Are you all prepared for your holidays to
Turkey? You might have the sunscreen, sandals and beach towel packed, the
camera charged, and a travel guide under your arm, but make sure that you read
these important safety tips before embarking on your holidays to Turkey.
Turkey is generally a safe place to spend
a holiday; however it is always a good idea to be aware of the local risks
whenever travelling somewhere new. Here are some things to look out for on your
holidays to Turkey:
·
If you ever need the help of
police while you are on your holidays to
Turkey, the local number to call is 155. You can call this from any
telephone without having to pay a charge. If you are far out in the countryside
you can call 156 for the Military Police who cover rural security.
·
Just like any other large
cities in the world, there is a risk of petty crime in Istanbul such as
mugging, pick pocketing and purse-snatching. Keep your purse around you, have
your wallet in your front pocket, and keep a close eye on your belongings. If
your camera or mobile phone is a new model, this will be particularly enticing
to thieves so keep it hidden.
·
A common scam is when two
people in public suddenly burst into a heated argument or fight. While you are
distracted watching them a third person will sneak up behind you and steal your
wallet. Always be on alert.
·
Driving can be dangerous in
Turkey, as the local drivers tend to ignore all traffic regulations and drive
very quickly and erratically. Watch out when crossing the street and remember
that just because the light is red this does not mean that the driver will stop
for you.
·
When you are swimming on the
beach during your holidays to Turkey,
don’t bring your mobile phone or wallet with you and leave it on the beach
while you are in the water.
·
Don’t eat food that is sitting
outside in the heat, as you are likely to become very sick. Wash and peel all
vegetables and watch where the locals eat their food to find out which sources
are safe. Also, avoid drinking water from the public water fountains and drink
bottled water instead.
·
If you plan to do any trekking
or hiking in the wilderness during your holidays
in Turkey, keep in mind that there poisonous snakes in the north-eastern
Black Sea region. There are also scorpions to watch out for in the south-eastern
and southern parts of the country. If you are bitten by a scorpion, rush to a
hospital immediately.
·
In the cities of Istanbul,
Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya you will find “Tourism Police” who are there to help
tourists on holidays to Turkey. You
can turn to these police officers for help if you lose your passport, are
robbed, or need help with any other issue you might have on your holidays to Turkey. They are trained to
speak English, as well as French, Arabic and German.
Be sure to remember these important tips for saying safe on your holidays to Turkey.
Author Bio
What are the health and safety risks to
be aware of when enjoying your holidays
to Turkey?
