Visas - Languages - Time - Currency - Tipping - Banking Hours - Electricity - Driving - Location
Phone - Health - Etiquette/Dress Code - Climate - Transport - Food - Shopping - Holidays - People

Turkey is a fascinating and beautiful country with a magnificent past, a land full of historic treasures covering thirteen successive civilizations. Roman temples, Seljuk Caravanserais, ancient Hittite sites, Ottoman mosques and palaces, the famous Grand Bazaar in Istanbul with its maze of over 4000 shops, ancient cities like Ephesus, UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Safranbolu with its traditional Ottoman houses, the stupendous colossal statues, lions and eagles on top of Mt. Nemrut (2150 metres) at sunset, the magnificent Holy City complex in Sanliurfa with its Pool of Abraham full of sacred carp, and surrounded by exquisite 17th century architecture, capped pinnacles known as ‘fairy chimneys’ in a variety of colours, where dwellings are known to have been hewn from rock as far back as 4,000 B.C., and the spectacular Mediterranean coastline.

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS
All Australian passport holders require a visa for travel to Turkey. Visas can be obtained from the borders of entry into Turkey. The fee is US$20 and is valid for stays of up to 3 months.

LANGUAGES
Turkish is the national language, Kurdish, Arabic are also spoken. English is widely spoken in main cities and tourist areas. (English is an increasingly popular second or third language)

CURRENCY
Turkish Lira. The US dollar is the preferred currency for travel. ATM’s are widespread. Major credit cards are accepted in most tourist hotels, restaurants and major stores.

VOLTAGE
Mainly 220 AC. Plugs are usually the two-pronged cylindrical European style.

BUSINESS & BANKING HOURS
Monday-Friday 8.30 a.m. – 12 noon and 1.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
For banks & state offices
9.30 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.
For shops and the private sector.
Saturday 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
For the private sector
Note that shops often stay open later in the main tourist areas.

TIME DIFFERENCE
Turkey has one uniform time zone 2 hours ahead of the UK and 1 hour ahead of continental Europe. Turkey is 7hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.

HEALTH REGULATIONS
No vaccinations are required unless arriving from an infected area. However we strongly recommend that you check with your local doctor or a vaccination centre.

PHONE SERVICES
Phone cards or tokens are used for calls from public phones. Wide mobile range is available.

TIPPING
10% is general practice. (The following is only an indication)
USD$3.00 to $5.00 per day for your driver and half of this for the driver.
Generally for 2 day tours: US$30.00 for guide, US$20.00 for driver.
For 10 day tours: US$100.00 for guide, US$50.00 for driver.

CLIMATE
The climate varies slightly depending on which region you are visiting. However overall the best time to travel in Turkey is from May to October, with temperatures ranging from an average of around 22°C in the early and latter months, to around 33°C in the summer months (June-August). Note that temperatures can reach up to 46°C in July and August. Coastal Turkey has hot summers with little rain and mild winters. Inland areas have longer and harsher winters.

WHAT TO WEAR
There is no dress code in Turkey. A headscarf and modest dress is recommended for women when visiting mosques.
When visiting Mt. Nemrut (2150 metres) at sunset, take warm clothing, as when the sun sets the temperature drops rapidly. It is also very windy and cold on top of the mountain.

Eastern Turkey is still very traditional in their ways and beliefs. Religion plays a very important part in their lives and the area is still not as well travelled by tourists as the rest of Turkey. You will need to dress appropriately - we suggest no short skirts or dresses for women and no singlets for men. Some areas may require women to wear a head scarf, so it is recommended to carry one with you. We recommend you wear loose fitting clothes (as it can be extremely hot in Eastern Turkey) which cover your shoulders and knees.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Many of the major airlines have direct flights to Turkey. The principal airports for international scheduled flights are in Istanbul and Ankara. There are rail and road connections to Asia and Europe and hydrofoil or ferry services to several Greek islands. For local travel there is an excellent bus network, some rail sectors, domestic flights to the major cities, and coastal ferries.
Taxis, buses, trams, dolmus (shared taxis), and ferries (in Istanbul) provide public transport.
Around major urban areas, the roads are paved and in good condition. In rural areas, the infrastructure is generally adequate but not always well maintained. cities. The communication system is fairly good, although telecommunication services (both domestic and international) are best in urban areas. There are several national television and radio stations. There is a wide selection of daily newspapers, but government reaction to criticism can be harsh.

DRIVING
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. Excellent signage in English script and well-maintained road network. An Australian driving licence is acceptable for driving in Turkey. Petrol costs in 2007 are approximately AUD$2.50 per litre (USD 2.00 per litre).

FOOD & DRINK
Turkish cuisine is rich and diverse and is one of the world’s best and healthiest. Food is prepared using the freshest ingredients.
Breakfast is usually light, consisting of tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, olives, bread, butter, jam, honey, and tea or coffee. The main meal of the day is eaten in the evening and may consist of several courses.

Traditional Turkish cuisine includes meze, a tray or table of small dishes, including stuffed vine leaves, salads, prawns, and a variety of other items, as well as shish kebab (cubes of lamb grilled on a skewer). Meat is often grilled. Fish is fairly plentiful along the Bosphorus and the coast, but tends to be expensive. Vegetables are usually prepared in olive oil, and rice pilav is common. Soups are an important part of the diet. Turkish desserts include baklava (a dessert of syrup and pastry) and muhallebi (milk pudding).

Turkish coffee (kahve), a thick brew served in small cups, is served with nearly every meal. Famous and popular dishes include: kebabs, vegetable dishes, pide, and baklava. Despite being overwhelmingly Muslim, Turkish people enjoy locally made beer, wine, and spirits. The national drink is raki, an aniseed-flavoured clear grape brandy, similar to Greek ouzo or French pastis, that clouds when water is added.

SHOPPING
Traditional crafts include carpets and kilims, leather and suede, copper and bronzeware, gold and silver jewellery, meerschaum pipes, embroidery, ceramics and onyx. Istanbul boasts great shopping with its famous historic Grand Covered Bazaar containing over 4000 shops, and its fascinating Spice Bazaar. There are modern shopping malls and boutiques in Istanbul carrying the latest fashions and goods. There are also modern shops and traditional bazaars throughout Turkey.

HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and vary from year to year.
Secular holidays in Turkey are calculated according to the Western calendar. Other official holidays include New Year's Day (1 January); National Sovereignty Day (23 April, coinciding with Children's Day), Atatürk's Memorial Day and Youth Day (19 May); Victory Day (30 August); and Republic Day (29 October). The day before Republic Day is also a holiday in some areas. August is when most people take their annual holiday.

LOCATION
Turkey is located in southeastern Europe and the Middle East. It is bordered on the northwest by Bulgaria and Greece, on the north by the Black Sea, on the northeast by Georgia and Armenia, on the east by Iran, on the south by Iraq, Syria, and the Mediterranean Sea, and on the west by the Aegean Sea. The total area is about half the size of Mongolia.

PEOPLES
Population 63 million (approx.)
Ethnic divisions
Turkish 80 per cent
Kurdish 17 per cent
Other 3 per cent
Religions
Muslim (mostly Sunni) 99.8 per cent (approx. 15% practicing)
Other (Christians and Jews) 0.2 per cent