from the modern to the ancient--is complemented by a Turkish food guide, useful language section and glossary, and thorough accommodation coverage (from hostels to hotels). A section devoted to Turkish carpets explains everything from traditional patterns to making a good buy. --Kathryn True

Book Description

Imagine Byzantine chariot teams clashing as you cross the Hippodrome in Istanbul. Hear the whoosh of the flame in the balloon as you float over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Tackle Yusufeli Gorge's mighty 'King Kong' rapids on the Coruh River. Learn how to cut your raki with water to lessen a hangover.

Eight authors, more than 300 days of in-country research, 123 detailed maps, dozens of doner kebaps consumed.

Special trekking chapter, complete with resources section, by trekking specialist Kate Clow.

From the caravan trail to tips for daredevils, explore Turkey your own way with our in-depth itineraries.

Content updated daily: visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews and traveller suggestions.

Customer Reviews:

american living in turkey- great guide.......2007-10-15

Come ivsit Turkey and use Lonely Planet to help you with your tour! I have lived in Turkey for a year. The Lonely Planet goes everywhere with us...it is worn and bent and highlighted and marked up and excellent. We have been completely happy with all the suggestions from LP. Here is the thing. Turkey is a fabulous country, however, there are a few things LP cannot control.

1. The prices are inaccurate but that is not LPs fault. The Lira is very unstable and has had an outragous inflation rate. Also, you have to be good at bargaining to get a good rate and most of us Westerners are uncomforatble with this.

2. Directions/ getting around....the majority of Turks rely on public transportation. There are VERY FEW road signs if you are driving. LPs maps are great, but unfortunately hard to follow without signs. I know people are sometimes frustrated with the bus routes...they can be inconvienent and drop off in the middle of the night, and hard to find your way around if you don't speak Turkish....again not LPs fault. Just keep asking for someone who speaks English to help you and the hospitable people of Turkey will find someone.

I find LPs history background one of the best things about it. It is just enough to get you interested in seeing a place and you can supplement it by GOING to the museums. We have been 100% satisfied, but you must have realiztic expectations.

This book covered all areas of my interest.......2007-06-06

From pensions to informative summaries on the ruins this book covered all basis. The guide was accurate in their description of places and allowed us to travel around freely without assistance even though we had only about 20 words of Turkey under our belt. It came back well worn and happy.

Lonely Planet Turkey--great preparation for your trip.......2006-11-04

This book provides a well rounded view of the country, from its history and culture to the best places to stay, eat and shop. It's easy to read and navigate and a great help in planning a trip.

Good, but not as good as other Lonely Planet.......2006-10-07

As a disclaimer, I am a huge fan of the Lonely Planet travel guides. I like to travel, and have lately traveled to quite a few countries following recommendations from Lonely Planet. Just before going to Turkey, I was in Greece "with Lonely Planet".

Compared to other Lonely Planets, this book on Turkey is weak and the part about Istanbul in particular has been a disappointment.

My comments apply to the 9th edition published in April 2005. I have sent very specific comments to Lonely Planet, and I do certainly hope that future editions will improve on the weaknesses of the 9th edition.

The bottom line is that if you are looking for a travel guide to Turkey, you might still want to consider getting the Lonely Planet, but I recommend you shop around and also look closely at other alternatives.

Inaccurate and out-of-date.......2006-10-03

This guide is seriously out of date. This applies not only to prices, and relative prices, but also to critical information about what is available and how to find it. Having used it (Sept., 2006), my advice is not to rely on it without checking independently that what it says is available and how to get there is correct. Otherwise you may find that you have been expensely (in time or in money) misled. Since you should check with other sources, you might as well simply forget this guide, which is one of the worst I have ever used. Its recommendations about what is worth seeing and the state of hotels, while often useful, can also be wildly wrong.

Average customer rating:

Only a little helpful and the writing style could not be more annoying
A favourite guide for a favourite city
Functional
Nice book, Great City
Lonely Planet Istanbul

Lonely Planet Istanbul
Virginia Maxwell
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Lonely Planet Turkey
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ASIN: 1740594835

Book Description

Istanbul is a cultural mosaic, a heady mix of the hip and the classical, the ultramodern and the ancient - discover the great intercontinental city with Lonely Planet. Whether you want to shop for carpets, behold architectural treasures, catch a Bosphorus ferry or smoke a nargileh, this stylish and street-smart guide is your essential companion.

