There are plenty of things to do in Turkey if you really put your mind to it. It’s actually known for warm beaches on the Med coast, but there are also opportunities for wintersports if you’re into that type of thing. It’s a popular activity in the interior mountain area between October and April. Kartepe, Kartalkaya, and Illgaz are some of the most famous resorts during the winter months that offer skiing and other wintertime fun.

But you can’t do anything without money, and if you’re going to be a tourist in Turkey, you’re going to need Turkish Lira. The lira is divided into 100 kurus, which are the coins of the country.

The lira banknotes come in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 lira.

Once you get off your flight, you will have dozens and dozens of places to exchange money. It’s not like some countries where if you don’t exchange at the airport you’re just screwed out of any chance of getting an honest exchange rate. Don’t go anywhere where the exchange rate isn’t posted clearly. Some exchangers only accept banknotes rather than coins, so you might want to carry the notes only.

The tourist-oriented areas might accept foreign currency freely, but it really isn’t going to be a better exchange rate in terms of what you get. You might get a lot less because you’re paying with foreign currency. To be on the safe side and keep your profitability high, we recommend just exchanging the money.

If you’re a card carrying member of the debit card nation, Turkey is definitely modern enough for you too. You will be able to withdraw Turkish Lira from the ATMs, but there is going to be a percentage charge for the privilege.

Tipping is a big subject, considering that Turkey is a nation that depends on tourism in order to improve the economy for all. 10% of the bill is generally the normal tipping rule, but this is done for nice cafes and restaurants only. If a restaurant is more self service than anything else, then you wouldn’t be expected to really tip anything. Some restaurants do charge a 10% addition to your bill as a service charge — so you will need to make sure that you look into this before you tip the server.

Taxi drivers tend to want a tip, and it’s up to you to decide how much you give them.

If you love shopping, you will definitely love Turkey. There are so many opportunities to bargain for just about everything that it’s unreal. Don’t tip your hand if you’re going to bargain, though — the seller will know that you’re not good at it and they will assume that you’re willing to pay any price.

Keep in mind that many bargain prices assume that you are paying in cash, not credit. Credit tends to raise the price because there are other fees involved.

There is also a VAT refund system in place which you can take advantage of if you’re not a permanent resident or citizen of Turkey. You’ll need to find a blue sticker that says “Tax-Free” in order to qualify and you will also need to get papers from the shop that will let you get the VAT reclaim when you leave Turkey.

So, what can you buy in Turkey? Just about everything you can think of, really. But mostly you’re going to have a lot of people offering leather clothing, carpets, and kilims.

There are plenty of opportunities to buy silk dresses as well as silk scarves. Since they know that you’re a tourist, you might be in for a rough time with the prices — make sure hat you strike a bargain.

If you’re a fan of pottery of any kind, you will want to check out Cappadocia — there’s plenty of earthenware to choose from. In some areas of Cappadocia and even other cities, you can actually make your own pottery in workshops. Very cool!

Honey is everywhere here, and it’s unlike nothing else in the world. Unlike flower honey, you’ll find that the honey of Turkey is actually pine honey. It is hard to come by, and tends to be a premium product when you find it.

Turkish coffee is here as well, and just about everyone drinks coffee in Turkey.

Chestnut dessert is also served everywhere, and it’s made directly from syrup and chestnuts. It’s absolutely delicious, and you can even take some home with you on the plane with no problems.

If you prefer to go more natural with your personal care products, there’s always castile soap. It’s made from olive oil, and it’s all hand made! There’s also laurel soap and a soap made from various pistachio trees.

We would advise that you are careful about antiques. It is against the country’s laws to try to export antiques out of the country. So if anyone is trying to offer you that, you want to stay far, far away — don’t buy them!

Of course, after all of that shopping you’re probably going to be hungry. No problem! Turkey is a land of multiple cultures, which means that there are multiple cuisines for you to try out. You’ll find a lot of beef and lamb dishes, and rare pork dishes. It is not illegal to have pork in the country, but the high Muslim population means that pork really isn’t in high demand.

Veggies are usually quite fresh, picked from the region around you. If you want to go out to eat, you will find that every restaurant pretty much sticks to one cuisine and that’s it — but there are still plenty of dishes to choose from.

If you want to eat on the cheap, you will need to do it at kebab stands which are everywhere in Istanbul and other big cities. You’ll get a full loaf of bread sliced down the middle and literally stuffed with broiled meat, lettuce, onions, and tomatoes.

