Turkey offers a rich mix of cultures and an exciting and interesting place for anyone to visit – throw in the legendary Turkish hospitality, where some will always want to be helping you, and you’ve got yourself a place that’s just crying out to be visited, explored and invested in. It’s these factors that have made Turkey the 3rd best country in the world to invest in, according to a recent Channel 4 poll.

The West of Turkey offers up a mixture of European and Oriental styles, along with the most economically-developed cities and the most visited regions – Istanbul, the only city in the world to span two continents, enjoys increased amounts of tourism with each passing year. That isn’t to say the rest of the country is a slouch – Turkey offers beautiful mountains, vast plains, mesmerising deserts and stunning white-sand beaches surrounded by towering sea cliffs. More than a handful of cultures offered their own input to the Turkey that was created as we know it by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923, with layer upon layer of influence from cultures such as the Hittites, the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Seluks, the mighty Ottomans and the Armenians, as well as a whole host of other civilizations – all of these societies have influenced the architecture, the arts and the culture of the nation over a 10,000 year period. This rich history is coupled with charming geography, and is all part of a nation with clear intentions towards Europe – application for membership in the EU has been made and a general ‘Westernisation’ of the nation has been noted by many, especially in the nation’s capital Ankara. All of this makes for a country of ever-increasing popularity and one that would be a sound investment for anyone, as well as being a heck of a fine holiday destination. Just so long as too much Raki isn’t consumed!

Turkey has a large and well-developed health service, with many multilingual doctors, especially in major hospitals. Visitors should equip themselves with full health insurance and make sure that it covers both European and Asiatic Turkey.

Mobile coverage is strong in most urban areas, though it cannot be relied on in more rural ones. Landlines are widespread and English-speakers are not too hard to come across.

Normal banking hours are from 0830 to 1230 and 1330 to 1700, Monday to Saturday. Certain banks open over lunchtimes and some on Saturdays. Business hours are usually from 0830-1200 and 1330-1730 Monday through Friday, with many establishments and government offices in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of the country closing on summer afternoons. Normal shopping hours are from 0900 to 1300 and 1400 to 2000, Mondays to Saturdays, with most shops closing on Sundays.

A handshake is a customary greeting, and a suit and tie should always be worn to business meetings. Islamic customs should also be respected by visitors at all times.

A service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills, but it is customary to leave a few coins for the waiter or waitress. It is also expected that taxi bills are rounded up and for personal guides to be tipped – even if they refuse the first time!

It should also be noted that nodding the head forward and down means ‘yes’ and tilting the head back and up while lifting the eyebrows means ‘no’, whereas shaking the head side to side means ‘I don’t understand’.