Frequently Asked Questions

Am I travelling with a group?
No. You will be traveling independently on the regular transports according to your choice (Plane/Bus) but you will be with a small group only on local tours at the chosen areas this gives you an opportunity to meet different people through your stay in Turkey. Tailor made programs are for individual traveling. This makes the packages flexible to suit your needs and allows you to travel with an organized plan but without being herded around in a group. All of our tours can easily be customized to suit individual preferences.

Are the travel packages on your website for groups or individuals?
The itineraries are just a few of travel programs that have shown great demand and very positive feedback over the years. They can be customized to suit the needs of you or your travel companions. We believe they should also give you an idea of planning your holiday with ease prior to going into details. We have done something a little bit different with our web page, instead of just describing our services, we have tried to give an impression of the places and options available here in this beautiful country. Something we believe to be very important for travelers when they are making the decision of where & which way they will spend their holidays.

Can we choose our hotels?
Yes you can. All you have to do is just letting us know what hotels you would like to stay in while your agent creates your itinerary.

What are the prices of the travel packages, blue voyages or the hotels?
We have selected a wide range of hotels, tours and places, from budget accommodations to deluxe hotels, from day tours to travel packages we also use Turkey's Special Class hotels, a unique part of this country's accommodations which are historical buildings renovated as charming hotels. We truly believe that something for everybody can be found in our pages. Whether you are coming to Turkey for business or pleasure, and whatever the size of your party or family, we are sure that we can offer the best rates which vary with the season and give you a quote after your 2nd correspondence.

How often do the tours run? or do I have to wait for a small group to be formed?
Our tours operate all year round 365 days and we only go ahead with booking after confirming availability and rates. Unlike other agencies we do not limit you to a certain day and time of the whole year to travel with big groups all throughout. After all traveling is about; yourself choosing where to go and when to go!

Should I go on my own or with a tour?
With our concept you will be creating your holiday yourself with the help of our staff who will organize your time, arrange transport the way you want and offer the best rates for the whole travel package. There are many highlights in Turkey which cannot be reached by public transport, or sites where ticket queues take half a day during high season. Not to forget it will cost you less due to the fact that travel services such as hotel rooms, bus tickets, admission passes etc. are sold to local agencies at a much lower rate so agencies can promote and bring more visitors to these places. Nevertheless this will not insulate you from the pleasure of mixing with local people and still allowing you to make changes (*conditions allowing) as you wish before agreeing on the price and services offered. A tour might also be worth considering if you have a particular cultural, historical, sporting or other special interest and want to base your trip around that.

Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality. The most reliable source of visa information is a consulate of Turkey in your country or the website of Turkish Republic Foreign Affairs Ministry, www.mfa.gov.tr

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.

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, Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Kariye Museum, the Underground Cistern, Galata Tower, the Tower of Leander, the Princes' Islands and the Grand Bazaar.

From Canakkale Bogazi, also known as the Dardanelles, to the fairytale Crusader castle and sunny beaches of Bodrum, the Aegean shores of Turkey are among the loveliest landscapes in Turkey. The highlights of an Aegean tour are Troy, the site of the legendary Trojan War and its wooden horse; ancient Pergamon, once a great center of culture and now one of Turkey's finest archeological sites; Ephesus, the capital of Roman Asia Minor, dedicated to the goddess Artemis whose temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; Aphrodisias, the center of the greatest school of sculpture in antiquity; Pamukkale, a unique fairyland of dazzlingly white calcified castles; and Bodrum, a charming coastal town with a long, palm-lined waterfront and beautiful beaches.

Antalya province on the Mediterranean coast is Turkey's principal holiday region. It is a paradise for sunbathing, swimming and sports. Best of all, Antalya serves as a convenient hub for nearby archeological attractions. Ancient theatres can be found in a remarkable state of preservation at Aspendos and Perge and visitors can tour the sunken city of Simena in Kekova. Remains of ancient Lycian cities such as Patara, Letoon, Xanthos, Myra and Apollonia are also within easy traveling distance. These are among the most fascinating sites on the Anatolian Peninsula.

Cappadocia in Central Anatolia is one of the most fantastic landscapes in the world and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. The area's early Christian inhabitants utilized its remarkable rock formations to create more than 220 churches and numerous underground cities in which they took refuge from their persecutors.

