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Turkey Travel

Turkey (Turkish: Türkiye) is on the Mediterranean, with 97% of it's territory in West Asia and the Middle East, and with a small section in Southeastern Europe separated by the Turkish Straits (Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, and Dardanelles). With the Black Sea to the north and the Aegean Sea in the west and Mediterranean Sea to the southwest, Turkey is surrounded by Bulgaria and Greece to the west, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia to the northeast, Syria, Iraq and Iran to the southeast.

Understand

There is evidence that the bed of the Black Sea was once an inhabited plain, before it was flooded in prehistoric times by rising sea levels. Mount Ararat (Ağrı Dağı), at 5,165 m is the country's highest point and legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, lies in the mountains on the far eastern edge of the country.
Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. Soon thereafter the country instituted secular laws to replace traditional religious fiats. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 it became a member of NATO.
Turkey offers a wealth of destination varieties to travellers: from dome-and-minaret filled skyline of Istanbul to Roman ruins along the western and southern coasts, from heavily indented coastline against a mountainous backdrop of Lycia and wide and sunny beaches of Pamphylia to cold and snowy mountains of the East, from crazy "foam parties" of Bodrum to Middle Eastern-flavoured cities of Southeastern Anatolia, from verdant misty mountains of Eastern Black Sea to wide steppe landscapes of Central Anatolia, there is something for everyone's taste-whether they be travelling on an extreme budget by hitchhiking or by a multi-million yacht.

Geography

Turkey occupies a landmass slightly larger than Texas, at just over 750,000 square kilometres, and is more than three times the size of the United Kingdom. In terms of the variety of terrain and particularly the diversity of its plant life, however, Turkey exhibits the characteristics of a small continent. There are, for example, some 10,000 plant species in the country (compared with some 13,000 in all of Europe) - one in three of which is endemic to Turkey. Indeed, there are more species in Istanbul Province (2,000) than in the whole of the United Kingdom. While many people know of Turkey's rich archaeological heritage, it possesses an equally valuable array of ecosystems - peat bogs, heathlands, steppes, and coastal plains. Turkey possesses much forest (about a quarter of the land) but, as importantly, some half of the country is semi-natural landscape that has not been entirely remodelled by man.

Culture

While it may sound like a tourism brochure cliché, Turkey really is a curious mix of the west and the east-you may swear you were in a Balkan country or in Greece when in northwestern and western parts of the country (except that Byzantine-influenced churches are substituted with Byzantine-influenced mosques), which are indeed partly inhabited by people from Balkan countries, who immigrated during the turmoil before, during, and after WW1, while southeastern reaches of the country exhibit little if any cultural differences from Turkey's southern and eastern neighbours. Influences from the Caucasus add to the mix in the northeast part of the country. It can be simply put that Turkey is the most oriental of western nations, or, depending on the point of view, the most occidental of eastern nations.
Perhaps one thing common to all of the country is Islam, the faith of the bulk of the population. However, interpretation of it varies vastly across the country: many people in northwestern and western coasts are fairly liberal about the religion (being nominal Muslims sometimes to the point of being irreligious), while folk of the central steppes are far more conservative (don 't expect to find a Saudi Arabia or an Afghanistan even there, though). The rest of the country falls somewhere in between, with the coastal regions being relatively liberal while inland regions are relatively conservative as a general rule. The largest religious minority in the country are the Alevites, who constitute up to 20% of the population and who subscribe to a form of Islam closer to that of the Shiite version of Islam and practice Shamanistic rituals of ancient Turks. Other religious minorities-the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Jews, Syriac Oriental Orthodox, and Roman Catholics, the latter of whom mainly settled in Turkey within the last 500 years from Western European countries-once numerous across the country, are now mostly confined to the large cities of Istanbul and Izmir, or parts of Southeastern Anatolia in the case of the Syriac Oriental Orthodox. Despite its large Muslim majority population, Turkey officially remains a secular country, with no declared state religion.

Holidays

The savvy traveller should remember that when travelling into, in or around Turkey there are several holidays to keep in mind as they can cause delays in travel, traffic congestion, booked up accommodations and crowded venues. Banks, offices and businesses are closed during official holidays and traffic intensifies during all of the following holidays so do your research before you visit. Do not be put off by these holidays, it is not that difficult and often quite interesting to travel during Turkish holidays, simply plan ahead as much as possible.

Official holidays

1 Jan: New Year's Day (Yılbaşı)
23 Apr: National Sovereignty and Children's Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) - anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Grand National Assembly
1 May: Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü, also unofficially known as İşçi Bayramı, ie Worker's Day) was long banned as a holiday for almost 40 years and only restarted as a national holiday in 2009 because in years past it usually degenerated into violence. The wary traveller would be advised to not get caught in the middle of a May Day parade or gathering.
19 May: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Holiday (Atatürk'ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) - the arrival of Atatürk in Samsun, and the beginning of the War of Independence
30 Aug: Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) - Celebration of the end of the war for Turkish Independence over invasion forces. A big Armed Forces day and display of military might by huge military parades.
29 Oct: Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı or Ekim Yirmidokuz) is anniversary of the declaration of Turkish Republic. If it falls on a Thursday for example, Friday and the weekend should be considered in your travel plans. October 29 is the official end of the tourist season in many resorts in Mediterranean Turkey and usually there is a huge celebration at the town squares.
10 Nov, 09:05 - Traffic usually stops and sirens blare for two minutes starting at 09:05, the time when Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, died in Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul in 1938. That moment in time is officially observed throughout the country but businesses and official places are not closed for the day. However, do not be surprised if you are on the street, you hear a loud boom and all of a sudden people and traffic stop on the sidewalks and streets for a moment of silence in observance of this event.
Religious holidays [edit]
Ramadan dates
28 Jun-27 Jul 2014 (1435 AH)
18 Jun-16 Jul 2015 (1436 AH)
6 Jun-5 July 2016 (1437 AH)
Exact dates depend on local astronomical observations and vary from one country to another.
Ramadan ends with the Eid ul-Fitr festival extendign over several days.

