Turkey

Turkey Flag

Why visit Turkey?

Ideal for the affluent adventurous traveler seeking to enjoy ancient cave homes, bazaars, beaches, canyon hikes, canyons, churches, forests, hiking, historic mosques, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, lakes, mosaics, mountain climbing, museums, natural beauty, nightlife, palaces, rock formations, rocky coves, rugged mountains, ruins, scuba diving, shopping, skiing, small wineries, snorkel, spas, and water sports.

Cappadocia, Turkey. Photo Credit: Trudi90/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Brass samovars, brassware, ceramics, copper ware, embroidery goods, handwoven rugs, jewelry, kilims, leather goods, meerschaum pipes, paintings, silk, suede goods, tapestry weavings, and tiles.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Hunkar Begendi (eggplant/meat dish). Ic Pilav (fried rice). Izgaralar (grilled meat). Kofte (meatballs). Lahmacun (flatbread). Peynirli Borek (stuffed pastry). Pide (pizza). Yaprak Dolmasi (grape leaves).
• Local Drink to Try: Ayran (yogurt). Efes (beer). Rakı (wine). Sherbet (sweet).

Antalya, Turkey. Photo Credit: hanatour04/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Divriği Great Mosque & Hospital is a mosque and hospital built (1228 - 1229) by the local dynasty in the small Anatolian town.
• During the Crimean War (1853 - 1856), the late Florence Nightingale (1820 - 1910), Founder of Modern Nursing, was accredited to pioneering nursing in Istanbul.
• Late Hulusi Behçet (1889 - 1948), Dermatologist & Scientist discovered Behçet's Disease, a autoimmune disorder.
• Bosphorus Bridge (1973), Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge (1988) and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge (2016) are suspension bridges connecting the Europe and Asian shores to Istanbul.
• Turkish Airlines (1993) is the largest mainline carrier in the world by number of countries served.
  
• First Muslim majority country to hold Gay Pride (2003).
• Dr Aziz Sancar, Molecular Biologist won the Nobel Prize repairing damaged DNA cells.
  
• Istanbul ranked 10th most visited city in the world (2018).
• Çanakkale 1915 Bridge (2022) is the longest suspension bridge in the world.
  
• Ani is a ruined medieval Armenian city in the province of Kars.
  
• Has 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• May - June (Afyon) fields are covered in purple and white dry herb hay "hash hash"  poppies.
• Among the most visited countries in the world.
• Has 40 national parks.
  
• İznik tiles were used for the interior decorations in Ottoman architecture.
  
• Ranks 13th largest vehicle producer in the world.
  
• Mount Ararat is highest point (16,854 feet).
  
• Home to 519 Blue Flag beaches.
• Amongst the top 50 most innovative countries in the world.
  
• Native Caspian Tiger is now extinct.
• Known to host the largest number of refugees in the world.
  

Lycian Rock Tombs, Fethiye, Turkey. Photo Credit: falco/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Adana Half Marathon, Camel Wrestling Festival, (February) Baklahorani. (March) Adana MTB Cup, Antalya Marathon, İzmir European Jazz Festival, Milliyet Sports Awards, Tarsus Half Marathon, (April) International Istanbul Film Festival, İznik Ultramarathon, Mersin International Music Festival, Pink Life QueerFest,  Presidential Cycling Tour, Tulip Festival, (May) Ephesus Festival of Culture & Art, Flying Broom International Women's Film Festival, International Izmir Festival, International Labor Film Festival, (June) Antalya Sand Sculpture Exhibition, Aspendos Opera & Ballet Festival, Gazi Race, Genetically Modified Tomato Awards, International Mountain Biking Stage Race & Festival, Istanbul International Music Festival, Istanbul Pride, Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Tournaments, (July) Best Model of Turkey, Grape Harvest Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival, Rock'n Coke, Runfire Cappadocia Ultramarathon (August) International Ballet Festival, (September) Antalya Festival, Adana Golden Boll Film Festival, Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival, Izmir International Fair, Lycian Way Ultramarathon, Miss Turkey, Phaselis Festival, (October) Akbank Jazz Festival, Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, Best Model of Turkey, Darıca Half Marathon, International Wine Festival, Istanbul Book Fair, (November) Efes Pilsen Blues Festival, Istanbul Art Festival, Istanbul Animation Festival, Mersin Citrus Festival, (December) Festival on Wheels, Mersin International Music Festival, Mevlana Festival and World Rakı Festival.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, National Sovereignty, Children's Day, Labor Day Solidarity Day, Commemoration of Atatürk Youth & Sports Day, Victory Day, and Republic Day.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey. Photo Credit: Şinasi Müldür/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Carry your passport with you at all times.
• Climate varies from region to region.
  
• Popular visited cities are Antalya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Istanbul.
  
• Cruise lines include Istanbul and other ports on Mediterranean itineraries.
  
• Outside of major cities toilets require squatting.
  
• Public toilets require a small fee for use.
  
• Avoid large gatherings.
• Peak Beach Season is July - August.
  
• Avoid traveling alone.
• Eastern Turkey experiences short summers and cold winters.
  
• Evenings require a sweater year round.
• Drive only during daylight hours and on major highways. 
  
• Request menu prices before ordering, overcharging is known to occur.
• Targeted attacks against Americans remain high.
• Remove any sensitive comments and photos from cameras, electronic devices, laptops, and social media pages considered controversial or provocative before arrival.
  
• Cappadocia region (central) is known for its distinctive “fairy chimneys” and cone shaped rock formations.
  
• Buy antiques only from authorized dealers and obtain a certificate to avoid fines and incineration.
  
• Cellular use while driving is illegal and subject to a fine.
  
• Illegal drug use is punishable between 4 - 20 years in prison.
• Iraqi and Syrian borders.
  
• Driving with blood alcohol levels at/above 0.05% is subject to a fine and license confiscation for 6 months.
  

Ephesus, Selçuk, İzmir Province, Turkey. Photo Credit: DebraJean/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Required Vaccination from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Exit: $25,000TRY.

Kuşadası, Turkey. Photo Credit: 4355729/Pixabay 

Subject to earthquakes, high temperatures, humidity, and snowstorms.

• Best Time to Visit: April - May & September - October
• Coolest Months: November - March 
• Hottest Months: June - September
• Peak Season: June - August

Isparta, Turkey. Photo Credit: ekrem/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ani, Cappadocia, Göreme, Great Mosque & Hospital of Divrigi, Hattusa, Historic Areas of Istanbul, Hierapolis Pamukkale Denizli, Istanbul, Letoon Sanctuary Place, Mount Nemrut, Pamukkale, Safranbolu, Troy, and Xanthos.

Izmir, Turkey. Photo Credit: Jolyne D/Pixabay

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                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.