TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered14 Days | Starts/Ends: Istanbul

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 0800 44 77 69       CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Discover Turkish treasures on a

trip that packs in Ottoman Istanbul,

ancient ruins, Gallipoli and the

Aegean, fine Mediterranean

beaches, whirling dervishes,

stunning Cappadocia and UNESCO

Listed Safranbolu. This is ultimate

Turkey, in two amazing weeks!

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Istanbul - old City, Hippodrome, Blue

Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace andthe Grand Bazaar

• Gallipoli Peninsular - ANZAC Cove, LonePine and Chunuk Bair memorials, trenchesand battlefields

• Troy - Trojan horse and ancient ruins• Aegean coast• Roman ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum• Pamukkale thermal pools and Roman

Hierapolis• Carpet weaving demonstration and leather

showroom• Fethiye, Koycegiz and Olu Deniza - lake,

Turtle Beach, mud baths and the beautifulBlue Lagoon

• Greek villages of Sirince and Kayakoy• Marmaris, Saklikent Gorge, Antalya and the

ancient theatre of Aspendos

• Konya - Silk Road, ancient caravanserais andMevlana Whirling Dervish Museum

• Ankara - Ataturk's Mausoleum• Cappadocia region, UNESCO World

Heritage listed Goreme Valley, KaymakliUnderground City and Uchisar Castle

• Safranbolu - UNESCO World Heritage Listedtown, Ottoman architecture and artisians

What's Included• 13 breakfasts and 8 hotel dinners• 12 nights 4 star hotels and special class

hotels, 1 night Ottoman Mansion home -Safranbolu

• Airport arrival and departure transfers onday 1 and day 14

• Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Gallipoli,Troy, Ruins of Ephesus, Pergamum, Sirince,Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Koycegiz, Kayakoy,Marmaris, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia andSafranbolu

• Koycegiz lake cruise and mud baths• Wine tasting in Sirince• Saklikent Gorge - canyon walk and tubing

(optional)• Ferry crossing of the Dardenelles• Escorted by an English speaking, degree

qualified Turkish tour guide• All relevant transfers and transportation in

private, modern air-conditioned vehicles

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: $45 USD

• Entrance Fees: $120-140 USD• Tip for your tour guide and driver. We

recommend you allow $3 - 5 USD per day,per traveller as a tip for your guide and $2USD per day for your driver. Tipping yourguide and driver is an entirely personalgesture.

• International flights and visa

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 : IstanbulSaturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbulairport and included transfer to our hotel. Theremainder of the afternoon offers free time foryou to relax or explore. At 8 o clock this eveningour tip filled welcome meeting takes place. Agreat opportunity to meet your tour guide andtravelling companions before our exciting 14day adventure gets under way. Overnight -Istanbul

Day 2 : The Blue Mosque &Topkapi Palace

TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 0800 44 77 69       CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Istanbul. After a good night’s rest and breakfast,we meet all our tour group members (as somemay have arrived overnight) in the hotel lobby.At this point in time all entrance fees and yourtip kitty will be collected. Shortly after we departfor a classic guided tour of the only city to spantwo continents. The Bosphorus stretches out infront of the old city known as Sultanahmet andis the strait of water that divides the continentsof Europe and Asia, both of which the city ofIstanbul straddles. Touring the heart of the OldCity from where the Byzantine and OttomanEmpires were ruled, we’ll view some amazingsights. See the Blue Mosque (opening subject toprayer times) which faces the Hagia Sofia andis famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique 6minarets and the ruinous Hippodrome – nowa small park of sorts and once scene of chariotraces and political activities in Byzantine timesand the Hagia Sofia Museum - constructedas a Basilica in the 6th century by EmperorJustinian. Just around the corner is the stunningTopkapi Palace where we spend time exploringthe grounds and various museums containedwithin the Palace walls. Tonight is free for you toexplore or simply relax at our hotel. Overnight- Istanbul (B)

Day 3 : Gallipoli - WW1battlefields

Istanbul – Gallipoli. Today, we travel tothe WW1battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embark upona guided tour of the region, once the site offierce fighting and today almost hauntinglybeautiful, with its wooded landscape dottedwith understated memorials to the war dead.

