If you want to enjoy your trip to southeastern Turkey, timing is all-important. Summer is blisteringly hot and winter can be very cold. Instead, choose late spring or early fall. Because of security concerns in the region, always inquire about the situation before setting off on the road, and do not travel after dark. Accommodation in the region is not of the same standard as in Western Turkey.
Decent hotels are hard to come by outside the main cities.
The dishes and kebabs are similar to those found elsewhere in Turkey, but usually spicier, and flakes of red pepper are always found on the table for those who like it really hot. The lack of visitors in recent years has driven down the prices of carpets and kilims in Diyarbakir . Midyat is famous for filigree jewellery on silver or gold, but today only a handful of jewellers still have the skills and nimble fingers needed for this delicate work.