Take a trip to Turkey

Everyone seems to be heading to Turkey. Why Turkey? And why now? Turkey provides the ideal blend of relaxing beaches, unique culture, historical buildings and party atmosphere: everything you would want for the ultimate summer holiday. Turkey has wonderful countryside of unspoilt beauty and cultural treats as well as cosmopolitan resorts, crumbling ruins and natural wonders. Whether you’re wandering around bazaars, relaxing in a Turkish bath or enjoying the nightlife, you’ll find your own way to enjoy this varied country. Turkey provides us with a window in which to view the Middle East, with the on goings throughout the area, Turkey is a safer holiday option.

Did you know?

The famous Trojan War took place in Western Turkey; around the site where the Trojan horse rests today. Tradition in Turkey states that a stranger at one’s doorstep is considered "God’s guest" for at least three days. Wait, there’s more! Istanbul has the historical building of Sirkeci Train Station. This was the last stop of the Simplon-Orient Express – “kings of trains and train of kings" - between Paris and Constantinople (Istanbul) 1883 to 1977. Agatha Christie was one of the passengers of this famous train.

What’s the weather like in Turkey?

The coast of Turkey is temperate, warm, and humid in the summer. Eastern Turkey has short summers and bitterly cold winters. Central Anatolia is dry and hot in the summer, rainy and snowy in the winter. If you plan to visit beaches, June through to September is the best time to travel. Southeastern Turkey is very dry and extremely hot in the summer. If you already know which area in Turkey you are going you can read more specific weather information here.

What should I wear in Turkey?

The best way to see the Old City of Istanbul is on foot so the advice is comfy walking attire that can be removed easily when visiting any of the many mosques. Istanbul is very cosmopolitan and stylish city but if you don't want to stand out on the street, wear modest clothing. Short shorts or short skirts are not a great idea. Smart casual for daytime and evenings works really well.

In the evenings, Turkish women tend to dress up, but bare arms and plunging necklines are seldom seen as they're covered in public (even in the dining rooms of the grandest 5-star hotels) with lightweight evening scarves or shawls.The 4 and 5 star hotels can be extremely sophisticated and glamorous and you may want to pack a smarter outfit to fit right in.

Even in warm weather when you're wearing sleeveless tops, carry a lightweight shawl to put over your bare shoulders. This is great to cover up for modesty when visiting any mosques.

In the winter months it gets really cold (and it snows) so wrap up – take a coat, hat and gloves. In rural Turkey, women tend to dress much more modestly, dark coloured head scarves, long skirts or trekking trousers and long sleeved shirts will help you to blend in a little more.

The dress code is much more relaxed in the coastal resorts, because they exist predominantly for the tourist trade. However, you'll be far more welcome if you still bear in mind the Muslim customs. For instance, don't go topless, however comfortable you are with it – the Turkish are not. Shorts, T-shirts and swimwear are all perfectly fine for use in your resort. If you know you're going to stay put, then this is the only type of clothing you'll need.

What items should I shop for in Turkey?

The best items to shop for in Turkey are handwoven rugs and kilims, leather goods, silk, alabaster, copperware and brassware, ceramics, Iznik tiles, brass samovars, and meerschaum pipes. A smile and a polite no thank you to any over eager shop keepers is a great way of not feeling pressured. Prices in Turkey are generally significantly lower than in other EU countries And, at a time when the financial protection offered by package holidays is an important reassurance, the range of accommodation, tours and activities in tour operators’ brochures looks particularly attractive. 

Getting around in the Turkey Countryside

Turkey’s roads aren’t always well-maintained and speeding is common. Don’t expect indicators to always be used. It can be expensive to hire cars. But if you do want to drive, your best bet is to book through an agent such as Holiday Autos.

Ensure that all key aspects of your holiday are organised prior to departure to avoid any unwanted complications while abroad.

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Hotelopia is one of the world’s leading travel companies offering reduced-rate accommodation to holiday makers with 25,000 properties, in over 900 global destinations in the UK, Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Australia. They offer great value for money and service to all their customers, including instant hotel confirmation, a lowest price guarantee, fully inclusive quoted rates, with no additional credit card fees. 

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