Our guided tour of the region will take insights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine AustralianWar Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair NewZealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek,Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenchesstill clearly visible amongst the scrub after all

these years. Roughly 3 feet deep, the systemof trenches provided much need safe cover fortroops as they desperately fought the enemy.

Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offeringpanoramic views of the entire GallipoliPeninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a littlerest and relaxation. Overnight - Canakkale (B,D)

Day 4 : Troy & CoastalKusadasi

Gallipoli Region - Kusadasi. This morning weenjoy a short guided tour of Troy! If you’ve seenthe movie – ‘Troy’ or read the poet Homer’s –‘The Iliad’ you’ll be familiar with Paris – Princeof Troy, his prized Helen and Hector – Princeof Troy on the Trojan side and Agamemnonand Achilles (he of the heel) on the Aechaean(Greek) side. The legend of the lost city of Troyand Homer’s poetry was bought alive by it’srediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavationsrevealed 9 ancient cities, one on top of the other,dating back to 3000 BC! We enjoy a tour of theruins and bear witness to a replica of the stoicTrojan wooden horse that as the story goes, wasfilled to the gunnels with Aechaean soldiers whohelped sack Troy.

Driving further south to the ancient ruins ofPergamum, we’ll enjoy a guided tour. Hometo one of the steepest, vertigo - inducingamphitheatres in the classical world, Pergamumwas also famous for its asclepion (medicalcentre). See the Temple of Trajan and of coursethe Library, which in its time was said to rivalthe library in ancient Alexandria. We continueto Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast. Overnight -Kusadasi (B, D)

Day 5 : Ancient Ephesus &Greek Sirince

Kusadasi - Sirince. Today, we enjoy a guidedtour of the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus.Positively the best preserved classical city inthe eastern Mediterranean, Ephesus, under theRomans, was a vast city with a populationnearing 250,000 and became the Roman Capitalof Asia Minor. It revelled in it's prosperity fromcommerce and visiting pilgrims who came tosee the great Temple of Artemis - one ofthe Seven Ancient Wonders. Exemplifying thefinesse of Roman urban life, Ephesus boastscarefully restored elements including a GreatTheatre, Curetes Way, the Temple of Serapis andthe Library of Celsus. Stop by the ancient publictoilets and public brothel!

Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkeyand after we stop to watch a demonstration ofhow they are made before visiting the quaintGreek village of Sirince peached mountainsidewithin a valley of vineyards and orchards.Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D)

Day 6 : Cotton Castles ofPamukkale

Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Marmaris. Meanderingthrough the sweeping plains and endlesscotton farms we arrive at the ruins of RomanHieropolis and the hot springs of Pamakkule.Admire this surreal landscape created byfrequent earthquakes in the fault depression

TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 0800 44 77 69       CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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of the Menderes river basin. Marvel at thecrystalline marble, quartzites and stalagtites,which shimmer in the sunlight. There will betime to paddle our feet as you walk the terracesor opt for a dip in the Thermal Bath House (atan additional cost). Later we stop at a leathermanufacturing house. Overnight - Marmaris(B, D)

Day 7 : Turtle Beach &FethiyeMarmaris - Koycegiz - Fethiye. Arriving at thelakeside town of Koycegiz, we embark upona boat cruise to Turtle Beach and smotherourselves in mud at the local mud bath. Wecontinue our journey to Fethiye, a charming porttown on Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, fringed bythe Taurus Mountains where we'll spend thenext two nights. Overnight - Fethiye (B, D)

Day 8 : Kayakoy & Oludeniz

Fethiye - Kayakoy Greek village - Oludeniz -Fethiye. After breakfast today we explore thequaint Greek village of Kayakoy. This afternoonwe drive to Oludeniz, a popular resort townwhich is home to the beautiful Blue Lagoon.Here you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a swimbefore travelling back to neighbouring Fethiye.Overnight - Fethiye (B)

Day 9 : Saklikent GorgeFethiye - Antalya. Today we visit the stunninglybeautiful Saklikent Gorge, Turkey’s longest anddeepest canyon, take a walk through nature, orjust relax and watch the world go by from thefig tree-shaded wooden platforms that overlookthe river. Weaving our way through the TourosMountains we arrive to Antalya visiting theDuden Waterfalls en route. Overnight - Antalya(B, D)

