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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions which are commonly asked.
Please contact us if you have further questions.
We'll be glad to respond to your inquiries.
A website called Turkish Travel Planner
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/index.html
is a good place to look for more information on travel to Turkey.
When is the best time to go?
What time zone is Turkey in?
Are meals included in tour packages?
What type of food is typical of Turkey?
Is the water safe to drink?
What should I pack?
Do I need an electrical adaptor?
Can I use my cell phone?
What are the tour leaders like?
Are tour dates flexible?
How far in advance should I book?
Can I extend or change my stay?
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
How safe is Turkey?
Is travel insurance recommended?
What is the best way to travel to Turkey?
Do tour rates include international flights?
How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?
Do I need a visa/passport?
What immunizations are recommended/ required?
When is the best time to go?
As is true of many other parts of the world, Spring and Fall are the best times to visit Turkey. The climate is more moderate and there are fewer tourists. Summer can be quite warm, but if you don't mind some heat and that is the only time to go, then summer is certainly OK. Winter can be damp and chilly but, again, if that is the only time you can travel you can do so. You will most likely have most tourist sites to yourself.
What time zone is Turkey in?
Turkey is 7 hours ahead (later) than EST.
Are meals included?
Breakfast at your hotel, usually buffet-style, is included for every day of your trip. These are usually very extensive meals with wide choices.
Some of the tour packages include other meals as well and these are described within the day-by-day itineraries.
What type of food is typical of Turkey?
The food in turkey is particularly good and varied, with something for every taste. There is good meat, especially lamb. There are also fish, vegetables and delicious Turkish-style rice or pilav. Shish kebabs originated in Turkey (shish
means "skewer" in Turkish). Turkey also has wonderful breads and their own style of pizza, which they call "pide". And turkish yoghurt is a lot better than ours, the real thing.
Is the water safe to drink?
Bottled water is readily available and is generally recommended.
What should I pack?
This depends on when you are traveling. But, in general, even if it is warm during the day it can be cool at night. So you will need some variety in your clothing choices. Feel free to ask us for more advice based on when you are traveling.
Do I need an electrical adaptor or converter?
You will need a converter. Rather than present you here with a lot of technical advice, we suggest that you search on the internet for "Turkey electrical converter". Many of the people offering these items for sale have 800-numbers and you can consult them on the phone. Also, many of the hotels you will be staying at will provide adaptors to their guests free of charge.
Can I use my cell phone?
Check with your cell phone provider. Each company is different and they can give you the most up-to-date information.
What are the tour leaders like?
All of our tour leaders are fluent in English and have long experience in the sites and regions of Turkey you will visit. Since most of our Turkish touring is by land, you will travel together with the same guide throughout most of your trip.
Are tour dates flexible?
You can travel whenever you choose to do so. This is a major advantage of a custom tour for two.
How far in advance should I book?
You can book your Turkey tour at any time, but generally the earlier you book, the better, since not only do hotels fill up but these tours involve domestic flights within Turkey which must be booked in advance. As a rule, if you are traveling during the summer or close to summer, earlier booking of hotel rooms, as you would expect, is more important.
Having said this, we will do our best to accomodate you whenever you decide to book.
Can I extend or change my stay?
Absolutely! Extra days can also be arranged if desired. Let us know how you would like to customize your trip and we will do our best to accommodate you. Turkey has fascinating regions not mentioned in our basic tour packages. You might decide to visit some of them and we can also arrange that for you. You might also decide to visit other parts of Europe or the Middle East before or after your trip to Turkey. For example, Israel, Egypt and Greece are fairly short flights from Turkey.
Are these trips a good choice for solo travelers?
Any of our tours can be taken by solo travelers. Due to the fact that you will not be sharing hotel rooms and guides, the cost will naturally be higher. Ask us about the price differential.
How safe is Turkey?
We recommend that you look at the latest State Department information for Turkey
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1046.html
Turkey is as safe as countries in Western Europe and lack of safety should not be a major consideration. Of course, normal precautions when walking in the streets on your own, such as you would take in any American city, are recommended.
Do I need a visa for Turkey
A Turkish visa, which is more like a tourist tax, can be purchased upon airport arrival. The cost of this visa has fluctuated and you might want to contact the Turkish Embassy or a Turkish Consolute in the U.S. to get the latest information. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival. We do not recommend going to the trouble of purchasing a visa before arrival. If you arrive by land, the same visa can be purchased at the Turkish border.
Is travel insurance recommended?
Whether or not to get travel insurance is a personal decision. We neither endorse nor not endorse doing so. In general, it certainly cannot hurt. On the other hand, travel to the parts of the world that we go to is pretty safe nowadays and most people do not see the need for the extra expense of travel insurance. Here is a good website that explores this question: http://www.travelblog.org/Travel-Guide/insurance-1.html
What is the best way to travel to Turkey?
A number of major airlines fly to Istanbul, but Turkish Airlines is the only one that has non-stop flights, both from New York and from Chicago. A flight to Istanbul usually involves changing planes somewhere in Europe.
Your choice of airline may be determined by not only price, but whether or not you want to make a stopover enroute. Stops in London, Amsterdam or Paris, just to name a few examples of many, can be possible on the way or returning from Istanbul. We can advise you about the best way to travel that suits your needs, but you must purchase the tickets yourself.
Do tour rates include international flights?
Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. We can advise you about these flights..
How do I get to the hotel from the airport when I arrive?
You will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. It's part of the service!
What is the local currency, exchange rate, etc.?
The local currency is the Lira and, at present, it has been worth from $.60 to .70 U.S. But this rate fluctuates all the time and you may want to check before leaving home.
Should I bring cash or Traveler's checks? Are ATMs available? Can I use credit cards?
Most travelers bring a small amount of US cash with them and withdraw from ATMs as they need it along they way. ATMs are readily available all over. Traveler's checks are not a problem Credit cards are accepted in the larger restaurants and stores and at just about all hotels.
What immunizations are recommended/ required?
No immunizations are currently required for visiting Turkey. For the most current information, please consult your doctor and/or check out the Center for Disease Control web-site at www.cdc.gov.
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