Your holiday checklist

Travel Insurance
Please make sure that all members of your party are fully insured for your holiday in Turkey. 

You should take out comprehensive medical insurance which covers medical care (including cover for medical repatriation).  Medical treatment for British nationals' is not state funded and can be very expensive. If you or your family have existing medical conditions, you must inform your insurance company, otherwise, they may refuse to cover medical costs. 

If any prescription medication is being taken abroad, make sure you take all relevant documentation for the medication. 

Check whether your insurers will make payments directly to providers or reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures (in Turkey doctors will often expect payment in cash). If you are required to pay upfront, make sure you keep all receipts and documentation. 

If you plan to hire a car or take part in extreme/water sports, you should ensure that your insurance policy covers you for these activities. Make sure you check the exclusion section of your insurance policy. 

Adequate travel insurance is also essential to cover your personal belongings - there are usually limitations placed on money and valuables so check your policy carefully. In the event that you should lose any items of value whilst on holiday through theft or otherwise, you must report the facts immediately to the local police or other competent authority and obtain a written report. If a report is not obtained it will be difficult for you to pursue any claim through your holiday insurance. 

 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Pages
Please read the following pages carefully before you travel to ensure you know what to expect with regards to health screening measures and the rules regarding face coverings and curfews when travelling and thoughout your stay in Turkey. 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/entry-requirements

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey/coronavirus#travel-in-turkey

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control 

 

Visas
British nationals travelling for tourism or business purposes no longer need a visa to enter Turkey for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

To get a full list of which nationalities require e-Visa's click on the following link to the MFA web page: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

For those nationalities that require a visa it is recommended that you get an e-Visa online through the official Republic of Turkey e-Visa website. For further information about visas for Turkey, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

 

Don't Forget to Take:
Passports 
Airline tickets 
e-Visa (printed) (if required, see details below, no longer required for British nationals)
Insurance documents.
Transfer/car hire confirmation.
Accommodation details.
Pre-departure information.
Currency.
Valuables (Camera or mobile phone). 

 

We Recommend Taking the Following for Self-Catering Accomodation:
Antibacterial/ antiviral wipes
Hand soap
Family size hand sanitiser
A few dishwasher tablets
Some washing liquid/tablets for washing clothes
A tea towel & small bottle of washing up liquid
Salt and pepper
If you are a coffee lover, your favourite brand of coffee (Turkish coffee is very different and strong)
Tea bags, you can buy these in Turkey, but they may not have your favourite brand.
Mosquito spray (with a high percentage of DEET)
Beach towels (these are not provided at all properties and The Turquoise Collection do not provide these)  

 

Useful Tips:
Important note: Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Turkey.

Dress modestly if visiting a mosque or a religious shrine.

Do not take photographs near military or official installations such as airports.You should seek permission before photographing individuals.

It is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency.

 

Water
If your Kalkan accommodation has a large cold water dispenser you can order replacement bottles to be delivered to you via the Villa Eats app which can be downloaded via this link villa-eats. The app also offers shopping deliveries and food deliveries from many local restaurants.

You should not drink Turkey's tap water as it can contain bacteria that can upset your stomach. Stick to bottled water or boil water for around 10 minutes. Do not drink water from rivers or lakes as it may contain bacteria that can cause diarrhoea or vomiting.

If you develop diarrhoea, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, preferably an oral re-hydration solution (you can get this from the local pharmacy). You can also buy tablets called Loperamide which are the same as Immodium. If diarrhoea persists for more than 72 hours or is accompanied by fever, shaking, chills or severe abdominal pain, you should seek medical attention.

 

Hiring a Car in Turkey
If you wish to drive in Turkey, you are required to carry all parts of your driving licence along with your passport and e-Visa (if applicable). An 'A' category standard motorcycle licence is required to hire motorcycles over 50cc and an 'A1' category 'light motorcycle' driving licence is only suitable for motorcycles below 50cc.

It is against the law not to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle and if you fail to do so, you could face a heavy fine. Do not drink and drive. The Police breathalyse drivers, and if they are found to have alcohol in their system, they will fine them on the spot and confiscate their licence for six months.

 

ATMs
ATMs dispense new Turkish lira to Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro card holders. Look for these logos on the machines. Most ATM machines offer instructions in English, French and German. It's possible to get around Turkey using only ATMs, however, make sure you check the charges incurred for foreign withdrawals with your card provider.