UK Foreign Office travel warnings for anyone going to Turkey for a holiday
Turkey is a popular destination for holidaymakers, with scores of people jetting off to the country every year. Anyone planning to go there this year is encouraged to brush up on all the travel advice and any warnings in place.The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has a raft of information on its website, with information about nations around the globe. It's a useful resource for anyone who has holidays booked or is looking to go abroad.If you are heading to Turkey, there are a number of things to be aware of. We have listed the main travel warnings and advice below. More details can be found here. This comes as ChronicleLive recently outlined eight travel warnings for UK tourists going on holiday this summer.The Foreign Office says: "If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency." It further warns: "Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)."Warning over Turkey-Syria borderFCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. The FCDO says: "Fighting in Syria continues in areas close to the Turkish border and there is a heightened risk of terrorism in the region. Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, roads in Hatay Province leading towards the border may be closed at short notice."Entry requirementsTo enter Turkey, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least one blank page. If entering at a land border, make sure officials stamp and date your passport at the border crossing.The FCDO says: "Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen." You can visit Turkey without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, for business or tourism.Political situationThe Foreign Office states: "Regular demonstrations and protests are currently taking place in Istanbul and other cities across Turkey. Demonstrations may become violent. The police response has included use of tear gas and water cannons."Events in Israel and Palestine have led to heightened tensions in the region and in locations across Turkey. Demonstrations continue to occur outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul. Avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted."Drink and food spikingThe FCDO warns: "Be wary of strangers approaching you to change money, or to take you to a restaurant or nightclub. If strangers offer you food and drink these could be spiked. Buy your own drinks and always keep sight of them."Methanol poisoningTravellers are being made aware that there have previously been cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world. The FCDO says: "In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol."Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. See Travel Aware Drink Spiking and methanol poisoning for information about how to reduce the risks. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking."TaxisThe website says: "Accepting lifts from drivers of unofficial taxis is highly risky. Find a registered taxi, note the registration number before entering and ensure the fare is metered. App-based taxis and pre-booked taxis are also widely available."Carry your IDIt is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. Always carry your passport or residence permit. In some busy areas, especially Istanbul, the authorities may stop people for ID checks. There are also several police checkpoints on main roads across Turkey. Cooperate with officials conducting checks.Dress codeHolidaymakers are also offered advice over dress code. The FCDO urges people to "dress modestly if you’re visiting a mosque or a religious shrine to avoid causing offence".Stray dogsThe Foreign Office says: "Most towns and cities have stray dogs. Packs congregate in parks and wastelands and can be aggressive. Take care and do not approach stray dogs. If you’re bitten, get medical advice immediately. Rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Turkey."Rules over sale of antiquitiesBuying or exporting antiquities is illegal. You could be fined and receive a prison sentence of 5 to 12 years. Some historical items found at local markets and in antique shops can be sold within Turkey but are illegal to export. Confirm the status of antique items before you buy them.Did you know you can make ChronicleLive a preferred source of North East news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here's more information about what this means and how to do it - you can also do it straight away by clicking here.
