The final destination

So I have made it to blogging about the final destination. Finally

Turkey - the final leg on our overseas adventure and what a gorgeous way to farewell overseas travel. Everyone asks me where I would love to return to if I could. Apart from NYC - who can get enough of that place? - my answer is Turkey.

We were hesitant to go to Turkey but I really wanted to see Anzac Cove, I think most Aussies who are travelling do. However we had heard mixed stories about Turkey which had us wondering whether we were up for such a cultural difference at the end of a full on five weeks of non stop travel.

But we like to go off with a bang so we decided on Turkey and shelved Egypt for a later date.

On hindsight this was one of the best decisions on our trip. The worst - staying in a cupboard in Singapore - but we've already covered that ground.

We managed to score a really cheap flight from Switzerland because we discovered that outside of Turkey itself the largest Turkish community lives in Switzerland. Worked out perfectly for us as we caught a train out of the Lake Como district of Italy straight into Geneva.

We only stayed overnight in Basel Switzerland {at the coolest hostel} but I had already been to Switzerland before and we were on a budget which was not really compatible with Swiss tourism.

So off we went to Turkey.

Here are just a few points for would be travellers

1.Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey. We heard a few discussions about this with people saying they had visited the capital. Ankara is the capital. End of discussion.

2. Turkey is a HUGE country. It is not costly to travel around but it takes TIME. You need at least 3 weeks to see enough of the country and that would be moving at a quick pace. It is not a country like France or Germany which is easy to get around. Factor this into your plans

3. Turkish do air or bus travel. There is a rail system but it was created by Germans and they charged per kilometre to the Turkish government. Hence the Turkish railway system winds through the country and is not direct or quick. Bus trips are long - think 10 hours to some places. Car hire is available - just allow time.

4. Turkey is the friendliest place we visited. The genuine hospitality we found overwhelming. I think it made a huge difference to be travelling with a small child and having read up on local customs. We learnt from our embarassment in Bratislavia, and knowing local customs made a difference.

5. I felt TOTALLY safe in Turkey. I actually felt more unsafe in the UK.

6. Istanbul uses trams for travel just like Melbourne and I dislike trams as much as I do here in Melbourne.

7. Istanbul has some of the most breathtaking architecture I have ever laid my eyes on

8. Turkish food was AMAZING and Turkish icecream is chewy - weird I know but it is to stop it melting in the heat.

9. You will get used to the calls for prayer but I still suggest you take ear plugs.

I would  recommend Turkey highly to anyone and hopefully our short stay will show Turkey for the wonderful place we found it to be