Day 10 : Whirling Dervishes

Antalya – Cappadocia. Early morning departurefor Konya, en route we visit the ancient theatreof Aspendos. Arriving at Konya, we tour themonastery of the Mevlana whirling dervishesand the mausoleum of Mevlana CelaleddinRumi. A further stop is made along the Silk Roadat the Seljuk - a fine example of an ancient SilkRoad caravanserai. Overnight - Cappadocia (B,D)

Day 11 : Underground Cities

Cappadocia. Today we tour the stunningCappadocia region - an extraordinary nationaltreasure. The utter improbability of theseemingly surreal landscapes have to be seento be believed, where whole troglodyte villages,subterranean churches and fortresses havebeen hewn from the soft, porous, eerily erodedrock of Cappadocia. The crumbling legacy ofpersecuted Christians trying to escape theMuslim onslaught in 1st - 10th centuries ADby effectively heading underground is one ofTurkey’s finest attractions.

A guided tour of the region includes theWorld – Heritage listed site of the GöremeValley to see stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches and chapels, KaymakiUnderground City and Uchisar Castle. Stoppingon the outskirts of Goreme Village we havethe opportunity to see Pigeon Valley wherecentury’s old pigeon houses are carved into

the surrounding cliffs, the pigeon droppingsthat litter the area have been used as fertilizeron crops for generations. Here you will alsohave the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop,specialising in historic jewellery designs uniqueto Turkey and using local materials andcraftsmen. For those not interested in shoppingspend a little time relaxing and grab a drink fromthe local cafe. An optional Turkish dinner andfolklore evening is available tonight. Overnight- Cappadocia (B)

Day 12 : Safranbolu - OttomanRoyaltyCappadocia – Ankara - Safranbolu. Opt for anearly morning hot air balloon flight over lunarlandscape. Via Ankara and the mausoleum ofMustafa Kemal Ataturk we arrive at the WorldHeritage Listed town of Safranbolu. The townboasts many graceful Ottoman homes, once theresidences of royalty and artisan work shopscrafting traditional Turkish wares. Tonight westay in an Ottoman mansion home. Overnight -Safranbolu (B, D)

Day 13 : The Grand Bazaar

Safranbolu - Istanbul. This morning we embarkon a walking tour of the old town beforereturning to Istanbul with an afternoon visit tothe Grand Bazaar. Overnight - Istanbul (B)

Day 14 : IstanbulFriday. We say goodbye to our new friends, ourtour ends after breakfast and onward departuretransfer to the airport.(B)

Please NoteTravellers on this tour will be a combinationof those booking with On The Go Tours andGlobal Travel. The tour group will depart as oneand all touring arrangements will be conductedtogether.

TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 0800 44 77 69       CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

VisasPlease be advised that visa requirements aresubject to change and that visa procurement isthe responsibility of the traveller and not On TheGo Tours. Please also ensure that your passportis valid for at least 6 months from your planneddate of departure from Turkey.

After booking your holiday, please provide uswith your passport details as soon as possible.

Australian, British, Canadian, Irish and USApassport holders can obtain a 3 month touriste-visa online prior to departure. Costs arecurrently USD$60 for Australian and Canadianpassport holders, USD$20 for British, USA andIrish passport holders. South African passportholders currently need an e-visa but there is nocharge for this. New Zealand passport holderscurrently do not require a visa for a stay notexceeding 3 months.

To arrange a Turkey e-visa online go to: https://www.evisa.gov.tr

Entrance feesOn group tours entrance fees to tourist sitesare not included, (except on our City of Sultanstour) in our tour price. All entry fees must bebudgeted by you. Entrance fee amounts dochange, therefore upon arrival in Turkey yourtour leader will outline the exact total of yourentrance fees and collect this amount in TurkishLira on day 2 of your tour.

Tipping KittyIt is customary to tip in Turkey. At the startof your tour we collect a small tipping kittyfrom all tour participants to cover tips enroute (to be paid in Turkish Lira) This savesyou the hassle of when and how much totip bellhops, luggage handlers, waiters, drivers,your airport representative and other supportstaff throughout your tour.

This tipping kitty does not include a tip for yourtour guide where we recommend an amountapprox USD$4-5 per day. Naturally though theamount is up to you - tipping is an entirelypersonal gesture.

