tucan travel tours

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Discovery Tours are generally suited to travellers who are keen to see Latin America and Africa with the added security and flexibility that travelling in a custom-made vehicle provides. Discovery Tours gives clients the extra comfort of door-to-door travel and Comfort level (approx 3 star) hotels with optional single supplements. Based on the nature of this travel style, Discovery Tours are open age and are generally suitable for people aged between 10 and 65 years old. The average group size is between 15 and 24 although on the busier departure dates there will be up to 34 passengers.

Adventure Tours are designed to suit travellers who love being able to travel on many different forms of transport with local people and stay in a variety of accommodation. There is a certain amount of involvement needed, which will mean clients carrying their own bags to the bus or train station or even helping the driver throw everyone’s packs onto the roof. Based on the nature of this travel style, Adventure Tours are generally suitable for people aged between 18 and 60 years old. The average group size is 8 to 12 travellers with a maximum of 18, however on some included excursions the group may occasionally be larger.

Overland Expeditions are perfect for travellers who love the great outdoors, like having an input into their holiday and enjoy the rewards that camping offers. Travelling on a high quality, custom-designed expedition vehicle, these tours travel comfortably over a variety of terrain. Overland Expeditions are an economical and exciting way to see the South America. Based on the nature of this travel style, Overland Expeditions are generally suitable for people aged between 18 and 45 years old. The average group size is between 15 and 24 although on the busier departure dates there will be up to 34 passengers.

Budget Expeditions are specifically designed for anyone aged between 18 and 35 who wants to travel in the company of other young, fun and like-minded people. Budget Expeditions are all about choice and flexibility. We keep the tour price down because we want our clients to choose their own activities and create a holiday that suits their personality and budget. Budget Expeditions travel on high quality, custom-designed expedition vehicles. The average group size is between 15 and 24 although on the busier departure dates there will be up to 34 passengers.

Independent Travel is for travellers who want the chance to experience their destination at a pace that suits them, with the added benefit of having pre-booked arrangements. There are no upper or lower age restrictions so this travel style is ideal for families travelling with children. A stopover or package is a great way to make the most of any spare time around international flights, a group tour or an Expedition Cruise. Stopovers include two nights’ accommodation, one transfer (arrival or departure) and one half day or full day city tour. Packages include more than two nights’ accommodation, one transfer (arrival or departure) and one or more excursions. Clients can also add additional hotel nights and transfers to their stopover or package to suit their needs. We also offer Spanish language schools in a variety of destinations in Latin America.

Expedition Cruises are ideal for adventure travellers who want to experience remote areas of the world in comfort and style. Forget about casinos, cabaret shows and ‘floating hotels’, Expedition Cruises offer the opportunity to delve deep into rainforests, extreme polar environments and enjoy close encounters with unique wildlife with the comfort and safety of purpose-built or specially-adapted vessels. Based on the nature of this travel style, Expedition Cruises are generally suitable for people aged between 11 and 65 years old who are relatively fit and healthy, comfortable negotiating rocky or slippery terrain and enjoy getting close to nature.

Primary Market Served

We appeal to a broad audience. From the first-time adventure seeker to the seasoned independent traveller, we help our clients discover the world's most amazing people and places, cultures and landscapes. Our primary market ranges from our young budget conscious clients, to more comfort oriented private vehicle Discovery Tours clients, through to well-travelled clients looking for a certain level of luxury and adventure on Expedition Cruises.

Geographic Reach

Head office in London, England and Sydney, Australia and other satellite offices worldwide.

· Special Interest in Connecting with the Adventure Travel Community (e.g., networking, marketing strategy development, research, partnerships/alliances, sustainable travel, insurance needs, etc.)

Tucan Travel is always seeking strategic partnerships. Whether it’s partners for marketing co-ops, development or even just to connect with a fellow operator, we would love to hear from businesses in all sectors of the adventure travel industry.

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Tucan Travel becomes the latest tour operator to fail

‘there is unlikely to be any normal international leisure travel until 2022’ – matt gannan, chief executive, article bookmarked.

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With no sign of when meaningful adventure travel might resume, another specialist tour operator has folded.

Tucan Travel, based in West London, has ceased trading with immediate effect and will operate no more trips.

