It depends on where you're traveling, but most regions in Greece, Turkey, and Egypt are safe and tourist-friendly. Many governments advise avoiding travel to provinces and areas within 6 miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border. As with any destination, it pays to stay vigilant and follow the latest travel advice from your government officials as well as advice issued by authorities on the ground.

Enjoy Tours is in direct contact with the US Consular General, and we keep a careful eye on any situations that may affect our clients.

Generally speaking, we recommend consuming bottled water on our tours. This is due to the high mineral content of tap water, not because of any risk of disease. Accordingly, feel free to wash your hands and brush your teeth at the sink—no bottles necessary.

Most of our Western clients find that exchange rates and differences in cost of living make shopping locally relatively inexpensive. Each country hosts a number of extraordinary artisans who make their crafts at often-reasonable prices.

Greece’s official language is Greek, one of the oldest recorded languages still in use today. Modern Greek is directly descended from Ancient Greek, the language of philosophers, poets, and much of the New Testament. Today, over 10 million people speak Greek as their first language, primarily in Greece and Cyprus.

Egypt’s official language is Arabic, specifically Egyptian Arabic, which is the most widely spoken dialect in the Arab world. Rooted in Classical Arabic and influenced by Egypt’s ancient and modern history, it’s the everyday language of over 100 million Egyptians. While Arabic is used for most communication, many Egyptians also have a working knowledge of English or French, especially in major cities.

Turkey has its own language, known as Turkish. Descended from Ottoman Turkish, the modern Turkish language has a 1,000+ year history and is related to other languages spoken throughout Eastern Europe as well as North and Central Asia. Roughly 80 million people worldwide speak Turkish as their mother tongue.

The clothes and styles you'll see on the street will look much like what you'd expect in any Western country. As a rule, people tend to dress nicely but casually. Jeans and t-shirts are common, as are shorts in warmer weather.

Generally speaking, the farther east you travel, the more conservatively you'll want to dress. In Eastern Turkey, for example, it would be wise to wear pants rather than shorts, and to wear shirts that cover the shoulders. You'll also want to wear similarly conservative attire when visiting mosques and other places of worship.

While on a tour, we recommend a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, along with a sturdy pair of walking shoes.

In a word, delicious.

Greek cuisine is fresh, simple, and full of flavor—think grilled meats, seafood, vibrant salads, olives, feta, and plenty of olive oil. Local tavernas serve dishes tied to the seasons and the sea, often accompanied by warm bread and a splash of house wine. With every bite, you taste centuries of tradition and hospitality.

Egyptian cuisine is built on flavorful staples like lentils, rice, grilled meats, and fresh-baked breads, along with iconic dishes like koshari and ful medames. Locals enjoy a rich variety of herbs, spices, and seasonal produce, from dates and figs to eggplant and okra. Sharing a meal here is as much about the company as it is about the food.

Turkish cuisine includes a variety of beef, poultry, fish, and vegetarian dishes. Locals enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farms, including such delights as olives, pistachios, hazlenuts, cauliflower, okra, spinach, grapes, oranges, tea, and much more. The challenge will be choosing which dish to pair with which local wine from the fertile Aegean coast.

Is Turkey part of the Middle East? Turkey's region is difficult to define. Turkey is situated at the crossroads of the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East, and eastern Mediterranean. The country (and the city of Istanbul itself) spans the European and Asian continents. Some look at geography and include Turkey as part of the Middle East. Others look more closely at language and culture and include it as part of Europe or Asia. Turkish people tend to enjoy not quite fitting anyone's list. As the remnant of the Ottoman Empire, with a heritage going back much farther, Turkey is perhaps best described on its own terms.

Is Egypt part of the Middle East? Like Turkey, the answer depends on perspective. Geographically, Egypt is located in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula linking it to the Middle East. Culturally and politically, however, it’s often grouped with the Middle East due to its Arab language, Islamic heritage, and regional alliances. Egypt has long been a crossroads of Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean world—home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. In many ways, Egypt defies simple labels and stands as a world of its own.