Turkey

Hospitality, history and a hotline to the sun.

Check your Midnight Express stereotypes at the door - this is a rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present.

The Turkish people have an unrivalled reputation for hospitality, the cuisine is to die for, the coastline is a dream, and many Turkish cities are dotted with spectacular mosques and castles. And while costs are rising, Turkey remains one of the Mediterranean's bargain-basement destinations.

The recent incursion of Turkish troops into northern Iraq has resulted in heightened security concerns across the country. The Iraq border area continues to be very dangerous due to conflict between Turkish and Kurdish forces. Check travel advisories before travelling to rural areas near the borders of Syria and Iran.

Turkey is generally safe, but sporadic violence due to domestic and regional tensions does occur. In December 2007 a car bombing in Diyarbakir killed six people and injured many more; fatal bomb attacks also occurred in Izmir and Ankara during 2007. Shopping and tourist areas in Antalya and Marmaris have also been targeted. Bomb attacks are sometimes aimed at targets that represent Western interests, such as banks and consulates. Travellers should exercise caution and monitor the news for any further warnings.

Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travellers.