Customers waiting to travel will be able to recover the money through the firm's bonding arrangements.

Tucan has been operating group trips to destinations worldwide, from Azerbaijan to Antarctica, for more than 30 years.

The firm particularly specialised in South America, with its very first trip to Colombia. Tucan trips catered for the budget end of the market, and it had a loyal clientele.

The chief executive, Matt Gannan, is well respected in the travel industry.

In an online statement he said: “The coronavirus pandemic has had a severe impact on many businesses in particular the travel industry.

“During this challenging time, tour operators like Tucan Travel have faithfully tried to support people and balance their needs.

“During this time we had to make difficult decisions to keep the company alive including many staff redundancies, most of whom are loyal long-serving staff with families to support. Unfortunately this now extends to all staff.

“No one could have predicted that in January 2021, most countries in the world would be in further tough lockdowns with many people losing their lives and loved ones.

“There is unlikely to be any normal international leisure travel until 2022 and so with a heavy heart, the decision was taken in the best interests of everyone concerned to place the company into administration.”

Mr Gannan said providing refunds to clients had become fraught – with no cash coming in to the business and payments already made to airlines, hotels and local services such as guides, permits and transport.

“Many of these service contracts are non-refundable or non-transferable," he said.

“In addition many of the smaller overseas hotels and service providers that specialist tour operators support are in an even worse situation, they simply do not have the resources to repay what is owed to tour operators until they are able to reopen their business and earn money again.”

Tucan Travel follows other other adventure specialists into administration. 

STA Travel failed in August 2020, Trek America closed down in September and The Independent Traveller ceased trading in October.

James Chapple, deputy news editor of the travel trade journal TTG , said: “It speaks of the severity of the circumstances facing the industry that the pandemic is claiming wholly viable businesses, ones that have been successful over a great many years, that have been left in limbo by the political torpor in Westminster.”

At present all outbound leisure travel from the UK is banned.

On Tuesday morning, the universities minister, Michelle Donelan, told Times Radio: “I certainly won’t be booking summer holidays yet.”

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Traveling Without a Passport

Intrepid Travel vs. Tucan Travel: Which Operator is Right For You?

Considering booking your dream tour but having trouble deciding between   Intrepid  and  Tucan Travel ? We’ve got you covered! Read on to contrast and compare both operators, and get a better idea of which one is best suited to you.

Group size, age requirements and travel styles

Both  Intrepid  and  Tucan   Travel  offer small group travel, and don’t have a hard age limit. Both operators are able to accommodate children and families on their tours (depending on the individual tour and destination). 

Intrepid  offers three main styles of trips;  Basix ,  Original  and  Comfort , depending on the preference of the traveller. Intrepid has a group size averaging from 10-12 people in most destinations, and the ages range from 18-65.

They also have specific family tours, tailored specifically for families, which are available to families and parents with children. The lower age limits for these tours depends on the destination, so it is best to check the tour itinerary of the tour you are interested in.

They also offer a range of travel styles, from tours that include budget-friendly, basic accommodations through to more luxurious and special experiences. In general, Intrepid is targeted at people wanting to take part in adventure travel – experiencing the world with other adventurers in a small group.  

Tucan Travel  doesn’t distinguish separate travel styles beyond Worldwide Group Tours. Tucan Travel offers experiences that are designed for travellers who love to travel with a small group, and want to experience different forms of transport and get involved with the local culture.

The group sizes are up to 19 people, and there is not a hard limit on ages for most tours, although most travellers fall between the 25 and 45 age range. If you are wanting to travel with children, Tucan Travel offers a tailormade department for family holidays. 

Physical requirements

The physical requirements for both operators require a reasonable amount of fitness; that is, you will be required to carry your own luggage, you will sometimes be taking public transport, and may need to carry your luggage to and from transport hubs or upstairs at your accommodation. 

Both  Intrepid  and  Tucan Travel  may have particular trips, itineraries or excursions which require a higher level of fitness and more physical requirements (such as trekking, canoeing etc). These will be clearly marked on the individual tour itineraries, so it is best to read the itinerary in detail.