If you’re looking for places to sleep, you’ll find plenty to choose from. Like many countries, where you should go depends on your budget. You will find plenty of options no matter what your budget is. All of the big tourist destinations are going to have high class hotels of the 5 star variety.

Yet if you want a more “authentic” experience, you might want to check out the hostels and guesthouses. Some have age limits, so make sure that you check around.

You can also rent a whole house that gives you all of the furnishings as well as a place to cook food. Four people can comfortably share these “apart hotels”, and many often do. So if cheap travel is on your mind, you can pull it off in turkey.

Camping is also possible, but you will need to make sure that you are ensuring that you have permission to camp in the location that you want. Travel guides often have the scoop, so research before you plan on camping!

There is just so much to see, do, eat, buy, and explore that it’s hard to stuff it all into one guide. Every region is going to have its own highlights, so if you’re looking for a specific city, we have Turkish city guides as well!

Is Turkey part of the Middle East? Many would say it is, though there are some that classify it in a world of its very own. If you’re looking for an overall guide to all things turkey, this would definitely be your starting point. We have other guides on specific cities within Turkey as well, if you are interested.

So, let’s cover the highlights.

Turkey is on the Mediterranean, with a small region that’s technically defined as Southeastern Europe. There is the Black Sea to the north and the Aegean Sea to the west, as well as the Mediterranean Sea to the southwest.

Turkey has classic Middle Eastern countries as its neighbors to the southeast — Syria, Iraq, and Iran, but it also has Bulgaria and Greece to the west, and Armenia and Azerbaijan as well as Georgia to the northeast.

Turkey as a modern day nation was founded in 1923 as a Republican parliamentary democracy, and it has ties with many other countries around the world.

You’ll have plenty of different destinations to choose from when it comes to Turkey. Turkish culture is actually very diverse, and much more modern than people give it credit for. That said, there are still touches of old history to be enjoyed in the country, but those are the remnants of the past. Turkey is very eager to embrace the future, as it brings more progress for the people within the country.

If you’re looking for the most modern, you will definitely like Istanbul as well as Bodrum and Pamphylia.

Culture here is truly a mix, one of the things that makes it much more interesting as a Middle Eastern destination than what you might expect. If you’re thinking that Turkey is going to be another Saudi Arabia — don’t. There is a strong Islamic influence in Turkey, but it’s interpreted very differently. Some regions of the country, such as the northwestern and western coasts are very liberal about Islam, whereas those that call the central steppes home are going to be a bit more conservative. The inland regions tend to be conservative as well, but everyone is very friendly to tourists. As long as you give everyone the proper respect, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be welcome in Turkey.

Religious holidays and secular holidays do play a role in planning your Turkish vacation. You want to make sure that you understand when these holidays fall, and plan accordingly. Like in other countries, the banks, government offices, and even private businesses will be closed during official holidays. Traffic is also very congested, so if you’re thinking that you will have open time tables, you might be in for a surprise. However, some people like the idea of traveling while Turkey is in a festive mood — they just plan accordingly for the delays that they might run into.

Contrary to popular belief, you can indeed travel around Turkey during Ramadan, and many banks and businesses will still be open. However, some restaurants do take the time off for a vacation, so be aware of that.

Turkey’s climate tends to depend on when you go, and where you are going within the country. You can count on the Mediterranean and Aegean coastal areas to have nice weather — the summer season is May to October, where there is a rare chance of rain. It’s mostly going to be hot and dry.

Snow isn’t really what you’ll find in Turkey, just mostly rain. The rainstorms don’t last very long, which mean that you’ll have more days to enjoy the country around you!

The mountainous part of Turkey — eastern Anatolia — has a lot of high mountainous points, as well as harsh winters. So if you’re going to try your hand at adventure travel, you might want to avoid the winter time in this country!

Cities of note — plenty! You have Ankara, which is the capital of the country, as well as Antalya, Bodrum, Edime, Istanbul (the largest city), Izmir, Konya, and Urfa.

Other destinations that we liked include Ani, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Gallipoli and Oludeniz.

Getting in is surprisingly easy — you just need to get a visa at any point of entry. It’s valid for three months, which gives you plenty of time. Citizens that qualify for the three month visa must have citizenship in one of these countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Many other countries will have to settle either for a two month or a one month visa.

Some citizens of other countries don’t actually need a visa at all — you will just need to make sure that you check into it for yourself if you don’t fall into the visa category.

