Bodrum and the Greek Islands

Emergency Contact

Turkey

Pinar: +90 533 280 77 39 or Canan: +90 532 374 49 51

Head Office (Turkey) Pinar: +90 533 280 77 39 or Canan: +90 532 374 49 51

Greece

Travel Zone - Effie +30 698 97 16 199

Head Office (Turkey) Pinar: +90 533 280 77 39 or Canan: +90 532 374 49 51

Hotels used on this tour

The following hotels are used on this tour for departures and pre/post tour accommodation within the given date ranges. They are also the default hotel for pre/post tour accommodation on tours that don't include accommodation, such as day tours. This is intended to give an idea of the type of accommodation that may be expected. The actual hotels used for any given tour may change due to many reasons such as group size, availability, time of year, hotel standard has dropped or simply we found a better hotel. If we do change hotels it will be to a hotel of equal or higher standard and will be at no extra cost. Where more than one hotel is shown for a given an overnight stop this means that one of those hotels will be used.

Tipping

Turkey

Tips are common place and customary in Turkey / Türkiye, for everything from table service in a restaurant to a massage in a Turkish bath. It is more often a reward for good service and for most local people, an essential means of supplementing their income, meagre by Western Standards. Often tourists to a country don't know how much to tip or who to tip. The following amounts are a guideline and based on local considerations and feedback from our past travellers:

Restaurants and taxis: Local markets and basic restaurants - leave the loose change. More up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill.

Local guides: Throughout your trip you may at times have a local guide in addition to your tour guide. We suggest USD 20 per person per day for local guides.

Drivers:You may have a range of private drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey while others may be with you for several days. We would suggest a higher tip for those more involved with the group however USD 10 per person per day is generally appropriate.

Gulet Boat Trips: If you are travelling through Southern Turkey / Türkiye on a Gulet Boat trip we suggest USD 10 per person per day for the boat staff.

Tour guide: As a guideline we suggest around USD 80 - 100 per person for the whole tour, but this is ultimately up to you.

Greece

Tips are common place for table service in Greece. Restaurants and taxis, local markets and basic restaurants - leave the loose change. More up-market restaurants we suggest 5% to 10% of your bill. If you think your tour leader has worked hard then s/he will appreciate a tip of a few Euros. You do not need to tip the service staff at the hotels.

Money

Turkey

The currency unit in Turkey / Türkiye is Turkish Lira (TRY). 100 Kurus = 1 Turkish Lira

Current Exchange rate TRY 1 (EUR 0.03) as at Mon, 7 Oct 2024 12:55:14 GMT

Banknotes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Lira

Coins: 5, 10, 25, 50 Kurus and 1 Lira

You should always carry some back up cash or traveller's cheques separate to the rest of your money and cards. So if you loose your wallet or handbag, you have enough back up money to at least make some phone calls and eat for a few days.

A mixture of cash and credit cards are the best forms of currency. Credit cards are also accepted in most of the restaurants, bars and pubs.

MasterCard and Visa are most welcomed; American Express cards work at some ATMs and Amex offices. Credit cards are also useful for cash advances, which allow you to withdraw Lira instantly from associated banks and ATMs throughout Turkey / Türkiye. Cash cards and ATM's are widespread in most of Turkey / Türkiye; in Istanbul, Canakkale, Selcuk, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Kas, Cappadocia, and Ankara. When travelling, plan your budget and use the ATM machines before leaving the main towns.

Always try and use ATM's that are attached to banks while the bank is open, so that if the ATM swallows your card, you can go into the bank and get the card back.

It is much cheaper to convert money to Turkish Lira in Turkey / Türkiye than at home. Using an ATM or a credit card will often get you the best possible exchange rates; the post and telephone office (PTT) and banks offer very reasonable rates too. In the past, because of Turkey / Türkiye's high inflation rate, it was best to convert money on a daily basis. However, the currency has remained steady against all major currencies in recent years.

It is difficult for us to specify the money that you will spend per day, however, as a general rule EUR 20 to EUR 40 per day, can provide you with additional meals and optional entrances. Should you wish to purchase souvenirs or other gifts, of which there is a diverse range, you will have to budget for these.