Accommodation

With  Tucan Travel , tours will generally stay in small, locally-owned hotels rather than large international chains. Sometimes accommodations can be far from towns and cities, staying in unique places such as jungle lodges, Chinese junk boats or remote home-stays. You can expect all accommodations to be clean and comfortable tourist-class hotels. 

Intrepid  offers a variety of accommodation, with a focus on the facilities and character, as much as convenience. Sometimes in smaller destinations, they alternate tours to stay between a number of different homestays or hotels to ensure they support more than one local partner.

They also offer a select number of authentic local accommodations, such as a family-run hotel, a hilltop monastery or a Bedouin camp. Accommodation for both is based on twin-shared accommodations where a single supplement is not mandatory but can be requested. 

Transportation and guide

Intrepid  will use a variety of modes of transportation including local transport (like tuk tuks) and private vehicles. Intrepid Travel takes pride in using professional local travel experts to guide their tours.  

Tucan Travel  has expert tour leaders from around the world to guide your journey sometimes accompanied by a local guide as well. Tucan Travel tours in Africa and Patagonia are operated in custom-built Tucan overlanding trucks. All other regions use a mixture of public and private transport.

Intrepid  offers a range of tours around the world in many different locations, as does  Tucan Travel  with the exception that Tucan doesn’t run tours in Australia/New Zealand, or North America.

Because of this, the overall price per day of Intrepid tends to be slightly higher, so beneath is a breakdown per region.

Intrepid starting from USD $88 per day Tucan Travel starting from USD $90 per day 

Intrepid starting from USD $50 per day Tucan Travel starting from USD $31 per day 

Australia / Oceania

Intrepid starting from USD $107 per day Tucan Travel does not operate tours in this region 

Intrepid starting from USD $65 per day Tucan Travel starting from USD $46 per day 

North America

Intrepid  starting from USD $90 per day Tucan Travel does not operate tours in this region 

Latin America

Intrepid starting from USD $37 per day Tucan Travel starting from USD $45 per day

Destinations

Intrepid  offers tours to  Europe ,  Asia ,  Africa ,  North America ,  Latin America ,  Australia/Oceania . 

Tucan Travel  operates in  Latin America ,  Asia ,  Africa , the  Middle-East  and  Europe .

Looking for more info? Find reviews for Intrepid Travel here and reviews for Tucan Travel here .

Days to Come Editorial Team

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Balkans Encompassed

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• Novi Sad Petrovaradin Fortress Guided Tunnel Tour
• Visit Devil's Town
• Matka Canyon Visit including Boat Ride
• Visit to Kruja (Entry to City Walls and Skanderbeg Museum)
• Guided Tour of Kotor Old Town
• Visit Trebinje for wine tour and tasting
• 24 hour Dubrovnik city card including City Walls and transport pass
• Entry to Kravice Waterfall
• Guided Tour of Diocletian's Palace
• Entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park

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Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Tucan Travel (Operations Suspended) .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Tucan Travel (Operations Suspended) Reviews & Ratings

A good tour when looking to keep.

A good tour when looking to keep costs down.

Other Tucan Travel (Operations Suspended) Reviews

Thieves! Thieves! Call the police! They're happy to take your money, but if anything goes wrong then they shirk their responsibilities, try to force you into a pote...

Nice Destination; Horrible Tour Operator, Tucan Travel.

My spouse and I went on this Tucan trip.We chose it because we liked the itinerary. It was our first (and last) experience with Tucan. The worst part of the trip was...

TUCAN TRAVEL IS BREAKING THE UK LAW

TUCAN TRAVEL IS BREAKING THE UK LAW - An absolutely disgusting company that is breaking the law. They canceled my trip due to Covid 19 and refuse to refund the money...

See all Other Tucan Travel (Operations Suspended) reviews

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Tour operator, tucan travel (operations suspended).

Tucan, Toucan, Tucán, Tucano; what's in a name?

When Tucan Travel was formed in 1987, co-founders Pip and Liliana Tyler named their company Tucan Travel because, as they were Latin American specialists principally operating tours in South America and Central America, it made sense to use the local spelling.

Here at Tucan Travel, we often get people thinking that our name is spelled Toucan Travel. The name 'tucan' actually derives from the Latin American (Spanish) spelling 'tucán' or Brazilian (Portuguese) spelling 'tucano'.

