Turkey is a land full of rich historical heritage and beautiful nature. The country is the center of many ancient civilizations that existed thousands of years ago. Turkey was where the Trojan War occurred, the center for Byzantium and Ottoman empires, as well as other minor cultures. Warm climate and the beautiful turquoise Mediterranean Sea make Turkey one of the most popular beach vacation destinations in Europe. In this how to visit Turkey page, you can read some basic information about Turkey.

Turkey’s national language is Turkish. English and German are widely spoken as second language. Turkish people are said to be very friendly and welcoming. If you are able to speak few phrases in Turkish, they will be warmer to you. Turkish language is written in Latin alphabets plus 6 other alphabets. It is also completely phonetic, which makes it easy to read.http://www.goturkey.com/turkiye.php?lng=en&content=factforvisitors

Turkey’s official currency is Yeni Türk Lirası or New Turkish Lira (YTL). You will get better rate if you exchange your money within the country, but prepare for some cash for transportation and tips when you arrive. Visitors for most countries do not need to apply for visa before they enter the country for tourism purpose and just need to get their passport stamped when they arrive. You do need to have a passport that is still valid for the next 90 days of your arrival.http://www.goturkey.com/turkiye.php?lng=en&content=factforvisitors

You can come to Turkey via land, sea, or air. However, the visa request protocol (which only means that you get your passport stamped) is easier when you come by plane. If you enter the country by plane, prepare enough US Dollar or Euro, and Turkish Lira to pay for the visa.

Transportation between cities and places in Turkey is efficient and comfortable. You can take intercity coaches, which are very comfortable and quite economical. The terminal for these buses are called an otogar. You can also take trains, which are available with several classes to choose from and even with overnight compartments. Other good option is domestic flights.

In the city, you can get around the town with metro or trams, if the city has the system. Dolmuses are minibus taxis that are faster than regular buses. You can also get around the city with city buses after you buy a ticket (bilet). Taxis are numerous and easy to spot for their bright yellow colors. There are two types of fares for taxi, the day fare, and the night fare, which is more expensive.

Another good option to travel around Turkey is to drive a car. You can rent a car in the car rental. Turkish drivers can sometimes be impatient and reckless. If you decide to drive, be extra careful and do not get emotional if a car drives pass you.http://www.goturkey.com/turkiye.php?lng=en&content=factforvisitors

There are many types of accommodation and hotels to choose from in Turkey, including world class resorts. Hotels are more expensive near tourist areas. It is best to check for rates and availability of the rooms before you enter Turkey especially during the holiday season.

Turkish cuisine is famous around the world with its aromatic and exotic spices. One thing to note is that pork is uncommon in Turkey because most of the country’s population is Muslim. Most Turkish cuisine includes meat of some sort. Lamb is very popular, as is seafood. In traditional Turkish meal, the first course consists of soups and meze or appetizers you can choose from. These appetizers can include dolma, tzatziki, or fried livers. Meat or fish usually feature the main course and it is served with rice. You can also get simple Turkish salad for the side dish. Street food in Turkey include variety of kebabs such as sis kebab and doner kebab.http://www.goturkey.com/turkiye.php?lng=en&content=lifestyle

Turkish candies, such as Turkish delight, are also famous delicacies in Turkey and make for great souvenirs. Turkish candies are made with pistachios and flavored with [rose water]], which give them exotic and unusual taste. The famous baklava is a dessert menu you should try when you are in Turkey.

There are so many places to visit in Turkey that you might not finish visiting them all in one visit. It is better to plan your visit before you arrive so you can enjoy the places you visit instead of hastily move on to another.

One of the most popular cities to visit is IstanbulThe city has large concentration of architectural heritage from the Ottoman and Byzantium era. The most famous landmarks in the area are Hagia Sophia Church, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Basilica Cistern, and several palaces. It is also famous for its bazaars. If you are an avid shopper, there are many places and large shopping malls to shop including Metrocity and Cevahir Mall.

For beach vacations, visit the cities along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Popular tourist towns include Bodrum, Alanya, and Fethiye, which is popular for scuba diving. If you love night life, Marmaris is the place to go and for family friendly resorts, visit İçmeler. Antalya region has all things to offer, sea side resorts, historical heritage, and thriving city. The historical sites encompass the Roman era, Lycian civilization, and Christianity era. The most popular historical sites in Antalya are Aspendos, Phaselis, Perge, and Demre.