Ramadan (Ramazan in Turkish) is a month long time of fasting, prayer and celebration during which pious Muslims neither drink nor eat anything, even water, from sun up to sun down. Businesses, banks and official places are not closed during this time. In some parts of Turkey, such as most of inland and eastern locations as locals are more conservative than people in the rest of the country, it is considered to be bad taste to eat snacks or drink sodas in front of locals in public places or transport -to be completely on the safe side, watch how local folk act-but restaurants are usually open and it is no problem to eat in them as usual, though some restaurant owners use it as an opportunity for a much-needed vacation (or renovation ) and shut their business completely for 30 days. However, you will unlikely see any closed establishment in big cities, central parts of the cities, and touristy towns of western and southern Turkey. At sunset, call for prayer and a cannon boom, fasting observers immediately sit down for iftar, their first meal of the day. Banks, businesses and official places are NOT closed during this time.
During Ramadan, many city councils set up tent-like structures in the major squares of the cities that are especially aimed and served for the needy, for those in poverty or who are elderly or handicapped, and are also served for passers by, with warm meals during the sunset (iftar), free of charge (much like soup kitchens, instead serving full meals). Iftar is a form of charity that is very rewarding especially when feeding someone who is needy. It was first practised by the Prophet Muhammad during the advent of Islam, for that purpose. Travellers are welcome to join, but do not take advantage of it during the entire fasting period, just because it is free of charge.
Immediately following Ramazan is the Eid-ul Fitr, or the three-day national holiday of Ramazan Bayramı, also called Şeker Bayramı (ie "Sugar" or more precisely "Candy Festival") during which banks, offices and businesses are closed and travel will be heavy. However, many restaurants, cafes and bars will be open.
Kurban Bayrami (pronounced koor-BAHN bahy-rah-muh) in Turkish, (Eid el-Adha in Arabic) or sacrifice holiday is the most important Islamic religious festival of the year. It lasts for several days and is a public holiday in Turkey. Almost everything will be closed during that time (many restaurants, cafes, bars and some small shops will be open however). Kurban Bayrami is also the time of the annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca, so both domestic and international travel is intense in Turkey at this time. If you are in smaller towns or villages you may even observe an animal, usually a goat but sometimes a cow, being slaughtered in a public place. In recent years the Turkish government has cracked down on these unofficial slaughterings so it is not as common as it once was.
The dates of these religious festivals change according to the Muslim lunar calendar and thus occur 10-11 days (the exact difference between Gregorian and Lunar calendars is 10 days and 21 hrs) earlier each year:
 . Şeker / Ramazan Bayramı
 . Kurban Bayramı Turkey's Republic Day, a major patriotic holiday, with travel effects through 30 Oct.
During both religious holidays, many cities (but not all) provide free public transport (these do not include privately owned minibuses, dolmuşes, taxis, or inter-city buses). This depends on the place and time. For example, Istanbul's public transport authority provided free transport in Eid-ul Fitr 2008, but not in Eid-ul Adha 2008 when passengers had to pay a discounted rate. For some years, it was all free in both holidays, while in some others there was no discount at all. To be sure, check whether other passengers use a ticket / token or not.

Climate 

The climate in Turkey has a vast diversity depending on the diverse topography and latitude.
Aegean and Mediterranean coastal areas enjoy the typical Mediterranean climate. There is hardly a drop of rain during the sunny and hot summer (May to October). Winters are mild and rainy in these regions, and it very rarely snows at coastal areas, with the exception of mountainous areas higher than 2000 metres of these regions, which are very snowy and are frequently not passable. The water temperature in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas is warm during the long summer season (May to October) which constitutes the swimming season and fluctuates between 23 ° and 28 ° C from north to south.
The region around the Sea of Marmara, including Istanbul, has a transitional climate between an oceanic climate and a semi-Mediterranean climate, but it does rain, albeit not a lot, during the very warm summer (as showers which tend to last for 15 -30 minutes). Its winters are colder than those of the western and southern coasts. Snow is common at coastal areas, although it does not stay on the ground for long and is limited to only a few days every winter. The water temperature in the Sea of Marmara is also colder than the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, with the water temperature reaching only between 20 ° and 24 ° C during the summer (June, July and August) and the swimming season is restricted to those summer months.
The Black Sea region has an oceanic climate (thanks to the protective shield effect of Caucasus mountains) with the greatest amount of precipitation and is the only region of Turkey that receives high precipitation throughout the year. The eastern part of that coast averages 2,500 millimetres annually which is the highest precipitation in the country. Summers are warm and humid while the winters are cool and damp. Snow is common at coastal areas, although it does not stay on the ground for long and is limited to only a few days every winter, though mountains are very snowy as it is expected to be and are frequently not passable, there are glaciers around the year in the highest zones. The water temperature in the whole Turkish Black Sea coast is always cool and fluctuates between 10 ° and 20 ° C throughout the year, and is even less suitable for swimming during the summer than in the Sea of Marmara.
Most of the coastal areas have a high level of relative humidity during most of the year which makes hot weather feel hotter and cold weather feel colder than it actually is.
Interior areas like Ankara, generally have hot summers (though the nights are cool enough to make someone who is wearing only a thin t-shirt uncomfortable outdoors) and cold and snowy winters. The more easterly the location is, the colder the winters are and the heavier the snow is. The northeastern part (around Erzurum and Kars) is the only inland area which has cool and rainy summers.
The southeastern region near the Syrian border has a desert-like climate, temperature is frequently above 40 ° C during summers with no rain. Snowfall is occasional in winter.

Regions

Turkey regions map.png

Aegean Turkey
Greek and Roman ruins between azure sea on one side and silvery olive groves on the other
Black Sea Turkey
Heavily forested mountains offering great outdoor sports such as trekking and rafting
Central Anatolia
Tree-poor central steppes with the national capital, Hittite and Phrygian ruins, and moon-like Cappadocia
Eastern Anatolia
High and mountainous eastern part with harsh winters
Marmara Region
The most urbanized region with Byzantine and Ottoman monuments in some of the country's greatest cities
Mediterranean Turkey
Mountains clad with pine woods ascending right from the heavily-indented coastline of the crystal clear sea
Southeastern Anatolia
Semi-desert Middle-Eastern most part of the country mostly populated by Kurds

Cities 

Amasya - an inland central Black Sea city along with Yeşilırmak (Iris) river and amazing well-preserved Ottoman whitewashed architecture along with riverside, extraordinary King Rock Tombs from Pontic Greeks, just feel like in an open-air museum
Ankara - the capital of Turkey and its second largest city
Antalya - the fastest growing city, hub to an array of beach resorts
Bodrum - a trendy coastal town in the Southern Aegean which turns into a crowded city in season when it serves as a playground for Turkish and international holidaymakers alike, featuring a citadel, Roman ruins, trendy clubs and a number of villages surrounding the peninsula each with a different character from classy to rustic
Bursa - the first capital of the Ottoman Empire
Edirne - the second capital of the Ottoman Empire
Eskisehir - The Venice of Turkey, described as one of the most beautiful cities in Anatolia.
Istanbul (Constantinople) - Turkey's largest city, the former capital of both the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, and the only major city in the world to straddle two continents
Izmir - Turkey's third largest city
Konya - a quite large city that is the heartland of mystic Sufi order, the site of Rumi's tomb, and with some elegant Seljuq architecture, all surrounded by vast steppes
Trabzon - the wonderful Sümela Monastery is just outside the city and it is a great gateway to exploring the Turkish Northeast
Urfa - magical city with beautiful architecture and extremely friendly locals at the gates of Eastern World; where Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic, and Persian cultures mingle