Other popular destinations include Safranbolu in the Black Sea Region, an open-air museum of traditional Turkish houses; Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey, where enormous stone statues of deities commemorate the first century BC Commagene Kingdom. Konya in Central Anatolia was home to the great Islamic philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi who in the 13th century founded the Mevlevi Order known as the Whirling Dervishes. Each year in early December, the white-robed Mevlevi commemorate the death of Mevlana with their trance-like turning dance or sema - an amazing sight to behold.

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.

How do I recognize you at the airport/port/meeting point?
At the airport or meeting point 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.

How should visitors dress in Turkey?
Casual wear is appropriate for most tour excursions. Women wear pants or skirts, but when visiting mosques it is recommended that they cover their heads with a scarf and both sexes should not wear shorts out of respects for religious customs.

What do I do if I need to urgently contact your office while traveling?
You will be given vouchers and reading documents prior to your travels along with your travel consultants 24 hour contact numbers. With the mobile phone which will be supplied by our company you will be able to reach your travel consultant.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Turkey?
Turkey practices safe sanitation standards and tap water is suitable for drinking, bathing and other regular tasks. However, it is customary in most Mediterranean countries, the majority of visitors drink bottled water. In some cases, the water may be "harder" (contain more minerals) than you're immune system is used to or it may have an unusual taste, but it's still safe to drink.

What currency should I use?
In Turkey, US Dollars, British Pounds and Euro are very widely accepted, especially for large purchases. Also, you'll get a much better rate of exchange if you obtain Turkish liras (whether by changing money or from a cash machine) in Turkey itself rather than in another country. Turkish currency is easily obtainable upon arrival in Turkey at any exchange office or bank. Daily exchange rates can be obtained from the Turkish Central Bank web site at www.tcmb.gov.tr. This site is in both Turkish and English, and gives links to all Turkish Banks. Turkish daily newspapers also publish daily exchange rates.

Will my bank machine card or credit card work in Turkey?
With a bank machine card (ATM Card), you can go to a bank machine (ATM) and obtain cash. Examples: Plus, Cirrus, Interac, Maestro, Carte bleue, EC-Card. Credit card: With a credit card, you can pay for purchases and you receive an invoice later. Examples: Visa, MasterCard/Eurocard, American Express, Discover. Foreign Debit cards are often *not* accepted in Turkey. Any of the above cards will generally get the best exchange rate. Bank machines will offer you a choice of languages, including English. Some credit card companies become suspicious if the card suddenly starts being used in a different country or continent. Therefore, we highly suggest letting your credit card company know that you'll be going abroad.

What does "VAT" or "KDV" mean?
"VAT" or "KDV" means "Value Added Tax"; it's a form of sales tax. The prices you see quoted usually already include the VAT. Please note that a refund is only available for goods: it's not available for services such as transportation, hotel rooms, restaurant meals, and so on. It's also not available for goods used in the country itself, such as food or gasoline (petrol); you must bring the goods back home. You must also purchase the goods in a store participating in the tax refund program; these stores are often identified by signs saying "Tax Free Shopping".

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.

What to buy in Turkey and where to buy it?
Shopping is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Turkey and the rich variety of Turkish crafts makes it impossible to resist buying something. Fine apparel of silk, cotton, leather and wool; artful jewelry; leather accessories; brilliant faience (colored tiles); vessels of copper, brass, marble, meerschaum and alabaster worked by master artisans; and of course heirloom-quality Turkish carpets and kilims, are among the most popular purchases. Great value and an enjoyable shopping experience can be found everywhere, from small towns to big cities. Unique regional handicrafts make shopping that much more enjoyable. Traditional Turkish handicrafts crafts including carpets, ceramics and pottery, tiles, copper items, woodcarvings, decorative glass, and embroidery are a major component of Turkish culture. They are a stunning reflection of Turkey's diverse cultural heritage and thousands of years of history.

Where can I find information on Festivals, Fairs and other Events in Turkey?
There are more than 100 festivals in Turkey every year. In addition to the local festivals organized in almost every city of the country, international culture and art festivals are held in major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya. Istanbul is the most important center in Turkey of international culture and art festivals.
Information on the principle Turkish international art and culture festivals and other important events can be found at The Istanbul Culture and Art Foundation's web site, www.istfest.org, gives detailed information on their festivals in Istanbul.

How can I receive more information about Turkey?
Those interested in learning more about the Turkish Republic and discovering what Turkey has to offer to visitors may visit The Turkish Ministry of Tourism's web site at www.turizm.gov.tr which is a comprehensive site featuring many topics relating to Turkish tourism.