Tucan Travel is named after the distinctive South American toucan bird with a large brightly coloured beak The toucan comes from the neotropics - the tropical regions of the Americas. They are bright, striking birds renowned for their large, colourful bills. Some large species of toucans have bills that are at least half as long as their body, but they are very light and strong so don’t weigh the birds down.

There has been a lot of scientific debate about the function of the toucan's distinctive bill. Some argue that it is necessary for recognition, while others believe its function is wholly practical in the process of gathering food and seeds. There are also claims that the bill is necessary for defence, while some scientists believe that it could be a mechanism to intimidate smaller birds so that they can more easily plunder their nests.

You may see toucans in Mexico and Central America, particularly in jungle areas and tropical ruin sites such as Tikal in Guatemala. In South America, you will find them in the Amazon Jungle (our tours visit areas of the Amazon in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil), in parts of northern Argentina and all across Brazil.

The toucan family includes around 40 species, the most popular being the keel-billed toucan. Related species include mountain toucans, aracaris, and toucanets. Scientists speculate that there could even be species of the toucan that have not yet been documented as there are areas of rainforest which remain unexplored.

Toucans are very intelligent, social birds and are very noisy in groups. Their bodies are heavy with short wings and their first and fourth toes are inverted. Toucans prefer to hop between branches rather than fly. They are usually found in pairs or small flocks, and they do not migrate.

Toucans are frugivorous (fruit-eating), but will also eat bird eggs and small prey such as rodents and insects. Toucans swallow fruit whole and then regurgitate the seeds. Toucans have a good lifespan and can live for about 20 years.

Privately owned & passionate about adventure travel

Travel addicts Pip and Liliana Tyler founded one of the first ever South American adventure tour companies in 1987 and named their business Tucan Travel, after the famous South American bird with its traditional Spanish spelling. As their reputation for offering excellent adventurous public transport tours spread and demand increased, the Tylers decided to expand and joined forces with fellow tour operator Matt Gannan in 1997, and with his fleet of expedition vehicles the company started pioneering many of the first overlanding routes in South America.

The directors’ formidable combined knowledge and ongoing passion for adventure travel drove Tucan Travel’s expansion to worldwide destinations in the early 2000s and in 2003 Budget Expeditions was developed as an independent youth brand for 18 to 35s. In 2008 the youth brand was amalgamated back under the parent brand as a travel style. Tucan Travel now offers more than 470 adventures in 72 countries across  destinations including Europe, Asia and Russia, East and Southern Africa, Latin America and Antarctica.

Although Pip and Liliana Tyler fully retired in June 2014, we are proud to still be independently owned by Matt Gannan and staffed by equally enthusiastic adventure travellers at our offices in London, Sydney, and Cuzco, at our operations base in Bangkok, as well as our tour leaders and drivers on the road. When you’re researching who to travel with and only the best will do, look no further than Tucan Travel!

We can proudly guarantee the high standard of our tours because in 95% of destinations we operate them ourselves and do not sub-contract to other operators. On occasions where we use local guides, they are trained and supported by us and are expected to adhere to the top quality service our clients have come to expect. Staffed by a team of avid travellers, the company shares and encourages its clients’ exploratory spirit and the desire to see the world in an authentic way.

Tucan Travel owns a fleet of comfortable, modern Mercedes Benz custom-built vehicles which comply with European emissions standards and are well equipped to deal with the demands of the varied terrain on tour. The company is committed to offering exciting and adventurous itineraries while encouraging responsible travel practices on the road and in its offices. We offer our clients the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions of our tours and pledge to reduce our company emissions by managing our energy efficiently and offsetting business travel

Taking part in the 'Adventure of a Lifetime'

We are delighted that you are considering enjoying a Group Tour with Tucan Travel. In order to ensure that you have the best possible experience, we would like to draw your attention to some aspects of our group tours to make sure that you are fully aware of the nature of the travel which you will be participating in.

Our tours are designed to let you get under the skin of a destination, so you receive an authentic experience. If you enjoy meeting and interacting with local people and are willing to occasionally encounter basic infrastructure and facilities in order to experience the path less travelled, then our group tours will be just what you’re looking for.