If you’re going to get into Turkey by air, Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport is really where you want to go. If you’re trying to use a budget airline, then Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is going to be another option.

Can you still travel by train, the way it was done in all of those old historical novels? Yes, you definitely can do that. However, it is very slow and requires a bit of logistical planning to make it work.

Getting around in the country can be tricky, because renting a car isn’t a wise option. Turkey has some of the highest fuel rates in the world — so you are much better off going with public transportation. There are trains, buses, and taxi services waiting to help you. If you’re going to be in one of the smaller villages of Turkey, you will be just fine on foot.

As a tourist, picking up a few words of Turkish is always a good thing. But with so many different cultures, it is quite possible that you’ll find someone else that can speak your language too. Don’t get discouraged if you have to repeat yourself a few times. The local citizens want to be able to learn too!

There are plenty of money exchange place sin the country to change your currency into Turkish Lira.

There is honestly so much to see, do, and buy in Turkey that we would honestly need another guide to cover it all. However, this should definitely get you started in the right direction when you’re trying to plan overall whether or not to check out Turkish holidays.

In the last decade, Sharm el-Sheikh has become one of the premier holiday destinations in the world. Situated near to the Red Sea, it is a favourite spot for both novice and experienced divers due to its warm waters, stunning underwater vistas and unrivalled marine life. Visitors to Sharm el-Sheikh can enjoy a variety of fun activities, such as canoeing, boating, parasailing, kitesurfing, snorkelling and diving, or, for those who want to take advantage of the unchallenged sun, there are numerous pristine sandy beaches that are the ideal setting to be enveloped in a cocoon of relaxation and docile indulgence.

The weather in Sharm el-Sheikh makes it a perfect getaway during the interminably cold and miserable European winter months. From November to March, the highest average temperature is a cool and agreeable 27° Celsius. However, night can be quite chilly so visitors are recommended to bring some warm clothes as temperatures can drop below 13° Celsius. In terms of climate, arguably the most pleasant time to visit Sharm el-Sheikh in winter is November or March, when day temperatures hover in the mid-20s. This makes it the ideal time to visit some of the sites of interest a few hours’ drive from the city, which would be unbearable during the oppressive summer months. A few examples include St. Catherine’s Monastery, which is the major religious site in Sinai. Additionally, many hotels or private companies offer day trips to watch the sunrise over the Sinai Mountains and retrace the footsteps of Moses when he received the 10 Commandments.

November and March are also the best times for scuba diving and snorkelling, as underwater visibility is at its best and divers can truly appreciate the exotic and colourful aquatic scenery of the Red Sea.

In the summer months from April till October, visitors are urged to pack huge quantities of sun lotion as temperatures can reach over 40° Celsius, which even the most hardened and leathery-skinned-sun-worshiper would admit is quite hot. However, unlike the humid tropics, Sharm el-Sheikh is blessed with relatively low humidity and the sea breeze can also provide much needed relief.

April and October are perhaps the best times for holidays to Sharm el-Sheikh during the summer months as day temperatures usually peak at a bearable 30° Celsius. At night, temperatures rarely drop below 20° Celsius. While boat trips, snorkelling and scuba diving are all possible, visitors are urged to always carry sun lotion and drink lots of water to prevent the risk of dehydration, sunstroke and sun burn. With over thirteen hours of sun a day, sun bathing is more than possible as long as visitors split their time in the sun, in the sea and in the shade sensibly.

At the moment, there are a number of locations which are still quite cheap to visit. However, as places grow in popularity, not only will they get more expensive, but they will also get less authentic. It can be good to visit a place before it gets completely overrun with tourists. Once this happens you find that you can no longer get a sense of the real culture of the place or even see many of the traditions because everything starts being geared towards a more tourist market.

There are some areas, such as Abu Dhabi which has already developed with tourism in mind. Therefore if you prefer a place which has more to offer the tourist with regards to luxury accommodation and hotels as well as lots of leisure activities which are aimed at visitors to the area, then this could suit you.

There are plenty of options for everyone, you just have to shop around to find something that fits in with your idea of a perfect holiday. There are pretty coastlines, desert, mountain peaks and other types of picturesque landscapes, There are also archaeological sites, busy cities, many with religious importance. Many people feel that it is just a lot of desert with not much in the way of plants and animals, but this is not true. There is lots to see and not all is desert. It all depends on what part of the area you visit and where exactly you go while you are there.

