EuroCheapo's Turkey Articles

train station in Thessaloniki
Service changes abound at Thessaloniki's train station. Photo: Nicolas Vigier

European Rail Services: Big changes in Greece

Cast back to just 18 months ago, and the departure boards at Thessaloniki railway station were rather interesting. The city boasted direct train services to ten different European countries. In those days, one could hop aboard a train in Thessaloniki and travel, without once having to change trains, to distant Prague and even-further-distant Moscow. No » Read more

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Posted in Athens, Bulgaria, Greece, hidden europe, Macedonia, Practical Info, Train, transportation, Trip Planning, Turkey
Capital Connections: New links in high-speed rail networks

Capital Connections: New links in high-speed rail networks

Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries, editors of the book Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide for Independent Travellers, explain how new high-speed rail services are transforming the relations between capitals and the provinces in France, Sweden and Turkey. Turkish delight In the Turkish city of Konya, the acronym “YHK” has been much talked about this » Read more

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Posted in Day Trips, France, hidden europe, Paris, Practical Info, Stockholm, Sweden, Train, transportation, Trip Planning, Turkey
Alternative Transportation: European Car Trains

Alternative Transportation: European Car Trains

There are some occasions on trips through Europe when you just know that a car is essential, but with European fuel prices through the roof, and automobile rental companies sometimes levying draconian one-way drop charges (especially for international journeys), many folks are naturally wary about opting for a vehicle. European car trains can, however, play » Read more

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Posted in Alternative Transportation, Austria, Europe, France, Germany, hidden europe, Italy, Practical Info, tips, Train, transportation, Travel Smarts, Turkey, Vienna
Airline Memo: A maiden journey on Turkish Airlines

Airline Memo: A maiden journey on Turkish Airlines

Airlines—especially flagship carriers—have the awesome opportunity to create compelling brands that connect, in ways both obvious and creative, with their home cultures. Turkish Airlines, which I just had the pleasure of flying for the very first time, does a very good job of connecting its service as an airline to the brand of Turkey. Last » Read more

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Posted in Airlines, Airports, Cheapos at work, Istanbul, plane, transportation, Turkey, Wandering Cheapos
European Capitals of Culture: Istanbul, Pecs, Essen, and Görlitz

European Capitals of Culture: Istanbul, Pecs, Essen, and Görlitz

It was 25 years ago this spring that Athens assumed the mantle of being Europe’s first ever “Capital of Culture,” and so kick-started a program that has developed into a mainstay of the European culture and travel calendar. Since then, cities from Bruges to Bologna, Stockholm to Sibiu, have basked in the limelight for a » Read more

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Posted in Europe, Events, Festivals, Germany, hidden europe, Hungary, Luxembourg, Russia, tips, Turkey
Istanbul Budget Tips: Transit tickets, bazaar shopping, ferries, and nightlife

Istanbul Budget Tips: Transit tickets, bazaar shopping, ferries, and nightlife

It’s unsurprising that a city like Istanbul, with a population of about 12.6 million, offers an endless list of sight-seeing must-visits. Considering that even small expenses can add up, here are five pointers to help keep your budget in check. Transport: Use one-ways wisely Getting around Istanbul can be tough to figure out. One of the most important » Read more

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Posted in Practical Info, tips, transportation, Turkey, Wandering Cheapos

Cyprus Journal: Home again

Editor’s Note: This week, the blog has been tagging along with fellow Cheapo Alex Christodoulides as she visits family in Cyprus. NEW YORK—For the first 17 years of my life, my panorama of Cyprus was the inside of my relatives’ homes. We would arrive “apo Ameriki” and immediately begin a whirl of lunches and dinners » Read more

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Posted in Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Wandering Cheapos

Q & A: Scott Huler’s epic journey on a budget

Author, reporter, and NPR correspondent Scott Huler recently returned from an epic journey tracing the tale of Homer’s “Odyssey.” After reading “No-Man’s Lands,” his insightful recounting of the trip, we asked him for advice on planning a similar journey—on a budget. Scott had some great advice: When Odysseus set off on an epic voyage, he » Read more

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Posted in Alternative Transportation, Book Reviews, Europe, Food, Greece, Italy, Local Customs, Rome, Turkey

Wednesday Yum-Yum Digest

A few food-related articles and posts that have caught our eye over the last few days… 1. Kevin Gould’s “Eat like a local…” Budapest feature in last Saturday’s Guardian. Mmmm, coffee and cake, and lots of it. 2. In the Telegraph, Gill Charlton’s guide to Naples, with its mention of ultracheap, ultradelicious pizzeria Vesi. 3. » Read more

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Posted in Budapest, Food, France, Italy, Turkey

Netherlands: Top D-Reizen Deals

We’ve long been fans of Dutch bargain holiday boutique chains like D-Reizen, which regularly put together deals that amaze us. A quick look today at D-Reizen’s “Last Minute TOP-10″ list turned up three particularly interesting deals. These range from the unremarkable (€87.50 for a double room at an Ibis in Ghent, Belgium) to the downright » Read more

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Posted in Belgium, Budget Deals, Netherlands, Turkey