TURKEY

Turkey is located on the border of Europe and Asia, forming a bridge between the two continents and Istanbul, which is the biggest city of the country, having the title of being the only city in the whole world that is established on two continents, lies gracefully on the beautiful Bosphorus strait.
Turkey covers an area of over 800.000 sq. kilometres, is surrounded by four seas (the Mediterranean on the south, the Aegean Sea on the west, the Marmara Sea on the northwest and the Black Sea on the north), with seashores stretching for over 8000 kilometres.

Turkish nature offers variety with palm beaches and snowy mountains, rivers, lakes, dams and steppe, mountains and plains.
History on Turkish soil begins before millennia. The land has been the birth place of many cultures which still have their presence there today. Two of the Seven Wonders of the World are in Turkey: the Artemis Temple in Efes and the Halikarnassos Mausoleum in Bodrum. In Alanya you can swim in the same waters as once Cleopatra swan and have your rest on the same beach as her. Mount Ararat where Noah's arch stopped according to legend is in eastern Turkey and again legend has it that St. Nicholas lived in Demre.

Turkey offers modern hotels and first class restaurants, and nightclubs which are open almost throughout the night. Delicious cuisine, friendly people, numerous activities, good service and reasonable prices make holidays in Turkey just perfect. Turkey is not any further than other popular Mediterranean destinations, only 3.5 hours flight from London.

Did you know that Turkey has 300 sunny days a year and Mediterranean beaches of over 1500 kilometres?

Did you know that Turkey was once hosted Efes, Troy and Virgin Mary and still holds their homes?

Did you know that Turkey has a unique nature, like the travertines in Pamukkale or the fairy chimneys in Göreme?

TURKEY AT A GLANCE

 
TRAVELLING TO TURKEY
Major tour operators arrange 1 or 2 weeks package tours to Turkey, mainly from April to October, but short city breaks or tailor made tours are also available throughout the year.

Turkey has 14 international airports and there are several scheduled flights daily from Europe to these airports. Turkish Airlines has direct flights from many European capitals to Istanbul. They fly from Warsaw in Poland.

Train journey takes about 3 days from London to Istanbul. Istanbul Express also has daily trains from Munich, Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria to Istanbul and there is a daily train from Athens to Istanbul. Most of the European capitals as well as Syria, Georgia and Iran have good coach connections to Turkey. In many cases coaches are faster than train.

You can drive to Turkey through Europe. Turkish Maritime Lines ferries sail from Venice to Izmir and from Brindisi to Cesme. Private ferries sail between the Greek Islands and Turkey during the summer season.

Visa regulations
For information go here

Travel Insurance Policies can be taken out via the travel agencies arranging your holiday or independently. Insurance companies have contracts with local medical doctors and clinics.

Customs regulations
The following goods can be taken into Turkey without customs duties: 1 video camera and 5 cassettes 1 TV, radio, cassette player and CD player 1 portable computer and 1 typewriter 1 mobile phone, binoculars 3 different musical instruments Personal sports equipment 200 cigarettes and 5 litres wine or spirits

Currency
There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into the country, but not more than worth USD 5.000 of Turkish Lira may be brought into or taken out of the country. Outside the tourist areas, if you travel there, it may be advisable to take US dollars or Euro with you. Exchange rates: www.tcmb.gov.tr/kurlar/today

Electricity
Electricity in Turkey is 220V and continental plugs are used, so it is advisable to have a plug adaptor in order to be able to us British electrical appliances (hair dryer, mobile charger, etc.).

Mobile phones
Mobile phones work well in Turkey. Short interferences may however occur. Using a Polish network mobile phone to make calls is quite expensive, but text messages work well and are not as expensive.

Climate and clothing
On the Mediterranean coast summers are long and sunny and winters are short and mild. From the end of April to November you can use summer clothing. In wintertime you need a raincoat and something warm.

If you travel to the mountains, warm clothing may be necessary because nights might be cold. In eastern Turkey and on the Black Sea region warm clothing may be necessary. A raincoat is necessary on the Black Sea region also in summer season.

You should not go outside the beach in swimming suit and never enter a Mosque shoes on. Women need to cover their heads and hair with a scarf when entering a mosque or a cemetery, as it may be considered as inconsiderate or rude.

• IN TURKEY

• ISTANBUL