Turkey just may be the ultimate holiday destination. In one thrilling, sun-kissed package tourists can discover perfect beaches, ancient ruins, epic religious sites, wonderful food, glorious scenery, and a warm welcome from the famously friendly local people.
Turkey Travel Guide
Turkey includes tremendous variety in it’s vast borders: the west and east coast beach resorts offer pristine beaches and gorgeous turquoise-coloured waters, while to the west of the land are the rugged mountains of the Anatolian plateau, with it’s ancient cities and vibrant tribal cultures.
Turkey’s variety is best experienced in the glorious city of Istanbul, straddling two continents across the Bosphorous, and with Ottoman mosques and palaces, Roman ruins and glorious Byzantine churches interspersed with cutting edge nightlife, retail stores and modern developments.
It’s easy to get seduced by the picture perfect resorts of Oludeniz, Bodrum and Marmaris, but Turkey has plenty of other world-class attractions. Top draws include Cappadocia’s famed rock-hewn houses and churches, set amid a lunar-esque landscape; Gallipoli, an emotionally moving WWI site; the astounding ancient cities of Ephesus and Pergammon; and the thermal waters of Pamukkale.
Turkey offers a curious and exciting mix of ancient and modern; east and west; secular and pious, and visitors seldom find one trip enough.
Best time to visit Turkey
Turkey is best visited during the periods April to June and September to October, when the weather is warm without being too hot, and the bulk of the summer tourist rush is over. Istanbul has mostly mild weather and can be visited year-round. The busiest times are July and August, in addition to early September. Bear in mind that during this time beaches and attractions are at their most crowded and prices at their highest.
What to pack
A jumper or light jacket is useful for the evenings. Clothes are particularly good value in Turkey so leave some room in the suitcase and stock up before returning home.
What to buy
Turkish carpets and kilims, inlaid woodcrafts, shisha pipes, and ceramic tiles.
Eat
Shish kebabs, pide, meze platters, and dolmades.
A Final Word
Turkey is filled with natural beauty and visitors marvel at the scenes.
DISTANCE FROM AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE: 45 kilometres
TIME ZONE: Summer GMT +3 hours, Winter GMT +2 hours
CURRENCY: Turkish Lira (TRY). Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful in main towns
LANGUAGES: Turkish is the official language. English is spoken in places frequented by tourists