ClimateTurkey is a destination that can be visitedyear round. Temperatures in Turkey during theNorthern Hemisphere summer are generallyhigh, particularly during the summer monthsfrom June through September. April can springup surprising results. Days can be amazinglywarm, though temperatures do drop at night, sopack some warmer clothes. Summer in Turkeyfor the most part is hot and dry. For thebeach worshipper, June through September isbest, when you’ll enjoy glorious Mediterraneansun. Turkey is a lovely winter destination,the weather is usually temperate, althoughfrom December through to February you mayenjoy a little snow in Istanbul, Anatolia orCappadocia. Whatever month you consider,you’ll be rewarded with seasonal variations thatrange from leaf-strewn autumns to sun-kissedsummers.

Health RequirementsYou should seek medical advice beforetravelling to Turkey from your local healthpractitioner and ensure that you receive allof the appropriate vaccinations. As a guideDiphtheria, Hepatitis A and Tetanus is stronglyrecommended. The tap water in Turkey isgenerally considered safe to drink, but as aprecaution against stomach upsets you maywant to drink bottled mineral water, whichis readily available from shops, hotels andrestaurants.

CurrencyThe official currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira.

Euro, British Pounds, US Dollars and othermajor currencies can be exchanged locally or inadvance of departure. Istanbul Ataturk Airportoffers speedy currency exchange facilitiesadjacent to the baggage hall. Additionally,exchange facilities are available at variousbureau de changes and banks in major townshave ATMs. It's advisable to request banknotes in smaller denominations, as it cansometimes be hard to get change from largenotes and smaller notes are handy for smallerpurchases and gratuities. Traveller's Cheques

are not recommended as they're often difficultto exchange and incur high fees.

Time & VoltageTurkey is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime(GMT). From the last Sunday in March to the lastSunday in October, Turkey observes DaylightSaving and is 3 hours ahead of GMT. Standardvoltage is 230 - 240 volts. Primary socketsgenerally require the 3 round-pin variety, similarthough not identical to European sockets. Greeksockets are of the 2 round-pin variety. Werecommend that you pack a universal traveladaptor. You will need a voltage converter, andplug adaptor in order to use U.S. appliances.

Essential Packing• A small daypack for your day-to-day needs.• A photocopy of your passport data pages.• The voltage in Turkey is generally 220V and

outlets fit a two-pin European plug. Youshould pack a Universal Adaptor and checkthat it is suitable for Turkey.

• Spare camera batteries/memory card so youcan go snap happy.

• If you fancy a tipple, take advantage of DutyFree.

• Take out some TRY from the ATM facilities atthe airport upon arrival.

• Buy a phrasebook and practice your holidayTurkish.

• Keep a supply of small notes for localtransactions.

Pre-Tour Accom & ArrivalTransfersIf you would like to arrive into Turkey prior toyour tour or stay on longer, we can arrangepre or post tour accommodation for you. Pre/post tour accommodation is located at the hotelyour tour commences/ends and is inclusive ofbreakfast.

If arriving on day 1 of a holiday or bookingpre-tour accommodation with us on a tour orshort stay that includes an airport arrival transfer(as indicated in the 'What's Included' sectionof these trip notes) we will be at the airport(Ataturk or Sahiba Gokcen), ready to transfer youto your hotel.

If arriving prior to 8am on day 1 (essentiallyon a flight that arrives very, very early in the

TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 0800 44 77 69       CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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morning) you will need to purchase a night ofpre-tour accommodation to save you waitinguntil standard hotel check in time, which isgenerally 2pm.

ARRIVING VIA ATATURK AIRPORTAs you enter the arrival hall in Ataturk Airportturn LEFT and walk along the concourse. Look tothe right, our representative will be waiting herebehind the barracade, displaying an on the gosign. Remember, the representative won’t knowwhat you look like, so it will be important to lookout for our company sign, in order to facilitaterendezvous.

SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORTIf arriving into Istanbul Sabiha GokcenInternational Airport, an additional 50km fromthe Istanbul city centre. Please be timely inexiting customs and in meeting our awaitingrepresentative, who will be holding an on the gotours sign.

If your tour or sailing holiday does not include anarrival transfer you wil need to make your ownway to the tour start point. Details of the tour/sailing holiday start point can be found on yourtour voucher.

