Let's look at the law enforcement agencies, so beloved by us, Turkey.

In this country, the police are divided into two types - civilian and military.(the so-called gendarmerie). Most often, both structures perform the same functions, but it should be borne in mind that their tasks are legally different. If you have become a victim of a crime, you should contact the nearest police station, regardless of its type. There is always a person in the police station who speaks tolerant English, but remember - you always have the right to ask for an interpreter. When contacting law enforcement agencies, do not forget to require a copy of the document that indicates the fact of your appeal.

The police in Turkey are quite severe and are authorized to stop a pedestrian who they think is suspicious on the street and conduct an inspection. That's why always be sure to carry your hotel voucher or passport. It is highly recommended, when dealing with Turkish law enforcement officers, to keep patience and courtesy. Any display of your emotions is most often seen as a sign of lying and hiding guilt. If you are detained for any reason, you have every right to call any person who can confirm your identity, whether it be a friend, matchmaker, consul or hotelier.

Civil Police consists of several divisions, each of them has its own task, the local population treats its representatives with respect. By raising the level of education and payment of police officers, Turkey has increased the level of competence of employees. They, for the most part, are correct and very polite, and are also able to provide professional assistance (the merit of this is Turkey's struggle for full membership in the EU). Turkish police officers are in touch a large number of hidden informants among garbage collectors, shoe shiners, bagel vendors, taxi drivers, etc. Knowing others about their presence prevents a large number of crimes.

If you see a policeman in a blue uniform, know before you city ​​security forces. This structure, in addition to the main tasks of maintaining order, often performs the functions of a traffic police and, which is important for you, is well versed in the city, so its representatives can provide valuable information on choosing a road.

Somewhat aloof stands by herself road police, whose employees are perfectly recognizable by their special uniform and a small (usually two-seater) runabout, on which the letters TR are displayed (motor vehicles of this unit have a black and yellow stripe). Their primary responsibility is to regulate traffic, and they have every right to conduct random searches Vehicle especially at the entrances to cities.

In Istanbul, as well as in any other major city, there are rapid reaction teams, in the likeness of our riot police, called Yunus Polis ("dolphins"). They can be easily recognized by their red and black motor vehicles and the same uniform, the employees are distinguished by excellent endurance and good knowledge of English.

Another police unit, most often found in areas popular with tourists. This tourist police. Her scope of tasks includes everything that may be related to offenses against vacationers. foreign citizens. As a rule, such policemen own one of foreign languages: German, English or even Russian.

IN major cities often found dressed in blue uniforms, representatives market police, their duties are to patrol markets and bazaars. They also carry out control over compliance with the rules of trade, therefore, it is they who should be contacted in cases of fraud in trading. Their address is in any telephone directory, and offices are located throughout the city.

Such a huge army of civilian police is complemented by a real Turkish army - the gendarmerie. It belongs to the regular armed forces of the country. Gendarmerie controls border and rural areas (it is worth considering that some popular places recreation facilities are located close to Greek islands, and relations between Turkey and Greece are very strained). Gendarmes do not always walk in uniform, it is not uncommon for their employees to be seen in a jacket and breeches. Such clothing resembles a French uniform (it is generally accepted that such a costume should not be perceived as threatening). Most of the gendarmes are conscripts, they are very courteous and helpful for vacationing tourists, often quickly responding to the problems of vacationers. But the officers of the gendarmerie are the object of long-standing and serious criticism for their self-interest, inflexibility and corruption.

Another branch of the military police can be found in Turkey. They are identifiable by their white helmet with Aslz inscription, aiguillette and white holster. The law does not give them the right to interfere in the lives of citizens, and you should contact them only in case of emergency or if the crime is committed by military personnel.

