Turkish Riviera (Turkey)

Best Time to Travel:

The temperatures during spring and autumn are pleasant; at the height of the summer, heat waves are possible.

Entry Requirements:

British Citizens need a passport which is valid for at least six months on arrival and three month beyond the end of the intended stay. A visa is required for British nationals to enter Turkey unless they are cruise ship passengers who enter the country for a day trip and return to the ship the same day. British citizens may obtain a chargeable multiple entry visitor's visa valid for 90 days at the port of entry. For further information please contact the appropriate representation in the UK.
If a parent travels on his/her own with a dual national Turkish child, written permission from the Turkish parent, certified by a notary, must be shown to the immigration authorities on departure, otherwise the child will not be permitted to leave Turkey. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the appropriate representation in the UK.

Security measures for all passengers departing from UK airports
Some liquids are allowed through airport security check points. There are however, restrictions on the quantity of liquids that can be taken through: Passengers may carry small quantities of liquids, but only within separate containers each of which with a capacity not greater than 100 ml. These containers must be brought to the airport contained in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag (about the size of a small freezer bag), which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity (approximately 20cm x 20cm). The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the bag sealed. Each passenger may carry only one such bag of liquids. The bag must be presented separately for examination at the airport security point. Please note:
Any containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines, see section below) will NOT be allowed through the security search point. Most liquids of any amount may still be carried in hold baggage. One lighter per person may be carried through central search. Lighters form part of the allowance of liquid in the litre bag and can either be placed inside the litre bag or screened separately provided they would fit into the bag. It is very important that passengers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening - it must be carried on the person for the duration of the flight. Lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage.
'Liquids' includes:
- All drinks, including water, soup, syrups
- Creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara etc.
- Sprays and pressurized containers including shaving foam and spray deodorants
- Pastes, including toothpastes
- Gels, including hair and shower gel
- Any other solutions and items of similar consistency.
Please note that liquids can usually be purchased beyond airport security search points, in the departures area, as these liquids are subject to a separate screening process. Liquid baby food or sterilised water, sufficient for the journey, can be taken through airport security. The accompanying adult will be required to verify by tasting. Liquid dietary foodstuffs which are deemed essential can be taken through airport security and will be subject to verification by the passenger. For information concerning essential medicines and medical equipment, cabin baggage and size allowed, laptops / electrical items and outsize items please visit www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/airtravel/airportsecurity/requirements.

Global Security Advice
Travellers should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks in public places anywhere in the world. Be vigilant, and take sensible precautions.

Specific Advice of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office indicates that in 2010, the holy month of Ramadan is expected to start around 11/12 August and to end around 28 days later (precise timings will depend on sighting of the new moon). Ramadan is an important time for all Muslims.
On 10 August 2010 there was an explosion on an oil pipeline in south east Turkey passing through Midyat (in Mardin province) and Idil (in Sirnak province) which killed two people and injured one other. The cause of the explosion is not clear but the possibility that it is a terrorist attack has not been ruled out.
There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey and a number of terrorist groups remain active in the country. Statements have been made in the press indicating that attacks could take place against tourists or places used by foreigners.
Terrorist attacks are regularly carried out against the security forces in the south east of the country by the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The FCO advises against all but essential travel in the provinces of Hakkari, Sirnak, Siirt and Tunceli and visitors should remain vigilant when travelling in other provinces in south eastern Turkey.
Al Qaida and other networks inspired by religious extremism have specifically targeted western interests in Turkey and there remains a global risk of attack from such groups.

Please ask the appropriate embassy in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the entry requirements, or inform yourself on the homepage of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office: www.fco.gov.uk. You find the addresses of the embassies down below on this website.

Vaccination requirements:

None.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination requirements, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Vaccination recommendations:

General: Diphtheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus. Risk groups/regions: Hepatitis B, Typhoid fever, Rabies.

Malaria:
Areas of risk: very low risk in the southeastern parts of the country and in Amikova and Cukurova Plain. No or negligible malaria risk: in the main tourist areas.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever:
An outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was reported in April 2008, involving the provinces of Tokat, Corum, Sivas, Amasya, Yozgat, Cankiri, Gumushane, Samsun, Bursa, Bolu, and Canakkale. As of June 2008, a total of 1315 confirmed cases and 63 deaths had been described, mostly in the Middle and Eastern Anatolia region. Five cases occurred in health care providers. In the first eight months of 2009, a total of 274 cases were identified, of which 61 were fatal
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a life-threatening viral infection which is usually transmitted by ticks (less commonly by direct contact with infected animals or by exposure to an infected person). In Turkey, most cases occur between May and September and most are reported from the eastern provinces of Tokat, Yozgat, and Sivas. The ticks in Istanbul reportedly do not carry the disease. Initial symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, backache, joint pains, headaches, dizziness, and light sensitivity. Complications may result from hemorrhage into the skin, intestine, or other sites. Tick precautions, are strongly recommended for all travelers to Turkey. Hospital patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever should be isolated using barrier nursing techniques.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome:
An outbreak of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome was reported from the Black Sea region of Turkey between January and May, 2009, resulting in 12 confirmed cases. Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is caused by a hantavirus and is acquired by exposure to rodent excreta, often by the aerosol route. The infection is not transmitted from person-to-person. Most travelers are at low risk for infection.

Food and Waterborne Diseases:
Make sure your food and drinking water are safe. Food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers. Travelers' diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are found throughout the Middle East and can contaminate food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver damage (hepatitis).

Advices for healthy behaviour:
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Take your malaria prevention medication before, during, and after travel, as directed.
To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, even on beaches.
Protect yourself from mosquito insect bites:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats when outdoors.
- Use insect repellents that contain DEET (N, N-diethylmethyltoluamide).
- If no screening or air conditioning is available: use a pyrethroid-containing spray in living and sleeping areas during evening and night-time hours; sleep under bed nets, preferably insecticide-treated ones.
Do not eat food purchased from street vendors or food that is not well cooked.
Do not drink beverages with ice.
Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.
Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as schistosomiasis.
Do not handle animals, especially monkeys, dogs, and cats, to avoid bites and serious diseases (including rabies and plague).
Avoid poultry farms, bird markets, and other places where live poultry is raised or kept.

Please inform yourself in time before travelling if there are any current changes of the vaccination recommendations, e.g. on the homepage of the Department of Health and Human Services: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Geographical position:

Longitude: 29,8-32,9° east
Latitude: 36-37,2° north

Official language:

Turkish

Currency:

New turkish lira

Country code:

0090

Time Difference to Central European Time:

GMT +2h (in summer +3h)

Power supply/voltage:

Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz, an adaptor is necessary.

Embassy address:

Turkish Embassy
43 Belgrave Square
+44 20 75916900
+44 20 75916922
turkishconsulate@btconnect.com
London SW1X 8PA
www.london.emb.mfa.gov.tr