Camping in Istanbul
 
From a Tour of Turkey 2009 

John and Jennie Briden
July 2009

In 2008 when we first thought of taking our Rapido986F to Turkey to tour anti-clockwise we were very  apprehensive about travelling so far on our own without any knowledge of the Turkish (or German languages).Whilst researching for information I came across your website. We had toured all round Greece in 2007 ,and the information given of your travels in Greece and Turkey in 2008 gave us the confidence to go it alone in Turkey.

We entered Turkey at Ipsala on the 21st April 2009 and toured anti-clockwise from Gallipoli, via the Aegean and Meditteranean coasts as far as Adana. Then up to Cappadocia ,Kayseri, Sivas, Tokat, Amasya, Corum, Cankiri, Kastamonu and on to the Black Sea the west to Istanbul. At Istanbul we were allowed to park (along with many other motorhomes) at the fishermans' quay car park, 20 YTL per 24 hours. It is opposite the city wall and only 15 minutes walk from the Blue Mosque and other main sites.

The 'fishermen's quay' car park is the last of the many car parks on the Kennedy Caddesi dual carriageway, heading east. It is between  the Kumkapi and the Sultanahmet districts. From the car park one can walk east to the first road through the old city walls and within 15 minutes arrive at the Blue Mosque.There is a kiosk at the entrance to the car park manned from about 0800 - 0100 hours.

We were overwhelmed with the welcome, kindness and trust of theTurkish people and their generosity. Whilst we were always alert and cautious we felt safe wherever we went. We overnighted on well lit car parks in company with other motorhomes on many occasions, on service station forecourts, opposite police stations on two occasions, enjoying cay with the officers.

We left Turkey on the 19th June 09 having had a wonderful, memorable time. We had met no other motorhomes from the UK but met numerous units from Holland, Germany and France and even a few from Sweden and Denmark.