The advantage of visiting Turkey is that it has something for all tastes and budgets. Whether you're backpacking or on a guided tour, a party animal or retiree, single or on honeymoon, Turkey is a good choice.
In Istanbul, you can literally step from one continent to the other. But take care...the border is in the middle of the Bosphorus River, so perhaps best to do it on a ferry.
Turkish cuisine is fusion food. Over time, recipes from the Maghreb have been blended with those from Cyprus, Syria, Egypt amongst others. As a result the food is divine, Turkish Delight being a national treasure.
It's hard to define what awaits during a trip to Turkey. Part European, part Asian, it's culturally neither one nor the other. Turkey stands alone - it has its own, special flavor.
Do you dream of visiting a country that's not overly far from the UK? If so, a trip to Turkey is the one for you. Do you want to explore distant, faraway lands? Then you'll need to go further afield.
Discover all our travel ideas for a trip in Turkey.
Travel tips from our local agencies in Turkey.
Top places to discover.
With half the country in Europe and half in Asia, Turkey is an 11 hour flight from Washington DC and a 5 hour flight from London. Here's a summary of all you need to know before leaving on vacation.
Most nationalities including British citizens need a visa. The only exception is British people on a cruise who stop for the day.
No vaccinations are obligatory. But vaccinations against Tyhoid and Hepatitis A are recommended.
Turkish is the official language. Luckily most people in the Turkish tourist industry , as well as most of the population, speak English.
Turkish time is GMT+3. So when it is noon in London, it is 2:00 pm in Turkey.
International Dialling code: +90
Power is 230 volts so it's the same as the UK, but the plug is different. You will need an adaptor.
Turkish Embassy in the UK
Rutland Lodge Rutland Gardens,
Knightsbridge
London SW7 1BW, United Kingdom
020 7591 6900
http://www.mfa.gov.tr/contact-us.en.mfa
British embassy in Turkey
Şehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A
Çankaya
Ankara, Turkey
+90 312 455 33 44
britembcon@fco.gov.uk