Exchange rates used throughout this document are correct as at Mon, 7 Oct 2024 12:55:14 GMT

Greece

The monetary unit in Greece is the Euro (EUR). 1 Euro = 100 Euro cents.

You should always carry back up cash or card separate to the rest of your money and cards. So if you loose your wallet or handbag, you have enough back up money to at least make some phone calls and eat for a few days.

Euro is the currency of Greece since 1 January 2001. Credit Cards and Travellers Cheques are widely accepted in major cities and tourist resorts. ATM's are also accessible at all our destinations and offer the best exchange rate. A mixture of debit, credit cards and cash are the are the best forms of currency.

It is difficult for us to specify the money that you will spend per day, however, as a general rule EUR 4 to EUR 5 per day can provide you with additional meals and optional entrances. Should you wish to purchase souvenirs or other luxuries, of which there is a diverse range, you will have to budget for these.

Exchange rates used throughout this document are correct as at Thu, 17 Oct 2024 05:55:03 GMT

Travel Insurance

Turkey

Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event). 

General Info

Turkey

Turkey / Türkiye has so much to offer the traveller with its breathtaking natural beauty, unique historical sites and the famous Turkish hospitality. Walk across the soil that holds intact remains from the Hittites to the Ottomans and more classical Hellenistic sites than Greece! Nearly every major empire has conquered, occupied and left their trace on these lands.

Turkey / Türkiye is a country with a double identity, poised delicately between East and West. The only NATO member in the Middle East region, the country has recently been accepted as a candidate for membership of the EU. Yet although in many respects Western Turkey / Türkiye retains its frustrating differences, and its fascinating contradictions: mosques co-exist with churches, and remnants of the Greco-Roman Empire, ancient Hittite and Neolithic sites, crumble alongside modern culture.

Politically, modern Turkey / Türkiye was a bold experiment, founded on the remaining Anatolian kernel of the Ottoman Empire and almost entirely the creation of a single man, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. An explicitly secular republic, though one in which almost all of the inhabitants are at least nominally Muslim. It's a vast country and incorporates large disparities in levels of development. At the same time, it's an immensely rewarding place to travel, not least because of the people, whose reputation for friendliness and hospitality is richly deserved.

Turkey / Türkiye is spread upon 3% of the European continent and 97% in Asia. It is bordered by Europe and the Aegean Sea to the West, the Caucasus Mountains to the East, the Black Sea in the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. With 7000 kms of coastline, snow capped mountains and volcanoes, natural wonders, immense rivers, pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and rich agricultural valleys, welcome to Turkey / Türkiye.

Largest city: Istanbul 13 million; capital city: Ankara 5 million.

Geographical area: 814, 578 sq kms

Population: 78,785,548 million. (July 2011 est.)

International dialling code

International dialling code: +90

Time Zone: Turkey / Türkiye is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meant Time. During day light saving Turkey / Türkiye is 3 hours ahead of GMT, which is from the last Sunday in March to the last Saturday in October.

Electricity: All appliances need a double round pin type plug for 220 volts AC, 50-hertz.

Religion and Local Law 90% of Turkish people are Muslim, however, for many people this is more of an identity rather than a strict religion. You would never guess this statistic walking around much of Western Turkey / Türkiye, especially Istanbul, which in part is a trendy, cosmopolitan city. Turkish Law is secular and guarantees complete freedom of worship to people of all religions. It is recommended that at least one set of modest clothing is taken with you. It is a sign of respect to cover your shoulders and legs when visiting mosques and also attracts less unwanted attention. You cannot visit a mosque during prayer time unless you are praying. If you have any questions concerning appropriate (and legal) behaviour please ask your tour guide or leader. If accused of and detained for illegal behaviour, the Turkish authorities are obliged to inform your embassy or consular representative immediately, you can also insist on communicating with them directly. Turkish authorities command a high level of respect so be polite at all times. Turkish law requires everyone (Turks and non-Turks) to carry Id at all times. Always remember that in Turkey / Türkiye you are bound by Turkish law.