It is very interesting that with such a plentiful law enforcement system, policemen are very rare in all areas in the east of the country. These areas inhabited by Kurds, as well as the former Armenian provinces, are under the control of the army. Moreover, the army in these areas behaves quite harshly. On most roads there are checkpoints, and in the mountains near large cities there are entire systems of checkpoints and bases. Documents and cargo are constantly checked on the roads and on the streets. Actively working, dressed in "civilian" agents of the secret police and the gendarmerie. Here, without hesitation, they detain and interrogate any person who seems suspicious to them. Interrogations are quite correct, but they take a lot of time and are very tiring. Suspicious persons are usually considered people walking alone or with inappropriate behavior. It is strongly recommended not to show concern and anxiety in these areas. The Kurdish zones located along the borders with Iran and Syria are called the "Grey Zone", it is not forbidden to visit them, often the local authorities defiantly remove any responsibility for the safety of foreigners. On the border with Armenia and Iran there is a border zone several hundred kilometers wide. Entrance there is allowed only with a special permit, which can be obtained from authorized representatives of local law enforcement agencies.

The power structures of Turkey have very broad powers, especially in the east of the country, where the situation is tense with the confrontation between the Kurdish underground and the authorities. Checkpoints of the gendarmerie and the army are not rare, at the places of checking luggage and documents. Foreigners should behave with restraint and calmly, without showing emotions. In no case do not try to photograph any military installations, as well as soldiers on duty.

When observed, it is necessary to take into account the crimes common in any country related to the transportation and storage of narcotic substances, as well as the search for and export of antiquities from the country equal to them, in terms of severity. It is strongly recommended not to express critical remarks regarding local orders, in any case not to insult the memory of Ataturk, to respect the currency and flag of the country, as well as to observe morality and Islamic customs. Alcohol intoxication is taken into account as a factor aggravating the guilt of the suspect, regardless of the seriousness of the deed.

We hope that knowledge of the Turkish law enforcement authorities will help you navigate in critical cases. Have a nice holiday!

Safety regulations

Despite numerous stereotypes and clichés, Turkey is a very safe country. In Istanbul and other major cities, pickpocketing, currency and commodity fraud, and general theft are not considered something out of the ordinary, so it is worth taking standard security measures here. It is recommended to leave valuables, documents and large amounts of cash in the hotel safe. Do not leave things in the front seat of the car during stops, and the doors themselves must always be locked.

The old districts and rich suburbs are usually perfectly safe to visit at any time of the day. However, in all major cities, especially in Istanbul, there are several areas that are strongly discouraged from visiting (information about them can be obtained from local tourist offices or from guides). When traveling alone, especially women, it is recommended to avoid using public transport in the evening, especially on lines between the city center and the suburbs. Although, by and large, the risk of crisis situations even here is not at all higher than in any major city in Europe or Asia. But crimes related to direct violence are extremely rare in Turkey.

Despite the courtesy and honesty of most Turks, one should especially beware of obvious displays of attention and ostentatious friendliness on their part. Recently, cases of "soft robberies" with the use of gas cartridges or potent drugs added to tea allegedly offered from the heart in a street cafe or train compartment have been increasingly recorded. Document theft is also on the rise - an abundance of refugees from Asian countries forms a vast black market that sells real passports and other documents stolen from tourists.

The Turks themselves, in the event of a critical situation, recommend resorting to wit and in no case engage in direct confrontation with the attackers, but trying to attract the attention of others is often a much more effective way than calling the police. However, Turkish law enforcement agencies are quite effective and efficient. Local laws in relation to crimes against the person are quite severe (the exception is the rules of the road, but this is a topic for another discussion), so it is considered in the order of things to stop a pedestrian on the street and conduct a personal search. Turks have mandatory identity cards that they must carry with them at all times, and the same behavior is expected of foreigners. Therefore, it is recommended that you always carry your passport or a copy of it (more preferred), hotel voucher or business card. If there is no identity document, the police have the right to detain any suspicious person until the identity is clarified. In this case, you should immediately request contact with the embassy or consulate.

