Are you one of those people who just likes all sorts of extra information?
This post is for you!
Is this the trip for you?
This will be a wonderful trip. You will see a very different part of the world and stand on some of the most important places of the New Testament church. However, there are a few considerations.
This is not a vacation. Turkey is a big country and to cover as many sites as we will see, we’ll spend a lot of time on a bus and change hotels almost every night. You’ll be tired then we’re done. If you don’t like a trip where you are on the move, this – and most other trips of this kind – are not for you.
Finally, when we arrive at sites there is a fair amount of walking. Many of the sites we visit are excavations of ruins that are 1500 to 2500 years old and they are usually not handicapped accessible. If you would have trouble walking around for up to 1-2 hours at a time and keeping up with a tour group, this might not be the trip for you.
What's Included in the Price?
It’s almost easier to say what’s not included.
-You will need to get to and from Chicago O’Hare airport.
This will be a wonderful trip. You will see a very different part of the world and stand on some of the most important places of the New Testament church. However, there are a few considerations.
This is not a vacation. Turkey is a big country and to cover as many sites as we will see, we’ll spend a lot of time on a bus and change hotels almost every night. You’ll be tired then we’re done. If you don’t like a trip where you are on the move, this – and most other trips of this kind – are not for you.
Finally, when we arrive at sites there is a fair amount of walking. Many of the sites we visit are excavations of ruins that are 1500 to 2500 years old and they are usually not handicapped accessible. If you would have trouble walking around for up to 1-2 hours at a time and keeping up with a tour group, this might not be the trip for you.
What's Included in the Price?
It’s almost easier to say what’s not included.
-You will need to get to and from Chicago O’Hare airport.
-Each day you will buy your lunch. Depending on where we eat as a group, the cost normally ranges from $5-10.
-$20 for a Turkish tourist Visa.
-While you will read that tips are included in the total, it’s still customary to collect tips for the guide and bus drivers at the end of the trip. A standard tip would be $1-2 a day for the guide and $1 for each driver (in Turkey, there are sometimes two drivers per bus). Of course, this is purely optional.
-One additional fee may be a “single supplement”. That is the extra cost if you are not sharing a room and it is $350. You may choose to have a private room, if you wish. If you are not traveling with a partner, we may be able to pair you up with someone else on the trip looking for a roommate. BUT, this is not guaranteed.
-It’s possible that we might stop at some site not listed in the tour and it might cost an additional $5-10 dollars to visit the site. That will not be common.
-Finally – Turkish bathrooms. You’ll be happy to know that along most well traveled routes, gas stations and other stores maintain fairly nice rest rooms. However, they do charge for use – on average about 50 cents. If you’ve traveled around much, that’s a small price for a clean and stocked rest room.
-Drinks: A British friend of mine called America “The land of free drink refills.” Turkey is like most other countries; drinks at hotel meals are small and pricey. At meals you are usually served water (usually bottled) and hot tea, which is served in abundance in small glasses (there is a trick to holding them without burning your hand). If you want coffee or a soft drink with a meal, it will cost $1-$2 per serving!
I drink a lot of tea when I am there and bought bottled water at take on the bus. You can also take instant coffee and make your own coffee from hot water.
I don’t recommend you carry large amounts of cash. I do recommend you take about 50 one dollar bills with you. They are often accepted and are good for quick tips. Traveler’s checks are getting harder to use. Most shops and hotels and most tourist oriented shops accept dollars and credit cards. You can get cash at ATMs. Be sure your PIN number has only four digits. Call your bank BEFORE you leave and tell them you’ll be in Turkey.
Souvenirs
Of course, you will want to buy some souvenirs. Turkey has some great buys on special items and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is in a class all its own. You should leave some room in your suitcase for stuff you’ll bring back. HOWEVER, I highly recommend you NOT buy items of great expense, unless you are qualified to know, with certainty, the value of an item. Do not rely on a salesman’s promise!
One item you will find in Turkey are hand woven Persian style rugs. They are beautiful and the rugs from Turkey are a good buy. But, they are still expensive and if you are tempted to try to find a rug on this trip, plan on doing a little research before you go, so you will know what you want and what you are willing to spend.
Trip Insurance
I recommend that you buy the insurance for this trip. Look in the fine print and you’ll see that if you get sick just before the trip and cannot go, you may lose 100% of the fee. The main reason for this is that airlines, hotel, and in country tour companies give discounts to people who book and pay in advance. But just like those cheap airline tickets, they are non-refundable once you pass certain dates. If something happens to you or a travel partner that prevents you from going, with insurance all your trip costs are refunded. It does not cover you if you just change your mind.
Be fair warned that if you don’t buy insurance and do get sick just before the trip, there will be little we can do to help you recover what you have paid.
Passports
You will absolutely need a current USA passport. No exceptions, no excuses. It can take three months to get a passport by mail, so if you need one ,start early. Make a photo copy of your passport and take it with you just in case you lose the original. It makes it easier to get a replacement.
Food
We will eat breakfast and dinners in our hotel. Typically, we will stop for lunch as a group at a restaurant. Breakfasts are usually light buffets with a mix of Middle Eastern and western foods. Dinners usually include a meat main course and fresh vegetables. Turkish food is tasty, but not heavily spiced or hot. Be sure you try the lentil soup, manti, and my favorite, Donar kabob. Seek out a bakery for mouth watering baklava. This is a fun part of the trip.
Luggage and Laundry
You are limited to one checked suitcase, no more than 51 pounds. British Air will charge you more for extra weight. You may also bring a carry on bag. You should not bring more bags that you can carry/pull yourself at one time. Laundries are hard to find and there is little time on the trip for them. Some hotels offer laundry service, but just like the US, it’s very expensive. Bring wash and wear clothes and some laundry soap and do a little wash in your hotel sinks. Never pack in checked luggage anything you can’t live without.
What you can take on board is a moving target these days. Please check this site for the latest information:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_us
Medication
You should bring a full supply of any medication you need in their original containers and a copy of your prescription. Carry your medication on your person, not in checked luggage. You may wish to bring simple items like aspirin, anti-histamine, and an anti-diarrhea medication with you.
Photographic Supplies
Film is available overseas for most cameras; however, it is double or triple the cost, so we recommend you purchase an adequate supply before leaving. Try the camera and flash before leaving so you know everything is working. Remove your film rolls from the box and put them a clear zip lock bag. Hand check them at every x-ray machine.
If you'd like to search for additional information on Turkey, one of the best websites available is:
www.turkeytravelplanner.com,
run by my friend Tom Brosnahan. It has a wealth of information.
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