Before you go: What to pack (from 1993)

Turkey is an informal country, so leave the fancy clothes at home. Men will find a jacket and tie appropriate for top restaurants in Istanbul, Ankara and İzmir; for more modest establishments, a blazer will more than suffice. Women should avoid overly revealing outfits and short skirts. The general rule is: the smaller the town, the more casual and conservative the dress.

On the beaches along the Mediterranean, however, topless sunbathing is increasingly common – thouh it may well attract unwanted attention. Shorts are acceptable for hiking through ruins, but not for touring mosques. The importance of a sturdy, comfortable pair of shoes cannot be exaggerated. Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace is incredibly vast, and the ruins at Ephesus and elsewehere are both vast and dusty.

Light cottons are best for summer, oarticularly along the coast. If you’re planning excursions into the interior or north of the country, you’ll need sweaters in spring or fall, all-out cold-weather gear in winter. An umbrella is advisable on the Black Sea coast.

Pack a good supply of any prescription medicine you take regularly -it may or may not be available in Turkey – plus a prescription from your doctor using the drug’s generic namei and extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and aspirin and other over-the counter remedies. Sunscreen and sunglasses will come in handy. Outside the bigger cities and resort areas, it’s good idea to carry some toilet paper. You’ll need mosquito repellent for eating outside, from March through October; a flashlight for exploring in Cappadocia; and soap if you’re staying in more moderately priced hotels. Also bring an adapter for hair dryers and other electric appliances: The electric current is typically 220 volts; plugs are round, typically two-prong and 4 millimeters in diameter, though some are 4.5 milimeters in diameter and have three prongs.

Passenger are allowed one piece of carry-on luggage on international flights from the United States. The total of the length, width, and height of the bag can’t exceed 45 inches, and it must fit under the seat or into the overhead compartment.