What does Fully Escorted Tour mean?
You will be traveling with the same group of people from the beginning until the end. Fully Escorted Tours can not be customized as the travel dates, hotels and the route are already fixed. Same guide (or tour director) and the driver will be escorting you through the entire trip.
What does Flexible Package Tour mean?
Flexible Package Tours are somewhat similar to Fully Escorted Tours but you will be greeted by local representatives rather than a Tour Director and will not be escorted during the entire trip. However, all transportation and pick up services (from hotels, airports, etc) are still arranged by us. Instead of traveling with the same group of travelers, you will be joining to local tours on each area. This style is ideal for people who want some freedom but still have the comfort of guidance. Please note that all Flexible Packages can be also customized according to your needs and expectations.
Am I traveling with a group?
Yes and No.
Fully Escorted Tours: You will be traveling with the same group from the beginning until the end.
Flexible Packages and Custom Made Tours: You are not going to be traveling with the same group of people through the entire program. If you book a Flexible or Custom Made Tour you will be travelling on the regular transports according to your choice (Plane/Bus) but you will be with a small group on daily local tours at the chosen areas this gives you an opportunity to meet different people through your trip.
I requested a Custom Made Tour. How do you organize all transports and tours at that much different locations?
We have branch offices & affiliated companies based in every location and all work coordinated. They will know at what time and by which transport you will be arriving at that location and be ready to meet you, to transfer you to your hotel and organise your local tours.
What are the departure dates of your tours?
Flexible and Custom Made Tours allow you to pick up your own travel dates. Fully Escorted Tours have specific departure dates.
How do I save money?
As the travel agencies can get a better price than the customer, packages work out to be more economical. All our package tours already have all your needs included (except your personal expenses) and you will never pay any extra fee! Our prices are cheaper than traveling the same itinerary on your own.
You won't only save money, but you will also save time! By booking a package with us, everything is arranged to make your holiday hassle free. You won't have to worry about booking accommodation, buying tickets for your transport, finding your hotels and finding the right tour when you reach the sites.
Can we choose our hotels?
You can choose the hotels you would like to stay in if you request a Flexible or a Custom Made Tour. Please let your travel agent know about your hotel preference. Hotels are fixed on Fully Escorted Tours.
Is there a discount for kids?
Yes there is. 0-2 years: free of charge. 2-4 years: 1/3 of the price. 4-6 years: half a price. Discounts are subject to change, depending on the month of the travel, hotels, etc.
Can we get a private guide?
Yes you can. Please select "private guide" option on the Custom Made Tour request form or let your travel agent know. There are 2 types of touring when it comes to local guided tours on each area.
Regular Touring: There will be 15 to 25 people on board during the daily tours. All tours are guided.
Private Touring: There will be only your party on board during the daily tours. All regular local tours can be upgraded to private tours.
Do I have to pay the full amount?
We require %50 of the total amount of your package tour in order to complete your booking. You will be required to pay the rest of the amount 75 days prior to your arrival day. Please refer to Online Booking.
Above apply only on Flexible and Custom Made Tours. Required amount is subject to change.
Do I need a visa to enter Turkey ?
Yes you do need a visa if you are holding an American or Canadian passport. You can purchase your visa at the airport when you arrive, the visa counter is located on the left side of the passport control area as you pass through to the arrivals hall at Istanbul Airport. You will need to carry Euros or American dollars to pay for your visa as they do not except Credit cards or Turkish Lira. For further information please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
I am traveling alone. Will I share accommodation?
We do not provide shared accommodation for single travelers. There will be a single supplement fee as you will be accommodated in a single room.
Are there any special requirements to travel to Turkey or Greece?
There are no special requirements that you should be aware of before traveling to Turkey or Greece except Visa.
How do I pay for my tour, what is the procedure?
It is easy to book your tour via our secure online booking engine. Please click here to complete your payment or contact to your travel agent.
Do you provide travel insurance?
Clients are advised to obtain their own insurance before arrival for health and/or baggage loss while traveling.
