Turkey:

Turkey is a treasure trove of beautiful beaches, gorgeous backdrops, hospitality and history.
It is home to many of the world’s ancient civilizations and cultures. Turkey is lovely country where you can taste an exquisite blend of the traditions of the east and the west. Take the opportunity to discover Turkey and all it has to offer from the snow capped mountains to go skiing to the absolutely astounding beaches to laze in the sun.

• Combination of reasonable prices and high quality services
• Ecologically clean area
• The longest tourism season in Europe - from May till October
• Service in Russian in hotels, shops, restaurants
• Turkish cousine is one of the most famous in the world
• Large opportunities for active holiday and holiday with children
• Opportunity to combine holiday with shopping

Turkey: general information
The Capital Сity of Turkey is Ankara. The Territory of Turkey is 814,578 km2., 43 km2. are located on the European part of Turkey. The Coast  line is 7200 km. The population of Turkey  is nearby 75 million people. The highest density in Istanbul and coastal regions. Ethnic groups: Turks - 80 %, Kurds - 17 %, Greeks, Arabs, Armenians, Jews. Religion in Turkey, Islam – 99%, Judaism, Christianity. The oficial Language is Turkish . The largest cities of Turkey are Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Bursa. 

Turkey: weather conditions
Owing to a mild climate, Turkey is favourite vacation place for hundreds thousand tourists.
The climate is warm and damp at western coast of the country   At southern coast the climate is mild and in the summer the constant, refreshing sea breezes temper the sun's heat. It is possible to swimm in the sea from April till October (in Antalya the average temperature of air in January is from 6 C up to 15 C, in August - from 23 C up to 39 C, summer time the average temperature of water is 27 C). 

Turkey: money
Turkish lyre. It is possible to exchange currency in hotels and banks. Pay your attention that  the commission can be taken for each operation in exchange offices. 

Turkey: banks
Banks are available at the airports and in hotels.
The schedule of work: Monday - Friday (09:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m.)
The days off are Saturday, Sunday.

Turkey: doctor  services
Tap water is safe for drink in Turkey. However, it is better to use water in bottles. The obligatory medical insurance is not required for coming to Turkey, but it can be demanded in emergency, as doctor services in Turkey are paid. Emergency phone  number  is 112. 

Turkey:  tips
Tips depend on quality of services and your wish to give a tip. Tips are usually given to porters, hotel satff, waiters (5-10 %) from cost of a dinner. It is not necessary to give tips to taxi drivers.

Turkey: telephone communication 
For  international calls  dial   (00 or +), then  Country-, City code
and phone number. It is possible  to phone from hotel, but it is more expensive than from a post office.
Useful telephone numbers
Police-155
Emergency - 112


Turkey: oficial holidays of Turkey 
On January, 1st - New year
On April, 23rd – Children’s Day  
On May, 19th - Day of youth and sports
On August, 30th - Victory Day 
On October, 29th – Republic  Day (declaration of independence)


Turkey: official religious holidays of Turkey
Ramazan -   Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification achieved through fasting, self-sacrifice and prayers.
Kurban Bayram  -  Feast of Sacrifice is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar.


Turkey: turkish  cousine
Turkish cuisine is to a large extent the product of a rich historical background, resulting from centuries of crossbreeding between East and West and sustained by an infinite variety of fish, meat, vegetables and fruit.  Foreign guests are over and over surprised by the rich variety and painstaking preparation of vegetable here. Fresh vegetables have the highest value in the Turkish cousine. They can also be roasted, fried or served with yogurt. Vegetable courses can be eaten warm, they can also be prepared with olive oil as a cold dish.  
Starters - or Mezeler: Coming for the first time to Turkey, people are surprised by the variety of small courses, which are offered in the restaurants. Everything that is stuffed is called Dolmas: There are peppers and vine leaves filled with rice, currants and pine seeds. Afterwards the warm starters are served: e.g. Sigara Boreks, filled with white cheese and parsley; fried Zucchini and stuffed Zucchini flowers - too numerous to mention.
Donerkebab: Very thin sliced meat is cut and filled into a special bread called Pide, mixed with onions and salad.
Gozleme: This dish consist of a thin pancake, filled mostly with a mixture of white cheese and parsley.
Lahmacun: For sure you will see this somewhere. Something between Pizza and Tortilla, on a thin layer of pastry mince meat is spread - with fresh garden herbs - spiced with red pepper from mild to hot.
Drinks: Ayran is a beverage made out of Yoghurt, diluted with water, salted, and must be served cool. Among alcoholic drinks Raki as a beverage ranks at the highest point of the popularity scale in Turkey.  In the common language it is also called " lion milk " . Wherever you go, tea or coffee will be offered to you. Tea is the most preferred drink of the Turks.


Turkey: shopping and gifts
Good products from leather, gold, onyx and copper, hand made fine woolen and silk carpets  have made Turkey one of the most attractive countries for shopping.  
Manufacture of goods from copper and zinc is well developed. Everywhere it is possible
to find traditional plates, cotton shirts and capes, spices, fine cloths and bed clothes, decorated chess and backgammons. Any  souvenir will please you for a long time, reminding of Turkey.