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• Flying time from the UK & Ireland: Approximately 4 hours from the UK to Turkey and there are a number of airlines and UK departure and Turkish arrival airports to choose from. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Easyjet, Thomas Cook and Firstchoice all offer direct flights from the UK to several destinations within Turkey. If you book early you enough you will be able to grab some good bargains with flights starting from around £50 return with some airlines.

• Visa & entry requirements: Citizens of the following countries who hold a valid passport will need to obtain an entry visa at the border gates; UK, Austria, Italy, Poland, Ireland and Hungary.

If you are a citizens of the following countries you are able to enter Turkey with a valid passport and without the need for a visa; Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Turkish Republic of Cyprus, Djibouti, European Community countries (except UK, Ireland, Italy), Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Qatar, Kenya, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Romania, St.Lucia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, USA, Vatican City, Malaysia, Chile, S.Africa.
For those citizens of all other countries a visa is required. Please contact your nearest Turkish Embassy or consulate for further details.

• Time zone differences with Turkey: UK -2 hours, Australia +8 hours, Germany -1 hour, Japan +7 hours, USA -7 hours.

Local time is GMT +2 hours.

• Population: The last estimation in 2006 places the Turkish population and just over 73.1 million.

• Language: The official language is Turkish however other languages are spoken including Kurdish, Dimli and English.

• Currency: The New Turkish Lira (YTL). Today the Pound (GBP/£) will get you between 2.5 and 3 New Turkish Lira (always check for the latest exchange rates). Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Turkey whilst Banks and ATM’s are also easily found.

• Weather & Temperature: Turkey has hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters. The average temperature for the winter months is around 18°c whilst in the summer the temperatures can reach well in to the 30’s. Like the majority of Europe July and August are typically the hottest.

• Shopping hours: Generally most shops and stores are open Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. In the peak summer months shops will tend to stay open longer and a large majority will also open on Sunday. Market days are also popular in Turkey where farmers and vendors from local villages will bring their produce for all to buy.

• Religion: The vast majority of the Turkish population (99.8%) are Muslim, mostly Sunni, with the remaining 0.2% being mostly Christians and Jews. Religion plays a large part in the Turkish way of live, and although the Turkish people are very hospitable and welcoming it is also very important that visitors do respect their beliefs and culture.

• Driving & traffic regulations: All vehicles in Turkey drive on the right and road signs are internationally recognised. The speed limits are 90 kph on the highways and 40 kph in the towns and built-up areas. During the summer the major resorts and towns do get very busy and roads are heavily congested and parking becomes increasingly more difficult. It would be more convenient to leave your hire vehicle behind at your hotel and walk or take a taxi in to town.