What if I need to cancel my trip?
Please read Terms & Conditions before booking your trip.
How do I recognise you at the airport/port/meeting point?
At the airport a member of our company will be waiting outside the exit door of the arrivals hall, after you collect your luggage. He/she will be holding a sign with your name on it.
What type of documents will I receive after my booking?
You will receive a confirmation email along with a service voucher (receipt) after your payment is processed. There are no further documentation. You will receive your internal flights (if there is any) upon your arrival in Turkey or Greece.
OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION AND Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to travel in Turkey?
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel, and its crime rate is low in comparison to many Western European countries. Interpol ranked Turkey as the safest holiday destination in Europe for travelers. Naturally, we recommend that travelers to Turkey exercise the same precautions they would elsewhere, and be aware of security concerns that affect all international travelers.
The Turkish Government takes air safety very seriously, and maintains strict oversight, particularly on international flights. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has places Turkey's civil aviation authority in Category 1-in full compliance with international aviation safety standards in overseeing Turkey's air carrier operations. In the days following the September 11 attacks, Turkish Airlines was one of the first international airlines cleared by the FAA to fly into the United States.
When is the best time to travel in Turkey?
The high season for travel in Turkey generally runs between mid-April and late-October. During the off-season, temperatures are much cooler and snow is possible in mountainous areas. Many visitors enjoy the spring and fall, with their mild weather and small crowds.
Coastal regions are particularly popular with tourists during the summer. These include resort areas along the Aegean and Mediterranean coast with beaches and yachting facilities. The coastline, especially between Izmir and Antalya, features numerous coves and bays and many nearby ancient cities and is perfect for yachting. A large number of international-quality marinas provide services for the yachtsman. For active travelers, swimming, fishing, water-skiing, surfing and diving are available.
Turkey also enjoys many spectacular rivers. They are ideal for canoeing, skiing and rafting. Mountaineering is also popular in mountain ranges throughout Turkey in spring and summer.
The high plateaus of the Eastern Black Sea Region are covered by colorful flowers and green pasture during spring and summer. Naturalists will enjoy the diversity of fauna and flora as well as the heart-stopping splendor of the surrounding landscape.
Central and Eastern Turkey can receive large accumulations of snow, and snow skiing is a favorite winter pastime. Turkey has several ski centers, which are generally open from December through April depending on snow conditions.
What are the Average Air and Water Temperatures for Turkey's major cities?
Temperatures are given in oC (degrees Celsius) in Turkey, which can be converted to oF (degrees Fahrenheit) with the formula: oF = (9/5)oC + 32
The web site of the General Directorate of the Turkish State Meteorological Service, www.meteor.gov.tr, gives current sea and air temperatures, humidity and 3-day weather forecasts for all cities in Turkey and for the holiday resorts of Alanya, Anamur, Bodrum, Dalaman, Finike and Marmaris.
What are the most popular travel destinations in Turkey?
From the perfect beaches and ancient ruins of its coast to the pulse of its cosmopolitan cities, Turkey is a study in contrasts. Visitors can lose themselves in the magic of a historic palace before enjoying a world-class meal, or swim amidst Roman ruins before continuing their journey in the comfort of a state-of-the-art yacht.
Whatever your fancy, there are countless things to see and do in Turkey. Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, serves as the gateway for most travelers. Istanbul is the only city in the world that sits on two continents and it offers an abundance of fascinating attractions for visitors. Some of Istanbul's most popular sites include the Bosphorus Strait, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Kariye Museum, the Underground Cistern, Galata Tower, the Tower of Leander, the Princes' Islands and the Grand Bazaar.
What attractions does Turkey offer related to religious history and issues of faith?
History has been incredibly generous to Turkey, which has been vital in the history of the three major Western religions -- Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Turkey is one of a few countries where all three religions have co-existed peacefully for centuries. There are a many important sites in Turkey of interest to people of all faiths.
