5. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS and COMPUTERS
1. GETTING TO TÜRKIYE
Q. What’s the best way to fly to/from Türkiye?
A. Our tours start in Istanbul and end in Kuşadası (Izmir is the closest international airport). You’ll definitely want to fly into Istanbul, but it’s up to you whether your return ticket is booked out of Istanbul or Izmir. If your return ticket is from Istanbul, you can book a separate ticket from Izmir back to Istanbul. Otherwise, book a multi-city trip that flies into Istanbul and out of Izmir.
Q. Can I arrive early into Istanbul?
A. Definitely. And, depending on availability, we’d be happy to book additional nights for you at the hotel where the group is staying for the start of the tour. Please check with our Client Liaison for pricing and availability.
Q. Do I need a visa to enter Türkiye?
A. For citizens of many countries, you do not need a visa to enter Türkiye. You will receive an entry stamp in your passport upon arrival. You can find additional information about visas for Türkiye here.
Q. What is the best way to get back to my departure airport after the tour?
A. Our tours start in Istanbul and end in Kuşadası (Izmir is the closest international airport). You have a couple of options for catching your flight home (or for onward travels). These are outlined below.
1) If you fly into Istanbul and out of Izmir:
We will be staying in Kuşadası on the last night of the tour. We recommend that you either arrange a taxi to the Izmir Airport through the hotel or schedule your own Uber. These are much more affordable options than having us arrange your transportation and both are easy enough to do.
2) If you wish to fly roundtrip from Istanbul:
Even if your ticket is roundtrip into and out of Istanbul, you will still need to get to Istanbul from Izmir on that final morning/day of the tour. While we can book this for you, it’s much more economical for you to book it on your own. Make sure to leave plenty of time (at least three hours) between your arrival into Istanbul and your international departing flight.
2. WHILE VISITING TÜRKIYE
Q. Will bottled water be available on the tour?
A. Yes it will, but we strongly urge our tour participants to carry their own reusable water bottle and bring a water purifier, such as a SteriPen, so as to cut down on the number of plastic water bottles that get thrown out daily in Türkiye.
Some hotels will have water at the breakfast buffet from which you can fill up your own reusable water bottle.
Q. What kind of food should I expect on the tour?
A. Turkish cuisine is flavorful, fresh and varied. Breakfasts are served at our hotels and include a generous spread of breads, cheeses, olives, eggs, yogurt, fruit, vegetables, jams, and tea or coffee.
Lunch includes small, shared plates, kebabs, seafood, hearty stews, flatbreads and delicious desserts. Turkish cuisine is typically herb- and olive-oil-based rather than spicy. (Think: Mediterranean)
Dinners that are included in the tour are often buffet-style, with a mix of traditional Turkish dishes and more familiar international options. Expect grilled meats and vegetables, rice and bulgur dishes, salads, soups and vegetarian selections.
Dietary preferences such as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free can be accommodated (though note that wheat is used in many traditional dishes so always ask!).
Q. When are meals typically served?
A. Typically, meals are served later than they are in North America. But we will do our best to eat at times that are more typical for North Americans (closer to 7pm and not 9pm, for example).
Q. Since this is a Muslim country, is alcohol available?
A. Alcohol is definitely less common in Türkiye than in many other countries, but it will be available at the hotels and restaurants. It’s also possible to purchase bottles of wine for your private consumption.
Q. Do you recommend any special vaccinations for this trip?
A. There’s nothing you need specifically for Türkiye. However, you’ll want to consult with a travel doctor for medical advice.
Q. Do I need to be concerned about mosquitoes / malaria?
A. Türkiye does have cases of malaria, but it is not a widespread issue. And yes, there are mosquitoes but, again, they are not widespread.
Q. How much walking is involved on your Türkiye tours?
A. All activities are listed on the itinerary page which will give you a good idea of how much walking is required. In general, expect that the bus won’t be able to park next to the entrance of some of the ancient sites we visit. In these cases, you’ll need to walk to them. This could be anywhere from a block to five blocks or more once we are at some of the ancient sites.
In addition, there are many cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks.
If you’re unsteady on your feet, you might consider bringing a walking stick or pole and shoes with ankle support.
Q. I get motion sickness. Will I be able to sit in the front of the van/bus on the tour
A. We do try to make our tour participants as comfortable as possible, so please tell your tour guide if motion sickness is an issue for you. We can’t guarantee the front seat of the van or bus every time as it really depends on how many people in the group get motion sick or have other medical issues where they may need a different seat.
We suggest that you bring ginger, wrist bands (like this ReliefBand) or ask your doctor about a prescription.
Q. What should I expect in terms of the weather?
A. Expect a diverse range of weather in Türkiye. We offer our tour in the fall so as to avoid the summer heat. Having said that, temps could be as high as in the 80s and dip down quite cold at night.
Q. Should I learn any Turkish before traveling to Türkiye?
A. While it’s always great to learn a few phrases of the local language, you’ll find that most people we encounter will speak English. Our guide will teach us some basic Turkish at the beginning of the trip!