Greece

Having exported chaos, drama, tragedy and democracy before most nations stayed up late enough to want souvlaki, Greece boasts a legacy that's unrivalled. From smoggy Athens to blindingly bright islands, there are more ancient fragments than you can shake a stick at: the mother of all ruins - the Acropolis, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos and even, quite possibly, the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini. Greeks also know how to have fun - their propensity for partying dates back to Dionysos. In addition, hot sun and limpid seas conspire to make Greece a compelling place to relax. Whether you're chillin' in a beachside taverna, sipping coffee in a shady plateia or disco-dancing till dawn, chances are the Gods already have you ensnared.

Geographical area

131,957 square kilometers.

Population

10,760,136 (July 2011 est.). Athens (capital) 3.252 million; Thessaloniki 834,000 (2009).

International dialling code

International dialling code: +30

Time Zone

Greece is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Meant Time. During day light saving, which is from the last Sunday in March to the last Saturday in October, Greece is 3 hours ahead of GMT.

Electricity

All appliances need a double round pin type plug for 220 volts AC, 50-hertz.

Religion

Greek Orthodox (official) 98%, Muslim 1.3%, other 0.7%

Language

The Greek language with a documented record spanning three and a half millennia is a strong element of national continuity. Modern Greek derives from the same idiom used by Homer. The Greek alphabet and the Greek language have contributed much to all Western languages. In this respect Greek, is to be distinguished sharply from Latin, which generated numerous neo-Latin languages from Rumanian to Portuguese before itself became extinct. You'll find you won't have much of a problem with the language barrier. English is well communicated by many Greeks, especially in the Islands.

Eating and Drinking

Its unique tastes are some of the things that set Greece apart. You are in for pleasant culinary surprises while in this country. Contrary to common belief you will soon discover that Greek cuisine does not solely consist of mousaka, souvlaki and horiatiki salata. Greek cuisine has a great variety of dishes and can be an extremely satisfying culinary adventure for both meat-eaters and vegetarians.

Greek cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine, sharing characteristics with the cuisines of Italy, the Balkans, Turkey, and the Levant. Contemporary Greek cookery makes wide use of olive oil, vegetables and herbs, grains and bread, wine, fish, and various meats, including poultry, rabbit and pork. Also important are olives, cheese, eggplant (aubergine), courgette, and yoghurt. Greek desserts are characterized by the dominant use of nuts and honey. Some dishes use filo pastry.

Mezes is a collective name for a variety of small dishes, typically served with wines or anise-flavored liqueurs such as ouzo or homemade tsipouro. Orektika is the formal name for appetizers and is often used as a reference to eating a first course of a cuisine other than Greek cuisine. Dips are served with bread loaf or pita bread. In some regions, dried bread (paximadhi) is softened in water.

The national drink is Ouzo. Ouzo, an 80-proof clear alcoholic beverage that is flavored with anise; it turns milky white with water or ice; the best said to be produced on the island of Lesbos. We always recommend drinking 'bottled' water.

Meal for 2 persons, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course EUR 30.

Cup of Coffee / Cappuccino (regular) EUR 3.

Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) EUR 4.

Please Note

It is important to note that the Greece component of this trip is escorted by a tour leader, whilst the Turkey component of your trip is escorted by a tour guide. There are important differences between these two roles, and understanding these will help you get the most out of your trip.

A tour leader travels with the group and will provide information regarding optional activities and day tours and will book these for you. Your tour leader acts as a facilitator, and will take care of any logistical issues such as the purchase of ferry tickets and hotel check-ins, and trouble shoot any problems that may arise on tour. Your tour leader will not guide you around historical sites but may give some cultural information and information about the best places to go in your free time. Some of your optional activities in Greece may be accompanied by a tour guide.

A tour guide is a licensed, qualified expert, and is generally a specialist in history and archaeology, and sometimes architecture. A tour guide will guide you around historical sites, providing historical and cultural information in addition to being responsible for the smooth running of your trip. In Turkey, a tour guide will accompany you for your whole trip, guiding you around sites, taking care of logistical issues and will also help you to book any optional activities.