More and more people are discovering the important role Turkey played in the history of Christianity. Travelers can discover many magnificent churches, some nearly as old as Christianity itself, and can retrace the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul from the Biblical city of Antioch to the underground churches of Cappadocia. Many of the most important events in Christian history occurred in Turkey.
Born in Tarsus, the Apostle Paul spread the word of Jesus Christ across Anatolia, expanding Christianity's reach from a predominantly Jewish base to Gentile communities.
Not far from Tarsus on Turkey's Eastern Mediterranean coast is Antakya, known in biblical times as Antioch. This ancient city was founded around 300 B.C. and was home to the first important Christian community, founded in 42 AD by St. Paul. Jesus' followers were first called "Christians" in Antioch and from here Christianity spread to the world. St. Paul departed from Antioch on his three missionary journeys. The city holds the Church of St. Peter, a cave-church where the apostles Peter and Paul are believed to have preached. In 1963, the Vatican designated the site a place of pilgrimage and recognized it as the world's first cathedral.
The "Seven Churches of Asia Minor," a series of communities located near the Aegean coast, is where St. Paul visited, preached and built the early church. Their ancient names - Ephesus (Efes), Smyrna (Izmir), Thyatira (Akhisar), Sardis (Sart), Philadelphia (Alasehir), Laodicea (Eskihisar) and Pergamon (Bergama) are familiar from the New Testament's Book of Revelation. www.ephesusguide.com
Ephesus, perhaps the most prominent of the Seven Churches, is where St. Paul wrote his letters to the Ephesians, and where St. John the Evangelist brought the Virgin Mary to spend her last years. The Vatican recognizes the Virgin Mary's house, located in the hills near Ephesus, as a shrine. Just outside Ephesus, in Selcuk, is the Basilica of St. John where he preached and is believed to be buried.
Many other regions in Turkey offer a wealth of attractions to the Christian traveler. St. Nicholas was born and lived in Demre on the Mediterranean coast. A church dedicated to the original Santa Claus still stands. Visitors to the biblical area of Cappadocia, located in Central Anatolia, can explore more than 200 carved rock churches beautifully decorated with frescoes depicting early Christian motifs, and a seven-story underground city where Christians took refuge from their persecutors.
The stunning Monastery of the Virgin Mary located near the Black Sea in Trabzon is a well-known monastic center dating to the 4th century. Built on the edge of a l200 foot cliff and accessible only by foot, it housed some of the Orthodox Church's greatest thinkers.
Istanbul became the center of Christianity in 330 AD and it was here that the largest church in Christendom at the time, Haghia Sophia or the Church of the Divine Wisdom, was dedicated by Emperor Justinian in 536 AD. The Kariye Museum, a Greek Orthodox Church from the 11th and 14th centuries, is famous for its incomparable Byzantine frescoes and mosaics.
Judaism has had a continuous presence in Turkey since ancient times. Signs written in Hebrew and menorahs carved into stone at historical sites such as Ephesus, Kusadasi, Priene, Hieropolis, and Pamukkale attest to long history of Jews in Turkey. In Sardis, near Izmir, the remains of the largest ancient synagogue in existence date to the 3rd century AD. Its frescoes and mosaics suggest a large, well-established and successful Jewish community in Sardis.
According to the legend of the great flood, Noah's Ark ran aground at Mount Agri (Ararat). When the floodwaters receded, Noah and his family descended from the mountain to the fertile Igdir Plain and repopulated the world.
Jewish Patriarchs Abraham and Job also made their mark in eastern Turkey. Sanli Urfa in southeastern Turkey is known as the city of Prophets. A cave there is said to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. It has become a place of pilgrimage and is now surrounded by the Halil Rahman Mosque. The Prophet Job, who was famed for his patience, is believed to have spent seven years recovering from illness inside another cave located in the district of Eyyübiye two kilometers south of Sanli Urfa.
Jews have enjoyed tolerance and peace in Turkey for centuries. After the Jewish communities in Spain and Portugal were exiled in 1492 during the Inquisition, Sultan Beyazit II welcomed them to the Ottoman Empire. As a result, many Jewish communities still thrive in modern Turkey.