On your tour, you may encounter some long travel days. These are usually unavoidable but please be assured our itineraries have been designed with the benefit of our clients in mind in order to maximise your free time in each destination. Please also note that when travelling way from the beaten track in these more remote areas, you may find that road conditions can be rougher than you may be used to at home.

Our tours are of a modular nature meaning that our smaller tours fit together to form longer tours with the longest being 199 days in length. During this time, some passengers may join or leave your tour at different times. One of the advantages of this system is that we can offer you greater flexibility. We have carefully chosen departure dates to allow you to combine tours. This flexibility means you can get the best experience out of the time you have and see as much of your chosen country - or continent - as you want to.

We kindly request that our clients bring along a positive attitude and an open mind. These are most certainly invaluable when travelling in a group. Despite the very best intentions and planning, things can and do go wrong and occasionally we encounter problems beyond our control, such as delayed public transport and adverse weather conditions, in such situations we ask for your patience and we will endeavor to keep as close to your scheduled itinerary as possible.

The accommodation we use are generally locally owned and are chosen for their proximity to local attractions, their cleanliness and customer service. However, in some of our more remote destinations you may encounter basic facilities and on occasion you may not have the luxury of hot water, laundry facilities, local shops or amenities. Our guides and leaders will do their best to forewarn you if this should occur.

Participation in our tours requires a certain level of fitness. The tours are fast paced, packing in plenty of sights into short periods of time. It is also sometimes necessary for all our clients to carry their own luggages. This includes being able to lift your possessions on and off various forms of transport and carrying them up and down flights of stairs in train stations and hotels where there may be no lift available.

Due to the nature of our group tours, we don't allow children under the age of 12 to join them. This is just in case the children are unable to keep up with the rest of the group. The accommodation, transport or excursions offered may not be suitable for children under this age. For children aged between 12 and 18, we ask that each child is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please note: No children under the age of 13 are able to do the Inca Trail Trek. A minimum age of 16 is accepted on group tours to China. There is no minimum age for our Tailor-made tours.

As some of our tours operate at high altitudes or in malarial zones, we would recommend you consult with your doctor prior to travel. If you have any pre existing medical conditions, travel in these regions may be difficult. Furthermore, we recommend consulting with your doctor at least 6 weeks before your departure date regardless of your present health.

During our Overland Tours and Budget Expeditions you will be required to participate in the successful running of the group. This means that to ensure the happy continuation of the tour you will all be expected to help the tour leader and driver with the setting up of camping equipment, the cooking of meals, pitching of tents, washing up and packing up the vehicle when leaving a campsite facility. It may also be necessary to stop off at a supermarket on the way to your next destination to pick up supplies. Here you will have some time to do your own personal shopping.

We sincerely hope that we have given you a good insight into what travelling on a group tour may be like. We highly recommend that you read the Pre-departure Information Booklet, Tour Dossier and Travel Style description, for more detailed information specific to your tour. You should also read section 9 of our booking conditions if you are in any doubt about the above information.

** If after reading this information, you don't think this particular tour is right for you, remember Tucan Travel has a large range of tours, products and services which can be tailor-made to suit your requirements. Please don’t hesitate to contact our offices to discuss alternative travel styles or if you require more information.

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Turkey Tours

Straddling two continents, Turkey offers a fascinating blend of European and Asian cultures. Steeped in Christian and Islamic history and shining with modern energy, our Turkey adventure tours offer access to some of the world’s most important ancient monuments and historic sites as well as some of the most exciting contemporary cities. You will also be able to discover the poignant Anzac battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula rank among the many highlights of a Turkey adventure tour. Cosmopolitan Istanbul is the jewel in the crown, numbering the Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, the Church of Divine Wisdom, Sultanahmet mosque and Topkapi Palace among its star attractions.

When you need to unwind and be pampered during your Turkey adventure tour, find a hamam and enjoy a massage, take a relaxing cruise on the Bosphorous or dip your toes in the Mediterranean Sea on the Turquoise Coast where you’ll also find some fantastic nightlife. Of course a Turkey adventure tour will also show you the country’s warm hospitality and one of the world’s most aromatic cuisines.

