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Turkey is for the visitor who wishes to see and learn about pagan kingdoms, lonic and Hellenistic civilisations, Roman and Byzantine structures, Seljuk and Ottoman architecture all wrapped within a beautiful natural setting and hosted by the warm and hospitable Turkish people.

This vast and fertile land has been a cradle to more than twenty different civilisations throughout history, all of which have left their mark and their legacies of a glorious past. Here one will see the splendour of mosques, temples and churches.

Only in Turkey can one witness such diversified history as it unfolds layer upon layer of kingdoms and civilisations that have been born, flourished and diminished within the annals of time.

Majestic Istanbul, rich in history has been host to three great empires and combines with archaeologically rich western Turkey where delicate antique cities line the shores and mountaintops of the Aegean Coast. Top this with a magnificent "Blue Voyage". The unruffled, deep, blue waters of this sea and the warm sunny days of Western Anatolia extend an invitation to savour the intricately woven coves, tiny inlets of sparkling aqua waters that probe into untouched cool, pine forests and olive groves

Seasons to Visit: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are best. The climate is perfect on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts then, as well as in Istanbul. In high summer the coastal resorts are burning hot: your body may like to do as the locals do and take a siesta during the heat of the day. From late October to early April, the beach scene more or less shuts down. There's little rain between May and October except along the Black Sea coast, but from about mid-June, the mosquitoes come out in plague proportions in some areas. Eastern Turkey should really be visited from late June to September, as snow may close roads and mountain passes in the colder months.

Entry Requirements: Citizens of New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and most of the countries of Western Europe, need only a valid passport for stays of up to 3 months. Australian, UK and US citizens, as well as those from Austria, Canada, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain - do need visas, obtainable in advance at a Turkish consulate, or upon entry to Turkey. It is advisable to carry a form of identification while in Turkey, preferably your passport. An exit permit is not required but residence permits must be given up on departure.

Dress: Turkey is a warm country for most of the year, and casual wear including shorts, pants, T-shirts and sunglasses are preferred during the Spring and Summer months. A good sturdy pair of walking shoes is essential, including a sweater for the occasional chilly evening. Winter travellers will definitely need warm waterproof clothing, including hats, gloves and thicksweaters.

Food/ Restaurants: Dining out in Turkey is a delight, as much for the superb cuisine, said to be one of the top three in the world, as for the variety and wide choice of ambient restaurants, tavernas and lokantas. Meals in Turkey traditionally start with a selection of meze, delicious cold appetizers, which the waiter brings to the table. These are fresh vegetables in olive oil, salads, sweet melon and fried liver. Hot appetizers börek, tasty cheese rolls, and soups. Ordering of mezes is generally done for the table as a whole, and everyone digs in.

The waiter will then tell you what the catch of the day is. You can either choose a perfectly grilled fish, with a fresh salad, or a selection of meat kebabs.

Desserts are mainly fresh fruit or a milk pudding, baked quince or pear served with kaymak (clotted cream) and finished off with traditional Turkish coffee. Hotels provide a broad range of international and local cuisine.

Shopping: Istanbul's Kapali Carsi Bazaar has jewellery, carpets and antiques for sale. 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 and, above all, carpets and kilims.

Transportation: There are plenty of ways to get into and out of Turkey by air, sea, rail and bus, across the borders of seven countries. There are international airports at Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and some of the Mediterranean resorts. Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Istanbul to two dozen European cities and New York, as well as the Middle East, North Africa, Bangkok, Karachi, Singapore and Tokyo.

Major European cities such as Frankfurt and Vienna are also well serviced by Turkish bus lines. There are daily train and bus connections between Athens and Istanbul via Thessaloniki. The bus is much faster than the train. You can also travel by bus to Syria, Georgia and Iran, and by train to Armenia. Turkish Maritime Lines runs car ferries from Antalya, Marmaris and Izmir to Venice weekly from May to mid-October. Private ferries run between Turkey's Aegean coast and the Greek islands.

Health risks: While no vaccinations are legally required, polio, tetanus, diptheria, typhoid, hepatitis A & B, rabies and TB are all present in Turkey: vaccinations should be considered. Travellers to Turkey's steamy regions (Marmara and the Black Sea Coast) should also stock up on their favourite anti-malarial gear. It's also worth mentioning that thousands of people die in traffic accidents in Turkey each year.

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