Other destinations

Flying over the turquoise waters in Ölüdeniz
 . Ani - impressive ruins of medieval Armenian capital in the far east of the country
 . Amasya - impressive rock tombs from ancient pontus greeks and amazing Ottoman wooden houses along with riverside
 . Cappadocia - an area in central highlands best known for its unique moon-like landscape (the "fairy chimneys"), underground cities, cave churches and houses carved in the rocks
 . Ephesus - well-preserved ruins of the Roman city on the west coast
 . Gallipoli - site of 1915 Anzac landing and many WWI memorials
 . Mount Nemrut - a UNESCO World Heritage site with head statues dedicated to ancient Gods on its summit
 . Ölüdeniz - imcomparable postcard beauty of "Blue Lagoon", perhaps the most famous beach of Turkey which you will see on any tourism brochure
 . Pamukkale - "the Cotton Castle", white world of travertines surrounding cascading shallow pools filled with thermal waters
 . Sümela - stunning monastery on the cliffs of a mountain, a must-see on any trip to the northeast coast
 . Uludağ - a national park featuring school textbook belts of different types of forests varying with altitude, and the major wintersports resort of the country

Get in 

Citizens of the following countries can get a multiple-entry, sticker-type visa at any point of entry into Turkey for a fee
PLEASE NOTE that as of 10 April 2014, nationals of the countries below will not be able to obtain sticker-type visas at the port of entry any more. Those nationals should apply online for the Turkish e-Visa. All prices are in US Dollars only, and only Visa and Mastercard credit / debit cards are accepted as payment methods. If arriving at Ataturk airport in Istanbul, it is possible to purchase a visa from an automatic machine before clearing the immigration for the fixed rate of 20 USD (payment by card).
Valid for three months:
Antigua and Barbuda (US $ 20 / € 15)
Australia (US $ 60 / € 45)
Austria (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Bahamas (US $ 20 / € 15)
Barbados (US $ 20 / € 15)
Belgium (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Canada (US $ 60 / € 45)
Dominica (US $ 20 / € 15)
Dominican Republic (US $ 20 / € 15)
Grenada (US $ 20 / € 15)
Haiti (US $ 20 / € 15)
Hong Kong (BNO Passport) (US $ 20 / € 15)
Republic of Ireland (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Jamaica (US $ 20 / € 15)
Kuwait (US $ 20 / € 15) (until October 31, 2013)
Maldives (US $ 20 / € 15)
Malta (Free)
Mexico (US $ 20 / € 15, with valid Schengen, UK, Canada, US, or Japan visa)
Netherlands (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Norway (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Oman (US $ 20 / € 15)
Poland (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Portugal (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
Qatar (US $ 20 / € 15) (until October 31, 2013)
Saudi Arabia (US $ 20 / € 15) (until October 31, 2013)
Spain (US $ 20 / € 15)
Saint Kitts and Nevis (US $ 20 / € 15)
Saint Lucia (US $ 20 / € 15)
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (US $ 20 / € 15)
United Arab Emirates (US $ 20 / € 15) (until October 31, 2013)
Ukraine (US $ 30 / € 20) (until August 01, 2012)
United Kingdom (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
United States of America (US $ 20 / € 15)
Valid for two months:
Belarus (US $ 20 / € 15)
Valid for one month:
Armenia (US $ 15 / € 10)
Bahrain (US $ 15 / € 10)
Bangladesh (US $ 20 / € 15, with valid Schengen, UK, or US visa)
Republic of Cyprus (US $ 20 / € 15 / £ 10)
India (US $ 20 / € 15, with valid Schengen, UK, or US visa)
Indonesia (US $ 25)
Mauritius (US $ 15 / € 10)
Moldova (US $ 30 / € 20)
Pakistan (US $ 20 / € 15, with valid Schengen, UK, or US visa)
South Africa (US $ 15 / € 10)
(NOTE: Payments in Pounds Sterling must be in Bank of England £ 10 notes ONLY. No Scottish or Northern Irish notes and no other values of notes (£ 5/20/50)
The citizens of the countries / territories listed below can enter Turkey visa-free for 90 days unless otherwise stated

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Azerbaijan (30 days), Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (60 days), Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica (30 days), Croatia, Czech Republic, Northern Cyprus (Turkish republic of), Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Hong Kong (SAR Passport), Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan (30 days), Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan (30 days), Latvia (30 days), Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau (30 days), Macedonia (60 days), Malaysia, Moldova (30 days), Monaco, Mongolia (30 days), Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Russia (60 days), San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan (30 days), Thailand (30 days) , Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan (30 days), Uruguay, Uzbekistan (30 days), Vatican City and Venezuela.

German citizens may enter with a passport, national ID card (Personalausweis) or an expired passport / ID unless arriving at the non-Council of Europe land border crossings (ie from Iran, Iraq and Syria).

More information can be found at theTurkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Capital  Ankara

Government parliamentary republic

Currency Turkish lira (TRY)

Area 783,562km²

water: 13,930km²

land: 769,632km²

Population 73,193,000 (2006 estimate)

Language Turkish (official); Kurdish, Zaza, Arabic, Azeri, Laz

Religion Islam (Sunni majority, Alevi minority); also small numbers of Eastern Rite Christians, Jews, agnostics, and atheists

Electricity 220V, 50Hz (European plug)

Country code +90

Internet TLD .tr

Time Zone UTC +2

Emergencies dial 155 for police

       110 for fire

       112 for medical

What to buy?

Apart from classical tourist souvenirs like postcards and trinkets, here are a few of what you can bring back home from Turkey.

 . Leather clothing - Turkey is the biggest leather producer in the world, so the leather clothing is cheaper than elsewhere. Many shops in Laleli, Beyazıt, Mahmutpaşa districts of Istanbul (all around the tram line which goes through Sultanahmet Square) are specialized on leather.