• TAP INTO THE PULSE of the metropolis with our Entertainment listings and City Life coverage

• HAGGLE LIKE A PRO - we give you the lowdown on the arcades of the Grand Bazaar, Beyoglu's designer boutiques and the best antique and curio shops

• TRAVEL THROUGH TIME with our walking tours highlighting Byzantine and Ottoman glories and the city's atmospheric neighborhoods

• EAT AND SLEEP LIKE A SULTAN - discerning listings cover Istanbul's burgeoning culinary scene and best rest-your-head options

• GET OUT, GET ABOUT with our Excursions chapter and easy-to-use, full-color maps

Customer Reviews:

Only a little helpful and the writing style could not be more annoying.......2007-09-21

I have always found Lonely Planet books to be helpful. This is by far the worst I have ever purchased. The maps were helpful but so were the maps we picked up at the airport. This book is inappropriate and overly effusive.

Most Lonely Planet books are written by people far more authoritative than this. They have either lived in those places or worked there for several months at a time. It seems like this writer just took a few trips to Istanbul with her friends and somehow landed a pretty sweet book deal. She barely touches the neighborhoods that are not the main tourist attractions.

As for the touristy areas, she may as well have been a writer for the Turkish Tourism Association. She gives very little history of the places she writes about and does not give a realistic take on them. For instance, she says that Topkapi Palace is so great that "tourist attractions rarely get better than this." What she fails to mention is that very little of the palace is left in its original state so you don't get a sense of palace life. The rooms are lined with shelves with old artifacts so it is essentially a museum in a palace. The Turkish government only let the palace become a tourist attraction bit by bit so this is to be expected. It is a great place but Maxwell hardly conveys that.

Also, she says that Ayasofya will take your breath away. This is the worst-maintained historical place I have ever seen. She fails to mention that there has been scaffolding in the dome for nearly 10 years.

Also, the ferry information she gives is wrong and we missed a trip to the Princes' Islands because of it.

Lastly, I don't think phrases like "wet dream" belong in a tourism book. What does that even mean anyway?

I am not saying Istanbul is not worthy of praise. It certainly is an amazing city in its fusion of East and West and I had hoped to be guided through it by someone who better understood that rather than a bubble gum fan. I honestly cannot understand how this book made it to publishing with its lack of detail and gushing style. I usually have far better Lonely Planet experiences. Hopefully the company will update this book with a new author soon who can give Istanbul the assessment it deserves.

A favourite guide for a favourite city.......2007-02-11

I love Istanbul, having lived there in the early 1990s. In 2005 I made my first return visit since then, and although I feel confident I know the city well, much has changed. This guide contained information which locals I stayed with weren't aware of, particularly public transport info.

My main criticism of LP books is that the maps are pretty useless, and this is once again the case. You really need to get a separate map f you are going to venture beyond the really well trodden path. (There are a couple of bookshops on Istiklal Cadessi that sell good maps).

I found the tone of the book suited me - it is enthusiastic about an amazing city, and the author certainly knows the place well. I don;t usually follow guide book suggestions for places to eat, preferring to discover those on my own. I am gald I allowed Maxwell to lead me to a couple of cafes and bars, however, as they were excellent.

I recommend this book for both the novice and experienced traveller to the city (which I don;t with all LP City Guides - some, like Paris, I think reather too basic for the experienced visitor to that city).

Functional.......2006-11-29

This book is already annoyingly out of date, but is still the best guide to Istanbul out right now. The prices are off and for some reason given in Euros, even though most places only want Turkish Lira. Maxwell's opinions are loud, even for a Lonely Planet guide, and I found myself disagreeing with a lot of them. Still, a good size to fit in your coat pocket while running around and discovering Istanbul.

Nice book, Great City.......2006-04-20

I am going back to Istanbul and Turkey for the fourth time. I am buying a copy of this after seeing the library copy.
Istanbul is fun! and this will help with a few details, like the ferry's up the Bospherus. Ignore the review saying Istanbul is not a cool place to go.

Lonely Planet Istanbul.......2006-01-31

This guide is loaded with information about Istanbul. I have found it very useful in planning my trip. i had at first bought another istanbul guide and found it to be really lacking in substance. Mostly pictures, not much text, lots of platitudes designed to dazzle you, and made of heavy paper that is a drag to carry around. the lonely planet guide is lightweight, informative, good maps, and enough pictures to satisfy.

