In this issue of Wanderlust magazine

May/June issue • On sale 26 April

How far can you travel on £250? How about a week on Spain’s Camino de Santiago, a long weekend in Jordan, or six days in Kosovo or Morocco – just a handful of the budget  adventures undertaken by Wanderlust readers for our 25 trips under £250 special feature. Also inside are  true trips of a lifetime: a 14-page guide to visiting Antarctica, and TV naturalist Mark Carwardine’s account of meeting mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Plus, exploring Israel, walking the new Wales Coast Path, and city guides to Calcutta and Vilnius.

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Turkey
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Turkey essential info

Turkey is where Europe and Asia collide, where secular modernisation meets ancient Muslim traditions

Travel in Turkey: vital statistics

  • Capital of Turkey: Ankara
  • Population of Turkey: 76.8 million
  • Languages in Turkey: Turkish, Kurdish
  • Time in Turkey: GMT+2 (GMT+3 Mar-Oct)
  • International dialling code in Turkey: +90
  • Voltage in Turkey: 230 V, 50 Hz
  • Visas for Turkey: Turkey visas
  • Money in Turkey: Turkish lira (TL). ATMs are available in most areas; major credit and debit cards are accepted in most areas. You should tip guides and restaurant staff. Be prepared to haggle.
  • Turkey travel advice: Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  • Turkey Tourist Board: Go Turkey

    When to go to Turkey

    The best times to visit Turkey’s archeological sites and cities are spring (Apr-May) and autumn (Sep-Oct) as the temperature is warm, but not too hot. These are also good times to walk the Lycian Way and other coastal areas. High summer (Jun-Aug) can be stifling: fine for beach bumming, and the best time for high-altitude walks in eastern Turkey – snow may close paths outside of summer. Winters can be extremely cold and many hotels close, though city breaks are still an option

    Turkey international airports

    Atatürk International (IST) 24km from Istanbul; Milas-Bodrum (BJV) 36km from Bodrum; Dalaman (DLM) 5.5km from Dalaman; Izmir Adnan Menderes (ADB) 18km from Izmir; Antalya (AYT) 13km from Antalya.

    Getting around in Turkey

    Turkey is a big country – good-value and useful flights link key cities, handy for the time-poor. Turkey’s intercity buses are excellent and efficient, and serve most areas. Turkey’s train network isn’t extensive, but a few routes are viable and fun: for example, the train from Istanbul to Ankara, the slow ‘express’ to Lake Van, or the Istanbul-Aleppo (Syria) service. Self-drive in Turkey offers flexibility but road accidents are common. No Istanbul trip is complete without taking the ferry across the Bosphorus, Europe to Asia in minutes.

    Turkey accommodation

    Turkey doesn’t have that many campsites; most are along the cost. Basic guesthouses and pensions are good budget options in Turkey, and are often family run. Touts may congregate at Turkey’s bus stations, so it’s easy to find accommodation, if a little hassley. Hotels in Turkey range from simple to boutique; at the top end you can stay in renovated Ottoman mansions. In Turkey’s popular coastal resorts there is an abundance of mass-market hotels.

    Turkey food & drink

    Turkish food is varied and delicious. It’s often meze style – lots of small dishes to sample, including aubergine dips, calamari, borek (stuffed pastries), mashed broad beans and stuffed vine leaves – plenty of options for vegetarians, too.

    Beyond meze, Turkish food involves a lot of meat, often in kebab form – the smell of charcoal-grilled beef, lamb and chicken permeates Turkey. Fish is also good – just make sure it is fresh. Other highlights on the Turkish menu include wonderful breads, super-sweet baklava (pistachio and syrup pastry) and salty white cheeses.

    Despite being a Muslim country, alcohol is easy to find in Turkey, especially in the touristy coastal regions. Efes is the Turkish beer of choice. Raki, grape spirit, is potent. Turkish coffee is pitch black, very strong and often sweet. Tea is widely drunk and served black.

    Health & safety in Turkey

    Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations before travelling to Turkey – visit your GP for advice. Mosquitoes and sandflies can be a nuisance, especially along the coast in summer; pack repellent. Malaria risk is minimal, but seek advice before travel. Drink purified water and make sure food is well cooked and fresh. The sun can be strong – cover up, and pack high-factor sunscreen.

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