 . Carpets and kilims - Many regions in Turkey produce handmade kilims and carpets. Though the symbols and figures differentiate depending on the region in which the carpet is produced, they are generally symbollic expressions based on ancient Anatolian religions and / or nomadic Turkic life which takes shape around shamanic beliefs more than 1000 years ago. You can find shops specialized on handmade carpets and kilims in any major city, tourist spot and Sultanahmet Area.

You seriously can not go anywhere in Turkey without someone trying to sell you a carpet. People will approach you on the street, engage in a little friendly conversation about where you're from, how do you like Turkey, and "would you like to come with me to my uncle's shop? It's just around the corner, and has the best authentic kilims. "It can be irritating if you let it get to you, but remember that a large part of these people's economy comes from tourist's wallets so you can not blame them for trying.

 . Silk - Dresses and scarves. Although can be found in many parts of the country, silk fans should head for Bursa and before that, pick up basics of bargaining.

 . Earthenware - Handmade Cappadocian pottery (amphoras, old-style plates, flowerpots etc) are made of local salty clay. Salt content of clay, thanks to salt spray produced by the Salt Lake -which is the second largest lake in Turkey- in the heartland of Central Anatolia, is what makes local earthenware top quality. In some Cappadocian towns, it is possible to see how these artifacts are produced, or even to experience producing one, at the dedicated workshops. Tiles with classical Ottoman motives that are produced in Kütahya are also famous.

 . Turkish delight and Turkish coffee - If you like these during your Turkey trip, do not forget to take a few packages back home. Available everywhere.

 . Honey - The pine honey (çam balı) of Marmaris is famous and has a much stronger taste and consistency than regular flower honeys. Although not easily attained, if you can find, do not miss the honey of Macahel valley, made out of flowers of a temperate semi-rainforest, which is almost completely out of human impact, in the far northeastern Black Sea Region.

 . Chestnut dessert - Made out of syrup and chestnuts grown on the foothills of Mt. Uludağ, chestnut dessert (kestane şekeri) is a famous and tasty product of Bursa. There are many variations, such as chocolate coated ones. Chestnut dessert can be found in elsewhere, too, but relatively more expensive and in smaller packages.

 . Meerschaum souvenirs - Despite its name meaning "sea foam" which it resembles, meerschaum (lületaşı) is extracted only in one place in the world: landlocked Eskişehir province in the extreme northwest part of Central Anatolia Region. This rock, similar to gypsum at sight, is carved into smoking pipes and cigarette holders. It has a soft and creamy texture and makes for a great decorative item. Available at some shops in Eskişehir.

 . Castile (olive oil) soap - Natural, a silky touch on your skin, and a warm Mediterranean atmosphere in your bathroom. Absolutely cheaper than those to be found in Northern and Western  Europe. Street markets in the Aegean Region and southern Marmara Region is full of olive oil soap, almost all of which are handmade. Even some old folk in the Aegean Region is producing their castile soaps in the traditional way: during or just after the olive harvest, neighbours gather in yards around large boilers heated by wood fire, then lye derived from the wood ash is added to hot water  .  and olive oil mix. Remember - supermarkets out of the Aegean Region are generally offering no more than industrial tallow based soaps full of chemicals. In cities out of the Aegean Region, natural olive oil soap can be found in shops specialized in olive and olive oil. Some of these shops are even offering ecological soaps: made of organic olive oil and sometimes with additions of organic essential oils.

 . Other soaps unique to Turkey are: laurel soaps (defne sabunu) which is produced mainly in Antioch, soaps of Isparta enriched with rose oil which is produced abundantly in the area around Isparta, and bıttım sabunu, a soap made out of the oil of seeds of a local variety of pistachio tree native to the mountains of Southeastern Region. In Edirne, soaps shaped as various fruits are produced. Not used for their lather, rather they make a good assortment when different "fruits" are placed in a basket on a table, they fill the air with their sweet scent as well.

 . Olive-based products apart from soap - Other olive-based products to give a try are olive oil shampoos, olive oil based eau de colognes and zeyşe, abbreviation from the first syllables of zeytin şekeri, a dessert similar to chestnut desserts, but made from olives.

WARNING! To export or to take out the antiques which are more than 100 years old from Turkey is subject to heavy restrictions or in many cases outright forbidden. If it is the case that someone offers you to sell antiques, either he / she is a liar, just trying to sell cheap imitations or he / she is committing a crime, which you are about to be a part of, if you accept to be the purchaser.

Travel in Françe

France is the country that more people enjoy visiting than any other.
France is geographically one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Its cities contain some of the greatest treasures in Europe, its countryside is prosperous and well tended and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions, like Paris, the French Riviera, the Atlantic beaches, the winter sport resorts of the French Alps, the castles of the Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy. France is renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.

Understand

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye." - Antoine de Saint Exupéry, from The Little Prince
France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for over twenty years (83.0 million in 2012).
Metropolitan France is in Western Europe sharing frontiers with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to the northeast, Switzerland to the east, Italy to the south-east. Spain and the small country of Andorra are to the south-west, across the Pyrenees mountain range. The Mediterranean Sea laps the south of France, with the Principality of Monaco forming a small enclave. To the west, France has a long Atlantic Ocean coastline, while to the north lies the English Channel, across which lies the last of France's neighbours, England (part of the United Kingdom).
In the Caribbean, France borders the Netherlands via the French territory of Saint-Martin which borders the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten. Five oversea regions also form part of France: Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean, French Guiana in South America, and Reunion and Mayotte, both off the coast of Madagascar. Numerous French oversea territories also exist around the Earth with varying status.

Climate

A lot of variety, but temperate winters and mild summers on most of the territory, and especially in Paris. Mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean and in the southwest (the latter has lots of rain in winter). Mild winters (with lots of rain) and cool summers in the northwest (Brittany). Cool to cold winters and hot summer along the German border (Alsace). Along the Rhône Valley, there is an occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral.
Cold winters with lots of the snow in the Mountainous regions: Alps, Pyrenees, Auvergne.

Terrain

Mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south west, Vosges, Jura and Alps in east, Massif Central in the mid south.

When to travel

If possible, try to avoid French school holidays and Easter, because hotels are very likely to be overbooked and traffic on the roads is simply awful.
Holidays: search internet for [French school holidays], as they vary from region to region. Mostly, the winter holidays are 10 Feb-10 Mar. The spring holidays are often 10 Apr-10 May.
Winter gets very cold, sometimes freezing. Make sure to bring appropriate clothing to keep you warm while visiting.
Hotels are very likely to be overbooked and road traffic will be awful during the 1 May, 8 May, 11 Nov, Easter Weekend, Ascension weekend too.