A special security situation is developing in the southeast of Turkey. The bulk of the population there are Kurds, who are fighting for greater autonomy up to complete independence from Turkey. Instability continues for more than 40 years, PKK militants are waging a guerrilla war against the Turkish authorities. Here, at the junction of the borders of Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq, according to various sources, up to 30 million Kurds live, and it is in this part of Turkey that they make up the bulk of the population. About 40 thousand people died during this never-ending war, and only in recent years there has been a relative calm, if, of course, one can call it a situation in which about 50 people died as a result of Kurdish attacks and retaliatory actions by the Turkish army in 2013 alone. For a tourist, this is expressed in the presence of the army and the police: numerous checkpoints with checking documents and trunks of cars, an incredible number of bunkers, military units, towers, barbed wire and "No photo" signs. Photographing the military and any strategic facilities should be avoided; it is necessary to strictly comply with all the requirements of the authorities and always have documents with you.

Police

There are two types of police in Turkey - civilian and military (gendarmerie). In many areas, both of these structures often perform the same functions, although by law their tasks are very different. In the event of a crime, you must contact the nearest police station, regardless of its type. Among the staff of such offices, there are usually always one or two people who speak tolerably English, but you can always ask for an interpreter. It is also highly desirable for any appeal to law enforcement agencies to require a copy of the document relating to the fact of the appeal - without such, it is often simply impossible to prove the very fact of the crime and call for help about it. It is also highly recommended to maintain courtesy and patience when communicating with local law enforcement officers - the manifestation of emotions is often considered here as a direct sign of hiding guilt or the truth. During detention, there is the right to make a phone call, and it does not matter to someone - a friend, a hotel owner or a consul - the main thing is that the subscriber is able to testify to the identity of the detainee.

The civilian police has several divisions, each with its own task, and its representatives are quite respected by the locals. Recently, due to the increase in the level of pay and education of police officers, the competence of workers here has noticeably grown, and they are quite capable of providing effective assistance. At the same time, they are for the most part very polite and correct (since Turkey is fighting for full membership in the EU, this issue is given considerable attention here).

Blue uniformed policemen represent the city's security forces. In addition to the tasks of maintaining order, which are usual for such structures, they partially take on the functions of a road inspection and, most importantly, they are well oriented in urban development, therefore they are able to give very helpful tips choosing a road or looking for a place.

The traffic police (Trafik Polis) stand somewhat apart, whose representatives are well recognizable by their characteristic shape and small (usually two-seater) subcompact cars marked with large white letters TP (motorcycles of such units are indicated by a black and yellow stripe). They perform the tasks of traffic controllers and have the right to conduct random checks of vehicles at the entrances to cities. In Istanbul and others big cities there are special rapid response teams known as Yunus Polis ("Dolphins"). Well recognizable by their red and black motorcycles and uniforms, they are known for their courtesy and good command of English.

In popular recreation areas, there are also detachments of the so-called tourist police, whose competence includes the whole range of problems related to offenses against foreign citizens.

In cities, one can often see representatives of the so-called market police (Zabita, Belediye ZabitasI), dressed in blue uniforms, who patrol the markets and bazaars. Their task is to monitor compliance with the rules of the trade, so contacting them is very effective in case of fraud in the purchase. Market police offices can be found throughout the city, their addresses are in all telephone directories.

This whole huge "army" of law enforcement forces is complemented by a real army - the Turkish gendarmerie (Jandarma) is a subdivision of the country's regular armed forces. Under its control are usually rural and some border areas (it should not be forgotten that many of the popular coasts of the country lie in direct line of sight from the Greek islands, and relations between these two countries are very difficult). Gendarmes do not always wear uniforms. Most often, you can meet representatives of this service in a kind of paramilitary clothing - a jacket and breeches, very reminiscent of the French uniform (it is believed that people do not perceive such a suit as threatening). Most of the gendarmes are conscripts who are courteous and quite helpful to tourists as they are quick to respond to their concerns. However, the officer corps of this service has long been the object of serious criticism for their inflexibility, self-interest and bribery.