Departure TransfersWe offer the following complimentarydeparture transfers: Aegean Explorer, TurkeyUnplugged & Remembrance Day tours -departure transfers at 11am and 1.30pm onthe final day of your tour (day 8 for Turkey& Tutankhamen tour) to Ataturk InternationalAirport. Turkey & Tutankhamen tour: on day 8at 11am & 9pm. Turkey Discovered: departuretransfer on the final day of your tour at any timeof day to Ataturk International Airport.

Christmas Turkey and Turkish Delight: departuretransfer on the final day of your tour at any timeof day to Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen Airports.Flying Carpet Crystal Coast: departure transferon the final day of your tour at any time of dayto Izmir Airport.

Should you require a departure transfer at anyother time, this can be booked in advance orlocally.

Site Opening Times 2015Popular sightseeing spot in Istanbul areclosed on specific days. Please plan your visitaccordingly.Topkapi Palace - Closed TuesdaysGrand Bazaar - Closed SundaysBlue Mosque - Closed during all prayer times

Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar closed 30August, 24 - 27 September, 29 October 2015.

All museums, palaces and toursitic sites closedtill 1pm on 17 July and 24 September 2015.

During Ramadan (known as Ramazan in Turkey),some restaurants and shops (excluding thosecatering mainly for tourists) and attractions mayclose earlier, so scheduling may be slightlyaltered to ensure featured attractions arevisited.Ramazan Dates:06 June - 05 July 201627 May - 25 June 2017.

ShoppingTurkey is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. The GrandBazaar in Istanbul is cavernous and full ofunusual and everyday objects. Known locally asKapali Carsi – the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s OldCity is a massive conglomeration of shops (some4000) divided into areas specialising in gold,carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. Turkishhandicrafts include a rich variety of textilesand embroideries, articles of copper, onyx andtile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, leather andsuede products. Jewellery, carpets and kilimsrepresent top buys at the bazaar.Opening hours: Mon - Saturday 0900 – 1900hrs(closed Sunday).

The Egyptian Spice Bazaar at Eminonu nearIstanbul is an easy continuance from the GrandBazaar or good start point before heading ontothe cavernous Grand Bazaar. Here, you canbuy a dizzying array of spices at a fraction ofthe cost you’d expect to pay back home. PineKernels, peppercorns, real Iranian saffron andother precious commodities are hawkered hereat knockdown prices! Real Turkish delight isavailable by the tonne as well. Why not the milk-based Turkish delight studded with pistachios!Opening hours: 0900 – 1900hrs Monday –Sunday

Markets and bazaars abound in other towns,too. During your stay in Turkey, you may visit aleather manufacturer and emporium. Althoughthe quality of some of the jackets and clothingoutstanding, the initially quoted prices canalso be rather outstanding. If you do fancy aparticular item, haggle, even if you are in theconfines of what looks to be a smart showroom.

Carpet BuyingTurkey is justly famous for its carpets and kilims(a napless woven rug) and you’ll be spoilt forchoice. To ensure you get a good buy, spendtime visiting several shops to compare price,pattern-type and quality. A good quality, long-lasting carpet should be 100% wool. Check thequality of the weave for possible holes. A woolcarpet will have fine, frizzy fibres if you turn thecarpet on its back. Cheaper carpets are madeof cotton and most often the fringe will be,too. If you want a wool carpet and the fringeis of cotton, it’s likely the carpet won’t be awoollen one! The lies can be bigger than the fallof Ottoman Empire. Don’t make the mistake ofbuying a cotton carpet at the price of a woolone! Many carpets are made to look like antiquesat prices to match.

IMPORTANT FOR ALL SHOPPINGSet your budget and don’t be swayed,remember the caveat – ‘Let the buyer beware’.Any purchases made whilst on holiday withus, irrespective of whether the store isrecommended by us or other, are at yourown discretion. Please make sure that you arecompletely happy with the product you arepurchasing and the delivery arrangements (wewould recommend you take away with youany purchases rather than rely on shippingservices). On The Go cannot be held responsibleor accountable for items bought in country orshipping arrangements. We will not becomeinvolved later in your holiday or once you returnhome should your purchase not live up to yourexpectations. Proceed with caution.

