AboutRuth Lockwood Expertise I have been living and working in Cappadocian tourism for over 15 years and know this area inside and out(as well as all the current good and less explored destinations in Turkey , so would be more than happy to help with any info relating to tours, walking , hiking hotels ,sightseeing etc as well as helping you with the local culture . I have also been dealing in the rug industry with international collectors and dealers,so know all the pitfalls,and would be more than happy to provide you with professional help and advise in this area.Also happy to help with questionsre starting businesses , settling here etc .
Experience
Past/Present clients The NZ and Australian Governor Generals , the NZ prime Minister as well as many Ambassadors .
Question WE PLAN TO VISIT TURKEY FOR 10 T0 11 DAYS BETWEEN DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 2, 2009. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN TURKEY THIS TIME OF THE YEAR? CONSIDERING THE WEATHER THIS TIME OF THE YEAR AND OUR AGES ( MY HUSBAND AND I ARE IN THE LATE 50'S WHILE OUR DAUGHTER IS 25 AND OUR SON IS 23 ), WHAT PLACES IN TURKEY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR US TO VISIT? SINCE THIS WILL BE THE ONLY TIME OUR KIDS CAN JOIN US FOR A TRIP, WE DON'T WANT TO DISAPPOINT THEM SHOULD WE END HOLED UP IN HOTELS OR INDOORS 3/4 OF THE TRIP DUE TO BAD WEATHER. I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS, IS THIS THE WRONG DATE TO VISIT TURKEY? MANY THANKS, ANNA
Answer Hi Anna ,
well I have to be frank and say that Decemeber - Jan is not the most wonderful time to visit Turkey . It can be freezing cold and snowing in many regions but in saying that it can also be very very beautiful with the snow if you are well dressed and well prepared . Some years it doesnt snow at all and last year I was in Istanbul in Feb and we had some gorgeous sunny and beautiful days. So its a luck card weather wise but I would still come well prepared.
Istanbul is great in any weather especially if you book a hotel in Sultanahmet as all the major sites are a short walk away.Getting around is easy and the city is well geared for tourists at any time of the year.
You could try some of the coastal agean sites like Ephesus(near Izmir) or Antalya as their weather is always warmerthan anywhere else and again is well geared to all round tourism .
Although I live in Cappadocia and its so stunning in the snow - we can be a bit hit and miss weather wise . If its glorious then you will see something that you could never see at any other time of the year as its just magical to see all these rock formations and churches with snow but if you are unlucky the weather can be dreary and many restaurants etc closed for the season .
The other place that I adored in the snow was Safranbolu - a world heritage town with wonderful architecture and loads of stunning houses to look through and beautiful hotels . This would also be a great choice for a few days .
All tourists generally are surprised by Turkey and never expect it to have the diversity or hospitality that it does have so I think no matter what time of year you come you will very much enjoy it.
Good Luck with your plans