It is also not uncommon to meet representatives of the military police (Askeri Inzibat) with their characteristic white helmets with the inscription AsIz, a white holster and aiguillettes. By law, they have no right to interfere in "civil life", and it is recommended to turn to them for help only in extreme cases or in connection with crimes committed by military personnel.

It is interesting that with such extensive system law enforcement services, in almost all eastern regions it is almost impossible to meet the countries of policemen. All areas inhabited by Kurds, as well as the former Armenian provinces adjacent to them, are controlled by the army. Moreover, it does it quite harshly - many roads in the east are "intercepted" by a system of checkpoints, in the mountains around major cities a whole system of bases and roadblocks has been deployed, and large garrisons are not uncommon in the settlements themselves. Regular checks of documents and cargo are carried out both on the roads and on the streets. Secret police and gendarmes dressed in civilian clothes are also very active. Here it is permitted to detain and interrogate any suspicious persons, and although such interrogations are usually conducted in a fairly correct manner, they can be tedious and time-consuming. Particular suspicions are usually caused by men moving alone and persons with obvious deviations in behavior, so it is strongly not recommended to show anxiety or concern here. The Kurdish regions along the border with Iraq and Syria have the status of the so-called "gray zone", which is not officially prohibited from visiting, but local authorities often defiantly abdicate all responsibility for the safety of tourists. Along the border with Armenia and Iraq stretches a border zone several hundred meters wide, the entrance to which is allowed only with a special permit issued by the local police.

Turkish law enforcement agencies have the widest powers, especially in the east of the country, where there is a strong confrontation between the authorities and the Kurdish underground. Often there are checkpoints of the army and gendarmerie, where documents and luggage are checked. A tourist should behave calmly, with restraint, not show emotions. There are especially many checkpoints along the border with Syria and Iraq. It is strictly not necessary to photograph the military in the performance of their duties and strategic objects.

Of the general safety rules, one should take into account the usual problems for any country with the storage and transportation of narcotic drugs, as well as crimes equal in severity to them related to the search for and export of antiquities from the country. It is highly recommended not to make any critical remarks about local practices, not to offend the memory of Ataturk, respect the flag and currency of the country, and also observe the usual Islamic moral standards. Alcohol intoxication is considered here as a serious factor that only aggravates the guilt of the suspect, regardless of the degree of seriousness of the committed act.

sexual harassment

The most common article in all police reports in tourist areas countries - various problems related to the relationship between the sexes. A lot of cliches and phobias have formed around this topic, but in practice, the precautions here are quite simple.

A single woman who does not want to come into contact with overly intrusive local boyfriends should at every opportunity seek out the company of Turkish women or a mixed group of her compatriots. Do not go out alone at night - this is usually perceived as an open search for "adventure". You should not look openly into the eyes of a man or be embarrassed by his immodest gaze - here it serves as a signal that attention is appreciated and accepted. As confident and purposeful as possible, moving around any area can also scare away a lot of Don Juan.

The best way to stop the persecution is a bright and open attraction of the understanding of others - a woman who violently and loudly refuses a man here is an occasion to ridicule the latter, and therefore excessive noise can noticeably cool his ardor. At the same time, it is highly recommended to use all the richness of the local vocabulary - loudly and confidently pronounced "Aiyp!" ("Shame!"), "Defol" ("Go away!"), "Byrak beni" ("Leave me alone") or "Beni rahatsyz ediersun" ("You disturb me") can usually produce the desired effect. I am sure of the accuracy of the pronunciation, but the staff can always help in this matter local hotels and travel agency. At the same time, other Turks present, both sexes, may well stand up for the "victim", which further enhances the effect. Turkish men give up very quickly when faced with serious opposition, and cases of open violence against foreigners are very rare here. It is believed that even in London the risk of being attacked openly is many times higher than in the back streets of Istanbul or Ankara.