Istanbul is of particular significance to Jewish visitors. In the city's old Jewish Quarter is the 19th century Neve Shalom Synagogue, the Zulfaris Jewish Museum and nearby, the 15th century Ahrida Synagogue. The first Jewish printing press began operating in Istanbul in 1493 and Jewish literature and music flourished during this period.
In Bursa, a short drive south of Istanbul, visitors will find the Gerus Synagogue, built at the end of the 15th century by the first Jews who settled in the city after being expelled from Spain. The name of the synagogue in Hebrew means, "Expelled". Izmir, located on the Aegean coast, has several synagogues, including Beth Israel Synagogue; Bikour Holim Synagogue, named in memory of an epidemic when city hospitals were so full that synagogues were used to house the sick, and Giveret Synagogue, rebuilt after an 1841 fire.
Visitors to Turkey are often touched by the call to prayer from lofty minarets. The call is heard five times a day, inviting the faithful to face towards Mecca and pray from the Koran. Although Turkey is a secular democracy which guarantees freedom of religion for all people, Islam is the country's predominant religion. People of all faiths may visit Turkey's mosques.
Islam's roots in Turkey date to the 10th Century. In the ensuing centuries Seljuk and Ottoman Turks constructed impressive mosques with elegant interior decorations and imposing domes and minarets. Virtually every Turkish city has a mosque of historical or architectural significance. Sultanahmet Mosque in Istanbul stands as perhaps the most impressive. Built between 1609 and 1616 in the classic Ottoman style, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles. The Suleymaniye Mosque is the largest in Istanbul. It was built between 1550 and 1557by Suleyman the Magnificent, the greatest sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
Other cities also have impressive Islamic architecture. The Ulu Cami (Grand Mosque) with its 20 domes and Yesil Cami (Green Mosque) in Bursa, was constructed between 1419 and 1420. The mosque derives its name from the exquisite green and turquoise tiles in its interior. Haci Bayram Mosque in Ankara was built in the early 15th century in the Seljuk style and was subsequently restored by the master Ottoman architect Sinan in the 16th century. Selimiye Mosque in Edirne reflects the classical Ottoman style and Sinan's lasting genius.
Konya ranks as one of the great cultural centers of Turkey. As the capital of the Seljuk Turks from the 12th to the 13th centuries Konya was a center of cultural, political and religious growth. During this period, the mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi founded a Sufi Order known in the West as the Whirling Dervishes. Mevlana's striking green-tiled mausoleum is Konya's most famous attraction. Attached to the mausoleum, the former dervish seminary now serves as a museum housing manuscripts of Mevlana's works and various artifacts related to the mystic sect.
Are any vaccinations required for tourists entering Turkey?
There are no vaccination requirements for any international traveler.
The World Health Organization web site, www.who.org, provides vaccination certificate requirements by country, geographic distributions of potential health hazards to travelers and information on health risks and their avoidance (click on "Travelers' Health").
What is a Turkish Bath (Hamam) ?
Communal baths were used in Roman and Byzantine times, but as the name "Turkish Bath" suggests, they played a significant role in Ottoman culture. At a time when the concept of cleanliness was not yet accepted in Europe, the Turks were very fastidious due to Islam's emphasis on cleanliness. Countless baths were built in the typical Ottoman architectural style throughout the empire. Unfortunately, few have survived to the present. Cagaloglu Hamami and Cemberlitas Hamami, both in Istanbul, are very popular with tourists.
A classic bath usually has three sections: changing rooms, a hot room and a cold room. After entering the hamam and exchanging one's clothes for a "pestamal" or towel, you then proceed to the "gobek tasi", a large heated stone where you perspire and are rubbed down by a bath attendant. If the heat proves too much, you can retire to a cooler room. This method of bathing is the most refreshing.
If you could not find the answer of your question, please do not hesitate to contact us.