Overseas departments

Guadeloupe
Martinique
Mayotte
French Guiana (Guyane Française)
Réunion.

Overseas territories

French Polynesia (Polynésie Française) - post-card tropical islands in Oceania
New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie) - long-shaped island in Oceania
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon (Saint Pierre et Miquelon) - small islands off the Canadian coast
Wallis and Futuna -
The following overseas territories are remote possessions kept as natural reservations:
French Southern and Antarctic territories (Terres Antarctiques et Australes Françaises, or TAAF), consisting of Terre Adélie in Antarctica and some islands in the Indian Ocean
Scattered Islands of the Indian Ocean (Iles Eparses): Europa Island, Bassas da India, Juan de Nova Island, Glorioso Islands (Glorieuses)
Clipperton Island
A very limited form of tourism is available in the TAAF islands.

cities

France has numerous cities of interest to travellers, below is a list of nine of the most notable:
Paris - the "City of Light", romance and the Eiffel Tower
Bordeaux - city of wine, traditional stone mansions and smart terraces
Bourges - gardens, canals and a cathedral listed as a UNESCO heritage site
Lille - a dynamic northern city known for its handsome centre and active cultural life
Lyon - France's second city with a history from Roman times to the Resistance
Marseille - Third largest French city with a harbour as big as its place as the heart of Provence
Nantes - the "Greenest City" and, according to some, the best place to live in Europe
Strasbourg - famous for its historical centre, and home to many European institutions
Toulouse - the "Pink City", for its distinctive brick architecture, main city of Occitania

Other destinations

 . Camargue - one of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands
 . Corsica - the birthplace of Napoleon, a unique island with a distinct culture and language
 . Disneyland Paris - the most visited attraction in Europe
 . French Alps - home to the highest mountain in Western Europe, the Mont Blanc
 . French Riviera (Côte d'Azur) - Mediterranean coastline of France with plenty of upper class seaside resorts, yachts and golf courses
 . Loire Valley - the world-famous Loire Valley, best known for its wines and chateaux
 . Luberon - the stereotypical Provence of picturesque villages, joie de vivre and wine
 . Mont Saint Michel - second most-visited sight in France, a monastery and town built on a tiny outcrop of rock in the sand, which is cut off from the mainland at high tide
 . Verdon Gorge - beautiful river canyon in a turquoise-green, great for kayaking, hiking, rock-climbing or just driving around the limestone cliffs

Regions

France is divided into 22 administrative regions, which themselves can be grouped into seven cultural regions:

Regions of France
 Île-de-France
    The region surrounding the French capital, Paris.
Northern France (Nord-Pas de Calais, Picardy, Normandy)
    A region where the world wars have left many scars.
Northeastern France (Alsace, Lorraine, Champagne-Ardenne, Franche-Comté)
     A region where wider European culture (and especially Germanic culture) has merged with the            French, giving rise to interesting results.
Great West (Brittany, Pays de la Loire)
   An agriculture-based oceanic region with a culture greatly influenced by the ancient Celtic peoples.
Central France (Centre-Val de Loire, Poitou-Charentes, Burgundy, Limousin, Auvergne)
    A largely agricultural and vinicultural region, featuring river valleys, chateaux and historic towns.
Southwestern France (Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees)
     A region of sea and wine, with nice beaches over the Atlantic Ocean and young high mountains          close to Spain.
Southeastern France (Rhône-Alpes, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corsica)
    The primary tourist region of the country outside of Paris, with a warm climate and azure sea,             contrasting with the mountainous French Alps.

Each administrative region is divided into a number of departments. Each department is allocated a 2 digit number. This number forms the first 2 digits of the 5 digit French postcode.

Capital Paris
Government republic
Currency Euro (€)
CFP Franc (XPF) (Pacific overseas territories)
Area 643,801km²
water: 3,374km²
land: 640,427km²
Population 63,929,000 in metropolitan France
66,616,416 in all France (2014 estimates)
Language French
recognized locally: Alsatian, Catalan, Corsican, Breton, Gallo, Occitan, some languages of New Caledonia
Religion 45% Christian, 3% Muslim, 1% Jewish, 1% Buddhist, 6% other religion, 44% none or not stated
Electricity 220-230V, 50Hz. Outlets: CEE7 / 5 (protruding male earth pin), accepting CEE 7/5 (Grounded), CEE 7/7 (Grounded) or CEE 7/16 (non-grounded) plugs
Country code 33
Internet TLD .fr
Time Zone UTC +1

Sensitive topics

As a general rule, debates, discussions, and friendly arguments are something that the French enjoy, but there are certain topics that should be treated more delicately or indirectly than others:

Politics: French people have a wide variety of opinions about many subjects. Unless you really follow French news closely, you should probably steer clear of discussing internal French politics, especially sensitive issues such as immigration - you may come across as judgmental and uninformed. Reading French newspapers to get a feel for the wide spectrum of political opinions in France - from the revolutionary left to the nationalistic right - may help. That said, do not be discouraged from engaging in political discussions with French people, just be aware of the position that being a foreigner puts you in. Also, it is considered to be quite rude to ask a person point-blank about which candidate he / she voted for in the last election (or will vote for in the next); instead, talk about the issues and take it from there.

Religion: The French seldom advertise their religious feelings, however, and expect you to avoid doing so as well. Doing so might make people feel uneasy. It is also generally considered impolite to inquire about religious or other personal issues. While France has barred religious symbols from public places including Sikh turban, Islamic hijab and Jewish kippah on grounds of secularism, this controversial topic is best avoided in polite conversations. People practicing those faiths need to be aware of the unfriendly attitudes that some in France hold to expression of religion in public places.

Money: You should also avoid presenting yourself through what you own (house, car, etc.). It is also considered to be quite crass to discuss your salary, or to ask someone else directly about theirs. Instead express your enthusiasm about how great are the responsibilities, or how lucky you were to get there, etc.

City / Rural Differences: While it is true that roughly 1 / 6th of the country's population lives in the Paris region, do not make the mistake of reducing France to Paris or assuming that all French people act like Parisians. Life in Paris can be closer to life in London or New York City than in the rest of France; just as New Yorkers or Londoners might act and feel differently than people from, say, Oklahoma or Herefordshire, so might Parisian customs and opinions differ from those found "en province."

Emergencies

Hospitals will have an emergency room signposted Urgences.

