Türkiye/Turkey

Explore breathtaking mosques and bustling bazaars in Istanbul, one of the world’s greatest cities

Dose up on sun and sand on Turkey’s endless dazzling beaches

Marvel at some of the world’s best Greek and Roman ruins

Bargain for carpets, textiles and leatherwork in Turkey’s bustling bazaars

Sail along Turkey’s spectacular Turquoise Coast

Take a hot-air balloon over Cappadocia’s surreal Fairy Chimneys

Bathe in Pamukkale’s turquoise terraced hot springs

Lace up your boots and hike stunning mountains and coastal trails

Visit Gallipoli’s moving war memorials and monuments

Tackle a summit of Turkey’s highest peak, Mt Ararat

Watch the Whirling Dervishes perform their hypnotic prayer-dance

Experience local food, booze and culture in a Turkish meyhane

Make like a local and head to a hammam for a relaxing soak

Eat your way around the country, sampling as many meze dishes as possible

Turkey experiences a varied climate owing to the influence of mountains throughout the interior and oceans to the north, west and south.

Many areas have climate conditions typical of the Mediterranean—dry, hot summers and wet, mild winters—however winters are harsher and contrasts between summer and winter more pronounced in the interior due to higher elevations.

The higher peaks of the interior receive snowfall each winter (several weeks for the warmer western mountains and several months for the colder eastern mountains), and the country’s highest peak, Mount Ararat, is crowned in permanent ice and snow.

In Istanbul, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of 2.9°C (37°F) to a maximum of 8.7°C (48°F) in January; to a minimum of 18.7°C (66°F) to a maximum of 28.5°C (83°F) in August.

In Ankara, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of -3.5°C (25.7°F) to a maximum of 4.1°C (39°F) in January; to a minimum of 15.4°C (60°F) to a maximum of 30°C (86°F) in August.

In Van, average daily temperatures vary from a minimum of -7.9°C (18°F) to a maximum of 1.6°C (35°F) in January; to a minimum of 14.4°C (58°F) to a maximum of 28.3°C (83°F) in August.

Turkey is +3 hours ahead of UTC/GMT

The majority of the population speaks Turkish—Turkey’s official language—as their primary language

Kurdish, a west Iranian language, is spoken by the Kurds, Turkey’s largest minority group

Arabic and many different European and Central Asian languages are spoken by small minorities

English is widely spoken in Istanbul and tourist areas, but is less common in rural areas

Turkish Lire

The most widely accepted currencies are USD and Euro.

ATM machines are widely available throughout Turkey and exchange rates are usually better.

Most large purchases can be paid for on credit card.

+90

Electricity in Turkey is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Electricity in Turkey is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.