Pettitts Travel

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

Inspiring • Authentic • Tailor-Made

Pettitts Travel UK 01892515966

Turkey Holidays

With cosmopolitan cities, traditional caravan towns, jagged mountains and a coastline bordering three seas, Turkey is a melting pot of cultures. Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia, is one of the world's great cities whilst the western Aegean coastline passes some of the most iconic classical sites of the Mediterranean with Troy, Pergamum and Ephesus giving way to pretty seaside towns and villages. Central Turkey is best known for the unique natural rock formations and underground cities of Cappadocia or head towards the Black Sea to explore the beautiful Ottoman town of Safranbolu. To the east, the Plains of Mesopotamia are relatively unknown and little-visited with the iconic statues of Mt Nemrut, Akdamar Island on Lake Van and snow-capped Mount Ararat particular highlights. We have over 30 years experience in planning tailor-made holidays and tours to Turkey.

Popular Tailor-Made Itineraries

The Hidden Heritage of Turkey's Ottoman Empire

11 days from
£3850 pp

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Classical Turkey

10 days from
£3445 pp

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Central Turkey and the Caves of Cappadocia

8 days from
£2790 pp

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The Hidden Heritage of Turkey's Ottoman Empire

11 days from
£3850 pp

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Classical Turkey

10 days from
£3445 pp

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Central Turkey and the Caves of Cappadocia

8 days from
£2790 pp

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View All Turkey Itinerary Suggestions

Places to visit in Turkey

Perfect for a city break, or as part of a longer tour, Istanbul in Northern Turkey is a cultural gem. The ancient district of Sultanhamet is a highlight with its quaint cobbled streets, impressive mosques, imperial palaces and vibrant markets including the atmospheric Grand Bazaar. Travel to Cappadocia in Central Turkey home to fascinating underground cities, extraordinary rock formations and ancient cave systems. For those interested in classical history, follow the Aegean Coast to Izmir visiting the ruins of Troy, the beautiful village of Assos, ancient Pergamon and the city of Ephesus with its exceptionally well-preserved Greek and Roman remains. From the Black Sea coast spent time exploring the region’s Ottoman heritage in Amasya, Kastamonu and Safranbolu or relax beside the azure seas of Turkey’s southern Mediterranean Coast.

MAP OF TURKEY

When to Visit turkey

Turkey is a large country so there is some variation in climate. In general, the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts tend to enjoy dry summers, with average peak temperatures consistently hitting the mid-30s. High summer can be even hotter in these coastal areas but after this the weather then becomes mild throughout autumn. Istanbul enjoys similarly hot summers, as well as a temperate spring and autumn, however, winters can be surprisingly wet and chilly with even the occasional light snowfall. The Black Sea coast to the east has fairly mild weather throughout the year but if you travel into the Anatolian heartland expect more extreme weather – particularly on higher ground.

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best Times
Good Times
This is a general overview suggesting when to travel in the country. Please note that this may not directly apply to any specific itinerary or region.

Essential Information

flag of Turkey Capital: Ankara

Main Language: Turkish

Time Zone: GMT + 2

Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY)

Explore Turkey

 Northern Turkey
Aegean Coast
Mediterranean Coast
Black Sea
Central Turkey

Turkey, Gallipoli Holiday Review

“Once again we appreciated the quality of the holiday organised by your company and will continue to make use of your services in the future”

JD - Turkey, Gallipoli - May 2015

Accommodation in Turkey

There is an excellent wide range of hotel accommodation in Turkey from luxurious heritage properties and modern international resorts to quaint homestays and boutique hotels. Sultanahmet, the ancient and cultural heart of Istanbul, is home to some of the city’s finest properties, many of which are historic, whilst in the areas of Beyoglu, Taksim and Ortakoy there are many international luxury hotels. South of Istanbul, the beautiful Aegean coastline shelters a number of charming small hotels and characterful homestays with the amount of luxury resorts increasing as you reach the Mediterranean. With its ethereal landscape, Cappadocia has its own unique accommodation and it is possible to stay in a ‘cave hotel’ making for a unique and memorable experience.

Related Blog Posts

8 Things to do in Turkey

8 Things to do in Turkey

A Guide to the Ancient Classical sites of Turkey's Aegean Coast

A Guide to the Ancient Classical sites of Turkey's Aegean Coast

Common Turkey Travel Questions

A1 - Stretching from the Aegean Sea to the mountains of Eastern Anatolia, Turkey is a vast country with a range of climates that vary from region to region. As such, Turkey can be visited the year-round, however, certain times of year are better than others. Istanbul, the Aegean and Mediterranean, Cappadocia and the Black Sea are at their best between April and October. In general, the spring and autumn are mild with little risk of rain, the summer months are, without exception, hot and dry and winters cooler with snow a possibility in Istanbul, Cappadocia and eastern Turkey.
A2 - British citizens can travel visa-free to turkey for up to 90 days.
A3 - There are a large number of direct flights between different cities in the UK and Turkey. Flights generally take between three and four hours.
A4 - Turkish Lira is the currency of Turkey. Credit and debit cards are accepted throughout Turkey, ATM machines are common and reliable, and currency exchanges are found in all major towns and cities. In rural areas where there are fewer facilities it is advisable to carry some cash rather than relying solely on cards.
A5 - The official language of Turkey is Turkish. English is the second most commonly spoken language in Turkey and there is likely to be an English speaker in all but the most remote places.
A6 - For the most up to date advice we would recommend speaking to a medical professional. Currently there are no required vaccinations for Turkey.
A7 - On the whole it is best to use common sense and consider where you are in the country and what you are doing when it comes to deciding what to wear. In cosmopolitan Istanbul, as well as the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, dressing the way you would in the UK is perfectly acceptable. In contrast, eastern Turkey is more conservative than the west of the country and modest dress for both men and women is advised. When visiting a mosque ensure that legs and arms are not showing and, for women, that hair is covered.
A8 - Alcohol is readily available throughout all areas frequented by tourists.
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