The area is quite different to anywhere in the western world, which is why it can be such a great place for a holiday. You will find that you will have lots of unique experiences, doing things that you will not have done before. You will be in a different culture and what you see will be quite different to anything you will be used to seeing. It is therefore a great way to explore a new culture.

Before we get started on the benefits, make sure that you take your time to look at all the travel club membership cards that you can obtain. There are differences between them and one might be more suitable.

The number one benefit that everyone is aware of is the fact that you can gain access to some very good discounts. Based on the membership type, you can even get discounts of up to around 80 percent of regular room prices. In addition, you can use many different travel packages to obtain those discounts. You will never be forced to go to just one location, as you would with a timeshare. The holder of the travel membership can travel for as long as he wants. This will never happen with a regular timeshare program since in this case the owner will only be allowed to stay for around 1 week at a particular location.

Another really interesting advantage is the fact that you would basically pay for a room at a weekly basis instead of a pay per person rate. This will allow you to save a lot of money. You should know that the card is also going to offer discounts at other locations and not just when referring to hotel rooms. Holders can gain access to discount plane tickets, family activity tickets and car rental services. A travel car membership will allow you to pay a normal price even when you are travelling during special holidays. Without the card you can end up paying a lot more in this case.

The bottom line is that there are only advantages to using a travel card membership and the prices that you would have to pay will be really small when compared to the discounts that are obtainable. Just make sure that you choose one that will be good for your travel pleasures.

The central part of the country is mainly characterized of the Arabian Desert commonly known as the R’ub al Khali. This extends to about a quarter and is mainly a wasteland. Between the regions extending from the Hajar Mountains to the Southern part of the country are gravel plains which are about a total of 800 kilometers. From this area the Southern part of Oman is mainly plateau land with limestone deposits which gives way to fertile land with a coast line of sandy beaches. This area during the South West monsoon is converted to a green tropical paradise during this season which is mainly from June to August. This gives a surprising change in the landscape especially to a visitor to the desert region due to the vast changes in vegetation.

In terms of culture Oman has a rich and fascinating human history and culture which can be experienced through the architecture and construction of structures. The Sultanate of Oman enjoys unchanged culture and has remained distinctively Arab and has not changed much due to external influences on the culture making the Oman Arabs tolerant to the beliefs of other Muslim sects and towards other beliefs and religions. The Oman Arabs still retain their traditional wear which is a special adaptation to the natural environment which consists of a top dress known as the dish dasha which is a long ankle length gown which does not have a collar and underneath which a plain strip of cloth is worn wrapped around the waist. For the ladies a kandoorah which is a long tunic is worn with loose fitting trousers that are tight around the ankles .

All this vary in color and design based on the age group plus a face mask for some regions. The Oman Sultanate has continued to follow its traditional culture up to date and this is preserved through the museums and art galleries as well as the forms of architecture found in this region.

In the recent past, ecotourism projects have been established in Sharjah to capitalize on the state’s beauty and unique ecosystem. These projects are aimed at boosting the general tourism sector creating an additional tourism spectacle to the already existing thrill. From recent research carried out, other than the ecotourism islands being created, other fascinating allures include the Burj Khalifa which is the tallest building in the world standing at a height 828metres. Located in down town Dubai, the building is the tallest freestanding structure on earth making it a sensational place to visit and marvel at the creativity and skill used to construct such a high structure.

Another main attraction is the Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque in Abu Dhabi. This is a mosque open to all visitors and is classified as the most imposing religious place in the UAE and is capable of housing more than 40000 people. Constructed using gold, marble semiprecious stones, ceramics and crystals, the mosque is an example of exquisite architecture and incorporated works of architects from38 contracting companies and 3800 workers.

Another fascinating place to visit is the Yas Island. This is known as the home of all adventure and fun activities. Occupying an area of about 2500 hectares, the island has the Yas Island Circuit which hosts the Formula one Abu Dhabi grand prix, it also has the Warner Brothers Movie World, Ferrari World where the car lovers can get to see the best range of Ferraris, Yas Island Water Park for the water sports lovers and Yas malls. The Island also contains 3 world class golf courses, lagoon hotels and polo clubs making it the home of all leisure. Among other attractions are the Al Reem Island and Saadiyat Island which also offer a variety of water sports and hotels.

Another fascinating bit about the UAE is the construction of the two man made islands. Palm Jumeira and Palm Jebel Ali. These are the most fascinating man made features and the only ones viewable from outer space via satellite. The desert safari is also an enchanting safari to take and the city tours. In general, UAE has vast tourism attractions and everyday new and fascinating places to visit come up.

