Your passport to adventure
PHONE: 0800 448 596
PHONE: 0800 448 596
Are you ready to take on Turkey? We have put together exhilarating Turkey tours that are guaranteed to please.
Straddling both Asia and Europe, the wonders of the Orient and the history of the classical period collide in Turkey to create a truly unique and inspirational travel destination. Home to ancient cultures, brilliant blue seas, vibrant cities and a remarkable history dating back over thousands of years, Turkey has long been an attraction for travellers the world over.
Discover the beauty of this majestic country on one of our Turkey tours as we journey back through time - starting in cosmopolitan Istanbul, we travel to the WWII memorials of Gallipoli, visit Troy as well as the classical temples and roman ruins of Pergamum before heading along the Silk Route to gaze upon the incredible dreamlike landscape and rock formations of Cappadocia.
We'll also visit the popular Blue Mosque - which was built in the early 1600s and Hagia Sophia - the former Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal cathedral, which was also once an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum.
You can also finish off your trip to Turkey in style by enjoying three relaxing nights onboard a traditional Mediterranean gulet boat.
If you want to experience Turkey, it doesn't have to cost a fortune. At Encounters Travel, we take pride in offering value for money on Turkey tour packages.
Find the perfect package tour for you and take advantage of our unrivalled online special offers. Want to know more about our magnificent Turkey trips? Please don't hesitate to contact us.
Do you want to know more about Turkey and its beauty? Or do you need accurate visa information?
Contact the Turkey tourism board for more information.
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The best times to visit are from March to May and between September and November as the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the attractions are less crowded.
The currency used in Turkey is the Turkish lira and if you want to exchange money you will get a better rate when you have arrived.
What you wear depends on where you are. If you are visiting a mosque or religious site then women will need to dress conservatively, but in bigger cities and tourist areas, the clothing standards are more relaxed and European.
Tap water is safe for general purposes, but most people drink bottled water.
Planning a trip to Turkey depends on several factors, such as what all you’d like to accomplish and specific places you’d like to see but most importantly, your budget.
Meal prices in Turkey can vary – the cost of your meal depends not only on the type of meal but also where you’re planning on dining. When dining out, an average meal in Turkey costs around $8 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch and dinner. Turkey offers relatively affordable food by Western standards and some of the most delicious food can often be found at bazaars and street markets.
Turkey is relatively safe for tourists as there is little risk of violent crime, most crime in major cities entails petty theft. However, it is important for visitors to take caution and avoid specific areas which pose a high risk. Each of our tour guides are experienced in guiding visitors through the major attractions in Turkey safely.
Although the official language of Turkey is Turkish, English is widely spoken in Turkey - specifically in Istanbul. Most locals tend to speak a relatively high level of English which visitors are often impressed by. However, an attempt to speak to locals in Turkish is often met with gratitude and is considered a sign of respect.
Travellers should ensure that they are up to date with routine vaccinations. Certain vaccines are recommended for Turkey by both the CDC and WHO. These organizations recommend the following vaccinations for Turkey: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, anthrax, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
A trip to Turkey will vary in cost depending on your accommodation, food, activities and the duration of your trip. We recommend budgeting around $50 per day for those interested in comfortable accommodation in a private hotel room, activities, meals etc.
Turkey is a fascinating country which boasts natural scenery from mountains, seas and forests to vibrant nightlife in modern cities.
Istanbul is a must-see during a trip to Turkey as the city encompasses two continents: Europe and Asia. Istanbul boasts a wide array of sights which include: Ottoman Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia with its intricate mosaics and the underground Basilica Cistern.
Another must-see attraction is Ankara, which is Turkey’s second-largest city and offers a quieter and more historical atmosphere. Browse the cobblestone streets of Ankara and check out the quaint Ottoman houses.
We recommend spending a minimum of 6 days in Turkey to see the sights and experience the true culture and history of this incredible country. Our Turkey tours take you through all of the hidden gems and major attractions in Turkey, from natural scenic beauty to modern cities and ancient historical sights.
The best months to visit Turkey are from March to May as the weather is typically warm and dry. The attractions are also quieter and less crowded which means no need to wait in long lines.
Turkey is a relatively affordable country to visit as the food is fairly cheap, with the average meal costing roughly $6. Accommodation is also quite affordable with a comfortable hotel room costing less than $50 per night, depending on which hotel you choose.
Retail shopping in Turkey is also relatively cheap in comparison to neighbouring countries.
Everything about the trip was thought through, fine-tuned , and marvelous. From Ant Horribin helping us arrange the trip, to rep Waled Ali, and our guide Big Mo, we could not have asked for a better team. Our sincere thanks to them.
The trip was excellent and very well run, we have no complaints it was exactly as we expected.The guide was knowledgable and courteous, it ran on time and accommodation was fine.We have no complaints and have now booked again to go to India.
The trip was as above and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, all destinations were as expected and lived up to our expectations.We went with the idea of visiting Turkey and especially Gallipoli which achieved our goals.The historical part of thetrip was very well done and memmorable.
My contact with Encounters representative was a pleasure, she answered my questions promptly, provided a quotation and changed it quickly when different flights were preferred. Both by e-mail and phone the response was very timely.
There was a lot of communication from the beginning. The encounters staff was very responsive and the tour guide was great and very accommodating. Encounters was also able to help me with last minute changes to my itinerary while I was on the trip.
I thought it was very good we didn't have to worry about anything everything was in order and kept with the schedule as planned, unless we wanted to deviated from it to do somethingelse. The trip really a trip of a life time.
There was a time many years ago that I wanted to travel to Egypt and didn't because of the cost. This trip was, to me, very affordable. I think everyone should experience this trip. The tour guide was alos excellent, Sherif Mohammad.
Time: GMT+3
Dial Code: +90
Area: 783,562 km2
Elevation: The lowest point in Turkey is the Mediterranean Sea at 0m | The highest point in Turkey is Mount Ararat at 5,166m (16,949 ft.)
Population: 81,916,871 (2018)
Capital: Ankara
Governemnt: Parliamentary representative democratic republic
Language: Turkish
Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental country positioned in mainly Western Asia, with a smaller portion on the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. Turkey is bordered by eight countries; Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan. It is also encircled by seas on three sides, with the Aegean Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the north, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
Ankara is the capital and Istanbul is the largest city in the country as well as the culture and commercial centre. It is also classified as a leading global city. Around 70-80% of Turkey's citizens identify themselves as ethnic Turks and Kurds are the largest minority at about 20% of the population. The official language is Turkish, which is the most widely spoken Turkic language in the world. Minority languages that are spoken include Arabic and Bosnian. Turkey is a secular state with no official state religion.
This country has a unique ecosystem and habitat diversity that has produced substantial species diversity. The coastal areas of Turkey bordering the Aegean and the Mediterranean Seas have a temperature Mediterranean climate while the coastal area bordering the Black Sea have an oceanic climate. Turkey has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is home to two of the Seven Worlds of the Ancient World and the world's oldest religious site. The country also has the world's 13th largest GDP by PP and the 17th largest nominal GDP.
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