Quite unusual in Muslim culture, prostitution is legal in Turkey, and brothels (Genelev) operate quite officially in every major municipality. Usually brothels are concentrated near hotels and city bazaars, representing a specially fenced house or block with gates and police protection. Prostitutes must have a special license and regularly (so it is believed) are tested for HIV, but this business itself is controlled by criminals, and even the police will probably look for the runaway "worker" along with the "owners". Interestingly, contrary to popular belief, the bulk of the staff here are not representatives of countries of Eastern Europe, and the Turkish women themselves, literally sold by their families or ex-spouses for real or alleged violations of morality, or simply for immoral acts. Despite all the assurances of the authorities, "dark tribunals" that monitor the observance of traditional Islamic ethics are secretly or openly working in every region of the country.

Photo and video rules

It is not recommended to shoot anything near the numerous military bases of the country. There are also very limited opportunities for photography and video filming near mosques, on the territory of many ancient temples and in excavation areas (in the latter, clearly visible banners with the rules for filming are usually hung out). It is forbidden to photograph women in black scarves and capes, men - only with their consent.

Rules for visiting attractions

You should not visit the territories of archaeological excavations and other ancient monuments after their official closure. Most of these sites in the country work only during daylight hours, and after the closure is protected very conditionally. However, detention in the excavation area (at night, for example) can lead to charges of illegal extraction of cultural and antiquities. And in Turkey, this is equated with smuggling, with all the ensuing consequences.

By the way, when accessing the areas of ancient monuments, it is not recommended to pay any entry fees if the tickets themselves or other documents confirming the legality of the collection are not issued. In this area, scams are very frequent, associated either with the repeated resale of the same ticket, or in general with charging for an initially free site, so you should always find out all these questions in advance. Used tickets should be kept until the final departure from the site, since many archaeological sites are located near good beaches, access to which (at least - in theory) should be carried out with just such a ticket.

Rules for visiting mosques

No fee is required to enter the territory of mosques and temples, but it is recommended to leave a small donation yourself - this will be received with real gratitude. Money should be left in special boxes, and not given to someone personally - even an imam has no right to take a donation in his hands, no matter how numerous "guides" hint at it.

Large mosques, often visited by tourists, are open almost constantly, small ones - only for the time of prayer, that is, five times a day for 20 minutes. It is strongly not recommended to visit the temple directly during the prayer, but after that you can usually do it completely unhindered. However, even after prayer, there are usually a lot of people left in the prayer hall, but if you keep your distance from them and speak quietly, no one's religious feelings will be hurt. In some large mosques, women are not allowed to enter even if they comply with all the requirements for dress and behavior. However, in the most interesting historical complexes, special women's galleries are designed just for such cases to inspect the territory.

It is highly discouraged to raise your voice and engage in disputes. For locals, playing with loudness and overtones of voice in a discussion is a complex ritual that can emphasize the seriousness of their statements, but for a foreigner, this complex symbolism can be overwhelming. And certainly you should not get involved in discussions on religious and political topics so beloved by the Turks - here each local resident has a whole set of views and preferences for which he is ready to "fight to the end."

Opening hours

Most offices in the country usually work from Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 18.00 with an hour break for lunch. Government structures (including museums and archaeological sites) are theoretically open from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. But in practice, their work schedule can differ markedly from the declared one - two-hour lunch breaks (usually from 12.30 to 14.30 or close to that) and earlier closings are not uncommon.

Shop opening hours

Shops are usually open from 8.30-9.00 to 13.30 and from 14.00 to 19.00 (Sunday closed). Grocery stores are open much longer - until 20.00, and in some places - until 21.00. Many vegetable, fruit stalls and bakeries are open around the clock. And all kinds of private shops, souvenir shops and bazaars often operate from 8.00-9.00 to 20.00-21.00 from Monday to Saturday, with short lunch breaks (the doors are not closed). Even on Sundays, some shops are probably open in large shopping areas, although much depends on local traditions.

Bank opening hours

Banks, government offices, offices, museums, many shops and markets are closed for major national holidays and religious festivals.