The following numbers are toll-free:

15 Medical emergencies

17 Law enforcement emergencies (for e.g. reporting a crime)

18 Firefighters

112 European standard emergency numbers.

Operators at these numbers can transfer requests to other services if needed (e.g. some medical emergencies may be answered by firefighter groups).

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited by law in all enclosed spaces accessible to the public (this includes train and subway cars, train and subway station enclosures, workplaces, restaurants and cafés) unless in areas specifically designated for smoking, and there are few of these. There was an exception for restaurants and cafés, but since the 1st January 2008, the smoking ban law is also enforced there. You may face a fine of €68 if you are found smoking in these places.

Smoking is banned in métro and trains, as well as enclosed stations. Subway and train conductors do enforce the law and will fine you for smoking in non-designated places; if you encounter problems with a smoker in train, you may go find the conductor.

As hotels are not considered as public places, some offer smoking vs non-smoking rooms.

Only people over the age 18 may purchase tobacco products. Shopkeepers may request a photo ID.

Tourism in Morocco

Tourism plays an important role in Morocco's economy, which is the core of the service sector in Morocco, which is available on road signs and Skkih network to a length of 59 474 km and 1813 km, and there is the most important international airports in all of the ,, Fez, Agadir, Marrakech, Tangier, Oujda and eyes. As the most important ports are stationed in all of Casablanca, Mohammedia, Kenitra, Tangier, Dakhla and Nador and Agadir.

There Morocco many World Heritage sites: the archaeological site of Walili, Palace of Ait Ben Haddou, Mazagan (new), the ancient city of Essaouira, the old city of Fez, the ancient city of Marrakech, the ancient city of Tetouan, the historic city of Meknes, the cultural space of the Jemaa El Fna Square,the city Tangier and the city of Tan.Tan.

Tourism antique cities: 
The official focus of tourism activity in Morocco, through decades, the cultural heritage offered by rich antique cities Bmatherha historical and traditional industries and popular culture these Fez, the first Islamic city in the country of Morocco, is a museum open pulsing history. Includes the prestigious University of villagers and a series of traditional markets, hotels Altarichah.ohzh red Marrakech Koutoubia surrounding a silo, and raises interesting visitors Badi Palace and break the lighthouse and Agdal Gardens, in addition to the traditional world of diverse industry. But her heart remains beating represented in the yard, "Djemaa el Fna" classified by the body, "UNESCO" universal human heritage of oral literature and the arts, which is an open space for popular Gap inherent in various forms and colors. It is no coincidence that the selection of Marrakech to host the National Festival of Folk Art and the Meknes, Rabat and Salé, WHDH Tangier city of magnificent nicknamed the Bride of the north, bordering the Mediterranean Ocean, Mediterranean Sea Alatlenti and accepted Taroudant, pieces of ancient history is open and libraries and museums and castles for tourists hungry for knowledge ..

Mountain tourism
Since the beginning of the tourist activity takes the form of contemporary, pioneers discovered distinct spaces for the practice of mountain tourism. The small city of Azilal (east of Marrakech) present activity. In winter the Atlas Mountains form the pole attractions thanks to snow that circulated Hamadtha. Morocco and is available on the important areas to ski on snow various Osnavh, both in the "Okimdn" on the outskirts of Marrakech, or in "Michleven" Azrou Ifrane cities and suburbs, and regions are available on the sports and tourist facilities
In the summer, the role of amateur sports climbing, which is particularly active in the outskirts of Marrakech, or convoys crossing the High Atlas Azilal from the northern foothills of the valves or composed or Tinerhir southern foothills comes. As many enthusiasts visited the deep caves and especially those located in the outskirts of the cities of Agadir in the south and Taza in the northeast. Also flock to these mountains amateur nature reserves, where the countryside and mountains of the Atlas Mountains are available on the most important protected areas in the country, especially the reserves Souss and Toubkal.

Sport tourism
Moroccan authorities have made special efforts to make physical activity in the tourism service. And relied in particular on the game of golf as a sport senior businessmen and set up tourist villages on a series of golf courses across the country
But sports tourism in Morocco did not generate this administrative decision, before it was mountains provide adequate space to fly glider, and natural lakes, located in various regions of the country, was and is still of interest to amateur flatwater games. At the same time constitute the country, in different areas, plenty of space to practice my sport hunting and fishing

Religious tourism
  .  Tijani angularity Fez
   . Yom Hillula

Beach tourism
 Morocco has 3,500 kilometers of beaches, a third of the Mediterranean Sea, and the rest of the Atlantic Ocean. It is what makes him a favorite of amateur tourism destinations, Moroccans and foreigners . and beaches were always a favorite destination with tourists during the summer in particular.
Mediterranean sea is proposed to the visitors the West and South, quiet beaches of pure water and golden sands, from Saadia to Tangier, passing through the front, Al Hoceima, Ristinka small palace, in the Atlantic Ocean presents a variety of complexions beaches, from Tangier to Lagouira, passing and the asila  and Moulay Bousselham and Mahdia and Temara and Skhirat and Casablanca and neonatal and Essaouira, Agadir, Safi, Sidi Ifni and eyes, as well as Tangier, which is the capital of this type of tourism.

Statistics
 The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism announced on Wednesday, July 5, the number of tourists in Morocco in the last five months of the current year increased by 16 per cent compared with last year. He has visited about 2.09 million tourists in the country that period, including 696 thousand Moroccan immigrant abroad. The ministry said that the highest recorded in Tangier by 31 per cent. In Marrakech, the figure was 27 per cent and 14 per cent in Agadir and 11 per cent in Casablanca and 9 per cent in Meknes and 8 per cent in Rabat and 6 per cent in Essaouira.
Tourism in Morocco recorded a decline in revenues amounted to 43% in early 2002 due to the effects of the events of September 11 in the United States amounted to tourism revenues in the first month of this year, $ 102 million compared to the same period in 2001, with revenues of about $ 179 million.
And works in the Moroccan tourism industry about 620 000 people and was the industry has seen a significant development in the years who scoop September 11 In 2000, tourism revenues increased 28% and reached 8.26 billion dirhams ($ 38.2 billion), but that Morocco aims to receive ten million annually by 2010, tourists from around 2.4 million tourists last year. And trying to Morocco to minimize the negative effects left by the events of September to continue in more projects, work has started since October 2002 for the development of sites for the construction of 36 hotels with about 7 thousand rooms in Marrakech, an investment costing 44.6 billion dirhams as well as some of the projects for many investors.
Morocco may be less harmful than the bad situation of tourism in the world due to the moderation that sets it apart.
Moroccan Tourist Office has set out to identify the most prominent features of the emergency plan to cope with the current crisis, Morocco is able to attract between 5 and 6 million tourists without taking into account the border tourism, which would change to some extent tourism and attract a variety of which an estimated two million tourists increase can Moroccan tourism who are abroad and publicity campaigns studied with priority given to all classes

28 Ways to Totally Blow Your Travel Budget in South America

1. do enough research on flights.
Your flight will be the most expensive part of your trip. You can save hundreds of dollars by taking flights that require multiple stops instead of constantly and in some cases by adopting the airlines in the neighboring country of destination, airlines or smaller, then bus or national trains to their final destination.

