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TESTIMONIALS |
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LONELY PLANET 2009
Our pick - Hotel Crowded House (814 15 65; www.crowdedhousegallipoli.com; Huseyin Avni Sokak 4)
Eceabat's newest caravanserai - named after the Antipodean band and not the state of the accommodation - is housed in a spanking-new four-storey building just a hop, skip and a stumble from the ferry. The 24 rooms and three dormitories (each with six bunks) are basic but spick-and-span, with ultramodern bathrooms and nonallergenic parquet floors. There's a laundry service (TL 10), book exchange and a wonderful café-bar on the ground and mezzanine floors. Best of all is the welcome and the atmosphere, both warm and chilled.
ABOUT TOURS
Crowded House Tours
Based at the Hotel Crowded House in Eceabat; afternoon tours led by the indefatigable Bülent 'Bill' Korkmaz (p183) most informative and popular on the peninsula. You can combine a battleship tour with a morning of snorkelling TL25, including transportation and equipment) in Suvla Bay, north of Anzac Cove, where there are more than 200 shipwrecks from the campaign
ABOUT ECEABAT
The most convenient base for visiting the Gallipoli battlefields is Eceabat on the western shore of the Dardanelles,
ABOUT GUIDE
BULENT 'BILL' YILMAZ KORKMAZ
How's things in Oz?
I don't know. I've never been to Australia. In fact, I've never been outside Turkey.
But, your accent...
I've been working as a tour guide on the peninsula for a dozen years. I'd say 90% of the visitors are from Australia and New Zealand. I guess the accent comes with the territory.
Fair dinkum, so your people are fully appraised of the Anzac legend then.
Oh, sure. They've learned all about the Gallipoli campaign in school and are usually well informed. I'd say more than 80% have a very good idea of what's what.
Ever get any know-it-alls?
That's not a problem but the British army sometimes sends over groups of historians or medical people or logisticians for three or four days. That's intensive and they can ask some pretty difficult questions.
Is it difficult escorting the former enemy around?
I like giving both sides of the story and I think they like hearing it. With a military group, though, I'll take the Turkish side.
Are there any battlefields or cemeteries that people are particularly keen to visit or spots that especially move them?
The Australians want to see Lone Pine and, of course, Anzac Cove. The New Zealanders are keen to get to Chunuk Bair. Everyone knows about The Nek - it's the last part of the Gallipoli movie. And everyone seems moved by Atatürk's message of reconciliation on the Ariburnu monument.
Has all this time hoofing around battlefields affected the way you view war and peace?
When I'm exploring on my own time, I think a lot about a whole generation of young men who were lost simply because a bunch of politicians said go and fight.
On your own time? War and peace, love and marriage... Sounds like you're married to your job.
I guess I am. In winter you'll find me roaming the peninsula, following old maps, exploring trenches, reading headstones. And I'm getting married this summer but we've had to postpone the honeymoon till the end of the year.
Which - let me guess - will be somewhere along the Somme, right?
It hasn't been decided but one thing's for sure - the place won't include any war sites.
Bülent 'Bill' Yilmaz Korkmaz (bulentbill@yahoo.com) is a certified tour guide who leads groups around the battlefields, cemeteries and other sights of the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Accommodation in Gallipoli
Anyone travelling down to Turkey, there's an impressive new place not yet listed in the lonely planet guide. It's in Eceabat, which is on the European side of the Dardanelles and has easy access to the Gallipoli peninsula. The place is THE CROWDED HOUSE and the owners have built this place to suit everyones needs, and that it does!!! I would recomend anyone travelling through the area to see what luxury hostelling is all about at minimal pricing. Crowded house has set new standards that other hostels would find it hard to compete with!
Chris, Lonely Planet, Thorn Tree
best place to stay if you want to be close to checking out gallipoli. pauly and zia run the place so well. they even took us on a snorkeling trip over world war 1 battle ships straight off anzac cove wow! thanks guys I will definitely be back!
josh, 26, australia
Hostelworld, 23rd October 2008
A fantastic new hotel with a hostel vibe, the staff are locals who are passionate and are helpful for organising tours etc not just for Gallipoli but throughout Turkey (especially Polot!). Highly recommended.
matthewpf961, Australia
Hostelword, 26th September 2008
Friendly manager Ziya was very helpful. Everything was exceptional!!!!
bigwillstyle15361, Australia
Hostelworld, 07th September 2008
By far the best place to stay on the Peninsula !
We stayed at Crowded House for 1 night, on our way to visit Anzac Cove. Located immediately as you get off the ferry from Canakkale. The rooms are first class, as are the staff. The rooms are pristine. The hotel/hostel itself is only a few months old I believe, however they are very friendly and will help with any tours or activities you wish to do. The lounge area, tv room, and bar are all excellent. Breakfast is also great, they go beyond the typical tomato and cucumber standards turkish breakfast :) Come with a little bit of conversational Turkish [as you should anyway if you're in Turkey!] and you are set for a great time at this hotel. This is a brand new establishment. Crisp sheets, fluffy towels, toiletries, spotless bathroom, and lots of hot water [a luxury when travelling Turkey]. The rooms were spacious, as was our bathroom. Would recommend this hotel to anyone who will listen.
Melbourne, AustraliaSep 19, 2008
TripAdvisor
Clean & Neat as a new Penny
This new upmarket hostel is like a brand new house. Its clean, comfortable & quiet. I don't know if anyone else was staying there when we were, it was so quiet. The bedroom was big enough but not large. The bathroom was a tiny bit small but it was well appointed. The beds are wonderful to sleep in with soft doonas that are white as snow. The building looks brand spanking new & has an interesting modern decor.
The owner is a lovely Turkish man who will do everything to assist you & gives a warm welcome.
You have to pay for internet but that's ok, if it was full you'd have all the travellers on the internet at the same time. There is an internet cafe nearby which is 1/2 price but very noisy.
Nice big lounge rooms are to be enjoyed with tv, magazines, coffee, tea. Breakfast was all set up for us & there's heaps to eat.
Nice feel to it as it has an Aussie bent.
Australia Jun 4, 2008
TripAdvisor
Location & value for money.
Hostelbookers, 18 September 2008
Location: very close to the ferry terminal; easy to find. On-line booking. Renovated interior.
Hostelbookers, 10 September 2008
So clean, great airconditionong, helpful staff. Nothing seemed too much trouble.
Hostelbookers, 9 September 2008
The stuff is very friendly and helpful, the hotel is new, very good looking and clean. The owners are very cool and they speak very good English. I think the very best choice in Eceabat.
Hostelbookers, 11 August 2008
friendly and helpful staff. Everything is new!
Hostelbookers, 11 July 2008
Fantastic staff
Hostelbookers, 28 June 2008
e-mail: info@crowdedhousegallipoli.com
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