With a foot in the East and a toe in the West, Turkey’s distinct charm is hard to resist.
It’s the calls to prayer echoing through mosques and minarets, the scent of sandalwood and saffron, old desert caravanserais, smoke-filled bazaars and whirling dervishes spinning in unison. Whether east or west, old or new, tranquil mountains or bustling coffee houses – Turkey has always sat between worlds. That’s what makes it so special.
What people say
Turkey is a fascinating country, full of interesting history, fabulous food, amazing scenery and the friendliest people. The Treasures of Turkey tour exceeded my expectations - every day was honestly a highlight - so much variety and this tour was a fantastic introduction.
What people say
Great introduction to all major sites of interest in Turkey. Informative, friendly local guide and calm safe driver. Small groups and comfortable accommodation. Reasonable level of fitness required for walks.
What people say
This is one trip you can't miss. So much to see and learn. An absolutely beautiful country with a history to outdo all others. Lovely people, a safe environment and food to die for. Take comfy shoes a good camera (one for each person -no sharing!) and a smile.
Turkey travel highlights
Cross cultures in Istanbul
Istanbul is the only city in the world to straddle two continents. It’s a vast metropolis home to a beguiling mix of different cultures and traditions.
Explore Cappadocia
Cappadocia has has a wealth of underground cities, caves houses and cultural roots stemming back to the Bronze Age.
Float in the travertines of Pamukkale
The arresting cascade of travertines and nearby hot springs have attracted visitors to Pamukkale since ancient times.
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Further reading
Turkey travel FAQs
Unfortunately, visas for Turkey are no longer available on arrival. If you’re travelling from a country that requires a visa, you’ll have to obtain an e-visa in advance. Please visit https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ for all the information required about how to obtain an e-visa.Please make sure your passport has validity for at least 60 days beyond the expiry date of your visa or residency permit.
Countries that do NOT require a visa (for stays of up to 3 months):
- New Zealand
- Argentina
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Norway
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Tipping isn’t expected in Turkey, but a small amount will no doubt be appreciated by people in any service industry. It’s also common to tip staff while visiting hamams. It’s not usually required to tip taxi drivers, but rounding up the fare to the nearest dollar is pretty common.
While internet cafes and wi-fi are common in most major cities, internet may be less available on your Turkey tour in rural and remote areas.
Turkey has good mobile phone coverage by and large, especially in larger cities like Istanbul. Coverage may be patchier in more remote areas. If you wish to use your mobile, ensure you have activated global roaming on your phone (but be aware this carries extra data charges).
You’ll have to make some small adjustments in Turkey in regards to hygiene and sanitation. While flush toilets are widely available in the cities, drop toilets are often used in more rural areas. Bring some hand sanitiser with you as a precaution.
- Beer in a bar = 5-10 TRY
- Simple lunch = 10-20 TRY
- Hamam visit = 25-30 TRY
- Restaurant dinner = 30-50 TRY
We don’t recommend drinking the tap water in Turkey, but for environmental reasons try to avoid buying bottled water either. Instead, fill a reuseable canteen or water bottle with filtered water. Your leader can help you find some, or there are a number of portable water filters you can carry with you. We’d also recommend steering clear of iced drinks, and peeling your fruit before eating it.
Credit cards are a common form of payment in Turkey, and you shouldn’t have too much trouble in the major cities and tourist areas. However, smaller vendors may often only take cash, particularly in the more rural regions. Make sure you carry enough cash for general purchases, just in case.
ATMs are widely available in major cities like Istanbul or Ankara, but are obviously far less common in small villages and rural centres. Be prepared by withdrawing a bit of cash before you travel beyond the city.
Yes. All Peregrine passengers are required to purchase travel insurance prior to their Turkey tour. Your insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day.
For a current list of public holidays in [country] go to: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/[country]/public-holidays