Turkey Country Guide

Turkey: Fact FileOfficial Name: Republic of TurkeyCapital: AnkaraPopulation: 70 million

TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

www.onthegotours.comUK  020 7371 1113  info@onthegotours.comAUS  1300 855 684  aus-info@onthegotours.comNZ 0800 44 77 69       CAN 1 866 890 7038     USA 1 866 377 6147     SA 0800 982 686

This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Total Area: 780,580 square kilometresOfficial Language: Turkish. Kurdish, Englishand French also spokenReligions: Islam 99.8%, Christain and Jewish0.2%Voltage: 230 voltsDialling Code: +90Time Difference: GMT/UTC +2. For other timedifferences please visit www.timeanddate.com

Turkey: Brief historyPresent-day Turkey was created in 1923 fromthe Turkish remnants of the Ottoman Empire.In 1945 Turkey joined the UN, and in 1952 itbecame a member of NATO. Turkey intervenedmilitarily on Cyprus in 1974 to protect TurkishCypriots and prevent a Greek takeover of theisland; the northern 37 percent of the islandremains under Turkish Cypriot control. Relationsbetween Turkey and Greece have improvedgreatly over the past few years. Politically,modern Turkey was almost entirely the creationof one man, Mustafa Ataturk.

Turkey: Geography andweatherTurkey has borders with Greece, Bulgaria,Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria with easyland and sea access to the Gulf States, Levantand North Africa. It is the ninth largest countryin the Middle East and the third largest inEurope. Turkey only consists of 23,000 sq. kmin Europe: the remainder is in Asia. The Sea ofMarmara and the Bosphorus and Dardanellesstraits separate the European (Thrace) and Asian(Anatolian) parts of Turkey. Anatolia is a highplateau region, rising progressively towards theeast and broken by the valleys of some 15 rivers,including the Tigris and the Euphrates. Thereare numerous lakes including Lake Van, whichis really an inland sea. In the north the chainof the Ponitine Mountains runs parallel to theBlack Sea; in the south, the Taurus Mountainsalmost touch the narrow, fertile coastal plain.The climate is temperate with hot, dry summersand mild, wet winters (harsher in interior).

Visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea ofwhat the weather will be like on your tour.

Turkey: VisasMost nationalities (including citizens of the UK,Australia, Canada and the US) need a visa toenter Turkey. Citizens of these countries mustobtain an electronic visa before arriving inTurkey which is valid for three months. Thecosts of the visa varies. Citizens of New Zealandcurrently are not required to purchase a visaon entry. We recommend you contact yourlocal Turkish embassy or consulate near to yourplanned date of travel to obtain the latestinformation on your specific requirements.

Visa services like www.travcour.com can be veryhelpful.

Turkey: MoneyALL prices stated in this dossier are given as aguide only and are subject to change. All pricesare quoted in US dollars.

Local currency

The monetary unit in Turkey is the lira, TL. For upto date exchange rates with your own currencyvisit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com.

Changing money, credit cards & ATMs

Rates for foreign currency are always betterinside Turkey. Private exchange offices havecompetitive rates and no commission. Banks aregenerally open Monday – Friday 8.30am – noonand 1.30pm -5pm. Most charge a commission ofUS$2.50 for travellers cheques. ATMs are widelyavailable in cities.

Working out your budget

Our Middle East & North Africa pre departureinformation includes a general list of all thethings you should take into consideration whenbudgeting and an estimate of what you shouldallow per day for spending money.

Entrance fees

Generally speaking most entrance fees will becovered by the recommended spending money.There are, however, other sites and museumsthat are not part of the tour programme whichyou may wish to visit in your free time. If you

have an International Student Card you willoften be entitled to reduced entrance fees.

Tipping

Many workers in Turkey are poorly paid anddepend on tips for their main income. As tipsare a normal part of everyday culture in Turkeywe operate a compulsory tipping kitty to saveyou money and embarrassment. Each memberof the group contributes to the kitty (approx US$15 per person per week) and this is then used topay tips to any people who provide services tothe group as a whole e.g. guides, porters, drivers,housekeeping staff in hotels etc.

Except at the cheapest restaurants, a 10%-15%charge is added to the bill. As the money doesnot necessarily find its way to the waiter, youmay want to leave an additional 10% on thetable or hand it to the waiter.