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Brief history

Present-day Turkey was created in 1923 from the Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire. In 1945 Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to protect Turkish Cypriots and prevent a Greek takeover of the island; the northern 37 percent of the island remains under Turkish Cypriot control. Relations between Turkey and Greece have improved greatly over the past few years. Politically, modern Turkey was almost entirely the creation of one man, Mustafa Ataturk.

Geography and weather

Turkey has borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria with easy land and sea access to the Gulf States, Levant and North Africa. It is the ninth largest country in the Middle East and the third largest in Europe. Turkey only consists of 23,000 sq. km in Europe: the remainder is in Asia. The Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits separate the European (Thrace) and Asian (Anatolian) parts of Turkey. Anatolia is a high plateau region, rising progressively towards the east and broken by the valleys of some 15 rivers, including the Tigris and the Euphrates. There are numerous lakes including Lake Van, which is really an inland sea. In the north the chain of the Ponitine Mountains runs parallel to the Black Sea; in the south, the Taurus Mountains almost touch the narrow, fertile coastal plain. The climate is temperate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters (harsher in interior).

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour.

Most nationalities (including citizens of the UK, Australia, Canada and the US) need a visa to enter Turkey. Citizens of these countries must  obtain an electronic visa before arriving in Turkey which is valid for three months. The costs of the visa varies. Citizens of New Zealand currently are not required to purchase a visa on entry. We recommend you contact your local Turkish embassy or consulate near to your planned date of travel to obtain the latest information on your specific requirements.

Visa services like www.travcour.com can be very helpful.

The monetary unit in Turkey is the lira, TL. For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com .

Changing money, credit cards & ATMs

Rates for foreign currency are always better inside Turkey. Private exchange offices have competitive rates and no commission. Banks are generally open Monday – Friday 8.30am – noon and 1.30pm -5pm. Most charge a commission of US$2.50 for travellers cheques. ATMs are widely available in cities.

Generally tipping is not an obligatory custom in Turkey, however tipping between 5-10% at local cafes and restaurants is recommended.

Local transport

In Istanbul many of the sights are within walking distance of each other and the best way to get to know the area is on foot. However, it’s easy and relatively cheap to jump in a taxi and criss-crossing the Bosporus by ferry is great fun.

Most people find that Turkey is a safe and friendly country but as in any foreign place you should exercise a reasonable degree of caution. Don’t walk around lonely back streets at night (particularly in Istanbul), don’t wear expensive looking jewellery or a classy watch and don’t carry a wallet in your back pocket. Don’t carry your camera openly; always have it in a small day pack which is firmly attached to your body, preferably in the front in crowded places. Take particular care not to become too relaxed if you have had a few drinks and are returning to your hotel at night – it is best to always take a taxi. Always wear a money belt or leave your valuables, including your passport, in the hotel security box.

Local food and drink

Lots of tasty treats are available in Turkey. Snacks include borek or poca (small pastries filled with meat, cheese or potato) sold from snack carts in the street, also simit (sesame-seed bread rings). Other snacks are lahmacun (small pizzas with meat based toppings) and in coastal cities midye tave (deep fried mussels). Main meals include several variations of the kebab, fish and seafood are good, but usually pricey and sold by the weight rather than by the item. Most budget restaurants are alcohol free. A useful exception is a meyhane (tavern) which usually serves mezes, an extensive array of cold appetisers as well as grilled kebabs and fish. Most common mezes are dolma (pepper or vine leaves stuffed with rice) and patlican salata (aubergine in tomato sauce). The best dessert is undoubtedly the honey soaked baklava. Turkish delight - solidified sugar and pectin, flavoured with rose water or pistachios, and sprinkled with powdered sugar - is another popular sweet.

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks are at your own expense at all times and are fairly inexpensive. Water from a tap or well should not be considered safe to drink. Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available throughout the country. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, with beer generally being the cheapest option.

1l of water - $0.50 30cl bottle of soft drink - $0.50-$1 40cl bottle of beer - $2-$3

Turkish coffee is served in tiny cups, and can be very strong. The same can be said for the tea (chai) which is served in delightful tulip-shaped glassesThe local firewater is anis-flavoured raki, stronger than Greek Ouzo. Alcoholic drinks are available in most places, but in smaller towns it is not as widely obtainable.

Time Difference

GMT/UTC +2. For other time differences please visit www.timeanddate.com

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