Lonely Planet World Food Turkey (Lonely Planet World Food Guides)

Average customer rating:

The writing gets very old very quickly.
Very very good!!!
'Word Food Turkey' wins runner-up award
Short-listed for 'The Andre Simon Book Award'
Nice but needs some help ...

Lonely Planet World Food Turkey (Lonely Planet World Food Guides)
Dani Valent , Jim Masters , and Perihan Masters
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

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Lonely Planet World Food Spain (Lonely Planet World Food Guides)

ASIN: 1864500271

Book Description

For the traveller, Turkey is a feast even when you're not eating; a banquet of plenty expressed in colours, smells and customs. In this unique guide to the culture of food and drink in Turkey, you'll discover that with every scoop of pilav, or swig of raki, you learn more about the essence of Turkish culture. Afiyet olsun!

an exploration of the regional influences which make up Turkish cuisine
an intimate guide to home cooking, traditions and celebrating with food
the definitive culinary dictionary, a quick reference glossary and useful phrases for every food & drink occasion
tantalising photography & recipes

Customer Reviews:

The writing gets very old very quickly........2005-09-20

This guide disappointed me on our trip to Istanbul. the pictures are good and it does provide a lot of useful information about the kinds of food available and the cultural food habits of the Turks. However, the writing is bad. If you don't mind bad writing, then buy the book. Here's a sample sentence:
"The Turkish version of the pizza parlour is a slice of heaven if you're after quick and tasty belly fuel".
On the next page, there is a reference to "a between meal carbo tweak" and then later, "McWhoppers", These phrases and made-up words get old quickly when you are trying to read more than a page or two at a time.

If this doesn't bother you, then by all means, buy this book. If it does, read up by checking out a Turkish cookbook and your guidebook (like LP's Istanbul guide).
I think the author was trying to have fun but it gets old quickly. Call me old-fashioned, but I think it is better to keep to words that are in the dictionary.

Very very good!!!.......2003-09-25

I have this book (a friend bought it for me from Amazon). It's quite good, detailed, with lots of great pictures. A definite must-buy for someone who wants to offer someting different to himself or his guests.
BTW, about the "Editorial review" : Swig of "raki"????!!! for everyone to know, "raki" is a traditional Greek drink (particularly coming from the Island of Crete-I should know I live on it), made by distilled grape juice every September to end of October. Turks took this drink and use it (while been in Greece for 400 years), but it's not traditional Turkish in any way... plus the fact that Turks are Islamists and thay are not supposed to drink... right???

'Word Food Turkey' wins runner-up award.......2001-04-04

March 9, 2001. It's official! WF-T earns runner-up spot for Andre Simon Award. Lonely Planet was one of five runner-up winners in the food section of the Andre Simon Memorial Fund 2000 Book Awards announced in London last night. Its winner was World Food Turkey - competing against the likes of Nigel Slater who was the (overall) winner with Real Food and Rick Stein's Seafood Lover's Guide. WFT was described by the panel as 'excellent' and 'groundbreaking' in its approach to food travel writing.

Short-listed for 'The Andre Simon Book Award'.......2001-01-18

We are pleased to advise that our *World Food Turkey* in collaboration with Dani Valent has been chosen as one of the books short-listed for 'The Andre Simon Memorial Fund Book Awards 2000'. These awards have been established in the UK since 1978. One of objective of the Fund is: "to benefit the public generally in the fields of food and drink, and one of the ways in which the Fund tries to meet this objective is through its book awards". Winners from previous years include: Rick Stein, Ken Hom, Jane Grigson and Josceline Dimbleby . In 2000, *World Food Turkey* has been short listed alongside the company of: 'Appetite' by Nigel Slater (Fourth Estate) 'Cooking at the Merchant House' by Shaun Hill (Conran Octopus) 'Flavours' by Donna Hay (Murdoch) 'No Place Like Home' by Rowley Leigh (Fourth Estate) 'Pickled, Potted and Canned' by Sue Shepherd (Headline) 'Rick Stein's Seafood Lover's Guide' by Rick Stein (BBC)

The Andre Simon Memorial Fund will be staging a reception to announce the winners of the food and drink awards and the special commendation award. It will be held in London in March 2001, date and venue to be confirmed.

Jim and Perihan Masters

P.S. Come join us at the 'Learning Practical Turkish' website for more on the subject of Turkey, its language, and its food! j&p

Nice but needs some help ..........2000-07-29

I really wanted to like this book especially since I purchased four others in the Lonely Planet Food Guide series in the same Amazon order. I gave it three stars because of the outstanding photography throughout which is hallmark of the Lonely Planet Travel Guides. There is a terrific section on shopping in the marketplaces and "where to eat".