Attraction opening hours

Most museums and palaces are open all week, except Monday, from 8.30-9.00 to 17.30-18.00, however, the most famous monuments have their own opening hours. For example, Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays, Dolmabahce is closed on Mondays and Thursdays, and Chora Church is closed on Wednesdays. Therefore, it is always necessary to find out exact time work of this or that object before the trip. To visit some isolated monuments near the Armenian border, a special permit is required, which can only be obtained in Ankara. To obtain the necessary information, you can use the official website of the Turkish Department of Culture www.kulturturizm.gov.tr.

Opening hours of tourist offices

Tourist offices are open from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm from Monday to Friday. From May to September, in resort areas and in large cities, the scope of work expands by a couple of hours (usually in the evening), while offices are open for most of the weekend. In winter, many of them are practically closed or work on a greatly reduced schedule.

Alcohol

The legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 years.

Smoking

Since May 19, 2008, a law on the ban on smoking in public places has officially come into force in Turkey - in state institutions, offices, shopping malls, schools, stadiums and hospitals, as well as in transport. Smoking is allowed only in the open air, at a certain distance from buildings and territories of public and state importance, as well as in specially designated areas.

The owners of restaurants, cafes and bars are ordered to equip separate rooms for smokers (in such establishments a complete ban on smoking began to operate from July 19, 2009), and hotel management to settle smoking and non-smoking guests on different floors. In addition, in places where smoking is allowed, posters informing about the dangers of this habit should be posted. The owner of an establishment that violates the law will pay a fine of 5,000 Turkish liras (about 2,700 euros), and a smoker caught red-handed will be fined 32 euros. 4,500 inspectors from the Turkish Ministry of Health will monitor compliance with the law throughout the country.

Toponymy and orientation

The Turkish addressing system is similar to ours - the street name comes before the house number. But if the house itself is located in a small alley that departs from the main street, then the name main highway usually either placed directly in front of the street, or the latter is generally excluded from the address. Often the address is indicated by two groups of numbers - like ours, the first group means the number of the house, the second - the office or apartment. And here options are already allowed - the second digit shows the number of the store or office in the general classification of the premises of this building (often not at all the same as the numbers on the doors), or the individual number of the company, or the index of its owner in the list located at the entrance.

Also commonly used standard abbreviations: Cad or Cadde denotes an avenue, or main street; Bul or BulvarI - boulevard; Meyd, Meydan or MeydanI - area; Sok, Sokak or SokagI - lane; Han or Hani - office center; M (mahalle) - district or district; C, Cikmaz or CikmazI - a dead end; PK or Posta Kutu is a mail (PO) box, but the prefix kars or karsI means "opposite". A system of five-digit postal codes officially exists, but is used very sporadically - much more often the full path to the place will be used in the address in a "hierarchical manner". For example, an address like Halil Guner, KIbrIs Sehitler Cad, Poyraz Sok, Ulus ApartmanI 36/2, Kat 1, DeliklicInar, 34800 Direkkoy means that Mr. Khahil Guner lives in Poyraz lane near Kybrys Shehitler street (Deliklidzhynar region, postal district 34800), on the first floor of the "Ulus-Apartment" complex, building number 36, apartment 2. As a matter of course, the name of the historical district - Direköy - has also been added.

As already mentioned, the toponymic system of Turkey is extremely difficult for the perception of a European and confusing, therefore, when looking for any locality even if you have a good map, you should often seek help from local residents.

toilets

In resort areas, toilets are not much different from the patterns familiar to Europeans, except that bidets are almost an indispensable element. But in the provinces, most public toilets have the appearance of a squat structure with simple holes in the floor, although the types of plumbing familiar to us are increasingly common. Most often they are located in public parks or somewhere near the mosque, and the visit is paid - from 0.3 to 1YTL. When visiting such establishments, one should keep in mind the almost universal absence of toilet paper - the Turks use water for hygiene purposes, which in one form or another (hose, shower head or just a jug) is supplied to the toilet. Toilet paper (by the way, it is not customary to throw it into a drain or hole here) in this case can come in handy as a towel, so you should always have a certain supply of it with you.

