Planning a trip to Turkey? We’ve got you covered. We caught up with Lisa Minot, a leading travel expert from The Sun to tackle the questions everyone’s asking – covering safety, what to expect and handy tips so you can feel informed, reassured and ready to enjoy your holiday! 

Is Turkey safe to travel to? 

“Absolutely! It must be hugely frustrating for Turkey itself, and for travel companies – you almost want to get a world map out and say, ‘this is where all the amazing beach resorts of Turkey are’. They’re hundreds of miles away from the conflict scene. 

Everything is running completely normally out there at the moment. It’s the start of the holiday season and it’s ready and waiting for people to come over and have the normal holiday they always have.  

Obviously, it’s a time of uncertainty, but rest assured there’s still going to be the same glorious sunshine and the same amazing hotels. And actually, what you are going to see are some incredible deals.” 

Has FCDO advice changed? 

“The FCDO advice on Turkey hasn’t changed at all! In terms of holidaymakers, the only thing you’d need to be concerned with is if it says, ‘all but essential travel’, which just isn’t the case at the moment. The only people you should be booking a holiday with anyway, is an ATOL-protected tour operator or travel agent to keep you and your money safe! If anything does happen, someone’s got your back and someone’s looking after you.” 

Is now a good time to travel to Turkey? 

“Easter’s always been the time when Turkey starts to open up to tourists, and it starts to get warmer. And that’s a good a reason as anything to go! Number one, the weather’s going to be great and two, right now there are some deals out there to be had. Turkey recognises that in the media they’re being labelled as ‘near the conflict’, so I think the hoteliers have this in mind, and are keen for people to come over and continue as normal.” 

What’s your advice for someone who has booked or is planning to go to Turkey? 

“Go and have a great time, go and have a lovely holiday! There isn’t going to be any change to your holiday to Turkey. If you’re expecting to go to a lovely hotel next to the beach with a great waterpark that the kids are going to enjoy – that's going to happen! Nothing’s changed. Go and have the holiday you deserve, but make sure, as always, you’ve booked through an ATOL-protected company, and you’ve got your travel insurance.” 

What’s a common misconception about holidays in Turkey? 

“As we touched on before, I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that the country’s popular holiday destinations in Turkey are close to the conflicts you often see in the news. In reality, resorts such as Bodrum, Dalaman, Antalya and Izmir, are in the west and south, hundreds of miles from the Turkey–Syria border where the UK Foreign Office advises caution. These coastal resort areas continue to operate as normal!” 

What do you personally love most about Turkey? 

“For me, it’s the astonishing clarity of the waters, especially near Fethiye. When I went, the waters were so calm and I learned to Stand Up Paddleboard there! The food is a firm favourite as well – you can’t go wrong!  

Any must-visit regions, beaches or hidden gems? 

“Anywhere along the coast – Dalaman for its gorgeous water. And I loved Side too. Bodrum’s got some great hotels – the resorts are fantastic, with nice spacious rooms you can fit all the family in. Some of the hotels really are all-singing, all-dancing!” 

Any simple, universal travel tips you always recommend? 

“Do your research – I want to know what other people say about a destination I’m looking at. Some people love a fly and flop, but I want to get out and about and meet the locals. A big part of my planning is making sure I’ve got things to do while I’m there. Somewhere like Turkey especially – there's just so much to do, like getting out on the water with boat trips, exploring the coastline, snorkelling and swimming! So, do your research, book an ATOL-protected package and get your travel insurance as soon as you book your holiday!”