2. Wear too little or too much luggage.
No climate survey may mean that you might end up buying things you already have at home and could carry with you, such as jackets, hats and gloves. On the other hand, if things probably do not need (or not be able to use) too many clothes, too many appliances (hair dryer, curling irons, shavers, cell phones do not work here) can add to your budget either airline counter (excess baggage) or when you have to pay someone to buy your luggage while you are here (taxi drivers, children and knobs in hotels and airports), or pay to keep your luggage while you are on the shorter leg of the trip.

3. The use of credit cards and travelers checks and do not bring enough money.
The surest way to lose money is to use credit cards. First, you have to pay an additional percentage for use in most South American countries (usually around 3%). Second, many places will not accept them. Traveler's checks are also exchanged (paid) in some places. Lack of money is another issue. If you have to have someone with wiring your money will blow a big wad of cash!

4. Ignore the great small hotels and hostels because they sound "unknown" or are not in the guidebooks.
There are many small hotels and inns that are clean, comfortable and offer good service throughout Latin America. You should not be in a big expensive hotel. I'm not suggesting that you put up with cockroaches, but if you intend to spend much time in bed or watch TV, how many times you actually stay in your room anyway? One of the best ways to find a cheap but good hotel is to obtain a series of personal recommendations, we encourage you to visit the forums on Travel and comments hotel (and pay later - leave your review for someone another to take advantage of if and traveled).

5. how to pay too much for food.
While you should always take precautions to ensure you do not get sick, skip the restaurants that do not look clean, but not always dine in expensive restaurants. Choose restaurants that look great, but are not in the guidebooks. Most restaurants that are frequented by tourists adjust their menu prices for tourists and locals who choose to dine there not knowing this. In addition, many travelers do not try local food !! Did you know that in many parts of South America international or foreign fast food restaurants are a luxury and among the most expensive options for local standards?

6. case.
In supermarkets and shops with items priced tickets can not negotiate the price. But in the most open markets that it is wrong not to. Vendors automatically increase the price when they see that you are a stranger and expect your first reaction is a request for a price differential.

7. Ignore the opening of markets.
The opening of Latin American markets that sell everything. Skip meats and cheeses (they will never be refrigerated) and non-bottled water and fruit juice, but the purchase of fruits, vegetables, bread, butter, biscuits and snacks, refreshments and more. Almost everything you find in a supermarket can be found here. You can also get sunglasses, hats and clothing, mosquito repellent, batteries, toiletries and other things that are sold in supermarkets close up twice.

9. Go trap tourists shopping.
Markets in Latin America not only sell food. Place the trap souvenir shops in tourist expensive (over costs about 2-3 times more than they should). Even areas memories that resemble open markets can be much more expensive than it should be because they cater to foreigners. If you see only memories and nothing else, it is a tourist paradise. Go to open markets, buying individual providers who offer their products on the street, and you can get the same memories at much lower prices. And do not forget to bargain (will be surprised if it does). You will truly help the needy in our local economy if the sector.

10. Ignore the free sites and attractions not cool in the guide books.
Stay on the trail of 100% of the time and you lose a lot of money (and lost some really nice places to visit). Did you know that many major museums and galleries in South America do not charge fees? Have you checked the hundreds of large parks and places for people to look great local opportunities and photo? He asked residents which is great to see?

11. Payment taxis too, do not take public transport, not going anywhere.
Many hotels have residents taxi services. Do not use them. They charge what it costs 2-3 times normal taxi. A short walk around the corner and take a taxi in the street.

12. Take the bad electronics, and accessories.
The energy sources vary widely in South America and one country to another (even within a country). Some use 220V and 110V some. You must bring adapters or make sure to wear the proper equipment for the area you are traveling or living room.

13. study the appropriate documentation.
All countries need some foreigners to enter (passports, vaccines against yellow fever, letters of invitation, hotel reservations, etc.). Having all the right documents before arriving will be a boon for your wallet. Get arrival may cost you more, wasting time, and the ability to end up being sent home if you do not have the documentation you need.

14. Do not leave copies of your documents and credit cards at home.
Losing or getting your stolen documents can be a really horrible experience. Do not get copies only made things worse. Leave copies of your passport, medical records, airline tickets, credit cards and other important documents in your wallet at home (and bring an extra copy with you) to. If you need to deal with new in their consulate, this will make it much easier and faster and generally less expensive.

15. Do not spend enough on their tour. Huh?
Well, believe it or not, if not properly research your tour operator, cheap travel with their dirty tour operator who does not live up to your expectations and will not deliver as promised can end up costing more l dissatisfaction of a tour that was a little more expensive at first, but I kept his promises. You will end up feeling cheated and as you have wasted your money.

16. Do not invest in travel insurance.
Nobody wants to get sick during the trip, luggage or documents have lost an emergency or accident, or stealing something from them during the trip. But sometimes. These things are never predictable everywhere?

17. Calls way too expensive overseas,.
There are many free or inexpensive ways to communicate with people "at home" while you are on your trip. Latin America has an incredible number of cheap cafes in many areas of super costs less than a dollar an hour. Implement programs like Skype on your home computer and use them while you are here. Also, if you research the best phone cards and / or rental of mobile phone or purchase, and you can cut your budget down. You can also use Skype without a computer.

18. Bring your own cell phone.
Check before traveling if your phone will work in South America. Most of South America uses a completely different system grid and type and many many many cell phones calling many many many countries do not work here at all. So invest in a cell phone rental or purchase an international phone travel can actually save you money.

19. Not enough venture out on their own.
Some circuits are dangerous or simply too far away to make your own, but do not need a guide wherever you go. With a bit of confidence, there are many places that you can visit without guides, translators and tour operators. The same goes for those of you who are relocating to South America

20. No survey of laws on traveling with children and pets.
If you are traveling with children must have special permits and documentation, especially if only one parent is traveling with a child. Many a foreigner was sent home for not having a permit from the other parent. Not having the proper documentation for your pet can lead to high costs quarantine.