4. HOTEL INFORMATION
Q. What hotel is the tour starting from in Istanbul?
A. Hotel information is listed on the tour itinerary, and this is confirmed about a month before the tour. A complete hotel list will be provided a couple of weeks in advance of the tour start date. We encourage you to leave this with family and/or friends in case of an emergency. Depending on availability, we can also book you a room in the same hotel where the tour starts if you wish to arrive early and explore the city on your own or rest from your travels.
Q. Will hotels have fitness centers and/or safe walking routes? Is there time in the itinerary to get some exercise?
A. Some hotels do have fitness centers, but it’s best to check the hotel websites on the Türkiye itinerary for specific amenities. You will also have several opportunities during the tour to explore on your own. In general Türkiye is a safe country but you may want to check with our guide for the safest places to walk.
Q. Do hotels provide shampoo and conditioner?
A. All hotels will have shampoo in the showers but not all will have conditioner. If you like, you can always purchase shampoo and conditioner once you arrive if you don’t want to travel with it or if you run out along the way.
Q. Are there hair dryers at the hotels?
A. Hair dryers are available at all of the accommodations.
Q. Are my items safe in my hotel room?
A. Your items *should* be safe. But for valuables you are concerned about, we recommend that you either lock them in your room’s safe or that you place items in your luggage and use small locks to secure the zippers.
When something goes missing, it’s usually later found at the bottom of one’s luggage. In the meantime, hotel staff are the first to be blamed. It’s best to keep your items (especially valuables) locked up so that this is not even a question.
Q. Can I make an appointment for a spa treatment in advance?
A. Yes, our guide can help make appointments directly with the hotel for either a spa treatment or hamman/Turkish bath. The tour itinerary has links to all of the hotels so you can see which spa you’d like to visit. By going through the itinerary, you can also see where you’ll have the most free time.
5. PACKING INFORMATION
Q. Is it OK to bring a large piece of luggage that I have to check?
A. While you will be more comfortable moving around with fewer (and smaller) bags, it’s fine if you need to check a bag. There will be porters and hotel staff to help with luggage at each hotel.
Note that not all hotels have elevators, so the fewer bags you have, the better.
Q. How should I dress/pack for this trip?
A. You’ll receive a full packing list for the tour that will help guide you. Because this is a Muslim country, you’ll want to dress a bit more conservatively (especially outside of the big cities) than you might otherwise dress.
Lightweight travel pants, capris, leggings, dresses and/or skirts (below the knee) will be most comfortable. Short-sleeved shirts, tank tops with a scarf to cover your shoulders or a long dress are all fine.
Headscarves must be worn by women in all of the mosques. At some mosques, these are available for loan but it’s best to bring your own.
It will be cooler in the bus and in restaurants, so have a light jacket or wrap that you can wear. And it can be cool at night as well. In general, you’ll want to be prepared to dress in layers as the temperature can swing wide from mid-day to evening.
Q. Will I be responsible for carrying my own luggage?
A. You’ll have very little interaction with your luggage as the guides and hotel staff help with moving bags from the bus to the rooms and then back to the bus. We do encourage you to pack light so a small roller bag that is carry-on size (under 22″) would be ideal.
Q.What type of shoes should I bring?
A. Our rule of thumb is not to bring more than two pairs of shoes – one pair for walking and perhaps a pair of sandals, tennis shoes or small boots (depending on the weather forecast).
Because of the heat, you might find yourself wanting to wear sandals (ie. Tevas) even into the evening. But there will be a fair amount of walking around as we’re touring, so make sure your shoes are comfortable.
Q. Can I wear Tevas or other sandals the entire tour?
A. If you’re comfortable wearing sandals like Tevas for walking all day, that’s fine. But you may want to bring a pair of socks for the cooler evenings or consider bringing another pair of shoes for evening.
Q. What type of day bag do you recommend for touring around?
A. Türkiye is a relatively safe country, but you’ll want to take extra precaution in the cities, particularly Istanbul. We recommend a shoulder bag or backpack that has safety features, such as one from PacSafe. Most of their bags have slash proof panels and handles so that an opportunistic thief can’t just grab your bag and run.
Q. Should I bring a swimsuit?
A. Yes, there are swimming pools (and a thermal pool!) at several of the hotels and you will have some free time to use them.
6. TECHNOLOGY including CELL PHONES, CAMERAS and COMPUTERS
Q. Will WiFi be available at the hotels?
A. Yes, free WiFi is available at all of the hotels.
Q. What sort of power adaptor do I need?
A. Türkiye uses type C and type F power plugs. Your adaptor should look like this>>>
Q. Will I need a converter for my electrical devices?
A. You will need a converter for any devices needing 110/220 conversion (things like a hair dryer, curling iron, etc.). Most electronics these days (such as a laptop and iPad) have a built-in converter that protects the device from power surges.
Q. Can I use my cell phone in Türkiye?
A. There are a few ways you can use your cell phone in Türkiye. The most reliable and easiest way to do this is to buy an international data plan from your provider. Most providers offer an international data plan (or your current plan may already include it) where you pay $10 – $12/day. This tends to be pretty seamless.