Be prepared for British English and terminology, and for metric measures. Prepare to locate items such as 500g of drained vine leaves and 250g of puff pastry and convert measurements from a table on the back cover. Not difficult, just inconvenient.

But the most annoying aspect of this book was the writing. Frequently I would find myself having to read sentences two or three times to determine what was being conveyed. Such as the author's saying that the Turks "have been noodling for some time" (meaning making pasta) ... or describing losing one's appetite as a "tummy plummet". He describes baklava as the "swooniest sweet thang". Men were described as "blokes" or "mates" from time to time. Get ready for words like "groovy", "shebang", "squelchy", "munchies". Almost immediately I began to feel that the book was written by an adolescent. Note: A glance at the other four seemed to avoid the weak attempts at humor).

Book Description

From the edge of Europe to the rooftop of the world, retrace the trail made famous by ancient conquerors, and then infamous by backpackers of the 1960s. Whether you're looking for a meandering journey, an adrenaline-pumping adventure, or simply the chance to marvel at the myriad architectural wonders, this route guide is the one for you.

over 95 maps of the route, plus cities, towns and sights
essential information about visas, permits and border crossings
thousands of budget options for food and accommodation
ancient ruins, crowded bazaars, extravagant palaces and atmospheric teahouses
tips for the adventurous, from action sports to venturing out to wild frontiers

Lonely Planet Trekking in Turkey (Lonely Planet Guidebooks)

Average customer rating:

Lonely Planet Trekking in Turkey (Lonely Planet Guidebooks)
Marc S. Dubin , and Lucas Envers
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Walking | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0864420374

Lonely Planet Istanbul to Cairo on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides)

Average customer rating:

Great Guide...
Very good, if...
Very good, if...
not bad
Travelling from Istanbul to Cairo

Lonely Planet Istanbul to Cairo on a Shoestring (Lonely Planet Shoestring Guides)
Andrew Humphreys , and Jeff Williams
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lonely Planet Egypt

ASIN: 0864427492

Book Description

Istanbul to Cairo is a classic overland route offering an extraordinary range of travel experiences in six of the Middle East's most fascinating countries. With over 75 maps this brand new budget-travellers' guide covers all the essentials and more.

Coverage: Egypt, Israel & the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey.

wander through some of the 400 rooms of the harem in Istanbul's Topkapi Palace
explore the fine Roman-era ruins and palm-fringed oasis at Palmyra
retrace the steps of Lawrence of Arabia among the rockscapes of Wadi Rum
dance the night away in Beirut, home to the Middle East's best nightclubs
bob about like a cork on the Dead Sea
be awestruck by the Pyramids of Giza or the Great Temple of Karnak

Customer Reviews:

Great Guide..........2002-01-01

This is a great and detailed guide to the classic land route, covers the area and the trip in outstanding detail, but at the same time does not try to force you to stay on a certain itenerary. Highly reccomended.

Very good, if..........2001-08-27

This book outlines an excellent journey from Istanbul to Cairo, with all the detail and information we expect from Lonely Planet. The only problem emerges if you want to take a different route than the one they've outlined. They make hardly any allowance for this possibility, and this is the book's fatal flaw. Use it as a suggestion book, as a guide; but consider buying a guide to the Middle East instead, and thus providing yourself with much more information on the places between Istanbul and Cairo, places you may want to visit even though they're "off the beaten track." For instance, with more information I chose to go South through Jordan, ferry to Egypt, and then go back North into Israel, ending in Jerusalem. This made sites such as Petra in Jordan and St. Anthony's Monastery in Egypt fit nicely on the itinerary, and for me ending in Jerusalem provided a more fitting climax. No one trip can fit everyone. Whatever your desires, consider a guidebook that presents more options. Make sure you include Istanbul, Ephesus, Damascus, Baalbek, Beirut, Petra, Jerusalem, Cairo. Strongly consider Nazareth, Haifa, Luxor, and Mt. Sinai. Have fun!

Very good, if..........2001-08-27

For instance, with more information I chose to go south through Jordan, ferry to Egypt, and then go back north into Israel, ending in Jerusalem. This made sites such as Petra in Jordan and St. Anthony's Monastery in Egypt fit nicely on the itinerary, and for me ending in Jerusalem provided a more fitting climax. No one trip can fit everyone. Whatever your desires, consider a guidebook that presents more options.