Turkey: Optional excursionsA full list of the main excursions availableon each tour can be found on daily itineraryon these trip notes. All prices given areapproximate and are subject to change due tolocal inflation or exchange rates.

Turkey: Local transportIn Istanbul many of the sights are within walkingdistance of each other and the best way to getto know the area is on foot. However, it’s easyand relatively cheap to jump in a taxi and criss-crossing the Bosporus by ferry is great fun.

Turkey: SecurityMost people find that Turkey is a safe andfriendly country but as in any foreign place youshould exercise a reasonable degree of caution.Don’t walk around lonely back streets at night(particularly in Istanbul), don’t wear expensivelooking jewellery or a classy watch and don’tcarry a wallet in your back pocket. Don’t carryyour camera openly; always have it in a smallday pack which is firmly attached to your body,preferably in the front in crowded places. Takeparticular care not to become too relaxed ifyou have had a few drinks and are returning toyour hotel at night – it is best to always takea taxi. Always wear a money belt or leave your

TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 08-12-2015

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This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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valuables, including your passport, in the hotelsecurity box.

Turkey: Local food and drinkEvening meals and lunches will generally beeaten in local restaurants. Please see your tournotes for details about any included meals.

Simple snack - $2-$5Meal -$5-$15Fancy restaurant - $20-$25

Your tour leader will take you to localrestaurants so you can experience the vastvariety of Turkish cuisine.

Food

Lots of tasty treats are available in Turkey.Snacks include borek or poca (small pastriesfilled with meat, cheese or potato) sold fromsnack carts in the street, also simit (sesame-seed bread rings). Other snacks are lahmacun(small pizzas with meat based toppings) and incoastal cities midye tave (deep fried mussels).Main meals include several variations of thekebab, fish and seafood are good, but usuallypricey and sold by the weight rather than bythe item. Most budget restaurants are alcoholfree. A useful exception is a meyhane (tavern)which usually serves mezes, an extensive arrayof cold appetisers as well as grilled kebabs andfish. Most common mezes are dolma (pepper orvine leaves stuffed with rice) and patlican salata(aubergine in tomato sauce). The best dessert isundoubtedly the honey soaked baklava. Turkishdelight - solidified sugar and pectin, flavouredwith rose water or pistachios, and sprinkled withpowdered sugar - is another popular sweet.

Drink

All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks areat your own expense at all times and are fairlyinexpensive. Water from a tap or well shouldnot be considered safe to drink. Bottled water,carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widelyavailable throughout the country. Alcoholicdrinks vary in price, with beer generally beingthe cheapest option.

1l of water - $0.5030cl bottle of soft drink - $0.50-$1

40cl bottle of beer - $2-$3

Turkish coffee is served in tiny cups, and can bevery strong. The same can be said for the tea(chai) which is served in delightful tulip-shapedglasses. The local firewater is anis-flavoured raki,stronger than Greek Ouzo. Alcoholic drinks areavailable in most places, but in smaller towns itis not as widely obtainable.

Turkey: National holidays1 January - New Year’s Day23 April - Children's Day1 May - Labour Day19 May - Youth Day30 August - Victory Day6 October - Liberation War Day25 December - Christmas Day

Important: there are several religious publicholidays whose dates are determined by theIslamic lunar calendar and differ every yearaccording to the universal Gregorian calendar.

The month of Ramadan, the ninth of the Islamiccalendar, is a great time to travel in the MiddleEast as you get a real insight into the Muslimfaith. It is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer,doing good deeds and spending time withfamily and friends. The fasting is intended tohelp teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraintand generosity. It also reminds them of thesuffering of the poor, who may rarely get to eatwell.

During the day, people must refrain from eating,drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if youencounter someone who is a bit grumpy pleasebe understanding, flexible and sympathetic.As tourists you will be generally unaffectedalthough some places may close early, but yourtour leader will do their best to plan aroundthis. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants willremain open.

In the evening you will experience a celebratoryatmosphere at iftar, when people break theirfast. To witness Ramadan is a real highlightmaking your tour in the Middle East that bitmore interesting. Each year it begins roughly tendays earlier than the year before, according tothe Gregorian calendar.