USEFUL INFO

What's the food like in Turkey?
Turkish food is famous throughout the world. Look forward to meze comprising houmous and other dips, dolma (stuffed vine leaves), cheese cigars, the ubiquitous doner kebab and pide - a kind of pizza. Exotic freshly squeezed juices, nuts and fruit are available everywhere. If you feel like a java jolt, try Turkish coffee - rich, dark and often laced with cardamom.

Breakfast in Turkey usually consists of a range of different cheeses along with olives, bread, different jams and honey and, occasionally, a special kind of spicy sausage called sucuk, which is eaten with eggs. Menemen is also a popular morning dish and is made up of scrambled eggs cooked up with sautéed vegetables.

Eat Testy Kebab

Safe eating while travelling in Turkey
Travellers to Turkey will rarely have any issues with food. Street food is not a big part of culture here so visitors need not worry about food being left out in the sun for too long. Tap water is also not an issue in Turkey so ice in drinks and food that has been washed should not cause any problems.

What is good to shop for in Turkey?
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is cavernous and full of unusual and everyday objects. Known locally as Kapali Çarsi – the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s Old City is a massive conglomeration of over 4000 shops divided into areas specialising in gold, carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather and suede products. Jewellery, carpets and kilims represent top buys at the bazaar.

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar
The Egyptian Spice Bazaar at Eminonu near Istanbul is an easy continuance from the Grand Bazaar or good start point before heading there. Here, you can buy a dizzying array of spices at a fraction of the cost you’d expect to pay back home. Pine kernels, peppercorns, real Iranian saffron and other precious commodities are hawkered here at knockdown prices! Real Turkish delight is available by the tonne as well. Why not try the milk-based Turkish delight studded with pistachios!

How should I behave when visiting mosques in Turkey?
Turkey’s mosques, including the stunning Blue Mosque in Istanbul, are open to all visitors, Muslim and non-Muslim, but it is important to abide by the rules and cultural etiquette standards that are in place. Usually entry is free but donations to the upkeep of the mosque can and should be made. First of all, it is best to visit mosques when you are least likely to disturb and distract worship and prayer groups. Upon arrival, all guests are required to remove their shoes in order to keep the interior of the mosque clean.