Essentials

When traveling to Turkey, it is worth taking the following things with you: a universal bath stopper (they rarely come with one, which prevents both bathing and a little laundry), insect repellant, sunscreen(UV factor not lower than 15), toiletries, flashlight, first aid kit, alarm clock and some kind of water container. It is interesting that in the country it is already almost impossible to buy ordinary film - the rapid transition to digital media has practically ousted this product from the shelves.

Electricity

The voltage in the electrical network is almost everywhere 200 V, 50 Hz, and only in remote areas - about 110 V. At the same time, power surges are not uncommon. Voltage converters or adapters are usually available only in upscale hotels, so if necessary, you should take such devices with you. Usually, round European-type sockets are used without grounding (Type C) or the same, but with grounding (Type F, Schuko).

Leisure parks and water parks

A separate problem is the imperfection of the local recreation infrastructure. Water park pipes can be frayed and leave scratches and abrasions on the body, tiles along the edges of the pools may well have sharp chips and cracks, and at the same time remain very slippery (a separate problem of many local pools), and paved paths can have bumps and sharp drops. It should be noted that many elements of the recreation sector in the most popular areas pass through so many people during the day that the attendants simply do not have enough time and effort to put them in order and comply with hygiene standards. As a result, you can see the steps literally covered in mud to any attraction, and the water of the pools that is clearly oversaturated with bleach (which has an extremely negative effect on the mucous membranes, by the way), and the joints between the sections that have darkened from dirt water slides or not very clean beach mattresses, besides bearing traces of long-term use, and items of sports equipment.

It should be borne in mind that many objects were originally built focused on the Turks themselves with their somewhat different body constitution, and therefore simply do not fit the European. For example, the pools under the pipes of many water parks are frankly small and small in area, therefore, heavier than the locals, Europeans, having properly accelerated, often get injured by hitting the bottom or side. Therefore, when choosing an attraction, you should first study its parameters from the outside or consult with the caretakers. In addition, not all types of insurance cover coverage for injuries received on such attractions, so you should choose them very carefully.

Tips

Tipping is required almost everywhere in resort area. Porters, porters, guides - $1-5 per person or piece of luggage, hairdresser - 10-15%, taxi driver or dolmush driver can leave change or round the amount in big side. In Turkish baths ("hammam") it is customary to add 20-30% of the bill to all attendants, and these people will really all gather before you leave to receive the due tip. Some hotels officially add a service charge of 10-15% to the bill, but more often no additional payments are required, although it is customary to leave a small tip in the room before departure.

Outside the resort area, tipping is less common. In small family pensions and cafes, tips are not expected at all.

Prices

Turkey has long lost its status as one of the cheapest markets in the Mediterranean. Prices in coastal resort areas now match and exceed those in Greece, Spain or Italy. However, much of the less visited hinterland remains fairly inexpensive. Inflation, which until recently reached seventy percent annually, is now sharply reduced and allows you to accurately plan your travel budget. On the other hand, the tight exchange rate of the Turkish lira has led to an increase in prices for literally all goods and services, from food to the cost of hotels.

Food prices fluctuate quite widely. By and large, in most street restaurants and cafes, it is difficult to spend more than 10 euros for a lunch with two courses and even a glass of beer. In the tourist area, there may be cases of cheating and cheating tourists in restaurants, so you should calculate the cost of the order for yourself in advance and keep the menu with you until payment. In addition, it is in the resort area that cases of poisoning by poor-quality food most often occur.