A much more cost-effective option is to download an eSIM like Airalo (for $3 off, use code ELIZAB3290). This allows you to connect to the local network to use data. It can be a little tricky getting this set up and using it with your own number, but we can help you once in-country. You will need a phone that is “unlocked” in order to use an eSIM. This usually requires that you own your phone and that you are not on a payment plan with your cell phone provider.
Lastly, you can simply turn your data off and only use your phone when there’s WiFi.
Q. Will there be WiFi on our bus?
A. There should be WiFi available on the bus but we can’t guarantee this so it’s best not to expect it.
7. MONEY, GIFTS, TIPS
Q. What’s the currency used in Türkiye?
A. The Turkish lira (TRY) is the currency of Türkiye. Consider downloading an app such as Converter so that you have quick access to the exchange rate.
Q. Are ATMs available?
A. There will be ATMs available throughout the trip. You’ll want to let your bank know in advance that you are traveling so they don’t deny usage of your card thinking it’s a fraudulent charge. You’ll also want to find out what, if anything, your bank changes for international ATM withdrawals. If it’s based on each transaction, you’ll want to take larger amounts of money out rather than making numerous small withdrawals so as to limit the charges.
In addition, there may be a fee charged by the local bank to use the ATM.
Q. How do I exchange money in Türkiye?
A. If you have US dollars or Euros, you can exchange money at an exchange bureau upon arrival at the airport or at your hotel, but the rate won’t be quite as good as exchange bureaus you’ll find elsewhere. Our guide can help find the best place to exchange your cash for local currency.
There is often a problem making change in Türkiye, and it can be difficult to pay with large banknotes, so be sure to get smaller denomination bank notes as this will make your life easier when paying for inexpensive items such as drinks and souvenirs.
Q. How much money should I bring with me?
A. We get this question a lot, and it really does depend on your spending habits. You can make larger purchases using a MasterCard or Visa (Discover is not accepted at all and American Express is not always accepted), but small purchases will likely be made with cash. You might consider bringing $100-200 in case you have trouble finding an ATM that will accept your card when you first arrive. Also, having small bills (in your own currency) to tip a taxi driver or bellman upon your arrival might be helpful.
Q. How should I best carry my money?
A. You might consider carrying your passport, credit/debit cards and cash in something like a neck pouch or a large wallet like this one from Baggallini. You could then put that in a larger cross-body bag.
Q. Do we tip our guide(s) and driver?
A. Tips for the guide(s) and driver for the tour itself are included in the cost of your tour. But if you’d like to give something extra at the end of the trip, it would be greatly appreciated by both the guide(s) and driver. A suggested amount is $10 – $20 per day. U.S. dollars or Turkish lira are both fine.
We suggest leaving a tip for the cleaning staff at the hotels as you would do at a hotel elsewhere. $2 – $5 a night is appropriate. We also suggest tipping for any services when you’re not with the group (a private airport pickup or drop-off, for example).
Q. Do you suggest we bring gifts for the locals?
A. It’s certainly a nice gesture (but not necessary) if you have small gifts to leave with friends you make along the way. Things that might be appropriate include souvenirs from your hometown, including items with logos (Seattle mugs or baseball caps, for example), chocolate or coffee. We will have a male driver and female guide.
8. WANDERTOURS TRAVEL DETAILS
Q. Do I need insurance for this tour?
A. We do suggest that all tour participants acquire travel insurance, but it is 
not required.
We partner with Travel Insured International so that you have ability to purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any possible issues. Although we are technically not requiring it, you will be asked to sign additional paperwork acknowledging the risk of traveling without insurance.
Here’s some info on insurance that includes an explanation of Cancel for Any Reason insurance.
Q. Is there a schedule for installment payments?
A. We don’t have anything formal set up, but you can definitely send in payments on your own schedule. Some people send in monthly payments while other people send in payments when it’s convenient.
It is common for someone to set up regularly scheduled checks to be sent from their bank until the tour is paid in full by the final payment due date.
Q. Will I receive a refund if I have to cancel my participation in this tour?
A. Once you have paid a deposit, there is a cancellation fee if you cannot join us. The cancellation fee depends on the tour and how far in advance of the tour you cancel. Our refund policy is covered in our Booking Terms and Conditions and is also outlined on the Registration Form that you’ll receive within 24 hours of registering with a deposit.
Any refunds will be sent by check within two weeks of our receiving written notification of your cancellation (email notification is fine). We will respond via email and ask for confirmation of your mailing address for any refunds.
Address must be confirmed within six months; otherwise expect forfeiture of refund as we close out our books at that time.
Q. Will you be sending an updated itinerary with our overnight accommodations so we can leave it with folks at home?
A. Yes, you’ll receive the hotel information as well as emergency contact information one or two weeks before departure (note: it is subject to last-minute changes).
Q. What’s the emergency contact info that I can give my family?
A. About two weeks before your departure, you will be given a cell phone number for your tour escort and someone in-country employed by our local tour operator.