Hospitality, history and a hotline to the sun.
Check your Midnight Express stereotypes at the door - this is a rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present.
The Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, the cuisine is to die for, the coastline is a dream, and many Turkish cities are dotted with spectacular mosques and castles. And while costs are rising, Turkey remains one of the Mediterranean's bargain-basement destinations.
Turkey is generally safe, but sporadic violence due to domestic and regional tensions does occur. In October 2007 a fatal bomb attack occurred in Izmir and in May 2007 a bomb caused significant casualties in Ankara. In August 2006, bombings occurred in Antalya and Marmaris and shopping and tourist areas were targeted. Bomb attacks are sometimes aimed at targets that represent Western interests, such as banks and consulates. Travellers should exercise caution and monitor the news for any further warnings.
The Iraq border area is very dangerous due to conflict between Turkish and Kurdish forces. Check travel advisories before travelling to rural areas near the borders of Syria and Iran.
Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travellers.
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