Cheap holidays to Turkey

The amphitheatre below is a centrepiece of the classic Roman city of Ephesus on the Aegean coast south of Istanbul, and is a must-see if you've bought flight tickets for a holiday to Turkey.

Construction of the Theatre of Ephusus began during the reign of Claudius (41-54 AD) and was completed during the reign of Trajan (98-117 AD).

The Roman-Greek theatre has a diameter of 150 metres and once held an audience up to 25 thousand people who enjoyed its superb acoustics.

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Holiday travel in Turkey has been affected by terrorism, the tourism industry hard hit since 9/11 and the Turkish economy struggling.

Travellers can benefit from this downturn by bargaining for cheap holiday travel tickets and discount hotel reservations in Turkey. Cheap airline tickets and flights to Turkey are another benefit.

The exchange rate also makes Turkey a dream for backpackers seeking cheap holiday adventure, luxury or spectacular sights which equal the best you've seen during your world travel.

Dependent upon the erratic currency, Turkey can usually be enjoyed in near-luxury for about US$50 a day, and it's possible to have an at-times uncomfortable holiday in Turkey for less than US$30 a day.

International flights land at Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara, and holiday charter plane flights service the Mediterranean coast.

There are train and bus links to Western Europe, ferry links to Italy, Ukraine and nearby ports, and border crossings with Syria, Armenia, Bulgaria, Iran, Iraq and Georgia.

When you travel in Turkey, you should bargain for just about everything you purchase.

Hotel room prices in Turkey can be haggled down, particularly in the slow travel season from November to April.

Membership of youth hostel associations can greatly reduce your holiday travel costs.

Sandy beaches line the Mediterranean, although the best are owned by hotel chains which charge tourists a fee for access and other services. However, it's easy to find a free public beach if you don't want to pay for your holiday suntan.

The southern coast of Turkey comprises glorious beaches and bleached cliffs with fishing villages tucked into tiny coves, the sea air mingling with a rich fragrance of pine and wild thyme.

A highlight of travel on Turkey's south-west coast is the private hire of a power boat or gulet, one of the many quaintly converted wooden fishing boats that offer a holiday adventure on the calm waters of the Mediterranean.

A private charter allows you to share the vessel with friends rather than potentially incompatible strangers, along with a skipper, cook and crew member if needed.

Boat charters can be organised in coastal towns such as Bodrum and Marmaris, and holiday-makers can enjoy weeks of leisurely cruising with frequent stops to explore small bays and villages.

Travel tip ... As a rough guide, a group of eight tourists could probably expect to hire a gulet for about US$60 per day per person, meals included.

The more upmarket and expensive ports along the Lycian coast (known in tourist circles as the Turquoise Coast) are Marmaris and Bodrum. Gocek is a more down-to-earth sailing port.

Food? Eat on the streets and you'll find vendors everywhere with interesting snacks that cost a pittance.

Eat a feast in a restaurant and it'll only cost a few dollars.

Tipping is often expected in Turkey, particularly in hotels and taxis.

Valid passports and visas are required by most but not all nationalities for holiday travel in Turkey and tourists from all countries can purchase a 90 day sticker visa at the port of entry for US$100.

Travellers from America, Britain, Canada, Australia and Israel need a visa which can be obtained at embassies, consulates or upon arrival, while citizens of South Africa, New Zealand and most western European countries don't need a visa to travel in Turkey for up to three months.

Residents of several European Union countries can enter and travel through Turkey with just a national ID card.

It's important to make sure you get entry stamps on your passport's Turkish visa page at the very first port of entry, unless you want headaches when your holiday is over and the time comes to travel home.

Penalties are expensive if you overstay your holiday visa in Turkey.

Exchange rates during your Turkey holiday are dependent upon the at-times parlous state of the Turkish economy, inflation being an ongoing problem that has only recently started showing signs of slowing.

Note that the new Turkish lira was introduced on January 1, 2005. This new currency effectively loses six zeros from the former notes and coins. The new Turkish lira consists of six different notes and six different coins.

The largest new note is 100 YTL, which is the equivalent of 100 million of the old Turkish liras. Sterling, dollars and euros are readily accepted throughout Turkey and the Turkish name for money is para.

Old Turkish lira will remain in circulation concurrent with the new currency until 1 January 2006 and will be convertible to New Turkish Lira for ten years via Turkey's Central Bank.

Banks in Turkey are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to midday and from 1.30pm to 5pm.

About 35% of the Turkish population is involved with agriculture.

Travel tip ... When you holiday or travel in Turkey, make sure you get plenty of local Turkish currency in the major cities before heading into the countryside. Why? Because credit card facilities aren't always the best.

Turkey travel tips

Cappadocia travel tips

Goreme travel tips

Ephesus travel tips

Pamukkale tour tips in Turkey

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