Despite the multiracial and cultural nature of the city, nightlife in Abu Dhabi which is a typical Arabic city is a refreshing experience and offers entertainment to all classes and age groups. Consisting of various classes of entertainment spots giving the best of the culinary experience with a wide range of local and international cuisines, concerts art exhibitions, movie theatres, gaming houses and coffee shops, any form of entertainment is available.

For those seeking quiet evenings and places to just relax and have quiet conversations while getting the best of the variety in cuisines, Abu Dhabi has a variety of restaurants and eating houses that range from the specialized that serve a certain type of food like sea food, to the all common restaurants. Though most of the restaurants are found in the hotels others can be found out on the street. Shopping malls are another entertainment source for this category of people, though they close at around 23:00, they offer an exciting window shopping experience.

Bars pubs and clubs also form an integral part of the night life. Over the years Abu Dhabi has experienced an increase in the opening of bars and night clubs. Boasting of cozy interiors, relaxed atmosphere and large crowds of people of different races, the clubs are open till the wee hours of the morning and offer a variety of music ranging from R&B, Arabic, Indian as well as Iranian music played by the best of the international DJs who frequent the city. Depending on ones preference, also available are cinemas, concerts and theatres offering a quieter treat in comparison to the night clubs. For the lovers of classical music, the Abu Dhabi Music & Art Foundation gives a schedule for such performances in the local theatres. Because of the security in the city, tourists and revelers are able to enjoy their nights.

Depending on what tickles your fancy, Abu Dhabi has a vast selection of entertainment spots and at affordable prices making it an ideal place to visit.

For a good choice of hotels with discount prices, visit Where to stay in Abu Dhabi for more information.

The city has great temples that were artistically designed with bounteous ornaments and remarkable creativity. These temples and other monuments reflected the conception of the Egyptians of different things in their culture. The stones used to make these sculptors had some significance. Most sculptures were made using stone blocks and they were carefully cut out. Limestone is one of the stone types that were used for the sculptures and monuments. Some of the most famous ancient Egyptian monuments include the pyramids. These are the most famous and also the greatest structures that have ever been built in the history of human existence.

Fortresses are other great structures that give the city its historic name for monument and sculptures. These were basically oval in shape and they had round supports. The Edfu Temple is among the most famous religious monuments in the city of Egypt. It has amazing decorations and colors that still look very fresh. Another historic monument is the Karnak Temple. This monument takes architecture and art to a whole new level. Obelisks are other types of sculptors that are just amazing. These sculptors and monuments have made Egypt the perfect city for an artistic adventure.

The materials that were used to create these great works include bricks that are either sun dried or kiln baked limestone, fine sandstone and granite. These materials had to perfectly fit to each other hence the architects had to plan their works carefully. The monuments and sculptors are humongous which is why they used ramps to move up. The decorations of these monuments were done from top to bottom ensuring that the end result was perfect. Egypt is indeed a city of great sculptors and monuments. Time spent in the middle of an ancient Egyptian building is equivalent to a rendezvous with a dash of history.

There are numerous luxurious hotels, sunny beaches, parks, artificial islands, numerous world class golf courses, top notch dining, shining skyscraper buildings, dazzling cultural centers and other attractive events; this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your vacation. The best thing about Dubai is that it is safe hence giving it the high reputation as a tourist destination that it has. In fact, this stands Dubai in good stead as global tourists generally tend to avoid some otherwise well endowed tourist destinations purely on the grounds of safety. This country, also commonly described as the Venice of the Gulf continues to develop and enhance its attractiveness in the middle of a complete desert.

Individuals who are looking for a place to purchase commercial products have the perfect destination in Dubai. This is mainly because it is known as a commercial and trading hub in the entire Middle East. This is also a perfect place for individuals who are looking for something totally new and different from what they are used to in other tourist destinations. The place has the west cultures combined with the east cultures, making it one of the best multicultural countries in the world. This is a place where comfort is taken to a whole new different level.

The standards of luxury as well as comfort are perfectly high and they are suitable for both business travellers and individuals who are looking for pleasure. This is the most advanced emirate in the United Arab Emirates hence it is somewhat independent. Some places that are mostly visited in Dubai include Satwa where individuals specifically go for gold and textile, Karama which is a commercial residential district that is mixed and offers cheap buys and eats, Bur Dubai where most tourist attractions are found including floating restaurants, Deira which is the oldest financial center and it specializes in spices, Jumeirah which is the perfect access to the beach and many other places.