----UPDATE: I didn't take that trip actually; but I think the principle is still valid! Design your own trip! Lonely Planet's general guide to the Middle East is not bad.

not bad.......2001-04-12

I used this book for Israel and Jordan. I liked the layout and found it useful. The entries for each country are basically abbreviated versions of Lonely Planet's single-country books. Instead of giving it five starts, I'm giving it only four because I usually found the city maps to be deplorable. These maps are more like sketches than real maps. The main problem is that all the city streets are not on the maps, and the steets that are there often don't have their names. This makes it impossible to orient oneself when lost, and it is very difficult to find something marked on a steet that has no name on the map and located amidst other streets that aren't on the map. I realized I was not alone in this appraisal when I went to the tourist information office in Eilat, Israel. I asked where a bicycle shop was and asked the man to show me where it was on Lonely Planet's map. He glanced at the map and had obviously seen it before because he gave a disgusted grunt and brushed the book aside saying, "That's not a map," and proceeded to give me verbal directions.

Travelling from Istanbul to Cairo.......2001-03-27

I have backpacked in this area extensively. Most of the guides I have used in the past weren't really that useful. I was therefore really surprised by this guide. I found it useful in Turkey, Jordan and Eygpt - detailing all the major sites (relatively in depth for a guide this length) and finding cheap guesthouses. It wasn't, however, very helpful in getting around - for example - the "travel agencies" recommended in Istanbul beyond being run by westerners for backpackers were much more expensive than any of the other local agencies. However, as I've never lived in any of those countries I can't really give a proper opinion beyond saying I personally found the guide helpful. On Israel it's a different matter - and I can only say well done to the writers - I didn't know you could find such cheap guesthouses in Israel, and I've travelled around the country quite a bit. I still use this guide when I travel here which says alot - especially seeing as I only bought the guide for its coverage of the neighbouring countries. All in all I recommend this guide and the route it contains.

Lonely Planet Istanbul Encounter (Lonely Planet Encounter Series) (Lonely Planet Encounter Series)

Average customer rating:

quick guide to IstanbulI

Lonely Planet Istanbul Encounter (Lonely Planet Encounter Series) (Lonely Planet Encounter Series)
Verity Campbell
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Pocket Map and Guide Istanbul (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Lonely Planet Turkey
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Lonely Planet Istanbul

ASIN: 1741044928

Book Description

WHAT WILL YOUR ISTANBUL ENCOUNTER BE?
...crossing your legs and admiring the tilework in the Topkapi Palace Circumcision Room (p44)
...shots of raki (aniseed brandy) while carousing with wandering musicians on Nevizade Sokak (p17)
...warm stone, soft suds and the masseur's firm hands in the hamam (p19)
...zigzagging between continents on a Bosphorus cruise (p113)
...scents of saffron, caviar and Ottoman aphrodisiacs in the Spice Bazaar (p61)
...savoring smooth apple-scented tobacco in a nargileh (water pipe) - but not inhaling (p20)

DISCOVER TWICE THE CITY IN HALF THE TIME...
...full-color pull-out map and detailed neighborhood maps for easy navigation
...our discerning author recommends the very best neighborhoods, sights, restaurants, shops and entertainment
...unique itineraries and highlights help you make the most of a short trip
...locals reveal Istanbul's secrets: from a guide's Topkaki Palace highlights to a bazaar spruiker's shopping tips

Customer Reviews:

quick guide to IstanbulI .......2007-09-28

I really liked reading the ideas that the locals have for some offbeat sightseeing, also liked the basic instructions for the hamams (which I'd love to do, but need instructions like this in order to feel comfortable enough to try.) I also liked the locals ideas regarding the best place to try for lokum, art, dining, etc.

Average customer rating:

read in bookstore, but not impressed, LP Turkey better
On the fence
Real men drink tea
Great reference book!
A Package Tour in Book Form

Lonely Planet Istanbul (2nd ed)
Tom Brosnahan
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Middle East | Travel | Subjects | Books

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Lonely Planet Turkey
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Lonely Planet Istanbul
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ASIN: 0864425856

Book Description

20 Maps

Customer Reviews:

read in bookstore, but not impressed, LP Turkey better.......2004-12-14

Evaluated this in bookstore, but the LP Turkey had a bigger section on Istanbul and seemed better to buy overall. LP Istanbul didn't attract me with its layout, when compared to DK Istanbul. I could get a much better "big picture" using DK. Tom is an authority on travel to Turkey, and I think his website does a much better job at showcasing his expertise than this book does--it's more dynamic, updated, has discussion forums.

