Voltage

   230-240v AC. Turkish sockets are of the 3 round-pin variety, similar though not identical to European sockets. Greek sockets are of the 2 round-pin variety. If taking a hairdryer or chargeable device, be sure to pack an adaptor.

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    Health

   Turkey - It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, if you haven’t had a booster in the last 10 years. Food and waterborne diseases are more common, so we recommend vaccinations for Typhoid (valid 3 years) and Hepatitis A (validity varies). However vaccination information can change and this information is intended as a guide only. Please contact your local healthcare professional for the most up to date and accurate advice

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     Climate

   Turkey is a destination that can be visited year-round. Temperatures in Turkey during the Northern Hemisphere summer are generally high, particularly during the summer months from June through September. April can spring up surprising results. Days can be amazingly warm, though temperatures do drop at night, so pack some warmer clothes. Summer in Turkey and Greece for the most part is hot and dry. For the beach worshipper, June through September is best, when you’ll enjoy glorious Mediterranean sun. In winter, although the weather is for the most part temperate, it has been known to snow, so you may enjoy Istanbul, Anatolia or Cappadocia draped in snow during the months of December to February. Whatever month you consider, you’ll be rewarded with seasonal variations that range from leaf-strewn autumns to sun-kissed summers and a mixture of skies for great photos!

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    Time

    Turkey is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

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     Food, glorious food

    Turkish food is famous throughout the world. Look forward to meze comprising houmous and other dips, dolma (stuffed vine leaves), cheese cigars, theubiquitous doner kebab and pide - a kind of pizza. Exotic freshly squeezed juices, nuts and fruit are available everywhere. If feel like a java jolt, try Turkish coffee - rich, dark and often laced with cardamom.

   More particularly on our ANZAC packages, we tend to make lunch/refreshment stops (at your own expense) at the popular gas station restaurants. Our reasons for doing this are numerous: the well-prepared food (generally a serviced buffet) offers a wide variety of tasty Turkish staples, bread and a drink for a cheap price. There are plenty of tables to accommodate our group, the service is quick and allows us to have our fill and resume touring. In addition, the rest rooms at the majority of these establishments are clean, wellmaintained and offer Western WCs as opposed to Asian ‘squat-style’ WCs.

   Dinner (where included) tends to be smorgasbord-style. A wide range of hot and cold dishes are offered on a ‘serve yourself’ basis. We feel a smorgasbord selection is the best way to cater towards a variety of tastes

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     Tipping

    It is customary to tip in Turkey. Tipping is an acceptable practice at most restaurants, approx. 10% of the total bill. In better restaurants and bars a service charge may automatically be added to the bill. In hotels, the porter will expect a tip if he carries your luggage to your room.

    If you don’t want to tip him, carry it to the room yourself. Cab drivers don’t expect a tip, though it is usual practice to round off the fare. Make sure you carry a range of small denomination notes or change for the purpose of tipping, keep them separate from your larger bills.

    Additionally, it is customary to tip your tour leader and driver for a job well done. Recommended tipping amounts can be found on the Go Guide. Naturally, though, the amount is entirely up to you. Tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

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    Shopping

    Turkey is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is cavernous and full of unusual and everyday objects. Known locally as Kapali Çarsi – the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s Old City is a massive conglomeration of shops (some 4000) divided into areas specialising in gold, carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather and suede products. Jewellery, carpets and kilims represent top buys at the bazaar.

    Opening hours: Mon - Saturday 0900 – 1300hrs and 1400 – 1900hrs (closed Sunday).

   The Egyptian Spice Bazaar at Eminonu near Istanbul is an easy continuance from the Grand Bazaar or good start point before heading onto the cavernous Grand Bazaar. Here, you can buy a dizzying array of spices at a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay back home. Pine Kernels, peppercorns, real Iranian saffron and other precious commodities are hawkered here at knockdown prices! Real Turkish delight is available by the tonne as well. Why not the milk-based Turkish delight studded with pistachios!

    Opening hours: 0900 – 1900hrs Monday – Saturday (closed Sunday)

   Markets and bazaars abound in other towns, too. During your stay in Turkey, you may visit a leather manufacturer and emporium. Although the quality of some of the jackets and clothing at these places is outstanding, the initially quoted prices can also be rather outstanding. If you do fancy a particular item, it does pay to haggle, even if you are in the confines of what looks to be a smart emporium/showroom.

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    Trading hours

    0930 – 1300hrs and 1400 – 1900hrs or later. Shops are closed on Sunday. In tourist areas, shops are open from 1000 – 2200hrs, including Sunday. Markets are open 0800 – 1830hrs Monday – Saturday (limited sections on Sun). Banks are open 0830 – 1230hrs and 1330 – 1700hrs Monday – Friday.

Note: Hours may change during Ramadan