Frommer's Turkey

Although the author’s frequent complaints about over-touristed Turkey sometimes seem designed to turn readers off visiting (keeping the treasures to herself, perhaps?), the many wonders of this amazing land of history and culture are well documented in this easy-to-use guide. A tad short on historical underpinnings, and oblivious to large swaths of the country, the book is nevertheless a fairly thorough and often entertaining guide to a fascinating land.

Frommer’s Turkey will help visitors navigate what may appear to be a land of chaos. There’s plenty here for the first-time visitor, but those on a return voyage—or the lucky travelers planning to spend more than a week or two—may find the book somewhat lacking.

There is no information on large sections of the country, including the southeast, east, and Black Sea coast. While the decision to focus on the far more popular (and safer) western half of the country is understandable, perhaps the book’s title should be amended to Frommer’s Half-of-Turkey.

Occasionally repetitive (do we really need to be told more than once that the entire Statue of Liberty could fit inside Istanbul’s Ayasofya?), sometimes awkward, and sporadically inexplicable (what does “The Grand Bazaar is a vivid illustration of all that’s gone wrong with the free market” mean?), there is also a fund of good advice on everything from buying a carpet to visiting a Turkish bath.

The author helps visitors navigate the chaos of Istanbul and offers up great advice on where to get good deals, how to plan a trip, what beaches are musts, and how best to experience the unforgettable Cappadocian limestone caves. There is information on language and logistics, plenty of hotel and restaurant guidance, and lots of outspoken opinions on what and what not to do.

It is that last part—the what not to do—the makes the book ultimately a bit of a turn-off. There are so many warnings of scams, so much space spent on where not to go and what not to do, that it can make Turkey feel like a land where the visitor must walk on eggshells, rather than the rich and rewarding crossroads of civilization it is.

Use the book with a pinch of salt—enjoy the history, appreciate the good advice—and believe that the visit will be more pleasurable than the author’s warnings might make you fear.