On the fence.......2004-02-11

This is one of two books that my wife and I took with us for our week in Istanbul. The other being DK's Eyewitness guide. While we would call neither a difinitive guide, both were helpful. We found the Lonely Planet to be hit and miss. Practical layouts and maps were very helpful with key sights. We never would have found the crusader tomb in the Aya Sofya without it. Nor would we have thought to go to the Museum of Archeology if it was not for it's strong endorsement. The overview of the history was surprisingly in depth and very informative. And what to expect as far as the people and tips on bartering were dead on. The condition of the public restrooms (yikes!) was also a nice heads up.
However, if this is the most recent guide it is outdated. It mentions a book bazaar that has since closed when we arrived in October of 2003. This wasted a signifigant portion of our day looking for it. Also the restaraunt guide was frustrating. The Cozy Pub lived up to it's endorsement. Friendly folks who delighted in telling us the do and dont's of Turkish cuisine. We dined there three times. But the "five star" Sarnich restaraunt was the biggest dissapointment. Even though you could not beat the atmosphere (dining in a 1000 year old cistern)the waitstaff was rude and the food was just plain bad. I swear to god, french fries and frozen veggies with meat the size and hardness of hockey pucks with moderatley decent wine for two for a 100 bucks.

I do recommend this book but with the strong reservations mentioned. There were things that we found in this guide that were not in our other one and vice versa. But this is to be expected, since I have never relied solely on one book for any country.

Real men drink tea.......2003-11-02

It's more lively and entertaining (and cheaper) than the Blue Guide. Sometimes it tries too hard for laughs. I didn't notice any Turks amused at naive tourists drinking non-caffeinated apple tea instead of the hard stuff. Some of the penny-pinching Lonely Planet stuff doesn't make a lot of sense in country that is so cheap once you get there but so expensive to get to. It's full of interesting and practical information but the Blue Guide remains the standard reference for serious study (if serious study is what you travel for).
I'd recommend reading this before you go but carrying the Blue Guide with you at the sites.

Great reference book!.......2001-05-10

We found this book to be very useful before and during our first trip to Istanbul. It was a wonderful resource for hotels, museums, restaurants and other typical "touristy" stuff as well as cultural differences that we may encounter... maps were helpful as well.

A Package Tour in Book Form.......2000-02-14

If you are interested in seeing Istanbul beyond its tourist districts, buying Tom Brosnahan's book is a mistake. Although LP Istanbul covers Sultanahmet and its attractions in depth, the rest of the city is largely left out, and what is included is organized in a format that defies logic. If you are visiting Istanbul on a package tour you might find the book useful, but if your aim is to explore the nooks and crannies of the city I would suggest Eyewitness Guides' Istanbul. It's full of pictures and more expensive than LP Istanbul, but it is by far the most comprehensive guide to the city that I have read.

Average customer rating:

Very useful guide

Lonely Planet Turquia (Spanish Guides)
Pat Yale , and Verity Campbell
Manufacturer: Geoplaneta
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Lonely Planet | Guidebook Series | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Middle East | Travel | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Medio Oriente | Viajes y turismo | Libros en español | Formats | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 8408059769

Customer Reviews:

Very useful guide.......2006-11-17

The guide is very complete almost every relevant town in Turkey has a description.

The history glimpse is very interesting. The descriptions of hotels and places to eat is very helpfull. The taste of the author is low cost oriented, my wife and me we had to choose from high price hotels.

The guide should be improved with a more extensive description of important places museum and arqueological sites. This is important because tourism in Turkey is very undeveloped and there are not maps and descriptions of what are you viewing. Apparently, there is an agreement between government and local vendors in order not to provide maps or good descriptions in order to force tourist to buy booklets or hire guides. When you visit 2 or three places a day this may be unafordable.

Additionaly, the guide can be improved more clearly with what you have to see in each place, as the stars in Michelin guide.

Maps are difficult to read, they have small dark grey numbers over a light grey. Also when you read about a feature in the text, you have to find it in the legend to get a number to find it in the map.

Turkey (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit)

Average customer rating:

Turkey (Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit)
Tom Brosnahan
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | Travel | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0864420838

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