21. investigate our vacation.
One of the best ways to lose money while traveling is reached for the national or regional parties to find everything closed. While you can enjoy the holidays, you might not find a place to stay, banks or exchange offices may be closed, and you might well end the travel expenses to another place or the payment of the only hotels (highest first are the last to have vacancies).

22. Do review your Spanish.
Invest in a pair of Spanish classes, a good phrasebook Spanish travel phrases in Spanish or get FREE to your iPod or other accessory you can save money in the longrun. How? Optionally, you can avoid paying a translator (in many countries in South America guides do not speak English and other languages). In addition, you can avoid feeling trapped in the markets and shops or elsewhere to pay anything if sellers are know enough Spanish to get by. If you think you've been here for some time are more likely to expect to haggle.

23. Ignoring (or intentionally) break the law.
One way to have significant financial trouble committing a crime. Take a tour of the prison to buy cocaine is a big no-no. The purchase of illegal drugs or buying drugs or alcohol to you or anyone else anywhere is a crime. Getting into arguments or fights, attend meetings or political events, be rude to police officers, violation of private property, disorderly conduct, trying to cross the barricades, injuring another person while driving, or even if you defend a thief, anything can end up in jail. Even if you are found innocent and everything is finally clarified, it may take a lot of time and money to get out of their situation.

24. flash your money.
When traveling, keep your money in several different places at once (some in your purse, some in every pocket, etc.) in order not to bring any fluff when you have to pay for something. This will not only seem presumptuous because your provider to feel cheated if prices laid down, and to the Latin American poor horrible sense in general, is a sure way to ensure that people will immediately raise prices when the cost of something is requested. By exchanging your currency control small plane. This will get the change easier and save you money in the long run because it is not perceived as an "alien with large amounts of money that we should raise our prices."

25. staring.
This not only automatically send the message that you are a foreigner and you should pay more for things, it's also dangerous. No matter where you are and where you're going, even if you get lost, walk with a purpose, to stick to well-lit areas. Just ask the directions of police officers, shop owners, restaurants or other establishments. Looks like you're lost and you can become a target for thieves and others who may aim to divert and you might end up having to replace your belongings. Look like you know where you are going and probably discourage their activities. But you follow this advice anywhere in the world, right?

26. Carry huge cost for cameras.
Nothing screams "Tourism Coming !!!" most of the camera - and actually this is true for almost any device. South American suppliers are tourist observers teacher. They can see you coming from miles away and quickly spreads the message that you are in the neighborhood. Sellers actively rearrange their products (with the most expensive on top or even hide the cheap), and before you arrived, you've already talked to each other and are installed on the higher prices will go to both the offer. All types of cameras in a camera bag, grab your camera when you need to take your picture, put it in the bag when finished and will save a lot of money.

27. no money for emergencies are not reserved.
It's horrible to fall ill, have an accident, losing their property, or loss against theft when traveling. Blowing all your money early in your trip is not only unwise, it's dangerous. You might end up having to visit a clinic and no money. Also, have someone you wire the money to add to the coast. So do a lot of races at the beginning of your trip just means you have to cart with you (or pay for storage), while traveling.

28. The best way to pay much more than it should for just about anything: look, dress and act like a tourist.

a) Using tourist geek clothing (shirts or caps point not really look cool on anyone and anyone carrying tourists embroidered, huge mountain boots, even when walking around the city, alpaca sweaters only tourists can pay jeans are so dirty that they could fend for themselves, you get the picture).

b) Wear clothing that is not appropriate for an event or occasion. Nobody expects wear when traveling. But in restaurants, bars and clubs you can even find some do not allow to enter if you are wearing inappropriate clothing (eg, some will leave you with broken shorts or out of court, others do not allow sneakers ).

c) Speaking a foreign language all the time, do not try to use Spanish and speak loudly. Many South Americans are quite soft-spoken and quietly talking to each other in public places, buses, restaurants, etc.
You're never a stranger appears. Everyone always knows immigrant tourist or local. But if you want to save money, lower the tone.

Charis Barks grew up in Latin America since the age of four years and as an American expatriate, third culture kid and daughter of missionaries, he moved to and from several countries in South America. Growing up in the southern hemisphere has given him a unique perspective that starts now and http://www.boliviabella.com [http://www.gosouthexpat.com], a website that is based on the movement in abroad and living in abroad. Feel free to post your questions if you are considering moving to South America and if you have not already, join and post their own articles about life abroad in the forums. Expatriates and travelers from all over the continent contribute to this site by adding pages with your own tips and stories, tips and personal recommendations. The best source of information and insider tips your expatriate community in South America!

Air Travel and Luxury Vacations - How Airlines Work

In this new age of information, the concept that people can book your luxury holiday has permeated the minds of many travelers. These new trends began when airlines airline tickets available for purchase via the Internet. It revolutionized the travel industry. But buyer beware, the truth is hidden! When you think you have found the best available air, you can not get the whole story. Take a look behind the scenes of the way the ticket.

The purpose of the airline

When the time comes for you to buy your ticket if the ticket for the start of a world luxury cruise or a quick trip to visit relatives state, keep in mind that the Airline goal is that people pay a hurry. When price changes on a daily basis, airlines are trying to pressure the travelers to buy the ticket at that time. They want you to give as much as possible, as soon as possible. To apply this attitude, airlines also charge huge premiums for last minute tickets. Why? Because they can, and because the traveler will be desperate to pay for it.

The air intakes and travel agents

Now more than ever, airlines tickets are available online. Please note; although companies promise the best price of admission, they speak to that particular flight. This does not mean that all flights are available for purchase. If you are dedicated to finding the best deal on your own, you should call the airlines directly. But the best option for all luxury vacation travel and airline tickets is to call your local travel agency. You may be charged a small service charge for tickets, but can end up paying less than you would online. They will save you time and trouble to call the airline you. But there are some key terms that need to be taken into account. You can "reserve" a seat with an airline, which means it is put on hold and you have to pay for it a week before departure. The only way is to book directly with airlines and travel agencies some big names like American Express Travel.

Airlines spend millions of marketing dollars to convince you to go to their website to book airline tickets. For some travelers interested in buying cheap airline tickets to add to your living luxury travel, the Internet can be a good place to start. But airlines maintain pressure on price trends and maintain the threat of sale to try to make travelers pay as much money as quickly as possible. Use all available and directly call a travel agent or airline resources. Do not let anyone intimidate you to pay more!