Transport prices are more transparent - bus fares range from 7 to 10 euros per 100 km. Public transport costs about 1 euro per trip in large cities and a little less (0.6-0.7 euros) in provincial ones. However, most local routes with shorter distances are noticeably more expensive. Domestic airfare prices are comparable to the average European level. A sharp rise in price public transport began several years ago, with the introduction of high duties on petroleum products. Renting a car should keep in mind that the cost of gasoline at 2 euros per liter can be unpleasantly surprising, especially in comparison with neighboring Syria, where gasoline costs 0.3-0.5 euros per liter. Renting a car of the simplest class will cost from 70 TRY per day.

Entrance fee to the territory of museums, archaeological sites, mosques and other similar historical monuments clearly defined by local authorities. In most cases it is 5 TRY for small sites, up to 15 TRY for famous monuments and around 25 TRY for major attractions like Ephesus, Cappadocian cave temples or Hagia Sophia. FIYTO student cards guarantee free admission to all museums and excavation sites, ISIC cards provide a 50-60% discount on the entrance ticket. Those over the age of 65 are theoretically guaranteed free admission to museums (passport required), but the administration of some monuments does not adhere to this rule. In addition, it should be borne in mind that many private museums and collections that are not part of the management system of the Turkish Ministry of Culture, as well as municipal historical monuments, are subject to their own rules, and the entrance fee for foreigners here can be much higher than for local residents, while This discount is not provided at all.

Staying in Turkey, tourists are subject to the jurisdiction of local laws. It cannot be said that they are very different from those generally accepted in the civilized world, but it is better to know some features of Turkish legislation in advance just in case.

Recently, smoking in Turkey has been banned in all types of public transport (including even taxis) and public places - on the streets, in restaurants, stadiums, etc. Smoking in unauthorized places is subject to a fine of 62 new Turkish lira.

Turkish law is very strict regarding the use, possession and transportation of drugs and illegal drugs. Violation of these prohibitions can entail from four to twenty-four years.

It is forbidden to export antiques from Turkey. The danger for the tourist here may lurk in a fairly broad understanding of the concept of antiques. Apart from the obvious - you can not take items from archaeological sites - beware of buying antiquities from unauthorized points of sale. When purchasing such items, you must be given a certificate to show when leaving the country. Otherwise, if you have antiques, the punishment will not be limited to simple confiscation - such a violation is punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to ten years.

The use of metal detectors is prohibited in Turkey.

Fans of gambling should forget about such entertainment during a trip to Turkey. Casinos have been banned here for many years. Even for visiting international you face a fine.

Insulting the Turkish flag, images of the founder of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, damaging Turkish banknotes is a crime.

It is mandatory to have some form of photo identification with you. On the other hand, if you are afraid that your documents may be stolen and prefer to leave them in a safe, you can at least carry a photocopy of your passport with a distinguishable photo by which you can be identified.

To photograph people in Turkey, you need to get their permission. It is strictly forbidden to take pictures near military and government facilities. Please note that Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey is a special military zone. You need special permission from the government if you want to visit these places.

Homosexuality is not a crime in Turkey, but is highly frowned upon. Its public manifestations will entail sanctions for violation of public law and order.

In Turkey, there are no legally approved norms on how to dress, however, in matters of clothing, the Turks are quite conservative. In general, it is rather a matter of respect for the locals. It should be borne in mind that in large cities and tourist centers Turks are more tolerant of how you dress. If you are going to the outback, it is better to try to dress in such a way that your legs and shoulders are also covered for women. From the point of view of the law, only exhibitionism is a violation. However, not so long ago in Turkey there was a case when a Turkish citizen was convicted of exhibitionism after the wind lifted her wide skirt, completely baring her legs. Although the court's ruling on this issue has sparked protests, the precedent is setting a disappointing one.

Police, Gendarmerie and Tourist Police

If you become a participant in an accident, according to Turkish laws, you cannot move the car, even to clear the roadway, and you should wait for the arrival of the police or gendarmes.

If you are the victim of a crime, you also need to contact the police or gendarmerie. But besides this, Turkey also has a special Tourist Police. Its main difference, in fact, is that its employees speak different languages, and in any case at least English, while ordinary policemen may not know foreign languages ​​and speak only Turkish.